Sports Scene In a country that’s smaller than the province of New Brunswick, the range of Costa Rica’s sports activities is remarkable. Whitewater rafting is a big attraction, with the country having more adrenaline-rushing rivers, deep gorges and incredible rapids than any other place in the world. Off shore, hundreds of miles of coastline waters provide unlimited surfing, windsurfing and kayaking together with world-renowned fishing. Anglers can choose the thrill of deep-sea fishing or casting a line in one of the country’s freshwater lakes. The country’s popular game fish include marlin, sailfish, tuna, snapper and grouper. On land, there are more than a dozen golf courses known for their lush green fairways, rolling hills and stunning ocean views. Some of them have been designed by such worldclass architects as Robert Trent Jones Jr. and George Fazio. Central America and catching sight of one is a gold-star experience. This somewhat-elusive bird with its stunning iridescent green and red plumage was a symbol of spiritual power among ancient civilizations, which used its tail feathers ceremonially. While the quetzal wins the beauty contest, the clay-coloured thrush is Costa Rica’s national bird. Regarded among the top birdwatching spots in the country are the Monteverde Cloud Forest, La Selva Biological Station and Carara National Park. Achieving the richest viewing experience is greater at parks, reserves and other sites that have treetop platforms and raised suspension bridges. Birdwatching With at least 850 identified species, Costa Rica is a birdwatcher’s paradise and one of the country’s chief natural assets. To put this number in context, the country is home to more varieties of birds than all of Canada and the United States combined. One of the reasons for the country’s extraordinary range of avian species is its great variety of habitats – rainforests, mangrove swamps, beaches, cloud forests and rivers. In a country that provides a range of both climates and altitudes, its popular birds include the toucan, scarlet macaw, 50 species of hummingbirds and the resplendent quetzal. The quetzal is unique to the cloud forests of 18 | www.snowbirds.org Travel
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