Costa Rica is close to a real-life paradise, is a peaceful and democratic country with no army since the 1940s, whose primary source of income is tourism. Costa Rica is a welcoming country and a pleasure to discover.
Culture
The official language is Spanish, but a large part of the population also speaks English; even though the official religion is Catholic, there is complete freedom of religion; the official currency is Costa Rican Colon (plural colones), and the country uses the Central Standard Time.
Costa Rican culture is defined by a mixture of European and indigenous influences. The European aspect can be mainly perceived in the language and historic architecture, while the indigenous influence is seen in handmade crafts and the local cuisine.
Geography and landscapes
Costa Rica is located in Central America. It has the distinctive role of connecting North and South America, and its neighbors are Nicaragua in the north and Panama in the south. Due to its privileged location, the country’s climate is predominantly warm, but you can discover multiple microclimates across the country if you take enough time to explore.
The country’s geography is characterized by rugged mountains that are found along most of the country. There are several active volcanoes, including the Arenal, Irazu and Turrialba volcanos, and the highest peak is Chirripo Hill, with a height of 3,819 meters.
There is an impressive landscape variety, filled with lush vegetation and spectacular displays of flora. In Costa Rica, you can find beaches, jungles, forests and mountains, where you can hike, go rafting or kayaking, ziplining, biking, discover hidden nooks on the beaches, or just relax and enjoy the pura vida.
Even though the country is small, close to 5% of Earth’s biodiversity is enclosed in its borders, and 26% of the country is currently under conservation schemes or protected territory, a true marvel of nature.
Getting there
The easiest way to get to Costa Rica is by plane; you can choose between the San Jose International Airport and Liberia International Airport, depending on your first destination.
Once you are in Costa Rica, you can choose to take a domestic flight or a bus ride; you can also rent a car if you want to discover the magical places in Costa Rica for yourself and have complete freedom of movement.
Most visitors from Europe, the US and Australia don’t need a visa to enter the country; if you need more information, you can check at the Costa Rican Embassy site.
When should you visit Costa Rica?
The country has two distinct seasons; the wet season runs from May to November, when you can expect daily showers; and the dry season, which is the most popular time to travel, with daytime temperatures around the mid 20 °C, which makes it ideal for hiking in the cloud forests.
Among the country’s major events are Fiestas Palmares in January, Semana Santa (Easter) and the Festival de la Luz in December.
If you want to witness nesting green turtles, you should try to visit between July and October, while olive ridley turtles can be seen between August and December, and dolphins are present year-round.
Costa Rica is a country that offers a lot to every traveler; whether you prefer to relax at the beach, contemplate life on your yoga mat, enjoy the ocean on your surfboard or ascend misty volcanoes, biking, ziplining or descending into caves. Take your time and be ready to be amazed by this peaceful Central American country.
Start planning your next trip by booking a car with Budget Costa Rica and prepare to be amazed!