Costa Rica – Pura Vida

Costa Rica is Spanish for ‘Rich Coast’

Looking out from his galleon in 1502, Christopher Columbus observed a line of golden beaches fringed by lush jungles and felt there were no other words to describe this new land other than “Rich Coast”.

Costa Rica is easily the most visited nation in Central America, with fabulous thick, rich-green rainforests stretching as far as the eye can see. There are endless beaches of white, pink, gold, and black sand on the shores of both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. The busy capital of San Jose with its heady mix of Latin history and culture is a great introduction to Costa Rica.

Types Of Holidays In Costa Rica

The amazing thing about Costa Rica is the amount of diversity that exists in such a compact country.

It is only 51,060 square kilometers in size, but has 13 different micro-climates. A short drive will take you from misty cloud forests, to imposing volcanoes, hot dry plains and lush rainforests.

If you wish to tour the country, journeys are never too long and the landscape is ever-changing and totally idyllic. Alternatively, base yourself at a beach resort and explore the interior on short expeditions at a much more relaxed pace.

Costa Rica is ideal for a ‘soft’ adventure based around its natural wonders. You can peer into boiling volcanoes, fly through rainforests on zip lines or bathe under beautiful of tropical waterfalls.

For thrill seekers, there is White-Water Rafting, world class Surfing spots and even Dolphin And Whale Watching off the coast.

There are some fabulous Golf Courses in Costa Rica, and Sport Fishing is well developed. Horse Riding is also a very popular activity.

At the end of the day you can just chill out on a beach, lounge in a hammock, and enjoy the ‘pure life’, or Pura Vida - a national expression that sums life in Costa Rica!

San Jose And The Central Valley

The Central Valley is encircled by lovely mountain peaks and beautiful green landscapes dotted with coffee plantations, and enjoys a year round temperate climate.

Nestled in the valley, San Jose offers up a variety of cultural experiences. Apart from the fascinating National Museum, there is a Gold Museum, a Jade Museum and an extraordinarily decorated Grand Theatre. There is a lively Central Market and some incredible restaurants serving the best food in Costa Rica.

The outlying rural towns offer great scenic beauty, providing visitors an insight into the history and culture of a country whose development was based on coffee, sugar cane and dairy production.

Sarapiqui is just a short drive from the Central Valley, but the rainforests and national parks of this area stand in stark contrast to the metropolitan lifestyle of the capital. Among the principal attractions are the Poas Volcano and Braulio Carrillo National Park, a natural treasure that offers breathtakingly lush tropical forests, and waterfalls.

Caribbean Coast

The luxuriant Caribbean coast spans almost 200 kilometers. Limon, the capital city of this province, has an incredible mix of Afro-Caribbean cultures. The combination is fascinating and culturally rich. The music has a strong Caribbean influence including reggae and many other West Indian rhythms.

Tortuguero is a beautiful nature reserve with a unique system of waterways and backwaters that allows you to observe stunning rainforests by boat.

The influence of culture, rainforests and sandy beaches, makes the Caribbean region one of the most unique in Costa Rica.

Arenal And Monteverde

Arenal The perfect cone-shaped Arenal Volcano is one of the most visited active volcanoes in the world. Indeed Arenal is the fourth most active volcano on earth, and regularly sets off a spectacular show, spitting fiery red lava. Thanks to the volcanic soil, the surrounding area is incredibly green and lush, with waterfalls, canyons, rivers and natural hot springs.

Monteverde Cloud Forest
The Monteverde Cloud Forest is acclaimed as one of the most outstanding natural refuges in the New World Tropics. The 11,000 hectares of protected forest can be observed by hiking and trekking, traversing hanging bridges and on canopy walks. Monteverde is a paradise for bird watching and is home to the famed Resplendent Quetzal, the 'Holy Grail' of birders.

Guanacaste - Northern Pacific And Nicoya

The North West Pacific region of Guanacaste is the driest area of Costa Rica with beautiful beaches that stretch for miles. This so-called ‘Gold Coast’ is a prime area for sun and relaxation. Little rain and consistent warm temperatures offer visitors an enviable climate, breathtaking beaches and lovely Pacific sunsets.

Among hundreds of miles of sandy beaches you will find luxury resorts, golf courses, outstanding sport fishing, sailing and some of the best surf spots in the world.

The Nicoya Peninsula has long stretches of white beach, amazing surf, picture-perfect sunsets and complete solitude. If you're looking for a spot to get away from it all, Nicoya is the place to go.

The Central Pacific

The beaches of the Central Pacific are easily accessed from San Jose, so the major towns of Jacó, Quepos, and Manuel Antonio contain Costa Rica’s most popular resorts. Those seeking a leisurely holiday will be delighted by the region’s luxury accommodation, pampering spas and fine cuisine.

Manuel Antonio National Park, is one of Costa Rica’s most visited parks, due to its expansive white sand beaches backed by rainforests that grow right up to the high tide line. The park includes 12 little islets just off the coast, where Dolphins and, at times, migrating Whales can be sighted.

South Pacific – The Osa Peninsula

Probably Costa Rica’s least known area, the Osa Peninsula is truly off the beaten track. Often called the 'Amazon Jungle Of Costa Rica', this is one of the last great expanses of untouched jungle in Latin America.

Corcovado National Park
Trails will take you to a mystical forest with trees reaching up to 60 meters in height. This is home to an intricate eco-system of lianas, insects, orchids, birds, and mammals.

Within its 41.788 hectares, the park contains almost all the native animal and plant species from southern Costa Rica as well as thirteen major ecosystems, from inter-tidal beach sand and rocks to cloud forest. Visitors to the park return with tales of close Jaguar sightings, White-Lipped Peccary herds, and sizable Scarlet Macaw flocks.

The Southern Pacific is characterized by its warm tropical year round climate and hefty average yearly rainfall. These conditions combine to produce some of the country’s most lush and dense tracts of tropical forest.