Costa Rica is a small country located in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the southeast. Costa Rica represents only 0.1% or the world’s land mass, however its national parks, rainforests, cloud forests, beaches and oceans are home to 5% of the world’s biodiversity. Costa Rica has a population of approximately 5 million of which a third of the entire population lives within the metropolitan area and San Jose, its capital. San Jose is one of the safest cities in all of Latin America.
Costa Rica’s rich historical and cultural heritage may be experienced at the various museums such as the Gold Museum, the Museum of Costa Rican Art, the Jade Museum, the National Museum, the Children’s Museum and many more.
Costa Ricans, also named “Ticos” are of mixed ethnicities, coming from various nationalities from all over the world; Europe, Africa, Asia, Americas, Middle East. It is considered one of the happiest countries in the world as well as a country where one of its peninsula’s is home to people with highest rates of longevity. Costa Rica abolished its army in 1948 and since then has invested nearly 30% of its national budget in primary and secondary education. The literacy rate is 95% in residents age 15 and older, and the country boasts more teachers than policemen.
Costa Rica has two seasons, the rainy season and the dry season. The rainy season usually starts in May and lasts through late November, while the dry season is from early December until the end of April. Temperatures vary according to elevation. The average temperatures in the Central Valley are between 20 degrees and 25 degrees Celsius.
All these attributes have made Costa Rica the best destination for adventure tourism and ecotourism.
Costa Rica has some of the best airline services to and from North America, with daily flights from New York, Washington DC, Miami, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, and Los Angeles. Direct flights also arrive from Madrid, Paris, Amsterdam, Toronto, Mexico and most Latin American countries. Being in the middle of the Americas is easy and fast to get to.
Costa Ricans are friendly and well educated, attributes no doubt fostered by the country’s democratic tradition and respect for foreign cultures. Although Spanish is the official language, English is widely spoken in every corner of the nation.
Boasting two coasts, an amazing variety of climates and a geographical foothold
between two continents, Costa Rica is regarded as one of the world’s most
biologically diverse countries. The diminutive country covers barely 19,929 square miles, however it is home to 5% of the world’s species of flora and fauna.
In 1987 former President Oscar Arias was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize for remaining a leader for world demilitarization, and a strong commitment to peace.
Nowhere else will you find so many varied, crazy, mild or out-of-the-ordinary adventures in one place, including: whitewater rafting, rain forest zip lines, active volcanoes, deep-sea fishing, ATV adventures, surfing, horseback riding, sea kayaking, sailing and great diving.
Costa Rica is becoming known as the world’s hottest golf destination. Some of its finest golf courses are at Hacienda Pinilla, Los Sueños, Valle del Sol and the most known of all, the Arnold Palmer, Four Seasons Resort course at Peninsula Papagayo.
Five-star hotels and resorts are available in all major tourism destinations within Costa Rica. A wide selection of small boutique and jungle lodges are conveniently located near most national parks.
Costa Rica is the place to enhance team cohesion and give each participant the recognition he or she deserves in an unspoiled, exotic destination.
Known for its beautiful beaches along the North Pacific coast of Costa Rica, is the province of Guanacaste. Its capital, Liberia, the Santa Rosa National Park, the Peninsula of Papagayo, its volcanoes, hot weather, cowboy origins & lifestyle and hospitable people are Guanacaste’s main attractions.
Guanacaste has its own international airport which makes it very convenient for quick access to the beaches. Well known resort chains have flourished through the years along its coastline. Main attractions to the area are deep sea fishing, golf, surfing, ocean sports, horseback riding, river rafting and hiking in the unique dry forests of this region.
Cattle ranching was once the main source of income for the people of Guanacaste. However, with the decline of demand for beef, many pastures are naturally reverting to dry forest or are being converted to tree plantations, such as teak. The national tree of Costa Rica is named the Guanacaste tree. The Guanacaste tree, also known as the elephant ear tree, because of its seedpods. This tree is also known for its large proportions, its expansive and often spherical crown. Once in the region, you will find many Guanacaste trees spread out through the pastures where cattle and cowboys enjoy its shade.
The local “Sabaneros” or cowboys, have always been emblematic to the life style of Guanacaste. In the area you will find herds of Brahma cows and beautiful horses. All these constitute a strong folkloric tradition that is found in the region.
Aside from beautiful beaches, those who visit the region will find national parks, farmlands, mountains, and cloud forests, as well as diverse ecosystems, and a unique opportunity to connect with nature. A visit to Guanacaste provides an extraordinary experience.
Along a narrow strip of coastal land lined with stunning mountains and reaching the Pacific coast are the towns of Puntarenas, Caldera, Jaco, Parrita, Quepos, and Manuel Antonio to name a few. These towns were originally fishing villages or ports for the fishermen to disembark their merchandise for sale in town or to send to the city of San Jose. The drive from the Port of Puntarenas to San Jose is one hour and 15 minutes while the farthest town, Manuel Antonio is three hours from San Jose.
The town of Quepos, which is only 15 minutes from Manuel Antonio has a landing strip for local airlines. The only resort hotel to be found in the area is the Marriott Hotel. Every other hotel is small, some boutique style and others family run. Many villas and homes in the area are readily available for private events. Main attractions to the area are deep sea fishing, golf, surfing, ocean sports, horseback riding, river rafting and discovering the beauties of the flora and fauna to be found in the various National Parks.
The Manuel Antonio National Park is one of Costa Rica’s most visited parks in the country. It encompasses rugged rainforest, white sand beaches and coral reefs. Once in the park, you may find a great diversity of tropical plants and wildlife, from three-toed sloths and endangered white faced capuchin monkeys to hundreds of bird species. The Park is approximately 680 hectares of primary and secondary forests.
To visit the Central Pacific coast of Costa Rica is very convenient if you arrive to the San Jose International airport. Its various marinas and proximity to San Jose attract people to live there from all over the world.
In a valley surrounded by beautiful mountains, is the city of San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica. San Jose and its outskirts is home to a third of the country’s population. Though few people live in the city center, it is the most important working area of the country, which brings in more than a million people daily. Today San José is a modern city with bustling commerce, brisk expressions of art and architecture, and spurred by the country’s improved tourism industry; it is a significant destination and stopover for foreign visitors.
San Jose has the Juan Santamaria International Airport with daily flights arriving and departing from the United States, Europe and Central and South America. Not far from the International Airport are several high end chain hotels as well as smaller boutique hotels that accommodate to your interests and needs. Main attractions in the city and surroundings are city tours of the National Theater, Gold Museum, Jade Museum, National Stadium, as well as hikes to the Poas Volcanoe, Irazu Volcanoe or Lankaster gardens. Adventure activities include zip lining, river rafting, kayaking, mountain biking and so much more.
San Jose has so much to offer! From a wide range of restaurants to night life, cultural activities and adventure you will always be entertained.