Trifter

Costa Rica, which translates literally as “Rich Coast”, is located in Central America, and it is bordered by Nicaragua, Panama, the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.  Costa Rica is the size of the states of Vermont and New Hampshire combined (almost 20,000 sq. mi.), and it is the first country in the world to constitutionally abolish its army.  The capital is San Jose.

The first European to reach the land of Costa Rica was Christopher Columbus in 1502 (at that time only 400,000 Indians lived here).  Because of its location and difficulty in establishing trade routes with the rest of Central America during Spanish Colonial times, Costa Rica developed in relative isolation from the Spanish Monarchy.  By 1719 this failure to share in the prosperity of the Colonies made Costa Rica “the poorest and most miserable Spanish colony in all Americas”.  Costa Rica joined other Central American provinces in 1821 in a joint declaration of independence from Spain.  In 1838 Costa Rica declared itself sovereign, and enjoyed greater peace and more political stability than many of its fellow Latin American nations.  After 2 significant periods of violence (1917-1919 and 1948) a new, democratic government drafted a new constitution and enacted democratic reforms.  Costa Rica has been able to avoid the widespread violence that has plagued most of Latin America.

Costa Rica is composed of 7 provinces, which are divided into 81 cantons, which in turn are divided into districts.  It also comprises several islands, Calero Island being the largest, and Cocos Island having the best location.  It is a developing country, and it faces the fourth highest inflation rate in Latin America (17% of its people are below poverty line).  The government offers tax exemptions for those who are willing to invest in the country.  Electronics, pharmaceuticals, financial outsourcing, software development and ecotourism are the prime industries in Costa Rica’s economy.  Coffee production has played a key role in Costa Rica’s history and economy and by 2006 was the third cash crop export (after bananas and pineapple).  Tarrazu, from Costa Rica, is one of the finest Arabica coffee beans in the world and it’s used for making espresso coffee. 

Costa Rica has a population of over 4 million, and it consists of white and Mestizo groups (94%), Black/Afro Caribbean (3%), Amerindian (1%), Chinese and other ethnic groups (1%).  The only official language is Spanish. 

Costa Rican music genres include: American and British rock and roll, pop, reggae, reggaeton, soca, salsa, bachata, meringue, cumbia and Costa Rican swing.

Costa Rica is the most visited nation in the Central America region.  2 million tourists (46% from U.S. and Canada, and 16% from Europe) visit Costa Rica each year.  Ecotourism is extremely popular with the many tourists visiting the numerous national parks and protected areas (about 25% of the country’s land) around the country, and as recently, tourism in Costa Rica ranked 42nd in the world and first among Latin American countries. 

Tortuguero National Park (translated as “full of turtles”) was created in 1975 to protect 4 endangered sea turtle species of the Caribbean Sea: the hawksbill, the loggerhead, the green and the leatherback turtles.  This area is known for its beautiful channels, rivers, and lagoons that can be accessed by boat, canoe, or kayak.  It houses spider, howler and white throated Capuchin monkeys, the three toed sloth, 320 species of birds and a huge variety of reptiles.

Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is home to over 2,000 plant species (including numerous orchids), over 400 types of birds, the world’s fastest living lizard, the spiny tailed iguana, and over 100 species of mammals.  Here you can soar through the tree tops on a canopy zipline adventure, a one of a kind adrenaline packed activity.  The canopy zipline is a high flying, high speed canopy course consisting of 16 ziplines (cables), 18 platforms, 1 rappel and a giant Tarzan swing.  If you enjoy a slower pace you can go on a hike via suspended bridges.  A bilingual naturalist guide will lead you, and along the way he will point out the abundant wildlife, flora and fauna.  You can admire a wide variety of endangered exotic birds, like the Resplendent Quetzel, which was worshiped by the ancient Mayan culture.

Arenal Volcano, one of the most active volcanoes in the world, is one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful destinations.  It erupts every 5-10 minutes, and in 1968 it killed over 80 locals.  The beauty of this area is accentuated by Arenal Lake and dam, which provides electricity to most of the country.  The climate here is comfortable, with highs from low to mid 80’s to lows of 60’s.  This area is bursting with tourists geared activities like day spas, restaurants, bars, dancing, internet cafes, and souvenir shops.

La Fortuna is the closest town to the volcano, and it is considered to be the adventure capital of Central America.  Here you can do whitewater rafting, canoeing, cave exploration, volcano hikes, horseback rides, bungee jumping, floating safaris, hikes through the Rainforest, visits to hot springs (where you can relax and bathe as the Arenal Volcano erupts in the background), and indigenous villages.  One of the most beautiful beaches in the world is also here, and you can relax or dip in the crystal clear blue waters of the South Pacific, while the howler monkeys are howling in the background. 

Go on a Catamaran Cruise and Snorkeling Adventure, where you pass by several small islands and inlets then you stop above a vibrant tropical coral reef.  Take a dip in the soothing waters, swim in a beautiful hidden bay, or enjoy a snack on a secluded beach…

If you feel even more adventurous, take an ATV adventure.  This is a 2 hour expedition, with no speed limits, on a 15km of off road trails and back roads.

The Costa Rica Southern Caribbean coast contains stunning beaches and a reggae vibe.  It is the final frontier of this tropical paradise.  Cahuita and Cahuita National Park are favorites with eco tourists, while Punta Uva and Puerto Viejo are classic surfer destinations, with a laid back vibe and entertaining nightlife.

The Osa Peninsula is a remote are that contains Corcovada National Park.  Corcovado National Park is internationally renowned among ecologists for its biodiversity.  Here you can see all 4 Costa Rican monkey species (the White headed Capuchin, the Mantled Howler, the endangered Geoffroy’s Spider Monkey, and the Squirrel Monkey), big cats and tapirs.  Relax in a sea side hammock in front of a Drake Bay bungalow, visit Reptilandia (a great reptile park), or visit Playa Carate, which is favored by many celebrities.  The climate is relatively wet here.  If you are looking for entertainment go to one of the largest towns, like Dominical, Puerto Jimenez, and Uvita.

In Puerto Viejo you can visit the Archaelogical Park, the Indigenous Culture Museum, the Botanical Gardens, the Chiquita Banana Show, La Paz Waterfalls and Gardens, the Thermal Waters, or take a pineapple or a chocolate tour.  If you are a thrill seeker visit Poas Volcano, take a Sarapiqui river boat ride, whitewater rafting, river kayaking and waterfall rappelling.

The Northern beaches are described as The Gold Coast of Costa Rica.  Playa Hermosa and Flamingo Beach provide excellent snorkeling, kayaking, and other family oriented beach activities.  Tamarindo, on the other hand, is a surfer’s Mecca, with a wild, wild nightlife.

Rincon de la Vieja (which translates to “old lady in the corner”) Volcano and National Park are characterized by dry forest, and dry weather, hot springs and hot mud pools that contain rejuvenating minerals for your skin.  Here you can have a lot of fun activities, like: cattle ranching, horseback riding, bird watching, ATV riding, ziplining, hanging bridges tours, extreme hiking, or whitewater tubing.

La Amistad (translated as “friendship”) International Park and Biosphere is declared a world heritage site by UNESCO, and it contains land in both Costa Rica and Panama.  The park (located on the largest mountain system in the country, covered with tropical rain and cloud forest), is home to a wide bio diversity eco systems and an extraordinary topography.  Chirripo National Park is contained in this biosphere.  The park is home to the highest peak in Costa Rica, making this a paradise for extreme hikers.

Manuel Antonio National Park is a smaller park, but it is one of the most popular parks, often being referred to as the “Jewel of the National Park System”.  The entrance leads through thick jungle to open clearings where huge palm trees line the beaches.  Small footpaths cut through the jungle to reveal slow moving three-toed sloth or squirrel monkeys.  You can see banded anteaters, raccoons, porcupines, hundreds of species of birds and butterflies, or white faced monkeys (they are very friendly, but sometimes they snatch things from your hands).

San Jose is Costa Rica’s social, political and commercial center.  Here is never too hot and never too cold because of the city’s location in the Central Valley, in the proximity of mountains.  The locals are known as Ticos, and they are friendly hosts who will do anything in their powers to make your stay enjoyable.  There are excellent art galleries here, boutique-hotels and gourmet restaurants.  The architecture is a mishmash of historic colonial structures, glass high-rises and run-down buildings.  The must visit places are:

1.     National Theater- in the heart of San Jose, alongside the Plaza de la Cultura, designed by Belgian architects and decorated by Italian artists (check out the gold gilt interior and have an afternoon tea in the Theater’s café), the 1,000 seat stone and metal structure offers performances by the world’s most famous artists.

2.     The Gold Museum- below the Plaza de la Cultura, to the rear of the National Theater, this is the place that will marvel you with its 2,000 pre-Columbian gold artifacts.

3.     Jade Museum- will mesmerize you with eye popping pre-Columbian jade, gold and stone art, and always changing exhibitions of contemporary artists.

The best places to have a good time at night are: El Tobogan, Jazz Café, El Cuartel de la Boca del Monte, Cocoloco, and Shakespeare Bar.

Costa Rica has a variety of nightlife activities and a great number of Casinos around the country from which to choose.  Try your luck at the rows of slot machines, video machines, or at Caribbean stud poker, mini baccarat, blackjack, canasta roulette, or craps.

The food and beverages are varied in Costa Rica, but the “must haves” are:

1.     Gallo pinto (rice and beans), scrambled or fried eggs, cooked plantains, tortillas, orange juice and coffee.

2.     Casado (translated as “married”) which is a mix of dishes like gallo pinto, fried plantains, Costa Rican cheese, salad, cheese , or meat (or fish).  Casados are served with tortillas fro wrapping.

3.     Black Bean Soup (sometimes served with a hardboiled egg), heart of palm salad, and seafood.

4.     Ceviche: chopped raw fish, shrimp, or conch mixed with onions, tomatoes and cilantro, and marinated in lime juice.  This is a snack, and it is served with fresh tortilla chips.

5.     Chilera: a spicy dressing made with pickled onions, peppers and vegetables.

6.     Tres Leches Cake: a cake soaked in 3 kinds of milk (evaporated, sweetened condensed milk, and cream).

7.     Rice Pudding (Arroz con Leche): rice soaked in warm milk with sugar, cinnamon and other spices.

8.     Flan: soft caramel custard.  Orange custard is another popular Costa Rican dessert.

9.     Refrescos (or frescos): fruit smoothies made with water or milk.

10.Agua dulce: water sweetened with sugar cane.

11.Guaro: sugar cane liquor, served as a shot or in a cocktail.

12.Beer: the national beer is Imperial.  Other brands are Pilsenand Bavaria.

If you are a shopper, Sarchi is your town.  Filled with handicraft stores and small factories, this is the place where you can find anything from colorful oxcarts (which can be purchased in any size and shipped home), to fine furniture, wooden articles, and leather, metal and fabric creations.

No matter what you are looking for (a Hummingbird gallery, a coffee plantation, an active volcano, flora, fauna, beaches, heart pumping adventures, surfing or snorkeling, gambling, nightlife, or great food) you will find it all in beautiful Costa Rica!

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