Costa Rica Travel Guide

By The Non Fiction Author

It’s a place where rainforest hikes, rushing white water-rapids, world-class surfing, and beachside relaxation all come together to embrace the country’s motto of “pura vida” or the pure life. Welcome to Costa Rica, the small Central American country that certainly makes up for its lack of size with plenty of adventures, beautiful beaches, and warm, friendly people who are ready to welcome travelers from all walks of life to their little slice of paradise.

Located in Central American and bordered by the Pacific Ocean as well as the Caribbean Sea, Costa Rica is a fairly small country with a total area of around 51,100 square kilometers (19,730 square miles). It shares its northern border with Nicaragua and its southern border with Panama. While it may be lacking in size, the country more than makes up for it with its impressive biodiversity, including lush rain forests and over 500,000 plant and animal species! In fact, Costa Rica is known to be one of the most biologically dense places in the world.

Adventure seekers and nature enthusiasts flock to this Central American country every year, and with the wide array of various terrains, there’s definitely something for every type of traveler looking to explore the various beautiful landscapes. Here you’ll find three mountain ranges running through the country, as well as over one hundred volcanic cones, some of which are major active volcanoes. Because the geography in Costa Rica can vary from coastal plains, to rugged mountains, to thick rain forests, there’s plenty to keep even those adrenaline seeking travelers content.

If you’re a fan of outdoor activities that bring a sense of fun and adventure to your vacation, then Costa Rica also has plenty to offer. Try zip-lining through the rain forest canopy, hiking one of the many brisk, high-altitude trails, or stroll along one of the national parks and take in all of the amazing wildlife. Since the country is considered to be the adventure –tourism and eco-tourism capital of Central America, chances are that eager travelers are going to find plenty of things to see and do while spending time in the country. Travelers who are fans of wildlife will marvel at the sheer number of eccentric species found in Costa Rica as well. Keep a look out for the keel-billed toucans as they perch from the treetops as well as the beautiful scarlet macaws. Perhaps you’ll be able to spot the shy sloth hiding on a branch or hear the loud, shrill calls of the howler monkey. And don’t forget about the marine life when you venture to the shores of the country. Here you’ll find a wide range of tropical fish, dolphins, sharks, whales and stingrays, making for a perfect day of snorkeling or scuba diving.

Adventure, culture, and a huge, diverse realm of wildlife and jungles await the Costa Rican traveler…not to mention some spectacular beaches. In this guide, you’ll find a comprehensive look at the country, it’s popular tourist destinations, it’s culture, and even a few places to travel “off the beaten path” for those looking for a thrilling trip to remember. So now it’s time lace up your hiking boots, put on your sunscreen, grab your adventure gear, and dive into all of the wonders and excitement Costa Rica has to offer!

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Non Fiction Author
• Release date: Aug 22, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386155584

The Non Fiction Author

A group of Authors, Graphic Designers and Technical Support Reps

Book preview

Introduction:

Why You Will Fall In Love With Costa Rica!

It’s a place where rainforest hikes, rushing white water-rapids, world-class surfing, and beachside relaxation all come together to embrace the country’s motto of pura vida or the pure life. Welcome to Costa Rica, the small Central American country that certainly makes up for its lack of size with plenty of adventures, beautiful beaches, and warm, friendly people who are ready to welcome travelers from all walks of life to their little slice of paradise.

Located in Central American and bordered by the Pacific Ocean as well as the Caribbean Sea, Costa Rica is a fairly small country with a total area of around 51,100 square kilometers (19,730 square miles). It shares its northern border with Nicaragua and its southern border with Panama. While it may be lacking in size, the country more than makes up for it with its impressive biodiversity, including lush rain forests and over 500,000 plant and animal species! In fact, Costa Rica is known to be one of the most biologically dense places in the world.

Adventure seekers and nature enthusiasts flock to this Central American country every year, and with the wide array of various terrains, there’s definitely something for every type of traveler looking to explore the various beautiful landscapes. Here you’ll find three mountain ranges running through the country, as well as over one hundred volcanic cones, some of which are major active volcanoes. Because the geography in Costa Rica can vary from coastal plains, to rugged mountains, to thick rain forests, there’s plenty to keep even those adrenaline seeking travelers content.

If you’re a fan of outdoor activities that bring a sense of fun and adventure to your vacation, then Costa Rica also has plenty to offer. Try zip-lining through the rain forest canopy, hiking one of the many brisk, high-altitude trails, or stroll along one of the national parks and take in all of the amazing wildlife. Since the country is considered to be the adventure –tourism and eco-tourism capital of Central America, chances are that eager travelers are going to find plenty of things to see and do while spending time in the country. Travelers who are fans of wildlife will marvel at the sheer number of eccentric species found in Costa Rica as well. Keep a look out for the keel-billed toucans as they perch from the treetops as well as the beautiful scarlet macaws. Perhaps you’ll be able to spot the shy sloth hiding on a branch or hear the loud, shrill calls of the howler monkey. And don’t forget about the marine life when you venture to the shores of the country. Here you’ll find a wide range of tropical fish, dolphins, sharks, whales and stingrays, making for a perfect day of snorkeling or scuba diving.

Adventure, culture, and a huge, diverse realm of wildlife and jungles await the Costa Rican traveler...not to mention some spectacular beaches. In this guide, you’ll find a comprehensive look at the country, it’s popular tourist destinations, it’s culture, and even a few places to travel off the beaten path for those looking for a thrilling trip to remember. So now it’s time lace up your hiking boots, put on your sunscreen, grab your adventure gear, and dive into all of the wonders and excitement Costa Rica has to offer!

Chapter 1:

General Costa Rica Overview (Regions, Transport, Culture)

When it comes to planning your exciting trip to Costa Rica, there are many things you’re going to need to know before you arrive in the country, such as what region you’ll want to visit, what the currency is, and if there are any sort of cultural traditions that you should take note to respect while staying there. This section of the guide will help you get more of a general insight as to the basic things you should know about Costa Rica in order to be able to plan a successful, safe, and exciting trip.

Regions of Costa Rica:

There are six general regions of Costa Rica to consider when it comes to planning what part of the country you want to see, as well as what activities you want to do. The regions will be covered more extensively in an upcoming section, so this is just a brief overview of where the regions are and what you may find if you go there.

• Caribbean Costa Rica- This area of the country covers the entire length that borders the Caribbean Sea. It tends to be the least visited area of Costa Rica due to its remote locations and thick jungles. However, further south there are some great, typically uncrowded beaches and some coral reefs for snorkeling.

• Central Valley- This is where you’ll find the capital city of San Jose as well as the majority of the Costa Rican population. The outlying areas outside of the capital are known for their lush landscapes and rolling hills and it’s also the country’s primary agricultural region. There are also plenty of national parks as well as four volcanic peaks in the Central Valley region.

• Central Pacific- This area is one of the more touristy parts of the country with ample beaches, accommodations catering to tourists, and national parks. Here you’ll find the country’s highest peak, Mount Chirripo.

• Guanacaste- Located in the northwestern corner of Costa Rica, near the border with Nicaragua, this area has some of the most popular beach destinations in the country. Here you’ll find plenty of beach accommodations as well as pristine surfing conditions and plenty of national parks.

• The Northern Plains- Lying to the north of San Jose, this inland region is the most sparsely populated area of the country, yet has plenty to offer. Here you’ll find hot springs, rainforests, cloud forests, and the two most active volcanoes in Costa Rica, Rincon de la Vieja and Arenal.

• South Pacific- This is the most remote part of the country, as it’s primarily undeveloped and known for its hot, humid weather and dense rainforests. There are plenty of national parks and rugged coastline, as well as nature lodges for those travelers who are up for an eco-tourism adventure.

When to Visit:

Aside from the drier region of Guanacaste, Costa Rica can see rains all year round since it’s a tropical climate. However, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t more ideal times to