Islands Of Costa Rica
Isla de Caņo (Caņo Island)
Caņo Island is 300 hectares of land, 5,800 hectares
of sea located some 20 kilometers west of the Osa Peninsula. Its highest point
is 110 meters above sea level and most of its coastline is made up of cliffs
that climb as high as 70 meters. The white sandy beaches are small, no longer
than 80 meters and some almost disappear at high tide. At low tide, it is
possible to walk along the coast for some distance, following the beaches and a
kind of rocky ledge that surrounds a large portion of the island and where
innumerable tide pools form. An old lighthouse on the southwestern tip of the
island affords a view of the forest and a great deal of coastline from the
look-out platform. Read more.
Isla de Coco
is the largest
uninhabited island in the world. It is located 300 miles from Costa Rica in the Pacific
Ocean and has the size of 24 square kilometers. There are countless waterfalls,
wild pigs, goats and coconuts. The island is said to be the treasure island from
the novel by Robert Louis Stevenson, which has a real background. People are
sure that important pirate treasures still remain on Cocos, for example the
legendary church treasure of Lima as well as others. Many expeditions have tried
to find one of them. August Gisler, a German, was one of the most famous
treasure hunters. The government of Costa Rica even made him governor of the
island in the beginning of the century. He tried bringing German families to
have company and help in the searching. After 30 years without success, he gave
up and died as a poor man in New York. Today, Cocos is being watched by some
park guards. The only treasure found is the great nature. The island is home of
many endemic species of animals and the waters around Cocos are the ones with
the most sharks on our earth. Tours are offered by the ships Underseahunter and
Seahunter as well as Oceanos. People have to sleep on board. A 10 day diving
trip costs about US$ 2500 including everything. Not easy to afford, but sure an
unforgettable adventure.
Isla Tortugas
is a small rocky
island in the bay of Nicoya and has a famous beach. It is used as a background
on many commercial posters. The trip to the island from Puntarenas, Playa
Tarcoles or Playa Montezuma is very popular. It is good to relax, swim or dive.
