Recently, there was an article written about Costa Rica in the magazine, Endless Vacation. The first sentence read, “Costa Rica’s turn as an eco-haven secret is over. The beaches are still long and empty, but this once-undiscovered place is now making a push to be the world’s next great hot spot.”
What does that mean to you as an intrepid traveler who likes exploring beautiful tropical places like Costa Rica?
For one thing, more crowds and more infringement on the birds, plant life, and animals, more natural beaches and forests torn up for the fancy resort hotels and commercial restaurants, and more small family-owned stores, restaurants, and homes that may be knocked down to make way for the tourist souvenir shops. This article predicted its outcome by stating that the undiscovered beaches and other areas of Costa Rica are now “discovered.”
This reminds me of the song, Big Yellow Taxi written and sung by Joni Mitchell. You may remember one of the more memorable lyrics where she sings, “… they paved paradise and put up a parking lot …”
The Endless Vacation magazine article went on to say, “… and you’ll witness the invention of a tropical paradise, from sandy surf hamlet to haute cuisine.”
What????
Costa Rica is ALREADY a tropical paradise! Does it really need to be “reinvented?”
The state of Veracruz is México’s Forgotten Coast
Fortunately, the “eco-haven secret” about the state of Veracruz, México has NOT been discovered. It is still a secret, even to most travel agents. How do I know this? It comes from firsthand observation. After traversing this elongated gulf coast state for over 16 years, it has been rare that I even see other foreigners. Here is a question for you. Do you recall ever reading an advertisement in English which promotes Veracruz as a tourist destination? Most likely not.
Los Tuxtlas World Biosphere Reserve, Veracruz México
The Los Tuxtlas region is found a short 100 miles south of the city of Veracruz. It is the northern-most region in the western hemisphere where tropical rain forest conditions still exist. This area comprises less than 3% of the land mass of Costa Rica yet it contains 55% of all the plants, animals, and insects you will find there. Within the 380,000 acres/155,122 hectares Biosphere Reserve, there are over 1300 species of flowering plants, more than 550 different species of birds, 1100+ insects, 172 species of butterflies, and 139 species of mammals. No wonder it is a recognized World Biosphere Reserve! Ever heard of it? Probably not. And neither have all the other foreign tourists. You won’t find any recognized hotel chains or foreign-owned restaurants there; only small locally owned enterprises.
If you would like a tropical México adventure get-away without all the crowds and mass commercialism, then Veracruz is waiting for you. It’s still pristine, still mostly undiscovered, and still untouristed.
Discover Veracruz, México now before all the others find out.
