Quick Facts

Capital City: San José
Location: Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea in the north-east and the North Pacific Ocean in the south-west, between Nicaragua and Panama
Terrain: Coastal plains separated by rugged mountains including over 100 volcanic cones, of which several are major volcanoes.
Climate: Tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands.
Currency: The unit of currency in Costa Rica is the colón.

Wildlife of Costa Rica
Costa Rica possesses a rich and abundant fauna. The sheer number and variety of its species have made Costa Rica one of the most admired territories on the planet when it comes to biodiversity. More than 200 species of mammals, around 850 species of birds, almost 200 types of amphibians and 220 species of reptiles inhabit these lands.

Many tourist activities are sustained in harmony with wild animals. The mountains give shelter to the observation of birds, whose admirers lift their gazes toward the treetops in an attempt to spot their nests. The best places for bird watching are Braulio Carrillo National Park and its surroundings, Monteverde, Talamanca, and the Osa Peninsula.

Every year on the Atlantic and Pacific Coast, one can observe the arrival of the turtles to lay their eggs in the soft sand of the beaches. Guided tours are organized to show you this marvelous demonstration of life itself, without adversely affecting the turtles.

Almost any place in the country is a good place to see hummingbirds, doves, sloths, butterflies and, in some places, a snake or giant lizard may surprise you.

Local guides can show you the areas where this species are most commonly seen, whether you wish to observe them or avoid them!

Stacking Your Postcards

Monteverde Costa Rica
Monteverde Costa Rica is one of the most popular eco-tourist destinations in Costa Rica. The three large reserves, an abundance of tourist-related activities including canopy tours, Skywalk, the Butterfly Farm, the Serpentarium, the Hummingbird Gallery and more.

Arenal Volcano
Costa Rica's most active volcano, in constant eruption,awesome both by day and by night.

Jaco Beach
Playa Jaco is one of the most popular beaches in Costa Rica. It's proximity to San Jose, great night life, surfing, central location, unique shops and galleries make Jaco a must for most itineraries.
Sunbathing, surfing, fishing, gambling, dancing, parasailing, eating in fine restaurants, or just relaxing by the beach are some of the many activities of this Costa Rica destination.

Drake Bay
Drake Bay is one of the most remote and natural settings that tourists will encounter in Costa Rica. The abundance of wildlife, (particularly birds), combined with great accommodations and friendly people make this one of the most spectacular and memorable places to visit.

Drake (pronounced Drak Cay by the locals) is only accessible by air and water. Although there is a new road, we do not recommend taking a rental car on it as it is seasonal and rains can come at all times of the year here.

Lankester Gardens
Some 600 of the country's 1,400 native orchid species are kept in this 11 ha. garden administered by the University of Costa Rica. This was one of three orchid collections amassed during the early part of the 20th century by Charles Lankester, a British coffee plantation supervisor who was duly impressed by the tremendous variety of orchids he found on the trunks and branches of forest trees that were being felled to make way for more coffee plantations throughout the interior valleys and slopes. Although he did nothing to protect the forests (nor did anybody else in those days), his orchid collections formed a basis for the study and appreciation of these beautiful plants.

The varied landscaping of the grounds creates a number of microhabitats ranging from rain forest to almost desert, and each area showcases orchids, bromeliads, and other plants adapted to the specific conditions of light and humidity. If you can get permission to enter any of the several greenhouses, then you are in for a real treat (bring a hand lens to be able to adequately admire the many stunning miniature species).

The Lankester Gardens are reached by taking the road to Paraiso out of Cartago. Look for a large cube balanced on one corner (by the entrance to Campo Ayala) and turn right; follow the gravel road back about 300 m. to the gardens. The gardens are open to the public everyday from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Phone: 551-9877.

Isla del Coco
The island and the area around it are a National Park. The island lies between Costa Rica and the Galapagos Islands, so getting there is no mean feat. The rewards are great, however. Numerous waterfalls tumble off the side of the high cliffs directly into the ocean below. The water is so clear you can easily see the incredible numbers and variety of fish right on deck. Beautiful trails connect the two main bays, where pirates and travellers have left there graffiti on the stones. And, of course, there is the pirate treasure that is rumoured to be buried there. Even if there is no gold, this island holds a better treasure-nature untouched.

yo Destination Guides

Santa Jose
Truth be told, San José can be a disappointing starting point for travelers beginning to explore the serenity and vibrant natural beauty of Costa Rica. The streets are crowded and chock full of car honking, seemingly suicidal drivers, the air is clogged with diesel fumes, and "Americana" is a word seen all too often on storefronts. But then again, San José never promised anyone nature or calm. Most travelers grumble about the city, enduring the long bank lines and dodging umbrellas during the rainy season on their hurried way through the capital. However, those who stay a few days longer get to know a much livelier and charismatic version of San José and its inhabitants. In addition to offering all the amenities a traveler could want, Costa Rica's bustling capital is draped with a distinct tico flair personified by its laid-back and diverse residents, who truly make the city's personality. They linger with their families and loved ones in the beautiful plazas and parks, listening to the live bands that often play on the weekend afternoons, delay their work days to gather under San José's roofs and park domes to escape rain storms, and thrive on a camaraderie that echoes throughout the country.

Surrounded by mountains and perched 1182m above sea level, San José was first settled in 1736, but spent much of the colonial era as a sleepy tobacco-farming town. In 1823, the capital was moved here from Cartago and the city became a focal point for the Costa Rican coffee economy. Since the 1950s, San José has grown rapidly and it is now the transportation hub of Costa Rica, with buses and planes to just about every destination in the country, and home to two major universities. Its cooler and more tolerable weather, convenient transportation, fantastic nightlife, and sights make it a worthy stopover between the two coasts.

Liberia
Inviting and spacious Liberia, the commercial center of Guanacaste, is the heart of this dusty cowboy region. The white-washed colonial houses lining the streets, the strutting sabaneros (cowboys) passing by, and the rustle of the Liberia flag above the parque central hint at the pride, history, and tradition that make Liberia unique. Although there's little else to see in Liberia, it is a pleasant place to spend a day or two and is a base for visits to national parks, including Rincón de la Vieja, Santa Rosa, and Palo Verde. It's also a convenient stop en route to Pacific beaches or the Nicaraguan border. Guanacaste Day on July 25, the day the province left Nicaragua and annexed Costa Rica, is celebrated by a week of traditional festivities---costumed children perform on the steps of the church or march in parades; several bull ridings and runnings stun and entertain, and fiestas around the fairgrounds go on all night. Liberia is Costa Rica's birthplace of cattle ranchers, and the "Expo-feria Ganadera-Liberia", from July19-29, more than adequately displays the spirit of the town and its people. Come to experience the bullfights, games, dances, and traditions of the original city of "libertad."

Cartago
Cartago is located in Costa Rica's Central Valley, an area that enjoys almost perfect springtime weather, year-round. It is located about an hour away from the capital city of San Jose, Costa Rica. Having previously been the capital of the country, Cartago is known as one of the most historic cities in the country and is home to many famed locations, such as the Irazu Volcano and the nearby Tapanti National Park. Many Costa Ricans make a pilgrimage to this peaceful city to visit La Basilica de Nustra Senora de los Angeles, a holy site for Catholics.

Puerto Limón
Though this Caribbean city is vital for transportation and financial services, it also offers a great selection for shoppers. Surprisingly perfect rows of towering palms line the beautiful Parque Vargas. The impressive shore is visible from most of the town center, and there are lookout areas throughout the eastern part of town. Limón is also a convenient launching point for vacations to Tortuguero, Playa Bonita (4km northwest), and other Caribbean towns. Although the pedestrian boulevards are pleasant and wide, the city can be busy and difficult to navigate. At night, taxis are advisable; the city has a bad reputation (many feel undeserved) for crime. The annual October 12 carnival celebrating Día de la Raza (Columbus Day), now officially named Día de las Culturas, especially calls for attention, as music, dancing, and drinking spill out into the streets for almost a week.