Costa Rica
About Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Is currently one of the top tourism destinations in the World. Its natural appeal, geographical location, diversity and many others assets have earned the recognition of renowned international publications such as Travel Weekly, Recommend and Modern Bride (best honeymoon destination).
Location: In the World map you´ll find Costa Rica in the skinny part of Central America. The country has access to both oceans: the pacific on the west coast and the Caribbean on the eastern coast. The northern border meets Nicaragua, and Panama is our southern neighbor.
Population: 4.159,758 habitants according to the last census in 2000. The majority of Costa Ricans are descendants of Spanish settlers and native indigenous tribes. However large numbers of Africans, Asian and Latin American immigrants enrich the country´s diverse heritage.
Language: Spanish is the official language; however, because of the development of the tourism industry, you’ll find someone that speaks English almost everywhere.
Currency Exchange: The official currency is the Colón. The exchange rate varies every day because of the devaluation theory applied for the central bank, but banks nationwide will provided colones at the official rate. Although you may use dollars in many businesses, some may not accept lager bills ($50-$100). At present (June, 2009) the official exchange rate is ¢578 colones per $1 USD.
Government: Costa Rica is a democratic republic and holds presidential elections every four years. The country abolished the military in 1948 and has remained proudly peaceful ever since.
Taxes and Tipping: There is a 13% sales tax at hotels, restaurants and retail stores. Restaurants also charge a 10% service tax that is later distributed to the employees as a tip. In general tipping is not necessary but gladly accepted in tourism related activities when justified. Remember to save $26 USD for the exit fee at the airport (don’t take credit cards, only cash).
Entry Requirements: Citizens of Canada, the United States and Panama don’t need a passport to enter to the country; but is always better co carry one.
Time Zone: Costa Rica’s time is the same as U.S central standard but does not observe daylight savings (GMT-6:00).
Communications: Intenet, fax, cable television and international services are available throughout the country. For local information dial 113, for international operator assisted phone calls call 116 and for international information 124.
Official Holidays: Although the Costa Rican tourism industry never rests, holidays may interfere with some activities such as visits to museums, banks and government offices.
January 1 – New Year’s day
March/April – Holy week
April 11 – Juan Santamaria day (our national hero).
May 1 – Libor day
July 25 – Guanacaste day (Province at north of the country).
August 2 – Virgen de los Ángeles day.
August 15 – Mother’s day
September 15 – Independence day
December 25 – Christmas day.
Where To Go In Costa Rica
Costa Rica Vacation
San José Costa Rica – Central Valley
The center of the country is home to San José, a modern business, political, and arts center. Around San José, the small towns and villages of the four provinces that meet in the Central Valley (Alajuela, Heredia, San José, and Cartago) offer visitors the chance to discover the traditions and customs of the true Costa Rican spirit.
Theater, music, handicrafts, international and typical food, historical museums, adventure sports, forests and volcanoes, come together here, in the heart of the country. The Central Valley is where most of the population resides, which means its “home” to more than 2 million “ticos” (how the rest of Latin Americans call Costa Ricans).
San José, the capital city, is the prime location for several music, art, film and poetry festivals throughout the year. All you need do is check the major local newspapers to find out when and where these activities might be happening.
Three Costa Rican provinces border San José in the Central Valley. Interestingly enough, each one has it’s own spectacular volcano watching over the people.
The Poas volcano is located in Alajuela, at 8.884 feet above sea level; this volcano has the largest crater on Earth. The crater’s diameter is 4.921 feet across and is 984 feet deep.
The Barva volcano, in Heredia, looks like a hidden lagoon surrounded by exuberant, overwhelming nature. It’s located at 9.534 feet above sea level and is the highest point of the Braulio Carrillo National Park.
The Irazú volcano, located in Cartago, Costa Rica’s first capital city, sits at 10.859 feet, overlooking beautiful vegetables plantations.
Finally, the Turrialba volcano has three magnificent craters filled with geysers that sit at about 10.925 feet above sea level and provides a fabulous view of the valley.
Caribbean – Limón Costa Rica
The rivers and mountains of the Atlantic side of the country melt into the Caribbean coast within the borders of Costa Rica’s seventh province, Limón.
The North allows visitors to discover the secrets of the exuberant biodiversity overflowing the sides of the Tortuguero Canals, an extensive maze of fresh and salt-water canals that intertwine through the jungle and are home to thousands of plants and animals. To the South, the magnificent white sand beaches and coral reefs are presumed to be the reason why the famous Spanish conqueror Christopher Columbus named this land Costa Rica (which means rich coast) when he disembarked here in 1502.
The Tortuguero Canals and the white water rafting rivers of the Sarapiquí area are every naturalist’s paradise. Aside from local mammal, reptile, bird and plant observation; this region is ideal for practicing several adventure sports such as tree canopy zip lines, rafting and rappelling. Boating through the canals, horseback riding, and communitarian tourism in the small rural towns, are among some of the more relaxing.
A bit farther South, just a few dozen miles from the Costa Rican border with Panama, the beaches, villages, natural reserves and national parks of the South Caribbean have no rivals.
As unique as it’s people, architecture in the Caribbean is outstanding. The province of Limón is the perfect place to discover the characteristics of tropical-Caribbean architecture, which witnessed the growth of the country’s agriculture-based economy.
With wood as its main material, the region’s architecture reflects the culture through the built in details and colors of buildings and homes.
Today, the people of downtown Limón and nearby villages of Siquirres, Guápiles, Bribri and Matina have developed a very special identity, in many ways different from the rest of the country. Thus, during October thousands of visitors gather in the province to celebrate it and participate in their festive carnival.
Guanacaste Costa Rica
To many, Guanacaste is a synonym of fun in the sun. There is no doubt that Costa Rica’s largest province has some of the most breathtaking beaches on the planet. Although very close to the coast, this region keeps some of the most incredible natural and cultural secrets of the country.
Most beaches in this region can be easily accesses and offer all types of accommodations from the extremely luxurious to a backpacker’s budget type of place. Whatever your type of place is, Guanacaste’s white, gray and black sand beaches will definitely provide the rest and flavorful fun you are dreaming about right now.
From the tip of the Cabo Blanco Absolute Natural Reserve (the first National Park created in Costa Rica), located on the Nicoya Peninsula, to the frontier town of Peñas Blancas, right on the border with Nicaragua, this region is the perfect territory to hike, kayak, swim, fly on a zip line, rappel, visit volcanoes and hot water springs, horseback ride, mountain bike and discover the remains of Spanish Colonialism.
The Northern Planes. Arenal Costa Rica
In the Northern Plains, unique rivers, mountains, animals, plants, a grand lake and an incredible volcano are the perfect ingredients to create and enjoy an adrenaline-loaded adventure for the whole family.
The small and candid town of La Fortuna, located on the outskirts of Arenal Volcano, is an amazing location offering several different kinds of lodging, dining and entertainment experiences.
Guided horseback riding tours, bungee jumping, tree canopy zip line tours, mountain biking, waterfalls hikes, among others, are part of this region’s adventure menu.
In order to fulfill an exciting tree top experience, the canopy tour is a must. Located on the skirts of the volcano, this tour gives you the rush of your life under the highest safety standards. Every zip line guide has extensive knowledge of the local flora and fauna, pointing out the birds, mammals, insects and exotic flowers that one may cross paths with during the ride. This tour ends right at the base of the volcano.
If your goal during your time in Costa Rica is to relax in a more traditional way, the Northern Plains are ideal for forgetting your everyday troubles. Hot water springs from the volcano’s base are the core of the special peace and tranquility one can experience in the area’s spas and springs.
Central Pacific – Jaco Beach, Manuel Antonio Costa Rica
Only two or three hours away from the Central Valley’s most important cities, the Pacific Ocean attracts tourists from across the globe to its amazing gray, black and whit esand beaches.
The comfortable geographic proximity of this region to the International Airport and main cities is one of the key elements to its popularity. The beach towns of Jacó, Esterillos, Punto Leona, and Herradura offer the best food, shopping and nightlife.
In recent years, Jacó area has turn from a small beach-side town to a larger city with luxurious condominiums, five star hotels, spas, specialized restaurants, shopping centers and an exciting night scene.
The same has happened in nearby Herradura where luxury and extravagance are part of everyday life on the beach. However, there are several activities for the entire family to enjoy such as canopy tours, boat rides, mountain hikes, biking trails, etc.
This region has some of the most attractive tropical flora and fauna within it’s national parks. Carara National Park is known for its giant reptiles and Scarlett Macaws. Crocodile tours, a safe but really fun way of witnessing the power and force of these prehistoric reptiles, are also offered.
On the other hand, Manuel Antonio National Park is well known and highgly visited because of it’s gorgeous beaches-of with restricted access to help protect local mammals (monkeys, raccoons, deer)- and reptiles that run around free through the park´spark’s paths. The area around the park offers an extensive list of dinning, lodging and entertainment.
Expert surfers from across the world chose the waves of the Central Pacific region because of their water volume, speed, and constant rhythm. As a matter of fact, some local surfers now compete in prestigious international circuits professionally.
The waves in Jacó, Tivives, Hermosa, and Esterillos are perfect for those interested in learning how to surf. It is fairly easy to find all girl surfing schools or lessons just for kids.
Sailing, speed boating, kayaking, waterskiing and scuba diving are popular water activities that can easily be arranged in the area. Caldera, Puntarenas, the most important commercial port on the Costa Rica´s Pacific coast, serves as a preferred stop for cruise ships from all over America and Europe. This fact proves that Costa Rica is a must-have stop on any route going or coming from the Panama Canal.
South Pacific – Corcovado Costa Rica
The biological wealth of the parks, reserves and towns located in the South Pacific region surpasses any oil or gold reserve another country may have.
In Costa Rica, the jungle with its animal and plant inhabitants make up its largest asset. The extensive tropical rain forest of the south, particularly in the Osa Peninsula and Corcovado National Park, still remains widely unknown to investigators.
Scientific research is being carried out frequently within the boundaries of this jungle that homes the amazing tapir or danta (the largest mammal in Latin America), several poisonous serpents and frogs, and a large variety of marine animals like sharks, dolphins and whales.
The area´s inhabitants, Costa Ricans and Indigenous groups such as the Boruca community who grew up among the forest are very protective of their natural resources and know of their protection is to human life. Therefore, the lodging and visiting options in these national parks are based on strict sustainable development and ecotourism principles aimed at producing the least impact on the natural habitat.
Culture is also found in the small villages of the South Pacific. Whether its seaside fishing villages or small communities tucked away in the mountains, the locals know and respect the values of nature.
The first habitants of the area, the Boruca indigenous community, have lived and walked through this jungle since pre-Colombian times. Although their activities have shifted throughout the centuries, today they are more ecotourism oriented and are taking advantage of their knowledge and traditions to share with the visitors.
The largest Boruca community is nestled on the outskirts of the Talamanca mountain range. Every year the locals celebrate nature with colorful parades and dances, using interesting wooden masks that have strong traditional meaning.
Monteverde Costa Rica
The lush forest, fog and rain showers add a mystical and exciting flare to Costa Rica’s biodiversity, a large part of which lies within the mountains of Monteverde.
This unique community was created under the guiding principles of 12 Quaker families who emigrated from Alabama, United States directly to this little piece of heaven in 1952. Their conservation and peace values have shaped the town and its recent settlers who share their love and respect for nature.
Fresh water springs, waterfalls, extensive trails through primary forest and sightings of exotic species unique to Monteverde (like the Quetzal), are just some of the elements that attract all varieties of nature lovers to this region.
The town of Santa Elena is the center of tourist activities in the area. It is also the hometown of many European and American expats who fled their countries in search of a more relaxed and peaceful life. Therefore, the town now displays several small art galleries, German and French bakeries, Italian restaurants and occasional Monteverde-made music concerts.
Lodging is not a problem in Monteverde, there are several types of cabins and lodges, some of which are family run by direct descendants of those first settlers. Spending the night in a soothing warm wood cabin and taking a nice hot water shower after a day-long hike in the woods is the way to go while visiting the cloud forest.
Tree top adventures
Canopy Tours
Monteverde is the one and only place in Costa Rica where you can soar in the midst of the tree tops of the tropical cloud forest.
With zip lines suspended more than 300feet above the ground, the canopy tour and it’s speed will give you the most incredible adrenaline rush, as well as the opportunity to see the forest from a bird’s or monkey’s perspective.
For those who prefer a more calm animal observation trip, the different parks hanging bridges are a fantastic and very safe way for spotting butterflies, snakes, birds, mammals and exotic plants above the ground and between the tall trees of this unique forest.
Travels to Costa Rica
Ivantours Costa Rica
