Discover Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a small mountainous country on the narrow Central American
isthmus. It's only a day's drive from its northern border with Nicaragua to
neighboring Panama in the south, and one could cross from ocean to ocean in
only a few hours.
Costa Rica's stunning scenic heritage unfolds in an ever-changing panorama
of steaming volcanoes, forested mountains, dramatic skies and bucolic
countryside. Dark lowland jungles give way to rolling savannas; Pacific surf
crashes against rocky headlands, sharp contrast to the tranquility of
palm-fringed Caribbean beaches
Costa Rica lies between Nicaragua and Panama. Its width ranges from 119km
to 282km (74 to 176 miles). There are lowlands on both coastlines, swampy on
the Carribean coast, with grassland savannah on the Pacific side merging
into swamps towards the south. Rivers cut through mountain ranges, flowing
down to both the Caribbean and the Pacific. The capital, San José,
was founded in 1737 and is a pleasant mixture of traditional and modern
Spanish architecture. Places of interest include the Teatro Nacional and the
Parque Central. On the Caribbean coast there are numerous beaches, ports and
towns worth visiting. Braulio Carrillo National Park in the central region
of the country has five kinds of forest. Orchids and ferns, jaguars, ocelots
and the Baird tapir may all be seen here. Common dishes include casado
(rice, beans, stewed beef, fried plantain, salad and cabbage) and sopa negra
(black beans with a poached egg). Coffee is good value and has an excellent
flavour. San José has many nightclubs and venues with folk music and
dance. There are several theatres and cinemas.
Getting There
By Air
When it comes to airfare, a little effort can save you a bundle. If your
plans are flexible enough to deal with the restrictions, courier fares are
the cheapest. Tickets bought from consolidators and standby seating are also
good deals, but last-minute specials, airfare wars, and charter flights
often beat these fares. The key is to hunt around, be flexible, and ask
persistently about discounts. Students, seniors, and those under 26 should
never pay full price for a ticket.
By Bus
The bus system is thorough, cheap, and reliable; from San José, you
can travel almost anywhere in the country for under US$6. However it's not
always immediately clear where they arrive, when they leave, or how much
they cost. Just ask around; people will know. The bus system is
labyrinthine; although every destination is served by a different company,
and each company is located in a different part of town. Note, however, that
a seemingly microscopic, direct distance between two points on a map often
translates into hours on a bumpy, windy road. You can find the most accurate
bus information, including detailed schedules and maps at the Instituto
Costarricense de Turismo.
506 223 1733 or 800-343-6332 from North America), along Av. 2 in San José.
You can also find ICT representatives at the base of the stairs just before
you exit the airport
By Sea
SEA: Cruise lines calling at Costa Rican ports include Carnival, Celebrity,
Costa, Crystal, Cunard, Delphin, Hapag, Holland America, Mediterranean
Shipping, NCL, Princess, Radisson, Regal, Royal Carribean, Royal Olympic,
Seabourn, Silversea, Sun and Wind Star. The port of Puntarenas has been
redeveloped recently.
