Costa Rica:

Mention Costa Rica and people think paradise! This small country is indeed nature’s Disneyland and one of Central America’s most popular eco-tourism hotspots! From howler monkeys to colorful exotic birds, the wildlife here is fairly easy to spot. Because of Costa Rica’s relatively small size, and varied topography, you can spend one day watching wildlife in a cloud forest, climb a volcano the next day, and be surfing or sitting on a beach the third day.

Costa Rica is a peaceful country that has no army, and instead puts its money into rainforest and wildlife conservation and creating national parks. Over 25% of Costa Rica’s territory has been set aside for national parks and biological reserves. There are over 32 national parks, and a total of 186 protected areas.

Both the famous Manuel Antonio national park and its Caribbean counterpart in Cahuita, offer jungle trails through the rainforest that comes right down to the beach. You will be greeted by curious white-faced Cappuchin monkeys along the way, and will find more than one enticing beach to stop for a swim and picnic.

Monteverde, the famous “green mountain” is not only home to North American Quakers that settled there in the 1050’s, but to a cloud forest that is home to two biological reserves. Since the clouds rarely lift and the humidity is always close to 100%, the cloud forests are extremely green and lush. Monteverde is also home of some of the best ziplining canopy tours in the country.

The many volcanoes scattered around the country provide varied opportunities to explore. Irazu Volcano is known for its sometimes green blue, sometimes rustic red lake that sits in one of its craters. Within the active crater of the Poas Volcano, there is a boiling acid lake, while in an inactive crater, there is a lake of icy cold water.

Perhaps the most popular of the volcanoes, Arenal Volcano is the most active. Arenal erupts almost daily and once the sun goes down, it provides a natural light show that you will not soon forget. The orange lava rocks spew up from the top of the perfectly formed crater, and bounce down the sides of the mountain in glowing orange streams. If you’re real lucky, the eruption may be is combined with the flashes of a lightning storm in the background and the flickering of fireflies in the foreground to create an unforgettable, spectacular display of nature’s fireworks. The naturally heated river flowing over the volcano and various geothermal springs in the area have been harnessed in a few places to create a relaxing paradise from which to watch the volcano erupt.

The rivers that flow from the volcanoes and mountaintops to the beaches provide incredibly scenic whitewater rafting opportunities. The experienced rafting guides navigate the rivers daily and are happy to share the adventure with fun-loving tourists. The Pacuare River is rated the 5th most scenic rafting river in the world. You can take a day trip, or spend the night in a jungle lodge on the overnight excursion.

Tortuguero National Park is Costa Rica’s Amazon. The Jungle Lodges here offer a comfortable base from which to take canal wildlife tours and to see the Green Sea Turtles nesting on the Caribbean coast.

Corcovado is the last great stand of virgin rainforest in Central America. It is one of the most biologically diverse regions in the world. It is wild here, and the opportunities to see animals in their natural habitat are many. Many of the large mammals, including anteaters and jaguars may be found here.

Ahhh---the beaches. Costa Rica is well known for it’s surfing beaches, and has many fine swimming beaches as well. On the pacific side, the resorts of Guanacaste provide a dry, sunny climate for beach-goers who like to be pampered. Tamarindo is a popular beach town with many breaks in the area. The Nicoya peninsula offers unspoiled beaches for surfers and honeymooners alike. Just south of the busy surf town of Jaco, is Playa Hermosa, a world famous black sand surfing beach. On the northern end, you will find a flock of scarlet macaws happily playing in the almond trees. At night, the moonlight against the clouds, black sand and waves breaking is an awesome sight. Farther down the coast, you will find the Marino Ballena National Park, which is named after the Humpback Whales that migrate here each year to mate. Snorkeling is good right offshore, and dive trips are available to largest coral reef in Central America and the 3 small islands just offshore. Still farther south, are the wild beaches of Corcovado.

On the Caribbean side, the beaches of Cahuita, Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo are among the most beautiful in the country. The good-time rasta vibe, and laid back English-speaking people of Jamaican descent are unique to this area. The food is awesome, and the warm clear waters make swimming and surfing a treat. Although you won’t find luxury resorts (or even air-conditioning) on the Caribbean beaches, you can awaken to the sound of howler monkeys, and possibly have an outdoor dinner with a sloth in this beautiful and fun region. The rainforest beach park in Cahuita, the surfing beaches and dining opportunities in Puerto Viejo and the wildlife land and marine refuge in Manzanillo are highlights if the Caribbean coast.

Costa Rica’s national motto "Pura Vida", literally means pure life. More than that, Pura Vida is an attitude. It’s all good. It’s relaxing. It’s enjoying life to its fullest. The friendly and hospitable Costa Ricans or "Ticos" will warm your heart with their Pura Vida attitude.

What you need to know:

CLIMATE:
Costa Rica has a tropical climate. Temperatures vary with elevation, the higher you go, the cooler it is. The year is broken up into 2 seasons—wet and dry. The dry season is generally December – April, though each area will have it’s own mini dry season. In September and October when it is rainier on the Pacific side, the Caribbean side is relatively dry. The beach areas are often hot and humid. The central highlands enjoy an eternal spring, making them a popular place for Ticos to live.

During the green season, you are likely to get rain every day, but don’t let that stop you. It is typically clear in the morning, with rain for an hour or so in the afternoon, and then it’s clear again. This is the rainforest, and it’s at it’s best in the green season! Expect the weather to be mostly warm, and sometimes wet!

FOOD:
Homestyle meals or “tipica comida” are the norm in Costa Rica. The national dish gallo pinto, means spotted rooster, but is really rice and black beans. In most of the country, it is cooked with Costa Rican Lizano sauce to give it its distinct flavor. Gallo pinto is typically served for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and is often accompanied by fried plantains, fresh fruit, and cabbage & tomato or heart of palm salad.

Chicken, fish (often the tasty Costa Rican Tilapia) and carne asada are staples. Steaks are not particularly good here, as they come from skinny cows and are tougher than those at home. Shrimp, scallops and sometimes lobster are also available, though more expensive!

The Caribbean region has it’s own unique cuisine that is some of the best in the country. You’ll find more seafood, and the Jamaican spices and influences give the food a delicious flavor. The gallo pinto here is cooked in coconut milk.

If you are a fan of fruit juice, you’ll love the bottled “Tropical” juice found all over the country, as well as the frescos served at sodas and restaurants. The two Costa Rican beers, Imperial and Bavaria are both very good, and much cheaper than imports. Costa Rican coffee will not disappoint. Costa Ricans like their coffee sweet. If you want it black, order "café Negro", and if you like milk or cream, order "café con leche".

CURRENCY:

Costa Rican colones are available at ATM machines and at banks in many main towns. U.S. dollars are widely accepted in tourist towns, and for larger purchases such as tours, and hotels. You should carry colones for smaller purchases and tips. One U.S. dollar is equal to about 500 colones. Be sure that your dollars are not marked or torn or they will not be accepted.

LANGUAGES:
Spanish is spoken in most of Costa Rica, although many people in the tourist industry also speak English. Off the beaten path, you’ll need some Spanish.

In the Caribbean region, English is the dominant language.

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