Where is the “happiest place on earth ?” Disneyworld claims it is and, though it is a great place to enjoy once in a while, the most satisfying place to live in the world is officially tiny Costa Rica, winner of the Happy Planet Index.

The Index measures three things: high life expectancy, high life satisfaction, and a low ecological footprint. 143 countries were rated, representing 99 per cent of the world’s population, and Costa Rica came out on top—by a lot.

The Happy Planet Index asked: 1. What is a person’s life expectancy ( premise: it is better to live longer than die young)? 2. While alive, how satisfied are people with the quality of their life (premise: living longer but miserably is not very satisfying)? 3. How much does a country cost the planet (premise: sustainable development is better than exhausting resources and has less effect on global warming) ?

Like me, you probably assume that the most developed nations will come in towards the top but that is not the case. Despite its wealth and power, the United States occupies number 114. England does better but still only ranks 74th.

There is a very dramatic difference between Costa Rica and the United States. Costa Ricans live slightly longer than Americans (and have universal, almost free coverage), report substantially higher levels of satisfaction with their life, and yet make a per capita carbon footprint 75% less than the States.

It is no accident that Costa Rica is at the top of the rankings The country is committed to sustainable development. While the Western world, China and India are committed to relying upon nonrenewable, nonsustainable resources (think oil) that are exhausting the planet’s resources and contributing to serious global pollution and warming, 99% of Costa Rica’s energy is completely renewable and sustainable. As developed countries dither about how to address power needs and meet the challenges of pollution and global warming, tiny Costa Rica has taken action. More than two decades ago, at a time when so many other countries were cutting and burning their forests, Costa Rica decided to go the opposite direction and now there are 20% more forested areas. Presciently, it has long denied oil drilling off its shores, choosing sustainability over exhaustion. And, in 2007 it became the first country to commit to being completely carbon neutral by 2021.

Costa Rica’s per capita income is only a fraction of that of the United States and other western countries but its ranking at number 1 in all the world is a model to emulate.

Writer Victor Krumm lives in Costa Rica. Go to his acclaimed website about Costa Rica Vacations and be sure to look at the spectacular Seven Wonders of Costa Rica

Jaco is a small, vibrant town in Costa Rica and a very popular place for students wanting some fun during spring break or summer vacation. But, not just students. Today, tourists from around the world visit Jaco year-round, though December to May are considered “high season” (the most people, the highest accommodation costs). Whatever month you want to visit, the Jaco area is the place to go for sun, great beaches and activities.

About a two hour drive from San Jose, this bustling town sits on the Central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. For many years, it has been one the most popular beaches in Costa Rica, in large part because of its nightlife. Its reputation as a fantastic “party beach” is now well known.

Over the years, many tourists have made this a favorite location for their visits, citing its casual, relaxed, laid back, friendly, party atmosphere. There are lots of great beaches nearby, some of which are very tranquil, all of which are gorgeous. Jaco has boomed over the last half dozen years or so. Where there was once a quiet little road (except at night) road through town, today there are towering high rises and resorts, and lots and lots of bars, restaurants, and shops.

College kids have long traveled to Jaco because of its “party beach” and cheap accommodations. There is great surfing and lots of bars and discos. They are joined by people of every age and background who come here to enjoy the many things to do and see. Today, there are many restaurants, taverns, tourist traps, and nightclubs to choose from. Whatever your budget, from luxury to basic (think hostels without hot water) there’s a place for you—-not to mention a tourist souvenir shop.

Though the beach directly in front of Jaco (Jaco Beach) has been very popular for many years, it is surpassed by nearby beaches (literally just a couple of miles/kilometers away). These beaches have fewer people and are some of the most ecologically pure in all of the world, bearing Blue Flag certifications for cleanliness. In particular, I recommend spectacular Hermosa Beach, just a couple of miles from Jaco. It is pristine and has some of the best surfing on the planet. In fact, in late July professional surfers from more than 35 countries are going to descend upon Hermosa in the days for world surfing championships—and party at night in Jaco.

There are dozens of different things to do and innumerable places to visit close at hand. Costa Rica is tiny but filled with interesting places and activities. Go whitewater rafting or learn to sea kayak. Take a horseback ride along the beach or through the mountains (if you’re into extreme riding, you can literally ride across Costa Rica from the Pacific to the Caribbean). Visit volcanoes, sit in volcanic hot springs, try rappelling in tropical mountains, go ballooning. Or just sit back and enjoy the great ocean views and beautiful, romantic sunsets. But, take care when swimming. Some of the beaches, wonderful for surfing, can be dangerous for swimming because of riptides. There are no lifeguards—and no warning signs—so ask if it is safe to swim before jumping in.

Consider chartering a boat for a trip to Costa Ricas world-famous fishing grounds. Huge marlin that can swim 70 miles an hour and leap 10 feet from the water await. Sometimes the schools of tuna or sailfish are thick. Whales travel from Antarctica to breed in the warm waters—as do their cousins from the Arctic. Think you came a long way? Imagine swimming thousands of miles!

First discovered by Christopher Columbus, today Costa Rica is discovered anew by folks from every place on the planet. Though it is only the size of West Virginia, one of every five species of plant and animal is found here. Travel Costa Rica when you visit Jaco. Bring a camera and your sense of adventure.

Mr. Vic Krumm lives in beautiful Costa Rica and and has a popular website Costa Rica Vacations. Visit here to see lots more Costa Rica Beaches

Surfing is a wonderful sport. Getting into water and riding on waves is a great experience. I have personally tried many different beaches and pools to get the best experience of surfing. I practice a lot in surfing and have noticed the most important thing that is not good in all the famous surfing spots. It is that there are many people that come for surfing and due to this it becomes mess.

In this article I will give you secret information. This secret information is about the beaches that are not so famous but are very good surfing spots. And you can surf there without any mess with full peace. No doubt the following places that I am going to tell you are small but the waves there are awesome.

The first secret place is in Honolulu, Hawaii. You must be amazed to hear about Hawaii because now it is a dead place for surfing. But even then there are many hidden places in Hawaii which are alive for surfing. These surfing points are small but the waves there are unbeatable. To reach to these spots you have to go through a bit dangerous track. When the waves pick up its pace, these spots become the best surfing spots. Locals hardly know about these places.

The second secret place is Lanuza, Surigao del Sur, Philippines. This place is totally a secret place. It is basically used for competitions. This place is on an island and to reach there it takes four to five hours from the nearest airport. For the people who know about this destination it is one of the top surfing places in the country. There you will find ten surfing spots and if one surfing is too crowded then you can also change the spot. In this town you will not find a five star to stay because the town is too small but the people are friendly and can help you a lot. It is recommended that you go there at the time of November to January. In these months the waves are awesome.

The third interesting place for surfing is Oahu, Hawaii. This place is too far from the place you must be residing but and getting to the island is a big challenge but if you are daring surfer and really want to get the best surfing experience then you have to go there. But the reward that you will get there is high unending tides trying to touch the sky. It is best if you go there in summers as the waves there reach to its peak.

Last but not the least is Lake Michigan in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Here the water is so cold that you will find ice at some points in the water. It is basically a challenging place for surfers. The first thing is because if the cold water and the warm water will meet it will create a tide and second is due storms which create high tides. If you like to take challenges and a daring person then this place is best for you.

For learning to surf the best sports are beaches of Portugal, France, Spain, Ireland, and Canary Islands, beaches of Costa Rica, California, Hawaii or Brazil.

For further detains and getting more information about surfing you can take the help of internet. There you will find each and every detail.

Surfing is a hobby that everyone will surely love. There are certain places offering services such as surf spots. Or you may want to try surf camps.

Are you tired of playing sports that are not that exciting? Do you seek thrills and exhilaration and want to feel challenged and pushed to your limit? If you think you do, then give extreme sports some consideration.

Activities that involve some sort of element of danger are what extreme sports are. Some of things it involves are speed, height, stunts, physical exertion, and specialized gear. There are three classifications of these sports; air, land, and water.

An air sport to try is bungee jumping. You have a cord securely tied to you that is also tied to a stable and mounted object. After, you jump from a tall structure, like a ledge or perhaps a bridge. There are people that prefer to jump from something moving, like a plane, helicopter, or balloon. A lot of people who try this also try out sky diving.

Another example is hang gliding. Here, you are the pilot and you hang from a hang glider aircraft. You use your feet to launch in the air and this is how you fly and glide. Gliders are usually made of aluminum and fabric. The harness is what secures you and your body weight controls the direction you go.

Snowboarding is an example of a land sport. This is ideal for people who want to experience an activity that live in cold and snowy areas. People snowboard on mountains mostly but there are three other ways too; jibbing and rail riding, freeriding, and by dry slope. Jibbing and rail riding is for those that want to board over rails and obstacles in places such as parks. Freeriding is basically free style, meaning you can board over any terrain you wish. Dry slope is when you board over man made slopes.

Snorkeling is an example of a water sport. Here you get to swim through a large body of water, most popularly the ocean, and dive in with a snorkel and fins. This allows you to see all the aquatic life under water that you do not get to see when on land. Resorts and places that offer scuba diving usually have this activity.

With the information you are now aware of about extreme sports, you can decide if you want to pursue it. It does not make a difference where you live or the weather because there are always many options. These can be hazardous but it is much safer with the right practice, gear, and training.

Are conventional sports not that exiting to you? Do seek a more thrilling and exhilarating experience that will challenge and push you to the limit? If so, surfing may just be the thing for you! We have got the ultimate inside information on surfboard hire and the best surf magazine .

In today’s world we all are so busy with our own personal and professional life that we get very little time to spend quality time with our friends. In order to revitalize ourselves once in a while it is very important that we take a vacation break and indulge in some fun activities. Planning a vacation with your closed one and visiting a place that offers Sun, Sand and Water can be quite exciting.

Many great travel destination countries are Portugal, France, Spain, Ireland, and Canary Islands. Other popular places like Hawaii, Brazil, California and Costa Rica are also quite famous for their beaches. They offer best shores especially when you want to indulge in adventurous activity such as surfing. If you are a female vacationing with your girlfriends, teen trying to do some adventures water sport or a family wanting to have some adventurous memories, surf camps for the beginners is the perfect place to start from.

When we say ward camp most of us think about the tents, bugs and unhygienic toilets. But there are many companies which offer 4 star spa hotels, self-catering apartments and beach houses. You can have the choice of staying in a beach villa and receive professional surf classes for the beginner surfers. Other than just surfing you can spend the day doing various other fun activities like beach volleyball, horse riding or exploring the city visiting various places. Ending the day around the beach bonfire can be very fulfilling experience.

If you are planning for a short vacation then you can enrol in a private surf session. For beginners it is essential that they receive a solid foundation and skills to help them reach more advanced level. And if you are an intermediate surfer then taking guidance from an expert will always help you in refining your techniques or teach new techniques which will improve your surfing style. When join the surf camps as a part of their complete package they also provide with all the necessary equipments.

And if you have a long vacation it is advisable that you enrol for longer duration surf camps like for at least a week. Other than leaning surfing, you get more time to explore the local culture.

If you are a female trying to explore the surf board activity then being a part of the encouraging learning session especially designed for the women can help you and can be quite exciting.

Try to book way in advance to get best deals. During the peak season it sometime become quite difficult to find the suitable place. You can have the option of booking and paying online at the company website. You do not have to worry about carrying the extra baggage as your travel needs will be taken care of including comfortable lodging, meals, transportation, and equipment.

Either way, one night or several, beginner or experienced, you can expect to have a wonderful time, trying new activities, making new friends, and creating new memories. So, this summer bring some wow factor to your next outing. Book a surf adventure and get ready to hit the beach.

Surfing is a hobby that everyone will surely love. There are certain places offering services such as surf camps. Or you may want to try surf lessons.

Breaking out of a normal routine is a great way to stay excited about life. Extreme sport adventures can offer travel and a new outlook on life. Here are a few ideas about pursuing this dream.

Start off by identifying your definition of extreme. Then design your adventure accordingly. For those with little experience or athletic skill, snorkeling might be considered an extreme sport. Most extreme sports require some previous experience or at least proficiency in the sport.

Beautiful British Columbia in Canada offers some of the best mountain biking in the world. This sport is an easily attainable dream for many weekend warriors. With intermediate bike riding skills, a person can challenge themselves on the summer time trails that run for miles over thousands of vertical feet. Terrain varies from beginners slopes, to expert tracks with man made obstacles. Participants hop a shuttle or ski lift to the top then race down as fast as they’ll let gravity take them.

Kiteboarding in South Africa is the choice of professionals in the sport to train for competition. It’s an exciting opportunity for beginners and intermediates as well. Beginners often find the learning curve quick with the right choice of gear and a good instructor. The towering Drakensberg mountains, interesting wildlife and a warm climate make this a popular venture for those inclined to water sports.

For those who prefer a colder climate, heli-skiing or snowboarding in Alaska makes you feel as though you’re on top of the world. Endless powder, the steepest terrain and untouched lines have put Valdez and the Chugach Range on the map for many snow sport enthusiasts. Always seek the experience of a guide and ski with a buddy.

The costs to visit exotic locals with specialized equipment is generally very expensive. It is, however, a great way to avoid the crowd. If you want to save money, you can book your own flight and lodging instead of opting for the inclusive packages. In general you can always design your own. It helps to know people in the area.

Whether on snow, water, land or in the air, extreme sport adventures are out there for almost everyone. Make all the necessary preparations, including travelers insurance. Done right, trips like these can give a person new perspective and keep them excited about life.

To learn about how to surf, you can watch surf DVDS. Tons of DVDs can teach you or show you a good way to get on your surf board and become a best surfer Tons of online surf shop stores can be helpful you get this DVDs.

Kite surfing has become one of the rages in extreme sporting in recent years. This is a sport that can be carried out in any area where there are stable side onshore winds. Generally the seashores and the extensive stretches of the beach are excellent for this sport. Sometimes even big lakes, bays, and rivers are places where people practice this activity.

You can conduct this activity anywhere where the onshore winds are steady. Beaches are the areas that are greatly suited for it. People even perform kite surfing in large lakes, rivers and coves.

You will require a surfing board or a kite board to position yourself on when you surf through the waters tugged along by a kite. The force of the wind on the kite creates the pull. Your feet can be harnessed to the board, but more experienced people do away with the straps.

The kites used for kitesurfing are of two main types. They are the Foil Kites and the Leading Edge Inflatable Kites. The Foil kites have either an open cell or closed cell pattern. In the open cell type, the permanent flow of air through the inlet valves ascertain that the kite stays inflated. But if these kites fall into the water they get deflated and re-launching is practically out of the question.

In the closed cell foil kite, the air is filled into the bladders that are fitted with inlet valves to inflate the kite. The closed cell Foil Kite can be re-launched without any difficulty by pulling at the kite line when they hit the water.

The other type of kite, the leading edge inflatable kite is much more user friendly and can be re-launched without much effort, but the drawback is that if the kite hits land or is faced with extremely forceful winds then there are chances that the air bags will rupture.

In the closed cell Foil Kite, the cells are inflated by filling air into the air bags. The benefit of this kite is that even if the kite falls into the water it can be re-launched all over again without any effort, by simply tugging on the kite lines.

Another boating rule that is to be adhered to is that if the kite surfer who has the wind on the starboard comes into a straight line with a boat coming from the opposite side, he will be given the right of way. The surfer has to abide by some clearance zone rules too.

You can also practice a lot of acrobatics while kite boarding like huge floaty jump, grab, spin, board off, and kite loops etc.

If you are a good kite surfer than you can attempt certain acrobatics like the ‘huge Floaty jump’, Grab, Board Off, Spin, Invert and Kite Loops.

If you want to get more information about this extreme sport, you will have to join the closest kite surfer’s training school and learn some lessons.

Want to find out more about kite surfing, then visit this site on how to choose the best trainer kites for your needs.

Welcome to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world: Malpais and Santa Teresa, known for their rugged jungle beauty, unforgettable sunsets, and especially the epic surf in Santa Teresa. The area has also become known as a hot spot for amazing cuisine in Costa Rica, since many amazing chefs have moved here from different parts of the world.

From the moment you arrive in the Malpais / Santa Teresa area, you’ll know that you’ve discovered a very special place, quite unlike other towns in Costa Rica. The area has been compared with Maui 50 years ago, or Santa Cruz, California, but with monkeys and warm water.

Despite the fact that word has discovered Santa Teresa and Malpais in recent years, the area still has gorgeous beaches that are uncrowded, as well as secret waterfalls with warm water pools surrounded by jungle canopy, and surf spots with no one there.

Santa Teresa is known primarily as a great location for incredible surfing. This remote beach town was unheard of only 10-15 years ago, but now is a favorite destination for surfers from around the world. Costa Rica and Santa Teresa’s surf is consistent year-round, as the area faces the open Pacific Ocean, with warm waters that are comfortable throughout the seasons. The Malpais/Santa Teresa area has many surf schools, surf instructors, and surf shops.

Many tourists come from European countries as well as Canada and the United States. Hundreds have fallen in love with the Malpais area and have immigrated, opening rental houses, hotels, and restaurants. The food in Santa Teresa and Malpais is among the best in Costa rica, with many five star restaurants at very affordable prices.

The Santa Teresa area has also become known as a great surf destination among Costa Ricans as well. Many of the young people in San Jose drive to the various beach towns to surf on weekends, and many families head to the beaches during vacations. Malpais itself means “bad country” or “badlands” because of the lack of water during the dry season. The climate is similar to southern California, with hardly any rain at all from December through April, making it very popular among travelers during those months.

Santa Teresa, Costa Rica offers a variety of luxurious villas and vacation rental homes. The most consistently popular are the beachfront homes, which always fulfill the tropical beach fantasies of their rental clients. These range from $350 to $2000 per night, although there are a few cheaper options. Even the highest price vacation rental houses are frequently booked, and many celebrities and movie stars have been seen here escaping the cameras of the paparazzi. This may be because Forbes Mazazine voted the beaches of Santa Teresa to be among the top ten most beautiful in the world.

Renting a villa for vacation, as opposed to staying in a hotel, has become very popular, and is growing. Many travellers have discovered that they can have more space and privacy for less money, and they enjoy the unique nature of each home. There are a variety of architectural styles among the rental houses in the Santa Teresa and Malpais villages, something to suit the taste of everyone.

The hotels of the area are unique and mostly mom-and-pop type of places. The beachfront hotels are the most popular, ranging from $100-$1000 per night for a room, and the rooms of all price categories are frequently booked. The gorgeous setting of Santa Teresa makes it very popular with honeymooners, and for people having weddings, and many of the rental houses and hotels cater to such clientelle.

Learn more about Santa Teresa, Costa Rica. Stop by Geoffrey McCabe’s site where you can find out all about having your Wedding in Santa Teresa and other information about this beautiful Costa Rica beach town.

Surfing is one of the most popular sports done in water because it is a lot of fun as well as being a challenging and fulfilling individual sport. Surfing is more than just a sport to those who practice it, it is a way of life. To get the most out of the sport though you do have to develop some surfing skills.

To be a good surfer you have to have enough power in your upper body and shoulders to be able to propel the board through the water to catch waves. To do this you might have to work on developing your upper body strength through doing a series of weights. Lots of surfers also turn to yoga as a way or building strength as well as balance. Balance is an essential part of being a good surfer and you will develop the muscle memory as you practice until you can easily stand on the board.

It is also very important that a surfer gets to understand how to get the surf before they even set foot in the water. Most surfers will take a few minutes to observe the surf before they go in. One of the most dangerous features on the beach is known as a rip. It is one of the leading causes of drownings for swimmers, but it is also a useful tool for surfers to use to get out the back of the waves.

You can spot a rip by looking for an area of water where the waves are not breaking and a darker color of water due to being deeper there. Sometimes depending on the weather, the water is sandy as well. Swimmers should try and stay away from rips as they are a leading cause of rescues on beaches.

To get to the point where you can catch waves you have to be able to get the board out the back of where the waves break. To do this you will first have to learn the eskimo roll and after that a more developed skill is duck diving.

There are some basic skills that you will have to develop in order to be able to surf and find it enjoyable rather than frustrating. Some of these skills include paddling, catching waves and then standing up smoothly on the board. Directing the board comes later when you have the basics down pat.

When you have got some of the basic surfing skills down pat, you will really start to have fun with the sport and learn something new every time you head out.

Get all the information about Gold Coast surf shops today! When you want to learn surf yoga, or find some tips for better surfing, you can find it fast and easy!