I just got back from an amazing summer vacation to Costa Rica.  I feel truly relaxed, refreshed and rejuvenated.  Pura Vida!

This was my second visit to Costa Rica.  The first visit was a post-college solo quest to master the Spanish language.  For 4 months, I lived with Tico families, chilled on both the Pacific and Caribbean beaches, hiked the rain and cloud forests, and spoke as much Spanish as I could.  The second time around, Costa Rica was just as fabulous as I remembered.

Here are some of my recommendations if you’re thinking about visiting Costa Rica …

Grabbing Some Air

Comida -  Costa Rica is not particularly known for its food, but for some reason I love it.  For breakfast, try the gallo pinto.  It’s basically rice and black beans all mixed together and often served with avocado, corn tortillas or eggs.  Delicious.

Don’t try to compare Costa Rican food to Mexican Food – it has an entirely different flavor and spice than Mexican food.  Also, eat the fish – Mahi-Mahi and Groper are local and especially fresh.  If you go deep sea fishing, ask your guides to fillet some fish sashimi-style for you.  Absolutely amazing!

Las Playas -  There are so many fun beaches.  I have trouble ranking them, but here are my tips…

• Tamarindo/Jaco – These are good for learning to surf.  They’re a bit commercial, but have lots of fun bars and restaurants if you’re looking for a beach with nightlife.
• Flamingo/Hermosa/Panama – These are the beaches for the quiet, relaxing getaway.
• Montezuma – This is an awesome hippie town.  Not too small, not too touristy.  The beaches are a little rocky, but it’s got a great vibe and has fun nightlife.
• Puerto Viejo – This place totally has the Caribbean/Rastafarian vibe.  The waves are a bit rough here, and you’re in the heart of the rain forest, but it’s very distinct from the Pacific side.

Los Ticos -  Ticos, as the Costa Ricans call themselves, are some of the most friendly, happy and helpful people I’ve ever met.  They are proud of their country and want you to have a good time.  Get to know them, ask them where the hot spots are and learn how to salsa dance.

Sustantivo – Transportation in Costa Rica is on “Tico” time.  The local buses are cheap and great for getting around the country, but they aren’t quite as punctual as the U.S. transit system.  They often stop to pick-up and let off locals at their houses. (Can you imagine that happening in the States?)

While the roads have improved in some areas of Costa Rica, they’re still not great. It takes a while to get from place to place.  Make sure you know the travel time – not just the distance – so you’re not spending too much time in the car.

Animales – I unfortunately never got to see a toucan, but there are a couple animals you most definitely will see when you’re there if you’re paying attention.

• Sloth -  These guys are awesome.  They are huge and they just laze around in the trees.  I saw some in the cloud forest of Monteverde.
• Howler Monkeys -  If you’re in Guanacasta, you’ll definitely hear these monkeys.  They whine all afternoon and sound like dogs in pain.  Around 3 or 4 p.m., keep your eyes up in the trees for big, black monkeys just chillin.
• Iguanas – These large turbo lizards are all over the place.  You’ll see them speeding across the highways and catching some rays near the beaches.

Have you been to Costa Rica?  If so, please add to my list, and let me know what I’ve left off.

What’s up readers?

So you want to take a killer vacation this summer, but you’re a little short on the dough-re-mi, if you know what I’m saying.  You’ve scraped together some money from that part-time job, selling some of your worldly possessions on eBay and even doing a few things you aren’t too proud of to get just enough to hit the trail this summer.

You Could Be Walking This in Costa Rica

So where should you go? Where will your dollar stretch further than our friend Mr. Armstrong?

We’ve surveyed our travel experts and came up with 10 destinations to stretch your dollar the furthest this summer. Now it’s your turn.

STA Travel (courtesy of American Airlines and Albee Adventures) is giving away an adventure trip for two to Costa Rica.

What do you have to do to win?

1. Read the top 10 recommendations from STA Travel below.

2. Suggest your cheap destination for summer travel in the comment section below.

On Friday, April 10, we will select one comment with a cheap destination suggestion at random and at  5 p.m. CDT, we will announce the winner of the trip on the blog. Make sure to use a valid e-mail address when you comment as this is how we will contact you if you’ve won.

After the winner is announced, we will add the 20 best suggestions to the list below.

To get the juices flowing, here are ten of the cheapest summer travel destinations as recommend by STA Travel experts:

1. Buenos Aires, Argentina – Often called the Paris of the South, Buenos Aires offer similar beauty, but with less of a hit on your wallet. We’re talking about amazing wine for $2 and multicourse lunches for under $5.

2. Atlanta, Georgia – You’re staying domestic, so that cuts a little off of the airfare and you can stay cheap too, but combining the staples of breakfast and lunch in one meal is a real cash saver. Atlanta is home to the original Gladys Knight and Ron Winans’ Chicken & Waffles and you can find the delicacy in other parts of the city for less than $9.

Awesome View in Guatemala

3. Costa Rica - Considered an eco-oasis, Costa Rica is a mecca for those looking for adventure and eco-friendly travel. Besides the cheap and eco-friendly accommodations, Costa Rica’s public transport is dirt cheep, so you can ditch the rental car.

4. Miami, Florida – Miami is a cultural melting pot with inhabitants from all over the globe. One of the things they brought besides amazing food (can you tell we like food at STA?) is the concept of hostels. Miami is one of the few cities in the U.S. with a wide selection of hostels, starting at $19 a night.

5. Guatemala – When all of your friends are planning their trips to Jamaica or Acapulco, bring a new destination to the table – Guatemala. Ever since their economy started to pick-up in the late 1990s, Guatemala has become more modern and still flies under the radar of many travelers. Lucky for you, it is still an undiscovered destination and you can get a hotel for just $30.

6. Las Vegas, Nevada – Vegas, Baby, Vegas! Not only can you potentially make a little money on vacation, you can score tons of cheap meals and drinks. Many casinos offer complimentary drinks and I’m sure you’ve heard of the famous cheap buffets on The Strip.

7. Denver, Colorado - Free Beer. Is there anything else we need to say? Head to Denver and take the MillerCoors Brewery tour and get some free beer samples.

8. New Orleans, Louisiana - The Big Easy can be easy on your wallet, too. Besides the free people watching on Bourbon Street, you can get beer for only a buck.

9. Cancun, Mexico – I know what you’re thinking – How can some of the most beautiful beaches in the world be cheap? Right now, the U.S. Dollar is equal to about 13.55 Mexican Pesos, so you can partake in tequila shots for less than a dollar and score an all-inclusive resort for much less than you thought.

10. Cleveland, Ohio - Not traditionally thought of as an ideal destination for summer travel, the addition of the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame has made this place a, “must visit.” Plus, the city is full of cultural neighborhoods with cheap food of every origin from Polish to Irish and Italian.

Now it’s your turn. Add to our list and on Friday, we will announce the winner of the free trip to Costa Rica.

Costa Rica Photo Credit: baxterclaws on Flickr

Guatemala Photo Credit: AlphaTangoBravo on Flickr

Fine Print:

Two (2) 7 Night Costa Rica Land Only Packages. Winner can choose form one of three set 7 night itineraries: Manuel Antonio, Tamarindo, or Arenal & Tamarindo.  Award includes 7 nights lodging and shuttle transportation.  Passenger is responsible for meals, additional activities and any other fees or expenses.  Travel must be completed by 31 Dec 2009.  Blackouts may apply  26 -31 Dec 2009 .   All other terms and conditions apply.  This award has no cash value. (ERV $1600)