Central America
Costa Rica
Continent
Best States to Visit
- Guanacaste
- Cartago
- Alajuela
Best Cities to Visit
- San Jose
- Tamarindo
- Jaco
- Monteverde
- Liberia
Size
51,100 KM2
Population
5,094,118
GDP
$572,857
Spending Budget
$300 - $1,200
Famous For
- National Parks
- Adventure Sports
Best Time to Visit
- January
- February
- March
- April
- December
History
Costa Rica was sparsely inhabited by indigenous peoples before coming under Spanish rule in the 16th century. It remained a peripheral colony of the empire until independence as part of the First Mexican Empire, followed by membership in the Federal Republic of Central America, from which it formally declared independence in 1847. Following the brief Costa Rican Civil War in 1948, it permanently abolished its army in 1949, becoming one of only a few sovereign nations without a standing army.
Present Day
The sovereign state is a unitary presidential constitutional republic. It is known for its long-standing and stable democracy, and for its highly educated workforce, most of whom speak English. The country spends roughly 6.9% of its budget (2016) on education, compared to a global average of 4.4%. Its economy, once heavily dependent on agriculture, has diversified to include sectors such as finance, corporate services for foreign companies, pharmaceuticals, and ecotourism. Many foreign manufacturing and services companies operate in Costa Rica's Free Trade Zones (FTZ) where they benefit from investment and tax incentives.
Future
A concerted effort is underway to better recognize, promote, and value the different ways women and men contribute to work related to the environment, forests, and climate change. The push is backed by national environmental policies that are helping to restore forest cover, as well as a specific and robust regulatory framework to promote gender equality. The Gender Action Plan is helping to shape Costa Rica’s Emission Reductions Payment Agreement (ERPA) with the FCPF. Once finalized and signed, with a likely contract value of $60 million, the agreement will reward communities for their efforts.
National Theatre of Costa Rica
The National Theatre of Costa Rica is Costa Rica's national theatre, located in the central section of San José. Construction began in 1891, and it opened to the public on 21 October 1897 with a performance of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's Faust. The National Theatre stood as a cultural asset of the country during a time when coffee exports were a source of its success. It presents high quality performances, with artistic criteria being very high. The building is considered the finest historic building in the capital, and it is known for its exquisite interior which includes its lavish furnishings.
La Fortuna Waterfall
La Fortuna Waterfall is in central Costa Rica, in the Alajuela Province. In Spanish, it is known as Catarata Fortuna. The waterfall drops about 70−75 meters and is at the base of the dormant Chato volcano, about 5.5 km outside of the town of La Fortuna, near the Arenal Volcano. It is fed by the Arenal River, which travels through the rain forest in the Arenal Mountain range until it plunges over the cliff, forming this waterfall. The hike down to the waterfall is short and arduous, along a staircase carved into the hillside.
Tamarindo Beach
Playa Tamarindo is a long, rocky beach with excellent waves near the mouth of the estuary. Currents can be strong, especially on a falling tide. Tamarindo has two main breaks for advanced surfers: Pico Pequeño, a rocky point to the right of the Hotel Tamarindo Diriá and the excellent river mouth break across from Cabinas Tsunami called El Estero. The biggest waves can reach a height of up to 12 feet, although this is a rare occurrence and is only seen during June, July and August. The beaches in the area are generally clean and recent efforts by the government and local business organizations are proving themselves.
Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio is a small oceanside village with plenty of great places to stay - from extravagant luxury condos to cozy hideaway hotels tucked into nature. Famous for its national park, this tiny yet bustling town is located off Costa Rica's central Pacific coast just a stone's throw away from Quepos which is famous for sportfishing.
Jaco Beach
Jacó is a district of the Garabito canton, in the Puntarenas province of Costa Rica. Jacó has a black sand beach that is 4 km (2.5 mi) long and is popular among surfers. The beach in Jacó hosts several surfing schools and various shops that sell and rent equipment for surfing. Jacó is also near beaches for more professional surfers, such as Hermosa Beach, which is just five minutes away, with pipes and beach break for experienced surfers only. The beach in Jacó hosts several surfing schools and various shops that sell and rent equipment for surfing. Jacó is also near beaches for more professional surfers, such as Hermosa Beach, which is just five minutes away, with pipes and beach break for experienced surfers only.
Curi Cancha Wildlife Refuge
Curi Cancha Wildlife Refuge is a private wildlife refuge in the central part of Costa Rica, and protects cloud forest in the Cordillera de Tilarán near Juntas. The refuge entrance is about a kilometer before the famous Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. The lower portion is drier, with few epiphytes, but the upper portion is cloud forest. While the forest is not quite as pristine as Monteverde, the most spectacular birds are much easier to see. The refuge is particularly good for the resplendent quetzal, the most sought-after bird of the cloud forest.
Neo Fauna CR
Neo Fauna is a conservationist project focused on the reproduction, rescue and release of wild animals; this a private project financed by the sale of tours.
Tio Leo Coffee Tour
The coffee tour experience teaches you the history of this golden bean in Costa Rica. In addition to this, the selection technique of the berry is what makes a great difference with the final product. Tio Leo Coffee Tour in Guanacaste also includes a lecture about chocolate crops and the way to process it to get a really pure taste. The sugar cane is another crop and product Tio Leo mentions in his presentation. There are about eight products that come out of this crop.
Royal Butterflies
This local butterfly farm run by American expat Dan is set on 1.2 hectares with 70 kinds of fruit tree and 15 species of butterfly, including the enormous caligo memnon (giant owl), whose wingspan can reach 150mm. His enjoyable 45-minute tour explains the delicate farming processes. At the time of research there were plans to open treehouse accommodation.
Ponderosa Adventure Park
The Africa Safari Adventure Park is a private wildlife park of approximately 100 hectares, located in El Salto, south of the city of Liberia, Costa Rica. All animals have an African safari motif with enclosures for animals such as zebras, warthogs and giraffes all of which multiply in the safari. The park also provides zip lines, nature trails through rain forest with a prominent waterfall and a lagoon for kayaking. The vast alluvial plain of the Guanacaste Province and swampy wetlands provide the Safari with an atmosphere that resembles that of certain plains of Africa.
Los Campesinos Reserve
Get ready for a true jungle adventure led by the Quebrada Arroyo community. You'll rappel down a rushing waterfall, walk over the longest hanging bridge in the region surrounded by striking natural beauty and dive in pristine swimming holes. Each of the walking trails will take you to a marvelous place, such as Los Chorros waterfall and natural springs, or the lookout point with great views of the beaches south of Manuel Antonio. You'll also get to visit the medicinal plant garden, the sugar mill, and get a feel for this small community by visiting the town.
Tico Pod Art House and Gifts
When traveling, it's hard to resist the temptation to purchase beautiful, locally made crafts. Enter Tico Pod Art House
Arenal Hanging Bridge
Enjoy the rainforest from a birds' point of view, this unique way of seeing the rain forest will give you an amazing experience you will never forget. Lots of exotic animals do not live on the ground, but in the trees, on the hanging bridges you will nonetheless be able to see these animals and enjoy all the sounds you will hear them make around you.
Pura Vida Gardens and Waterfall
Bright yellow, red and purple flowers dance in the breeze high in the mountains of Pura Vida Gardens. Nearly 400 species of endemic and exotic plants line the walkways leading guests over ridges and in shallow valleys along the mountain top 2,000 feet above Jaco.
Rincón de la Vieja National Park
Rincon de la Vieja National Park is the ultimate “one-stop shop” for Costa Rica’s natural attractions. Expect fuming volcanoes, gushing waterfalls, sky-high ziplines, natural hot springs, and more—all within just a couple of hours of the popular Guanacaste coast.
Espadilla Norte Beach
Espadilla Norte Beach Costa Rica is a unique destination with white sands and clear blue waters in a long and wide beach located meters away from Manuel Antonio National Park entrance, in Quepos, Puntarenas, Costa Rica. In fact, is the largest and most popular beach in Manuel Antonio. Its great atmosphere plus lush natural beauty turns this beach into a truly paradise. The landscape at Espadilla Norte Beach is beautifully accented by its incredible amount of tropical vegetation with stately palm trees, as well as its Coral reefs and abundant wildlife.
El Miro Ruins
El Miro is a nature hike into the hills behind Jacó town to what is known as the Miro ruins. It is a spot known to locals, but not to many tourists. Your reward will be a wonderful panoramic view of 4 km of the Jacó coast as well as the beautiful wildlife you will likely see along the way. The hike is well maintained, but steep. It is about 20 minutes to reach the first viewpoint and another 25 mins to the ruins. The ruins are white arches and pillars at the end of the hike. The story is that this structure was going to be a fabulous hotel. However, for reasons that no one knows (or remembers), it was abandoned and it was never completed. Sunsets are particularly amazing to see from up here.
Marina Pez Vela
The marina has one of the most spectacular natural settings anywhere on the planet with rainforest covered mountains, teeming with wildlife, cascading down to the turquoise waters of the pacific. A world class marina, yacht yard and commercial development with roots firmly planted in the history, culture, and stunning beauty of the Manuel Antonio area.
Catarata Bijagual
Despite being 600 feet tall, the impressive Catarata Bijagual remains relatively unknown, being hidden away in the beautiful Manantial Agua Viva nature reserve. A winding trail works its way to the waterfall, offering teasing glimpses of the white cascade along the way. On the hike, you’re bound to see some of the park’s residents, which include glass butterflies, toucans, poison dart frogs, and snakes.
Puerto Viejo
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a town in southeast Costa Rica, on the Caribbean coast. It’s known for the Salsa Brava surf break and beaches like black-sand Playa Negra. The Jaguar Rescue Center rehabilitates wild cats and other animals. Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge has rainforest, wetlands and mangroves. To the north, Cahuita National Park protects a large coral reef and has a shipwreck dive site.
Samara
One of the main draws of Samara is its centrally located downtown. The downtown abuts the beach and is full of restaurants, trendy boutique shops, tour operators, and some small hotels. Another draw is its surrounding forest and wildlife. Unlike areas to the north, thick tropical dry forest borders Samara. Even on hotel grounds, you can find animals like monkeys, iguanas, and many kinds of birds. Samara’s biggest attraction is its beautiful beach. Playa Samara attracts all types of travelers with its rows of palm trees and light tan sand.
Hacienda Alsacia
Hacienda Alsacia is Starbucks’s first (and only) coffee farm. It opened to the public in March 2018. This is a working farm where Starbucks grows and harvests Arabica coffee beans. However, this farm is mainly used as a research and development site. The main focus of Hacienda Alsacia is to produce disease-resistance coffee beans. Basically, that means the beans here are not really grown to be used in the coffee you drink at your local Starbucks cafe. But, by visiting Hacienda Alsacia, you can still see a working coffee farm and learn a ton about the process of growing, harvesting, and producing coffee.
Marino Ballena
Marino Ballena National Park is named after the Humpback Whales that migrate here each year from December to April to mate before returning to the frigid waters to the north. The largest coral reef on the Pacific Coast of Central America forms a crescent necklace with the three small islands known as Las Tres Hermanas (three sisters) and Ballena island as the centerpiece. Especially at low tide, snorkeling can be good from the shore but be careful of currents and riptides. Dive trips are available to the islands.
Pre Columbian Gold Museum
The Pre-Columbian Gold Museum is a museum in San José, Costa Rica. It is located in a subterranean building underneath the "Plaza de la Cultura" and is owned and curated by the Banco Central de Costa Rica. The museum has an archaeological collection of 3,567 Pre-Columbian artifacts made up of 1,922 ceramic pieces, 1,586 gold objects, 46 stone objects, 4 jade, and 9 glass or bead objects. The gold collection dates from 300-400 BC to 1550 AD. The collection includes animal figurines, amulets, earrings, erotic statuettes and several dioramas including El Guerrero, a life sized gold warrior figure adorned with gold ornaments in a glass case and a detailed scale model of a Pre-Columbian village.
Monkey Park
Monkey Park is a non-profit foundation that has made itself available to the indigenous wildlife of Costa Rica in order to provide a safe and experienced environment for the local wildlife’s rehabilitation and release needs. Its staff and program have been expertly tailored to benefit a balanced ecology by providing educational opportunities for visitors in order to help curve the current rate of decline of many fascinating fauna that are necessary to maintain a healthy ecosystem that the country has to offer.