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Costa Rica’s natural attractions draw ecotourists from around the globe: nearly 30 percent of its territory is protected, and Costa Rica has approximately 5 percent of the world's biodiversity. |
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Costa Rica - Ver en español Costa Rica's natural attractions draw ecotourists from around the globe: nearly 30 percent of its territory is protected, and Costa Rica has approximately 5 percent of the world's biodiversity. Costa Rica is a country with just about everything: nearly 30 percent of its territory is protected, making it an ecotourist's paradise. Visitors can enjoy incredible biodiversity, lush rainforests, active volcanoes, white-water rafting and many more adrenaline-pumping activities. For golfers, Costa Rica is a fast-growing, world-class golf destination. The Cariari Country Club at the Meliá Cariari Resort is considered to be the finest course in Central America. The region's first outpost of one of the world's top luxury hotel chains, the Four Seasons Resort Coast Rica at Peninsula Papagayo, boasts a signature golf course by the legendary Arnold Palmer. The country straddles the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, making it a year-round paradise for water-sports enthusiasts. But Costa Rica also has its hip urban side. San José offers museums, architecture, fine dining and nightlife to satisfy any taste. As the Costa Ricans, called "ticos," say, "this is pura vida!" (life at its best). American Airlines is offering special sale fares for travel from Miami to great destinations in Central America. For full details and reservations, purchase your tickets on AA.com.
Location Capital Population<br> Approximately 4.1 million: 94% Spanish descent, 3% African, 1.0% Amerindian, 1% Chinese, 1% Other. Languages Climate When To Visit Government Local Time Currency And Credit Cards Costa Rica is the most expensive country in Central America, but is still a bargain compared to the United States and Europe. The US dollar is accepted mainly in tourist areas—off the beaten track you'll need to know your colones. The national coin devaluates quite often against the dollar, so check with a reliable service for the exchange rate before you go. Also, keep in mind that the easiest currency to exchange is the US dollar. Your best bet is exchanging cash or traveler's checks for colones—buying them with a credit card could result in a steep interest bill. There are exchange agencies around downtown San José. Banks are generally open Monday to Friday. Don't bring marked or ripped bills because the banks usually won't accept them. Banks, most shops, and restaurants accept major credit cards; some places add a 7 percent surcharge. Wiring Money Business Hours Electricity Entry And Visa Requirements Departure Taxes Customs Tipping Tourist Offices There are Costa Rican consulates in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Puerto Rico, St. Paul, Tucson Embassy of the United States IDD is available. Fax facilities are available in San José at the Radiografica Costarricense. You cannot use your own mobile phone in Costa Rica. You must rent a phone and a line from the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE). Telephone booths are available all over the country. Outgoing international code is 00; for collect calls dial 116 and an English-speaking international operator will assist you. The Country Code to the entire country is 506. There are no city codes, and almost all telephone numbers have 7 digits.
San Jose The city's architecture is another of its attractions: it is quite diverse, reflecting influences that range from the Spanish Colonial to neo-Gothic. There is even an impressive metal structure that was originally built in Belgium and transported to Costa Rica in the 1890's. Thanks to the surge of economic growth brought on by the 19th century coffee plantations, there are today religious, governmental and educational buildings that serve as city landmarks. The Teatro Nacional is an excellent example. And in accordance with the country's "greener is better" motif, there are plenty of parks throughout the metropolis, with colorful gardens and shade trees. San José is also where the shopping is. Visitors will find department stores and shopping malls, as well as several mercados, such as Mercado Nacional de Artesanías and La Casona. A visit to the Mercado Central is a must for the best souvenir of all: fresh coffee beans! San Jose, Costa Rica is famed for its museums, which include the Jade Museum, boasting the largest collection of American jade sculptures; the Pre-Colombian Gold Museum; the National Museum, offering visitors a visual history of the country through exhibits of archeology, jade and gold, colonial and religious art, colonial furnishings and much more; the Natural Sciences Museum; the Costa Rican Museum of Art (notable for its fine sculptures); and the Museum of Art and Contemporary Design. Alajuela Liberia Need a place to stay? Recreo Costa Rica is a 63-acre eco-resort community in Guanacaste. The property is situated in the Tropical Dry Forest, with a private, secure entrance leading to the resort's villas. Each villa offers extraordinary Pacific Ocean views and spectacular vistas. The resort is just a short distance from two of the most pristine beaches in the world - Playa Rajada and Playa Jobo. Fitness center and sports are offered including horseback riding, tubing, snorkeling, kite sailing, windsurfing, white water rafting, fishing and more. Fly into Liberia or San Jose. www.recreocostarica.com
Museums Monteverde Parque Nacional Volcan Arenal Parque Nacional Santa Rosa Parque Nacional Corcovado Pacific beaches Costa Rica's Pacific beaches offer visitors everything from luxury resorts to empty stretches of fine sand. Of the many northern Pacific beaches in the Guanacaste region, Flamingo stands out as a magnificent stretch of white sand, home to the largest sport-fishing fleet in the nation, as well as some very upscale villas. Foreign travelers flock to Tamarindo, so-named because of the tamarind trees that line the shore, even though it is somewhat off the beaten path thanks to a lack of paved roads. Surfers know it for its three fine breaks, including a river-mouth break. Conchal has been called one of the most beautiful beaches due to its glistening white sand, made up of tiny shell fragments. Near the tip of the Península de Nicoya are two paradisiacal beaches, Sámara and Montezuma. The central Pacific area is known for the Gulf of Nicoya with its many small islands (many of which are biological preservation areas); the village of Quepos, which serves as a gateway to the much-visited Parque Manuel Antonio and its palm-fringed beaches; and Jaco Beach, a favorite of tourists for its proximity to San José and of surfers for its waves.
Caribbean Lowlands Southern Costa Rica
Ticos love a good party, and once the sun sets, many beaches are transformed into outdoor fiestas as the coastal discos blast music and the cold beer flows. Downtown entertainment in the form of posh clubs, casinos and bars flourish in San José, where gambling is legal. The west end of San José, particularly Escazú, serves up some particularly hopping hot spots such as Sambuka, Baabu and Sapo Verde. And just five minutes from downtown in El Pueblo you can dance the night away at Infinito, CocoLoco and La Plaza Disco Club. Ask the concierge at your hotel for suggestions on when to go where.
Costa Rican cuisine is simple and mild-flavored, relying heavily on rice and beans. The national plate of gallo pinto (rice and black beans seasoned with coriander, onions and Worcestershire sauce) serves as a homemade breakfast that transforms into the casado (same dish except the rice and beans are side-by-side instead of mixed and alongside meat, fried plantains, chopped cabbage and maybe an egg or avocado) for lunch. Plates are set for lunch and/or dinner with main dishes such as arroz con pollo (chicken and rice), arroz con tuna (tuna with rice), arroz guacho (sticky rice), higado en salsa (beef liver salsa,) papas con chorizo (chorizo sausage with potatoes,) frito (pork stew), barbudos (string bean omelet), and mondongo (beef stomach soup). Zucchini, chayote squash, potatoes, onions and sweet red peppers are locally grown fresh vegetables that find they way into both side dishes and sopas (soups). Sopas typically start with a beef or pork rib base, with enough added vegetables including corn on the cob, yucca, ñampi (a root vegetable) and yams to make it more of a stew. Meals definitely end on a sweet note. There may be queque seco (orange pound cake), torta chilena (puff pastry filled with sweetened milk), miel de chiverre (sweet white spaghetti squash), tres leches, arroz con leche (rice pudding) or suspiros (meringue cookies). Costa Rica's capitol city of San José boasts many fine restaurants that run the gamut, from international cuisine to home cooking, and the "gourmet bug" is spreading with the establishment of small, high-end boutique hotels even in the most remote areas. There are also inexpensive lunch counters everywhere called sodas, where you can buy tamales (steamed cornmeal stuffed with chicken or pork and wrapped in a banana leaf), patacones (sliced fried plantains), pupusas (fried cornmeal and cheese cakes), chimichurri (tomatoes and onions pickled in lime juice) served with tortilla chips, ceviche (fish and/or shrimp pickled in lime juice), vigorón (cabbage, chimichurri, yucca and lime) and other typical snacks. Costa Rican bartenders (many of them, anyway) have the wonderful habit of serving bocas with each drink, either free or for a nominal charge. These are delightful bite-size treats such as tortillas with white cheese, ceviche, and arreglados (little puff pastries filled with beef, chicken or cheese). Coffee is both a favorite drink as well as one of Costa Rica's main export crops. It's typically served at breakfast and during the mid-afternoon coffee break around 3 p.m. The annual Central Valley Coffee Festival, held each November, features a coffee pick contest as well as music and food. Refrescos are served at lunchtime. These are drinks made of blended fruits diluted with water or milk and sweetened to taste. Melon, berry, mango, tamarind and passion fruit are among the favorite flavors. During the summer, locals and visitors alike go for granizado, made of shaved ice and a fruit flavored syrup. Quaro, distilled from sugar cane, is the national liquor of Costa Rica. The most popular beers are pilsners with the names of Imperial and Pilsen.
Costa Rica has become synonymous with outdoor activities, especially water sports thanks to boarders on both the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean, and wildlife watching. Although Costa Rica represents less than a tenth of the planet's surface, it's an incredibly diverse place with more than 5% of the total species found on earth. Costa Rica has become the tourism success story of Central America. Over the past decade, savvy marketing and environmentally friendly development have taken advantage of the country's ample natural resources and beauty to create a destination that appeals to all types of travelers. Archaeology/Historic Sights The European influence on Costa Rica's historical sights is strong, dating back to 1502 when Christopher Columbus first arrived, however there are ancient ruins that trace back to the indigenous peoples. Cachi, located in the Orosi Valley, is a small town with magnificent ruins that highlight the days when the Spaniards first colonized the area. There's also a century-old sugar mill, religious museum and national park here. Nearby in the town of Ujarras, there's the ruins of the Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de la Limpia Concepcion, the first colonial church built in Costa Rica in 1570. The Isla del Caño is a nearly 800-acre island formerly a burial ground dating back to the pre-Columbian era. Incredible stone spheres were discovered here, all hand-carved and perfectly round. No one seems to know details about these extraordinary stones, but they have captured the attention of visitors from around the world and Costa Ricans who have decorated their lawns with replicas. Spanish conquistador, Juan Vásquez de Coronado, founded Cartago, which served as the capitol of Costa Rica until 1832. The Basilica de Nuestra Senora de los Angeles is a must-see site for history buffs. The church has amazing stained glass windows and is home to La Negrita, or 'The Black Virgin'. Each August, millions of residents make a pilgrimage here to pray and ask for miracles. The Juan Santamaria Cultural Historical Museum in Alajuela houses historical maps and artifacts from the battle of 1856. Heredia, La Inmaculada Concepcion is a magnificent church built in 1796 with bells imported from Peru. Nearby, there's El Fortin, a grand colonial tower and all that remains of an old Spanish fort. Beaches Take a dip in either the Caribbean Sea or Pacific Ocean. Costa Rica boasts 800-plus miles of coastline, much of it beautiful palm-lined beaches. The shoreline along the northern Caribbean coast is undeveloped and protected. Here, endangered sea turtles nest from July through October. Strong currents make swimming less than ideal. The southern Caribbean beaches are user-friendlier, with black sand turning into white sand the further south you go. Swimming, snorkeling and surfing are favorite pursuits. Forests filled with monkeys, sloths and iguanas boarder much of the Pacific Ocean coast. Waters are warm year round; ideal conditions for swimmers, surfers and boogie boarders, while thatch-roofed bars sell sustenance like cold coconut juice and local fruit drinks. Playa Conchal, to the north, is an 8-mile long shell-seekers paradise. Playa Esterillos is a long deserted beach worthy of walking and exploring. There's a calm tidal pool to the west that offers great swimming away from dangerous rip tides. Playa Pavónes is a famous surfer beach. Bird Watching Over 900 species of birds inhabit Costa Rica's airways. These include roseate spoonbills, toucans, kingfishers, hummingbirds, frigate birds, sparrows, warblers, herons, hawks, stilts and the national bird, the Yigüirro (Turdus grayi), also known as the clay-colored robin or gray thrush. The Yigüirro starts to sing in May and is a signal to farmers that the rainy season has begun. Birdlife is so abundant that you can hear parrots squawk even in the country's major cities. Some of the more important habitats for birding in Costa Rica include the tidal mudflats and sandy beaches of the Pacific Coast; the Pacific mangroves; the tropical dry forest of the Santa Rosa National Park and Palo Verde National Park; the tropical rainforests of La Selva and many others. The high-altitude cloud forest reservations are home to the most sought-after bird in the Americas, the Resplendent Quetzal. Caving Travel to Barra Honda National Park for some of the best spelunking in the country. Professional guides lead rugged two-hour treks through the Santa Ana cave, which descends to nearly 800-feet below sea level and to a dark hole in the rock where a pulley system allows you to safely enter the abyss. Pozo Hediondo is home to many bats and Nicoa contains ancient pre-Columbian sites. There are over 40 caves within the Park, more than half of them as yet unexplored. The amazing Venado Caves formed some 20 million years ago, but more recently emerged from under-the-sea thanks to tectonic movements. Limestone rocks, stalactites and stalagmites as well as bats, spiders and crickets are highlight sights along the 1-½ hour tour. A kayak tour is the best way to reach the caves of the Ballena Marine National Park, where there are spectacular sea caves. Golf Ten years ago, Costa Rica had just two courses. But in recent years, the nation has been quietly emerging as a top golf destination. Today, there are 10 professionally designed, championship golf courses, both private and public, in the country. Each course offers a variety of challenging architectural styles, terrain, and playing conditions. The Los Suenos Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort (La Iguana Golf Course) offers majestic vistas of the Pacific Ocean along its 18-hole par-72 greens. There's also a full canopy of lush foliage that also doubles as a tricky putting obstacle. Golf guides are available here at no extra charge. One of the newest courses is the Four Seasons Golf Club Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo. Designed by golf legend, Arnold Palmer, challenges include natural elevation changes and a constant ocean breeze. Golf instruction is available. Tango Mar is a 9-hole course located at the Tango Mar Hotel Beach & Golf Resort, right between two nature reserves. This 2000-yard course is ideal course for tuning up skills on a short game The Costa Rican Golf Association hosts a number of local and international tournaments annually. Click here to get a selection of the top places to play 18 great holes of golf. Hiking The sheer amount of national parks also offer extensive hiking, from treks through the mountainous Chirripó National park, with its myriad of rivers, streams and lakes, to adventures through the dense jungle of the Pacuare or the boiling mud pools and craters of Parque Nacional Rincón de la Vieja. A small group tour or hiring a naturalist guide is the best way to spot a variety of wildlife on the hike. Watersports FISHING — Monster-sized fish and mega varieties to catch await anglers off Costa Rica's coasts as well as on inland lakes and rivers, thanks to a national 'catch-and-release' policy that promotes conservation. The Pacific is famous for its blue and black marlin, sailfish and dorados (mahi-mahi). Hot spots include the Golfo de Papagayo from May to September and November to March in Golfo Dulce, Puerto Jiménez, Zancudo and Golfito. Snook and tarpon are the species to catch on the Caribbean side, especially in Tortuguero and Barra del Colorado, around the rivers and estuaries. Inland, the Laguna de Arenal area is a hot spot for Rainbow Bass. Charter boats with experienced crews as well as fishing guides are available at several locales. If you fish on your own, be sure to get a fishing license; charter operators and guides will usually take care of this for you if you fish with them. The Club Amateur de Pesca and the Club Nacional de Pesca, both located in San Jose, host several tournaments annually. These include the International Sailfish Tournament and Los Sueños Signature Billfish Series. KAYAKING & WHITE WATER RAFTING — Costa Rica offers some of the world's finest white-water rafting and kayaking rivers, with everything from calmer Class II to adrenalin-pumping Class V rapids. The rivers of Pacuare and Reventazón, which flow from the mountains of the Talamanca range towards the Atlantic Ocean, are ideal places to white water raft. June through October is the wettest and best months. SAILING — Sailing charters depart from a number of locales, some around the Tamarindo Beach area and others to the waters of the Manuel Antonio National Park. Daytime sails are usually wildlife trips where you can spot humpback whales and giant sea turtles during the winter and early spring, while sunset cruises are romantic interludes complete with snacks and drinks. SCUBA DIVING & SNORKELING — Snorkelers and divers will find that many aquatic species often use the different coastal areas of Costa Rica for reproduction. Sharks, rays, dolphins, turtles (many beaches are protected nesting sites for several species), and even whales share the tropical waters with a gorgeous collection of fish and coral. Visibility at times reaches 100 feet (Isla del Coco, Playa Hermosa, Playa Ocotal and the coast of the province of Guanacaste), but the average visibility is approximately 40 feet. The Isla del Caño, also on the Pacific, is the ultimate dive spot in the country where you can see numerous species of dolphin, coral and crustaceans. One of Costa Rica's main attractions is the ability to dive in two oceans. There aren't as many dive facilities on the Caribbean coast, but this side is home to the country's lone coral reef off the Parque Nacional Cahuita, which is swimming with an abundance of sea life. SURFING — Jaco Beach is a popular starting point for surfers, as it's only about a two-hour drive from San José. Jaco is very close to Hermosa and Playa Escondida, two breaks that consistently have great surf. Pavones, which is reputed to have the longest rides in the world, Playa Naranjo, where surf scenes from the movie Endless Summer II were filmed, and Puerto Viejo, also have good reputations. The swells really pump between the months of April and October. Board rentals are available in many places, especially in the towns of Jaco and Tamarindo. WINDSURFING — Lake Arenal, where winds blow an average of 25 knots from December through April, is the windsurfing hot spot in Costa Rica. Equipment rentals and instruction is available from the many shops located here. Kite boarding is also a big attraction on the lake. |
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