It is time to travel: Costa Rica (1 of 3) - English
Costa Rica is located in Central America, stretching from the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean Sea just 200 miles away. Its portion of land occupies only 20 thousand square miles, the capital of Costa Rica is San José. Costa Rica is south of Nicaragua and north of Panama. The Climate is Tropical all year round. It has two seasons: Summer which is the dry season that begins in December and ends in April and the winter season which is more rainy between May and November.
Costa Rica is a democratic republic that is free and independent. The political environment is stable which makes it a favorite tourist destination. Costa Rica has not had an army since December 1, 1948, abolished by former President José Figueres Ferrer, this is one of the main qualities of the country. Its population is mostly Catholic, its main language is Spanish and its currency is the Colon (₡)
Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world and offers dreamlike landscapes, kind people willing to share their culture and a safe country to experience natural wonders. It is also the home of four World Heritage sites certified by UNESCO. Costa Rica is promoting organic ingredients, unspoiled nature and authentic experiences. It is one of the world’s most unique places. In support of these efforts, the Costa Rica Institute of Tourism (ICT) has developed a Sustainable Tourism Certification (CST) program for those companies that place an extra effort on offering, through their everyday activities, a conscious approach towards preserving the environment and the local community.
Costa Rica is divided into seven regions. These regions had extensive tourism offerings, including rainforests, volcanoes, rivers traveling through the mountains, beaches, national parks and forest reserves.
Northern Pacific (Guanacaste)
Situated in the north of Costa Rica, Guanacaste covers an area of about 10,140 km2. Its incomparable natural beauty encompasses its warm environment and lush surroundings, which have made it one of the most popular destinations among domestic and international tourists. In this region visitors can enjoy numerous beaches and diverse attractions such as the nesting seasons of olive ridley turtles at Ostional National Wildlife Refuge, or of leatherback turtles in the Las Baulas Marine National Park. .
Guanacaste is an ideal place to spot birds and other animals. For the adventures that love leisurely sports like kayaking. The area also has first-class infrastructure initiatives like the Golfo de Papagayo Tourism Development Hub. This region can be accessed from Daniel Oduber International Airport.
The three main tourist centers in the area are Liberia , Santa Cruz and Nicoya, as well as secondary centers, including El Coco, Tamarindo and Flamingo.
Caribbean Region
This region offers a mixture found nowhere else in the country, with its beaches and Afro-Caribbean culture, all of which are on display in the towns of Tortuguero, Cahuita, Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo. The beaches of Tortuguero National Park and Barra del Colorado National Wildlife Reserve host the green sea turtle nesting season, which is one of the area’s main attractions.
Is a great area with a mix of adventure, leisure and natural activities complemented by the local culture, cuisine and music. Popular options in the area include its coral reefs, multi-color sand beaches (black, yellow and gray) and its coastal and mid-altitude forests. In this area you can find the Cahuita National Park and the Gandoca-Manzanillo Reserve. These two areas are internationally renowned not only for their natural beauty, but also because they showcase the state of conservation in the Greater Caribbean Region.
Another sector that has been ranked as a top site for sport fishing of species including sea bass and Atlantic tarpon is The Barra del Colorado. Activities that you can also do are bird watching and observing the region’s flora and fauna. This region hosts an impressive offer of cultural, athletic, civic and artistic activities, including the carnivals of Limón, which are held in October. These celebrations reflect Caribbean history, culture and idiosyncrasy.
Puntarenas
Known as The pearl of the Pacific! This region offers a variety of sun and beach attractions with islands and mountains. This region includes the Cabo Blanco Absolute Natural Reserve, the islands of San Lucas, Chira and Tolinga as well as Isla del Coco. Puntarenas includes the Nicoya Peninsula region, consisting of Paquera, Lepanto and Cóbano, and is a breathtaking natural beauty alongside first-rate beaches. This area is the home of Monteverde region, a mountainous region of international renown for its conservation efforts and a lifestyle centered upon respecting nature. You can visit the Monteverde and Santa Elena Biological Reserves, with pleasing trails, flora and fauna observation points, natural landscapes, and more.
Central Valley
This region is the home to the National Theater, an architectural jewel. Also the visitor had the opportunity to enjoy a variety of natural and cultural attractions, including the best collection of museums in the country. Also they can enjoy the national parks of Braulio Carrillo, Poás, Irazú and Turrialba, which protect some of the region’s largest volcanoes. Also you can find natural scenery, mills, farming areas, large coffee plantations, flora and fauna.
Northern Plains Region
Northern Plains is the home of a wide array of protected areas, lakes, lagoons, volcanoes, rivers and waterfalls.These natural ecosystems are sanctuaries for waterbirds, reptiles, mammals and the tropical gar, an ancient fish species. Areas like the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge offer points of interest for wildlife spotters. Rivers in this region include the Peñas Blancas, San Carlos, Toro, Puerto Viejo and Sarapiquí Rivers
Central Pacific Region
This region has two cities with significant tourism facilities and attractions: Jacó and Quepos. This area is very wet and rainy, also this area is a transitional forest, which has characteristics of both dry and wet tropical forests. These ecosystems provide a habitat for numerous plant and animal species that are protected in areas including Manuel Antonio National Park and Carara National Park. The Central Pacific includes the Costanera, a highway that links most of the beaches of the Pacific coast, from Puntarenas to Playa Tortuga in the south.
Southern Pacific Region
This region offers leisure activities on the beach, trips on the sea to spot whales and dolphins, walks through the landscapes of the mangrove forests, botanical gardens, waterfalls or national parks, also sport fishing, surfing or professional diving. The second-largest peninsula of The Osa peninsula is in this region. Its main offering is ecotourism, especially tours of the Térraba-Sierpe Wetland, the Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve, Marino Ballena National Park, Isla del Caño Biological Reserve, and Corcovado National Park.
You can enjoy sand, sun and surf in the coastal towns of Dominical and Piñuela, or on the beaches of Platanares, Zancudo and Pavones. Also is home to some indigenous settlements.
In our second blog of Costa Rica we will share the entry requirements, how to get there and more. Subscribe to our newsletter to get notification about the next part and more information here.
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