Tour of the Week: Costa Rica with OutWest

Originally published in GPS.OutTraveler.com

With temperatures plunging in the northern and eastern parts of the U.S., thoughts turn south to warmer climes and sunnier, longer days. Costa Rica has plenty of both. Plus it’s gay-friendly as all-get-out to boot.

Join OutWest Global Adventures for a week of fun, adventure, and relaxation while exploring the best that Costa Rica, or CR to its friends, has to offer. Raft through the rainforest on the Pacuare River, hike on a volcano, walk through red-ripe berries of a coffee plantation (could that little berry be in a future tall drip at Starbucks!?), and feel the warmth of the Pacific Ocean as you swim along the beaches and islands of beautiful Manuel Antonio National Park.

You can also take nature walks, kayak excursions, or just kickback by the pool and sip a tropical drink (or three).

When: February 12-19, 2011

More info: OutWest Global Adventures

Tour of the Week: Costa Rica with Out Adventures

Originally published in GPS.OutTraveler.com

When most people think Costa Rica, they think of beaches and sun. Although these are among the top highlights, gay-owned and gay-operated, Toronto-based Out Adventures offers a gay tour for those seeking both relaxation and adventure in this stunning, verdant, safe, and friendly country.

Few countries offer the diversity that Costa Rica does where you can watch a sophisticated gay show in San Jose one day, discover La Fortuna by bicycle the next, zip over the mist-shrouded rainforest in Monteverde after that and finish with rest and relaxation on the beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park.

This tour runs a few times per year and the company limits its group size to 12, claiming that a more authentic experience is achieved while traveling in smaller groups, and also with a local leader from beginning to end. Note that the February departure will also be accompanied by handsome, gregarious Out Adventure co-founder Robert Sharp.