( Costa
Rica is known for its spectacular natural beauty, diverse landscapes,
and climate. Magnificent beaches stretch for miles along
unspoiled coastline, and high up on the mountains, cool and pristine
cloud forests are alive with mysterious sounds while below splendid
tropical rain forests are packed with life.
While Costa Rica is small in geographical size, there are activities to suit all travelers and any mood from action to relaxation. Activities include surfing, snorkelling, horse-back riding, hiking, deep sea fishing, river cruises or just a little sunbathing.
Costa Rica is divided into three distinct regions; Northwest Region, Central Pacific Coast and the Caribbean Lowlands.
The Northwest Region is a dramatic contrast in topograpy with mountain ranges, volcanoes, lakes, rivers and fertile plains. Within the Northwest Region lies Fortuna, the nearest village to the specatular Arenal Volcano and the main reason for visiting this area. Situated in the Arenal Conservation Area, the Arenal Volcano is still highly active and offers visitors to this area a not to be missed view of the smouldering red glow of smolten lava at night.
Also within the Northwest Region is Monteverde and the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, one of the most famous ecotourism areas in Central America. It is referred to as a cloud forest rather than a rain forest because of the high altitude. It is also one of the most outstanding wildlife refuges in the New World Tropics with over 400 species of birds, 100 species of mammals, 5 species of cats including the jaguar.
The Central Pacific Coast is much more developed for tourism with a good mixture of luxury resorts and deserted beaches, with some of the country's best known beaches in this region. Strung along the coast are scores of seaside villages, picturesque towns, and exotic beaches where visitors will find an abudance of accommodations, seafood and local shopping. Puntarenas is the largest town in the reagon, and throughout this region you will find surfing, kayaking and swimming in the azure blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. Hiking, beach walks, volleyball and horseback riding are also extremely popular in this region.
The Caribbean Lowlands has a cultural diversity different from the rest of the country yet offers beautiful beaches, great surfing and pristine national parks. It is less developed than the Pacific side with fewer roads and smaller settlements and about half the area is set apart and protected in parks and wildlife refuges. The Creole culture of this region is apparent in both food and music.
If traveling to Costa Rica, a valid passport is required as well as an onward or return ticket. While there are no vaccination requirements for Costa Rica it is advised that both Typoid and Hepatitis A immunizations be obtained prior to travel as a precaution. The official language of Costa Rica is Spanish however English is spoken widely. Being a tropical destination, there is little difference in temperature throughout the year but the "rainy" season would be considered May to November.
While Costa Rica is small in geographical size, there are activities to suit all travelers and any mood from action to relaxation. Activities include surfing, snorkelling, horse-back riding, hiking, deep sea fishing, river cruises or just a little sunbathing.
Costa Rica is divided into three distinct regions; Northwest Region, Central Pacific Coast and the Caribbean Lowlands.
The Northwest Region is a dramatic contrast in topograpy with mountain ranges, volcanoes, lakes, rivers and fertile plains. Within the Northwest Region lies Fortuna, the nearest village to the specatular Arenal Volcano and the main reason for visiting this area. Situated in the Arenal Conservation Area, the Arenal Volcano is still highly active and offers visitors to this area a not to be missed view of the smouldering red glow of smolten lava at night.
Also within the Northwest Region is Monteverde and the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, one of the most famous ecotourism areas in Central America. It is referred to as a cloud forest rather than a rain forest because of the high altitude. It is also one of the most outstanding wildlife refuges in the New World Tropics with over 400 species of birds, 100 species of mammals, 5 species of cats including the jaguar.
The Central Pacific Coast is much more developed for tourism with a good mixture of luxury resorts and deserted beaches, with some of the country's best known beaches in this region. Strung along the coast are scores of seaside villages, picturesque towns, and exotic beaches where visitors will find an abudance of accommodations, seafood and local shopping. Puntarenas is the largest town in the reagon, and throughout this region you will find surfing, kayaking and swimming in the azure blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. Hiking, beach walks, volleyball and horseback riding are also extremely popular in this region.
The Caribbean Lowlands has a cultural diversity different from the rest of the country yet offers beautiful beaches, great surfing and pristine national parks. It is less developed than the Pacific side with fewer roads and smaller settlements and about half the area is set apart and protected in parks and wildlife refuges. The Creole culture of this region is apparent in both food and music.
If traveling to Costa Rica, a valid passport is required as well as an onward or return ticket. While there are no vaccination requirements for Costa Rica it is advised that both Typoid and Hepatitis A immunizations be obtained prior to travel as a precaution. The official language of Costa Rica is Spanish however English is spoken widely. Being a tropical destination, there is little difference in temperature throughout the year but the "rainy" season would be considered May to November.
Guide created: 02/13/06 (updated 03/28/07)
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