Volunteer Abroad Costa Rica Sea Turtles Conservation www.abroaderview.org

http://www.abroaderview.org/costarica.php

Volunteer Abroad in Costa Rica: In 1502, on his fourth and last voyage to the New World, Christopher Columbus made the first European landfall in the area. Settlement of Costa Rica began in 1522. For nearly three centuries, Spain administered the region as part of the Captaincy General of Guatemala under a military governor. The Spanish optimistically called the country "Rich Coast." Finding little gold or other valuable minerals in Costa Rica, however, the Spanish turned to agriculture.

Mention Costa Rica and people think paradise. The country's Disney-like cast of creatures — ranging from howler monkeys to toucans — is prolific and relatively easy to spot. The waves are prime; the beauty is staggering and the sluggish pace seductive.

Costa Rica, despite being such a tiny nation, draws well over a million visitors every year - and you can see why. The incredibly varied topography means you can cruise a cloud forest one day, climb a volcano the next, and finish passed out on a hot sandy beach.

Costa Rica is a tropical country and experiences only two seasons: wet and dry. The dry season is generally between late December and April; the wet season lasts the rest of the year.

The highlands are cold: San José and the Central Valley get an 'eternal spring' with lows averaging 15°C (60°F) and highs averaging 26°C (79°F). Both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts are pretty much sweltering year-round - get ready for some bad-hair days.

Temperatures vary little between seasons; the main influence on temperature is altitude. The humidity at low altitudes can be oppressive.

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