A memorable trip to the greenest country – Republic of Costa Rica

Republic of Costa Rica is a small country (area; 51,000 square kilometres) located in Central America. It is bordered by Nicaragua in the north and Panama in the south while Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea flank its western and the eastern borders, respectively. Costa Rica, which had abolished its standing army way back in 1949, is among the top ranking Latin American countries in the Human Development Index. National capital is San José, which is also the largest city of Costa Rica. Spanish is the official language while Mekatelyu is among other recognized regional languages.

Geography:

Costa Rica has a total coastline of nearly 1,300 kilometres. Cerro Chirripó, with a height of 3,819 metres is the highest peak of Costa Rica while its highest volcano is Irazú Volcano (3,431 metres). Lake Arenal is the largest lake in Costa Rica. Cocos Island and the Calero Island also form part of the country’s territory.

Climate:

The highland regions of Costa Rica are cold while the Central Valley experiences an ‘eternal’ spring. The Pacific and the Caribbean coasts hot throughout the year.

Time to go:

The dry season extending from December through April is the best season to visit Costa Rica. The rainy season begins in May (the dry season also witnesses little rainfall) and it is referred to as the ‘green season’. Monsoon is also an ideal time for touring Costa Rica.

Biodiversity:

Costa Rica is a land of great biodiversity (it comprises about 5 percent of the world’s biodiversity). Nearly 25 percent of the country’s land area is designated as national parks and protected areas.

Top attractions at Costa Rica:

• Las Fiestas de Zapote (place to witness the real Costa Rica including rodeos, cowboys, carnival rides, fried foods and a whole lot of drinking)
• Puerto Viejo de Talamanca (surf at Salsa Brava, a challenging reef break cutting close to shore in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca)
• Parque Nacional Corcovado (Enjoy the wildlife like tapir, giant anteater and the rare harpy eagle. This national park has been designated as ‘the most biologically intense place on earth’ by national Geographic)
• Playa Conchal (a beautiful beach for superb skiing)

• San José (Enjoy the mouthwatering crispy doughnuts at Churrería Manolo’s at the capital city of Costa Rica)
• Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio (place to meet various kinds of monkeys, iguanas, sloths. Coconut is a abundantly found here)
• Río Turrialba’s (rafting in the white water here)
• Parque Nacional Carara (place to site some of Costa Rica’s most beautiful birds and also the largest crocodile species)
• Parque Nacional Chirripó (scale the lofty heights of Costa Rica’s highest peak)

• Parque Nacional Santa Rosa (surfing the waves of Witch’s Rock)
• Volcán Rincón de la Vieja (hiking and horseback ride around volcanic mud pots, waterfalls and thermal pools)
• Monteverde & Santa Elena (be witness to the coexistence of quetzals, Quakers and queso (cheese) in the cloud forest)
• Volcán Arenal (place to spot fireflies)
• Tortuguero (night staying on the beach to see turtles hatching eggs. Best time is July-August)
• Do Día de la Raza (be part of the Columbus Day carnival celebrated to commemorate the arrival of Chrostopher Columbus at nearby Isla Uvita. The four- to five-day carnival is a totally colourful affair.

Reaching Costa Rica:

By air:
Costa Rica is served by Aeropuerto Internacional Juan Santamaría, located 17km northwest of San José, at Alajuela. In recent years, Daniel Oduber airport in Liberia has also started receiving international flights from the USA.  Costa Rica is well connected by air to various countries of the Americas including the USA.

Hotels:

• At San Jose:
  Grano de Oro Hotel, Adventure Inn, Apartotel Christina, Hotel Don Carlos

• At Alajuela:
  Pura Vida Wellness Retreat & Spa, Maleku Hostel, Holiday Inn Express San Jose Airport
• At Tamarindo:
  Hotel Capitan Suizo, Hotel Arco Iris, Los Altos De Eros