Costa Rica has bewilderingly diverse landscapes, flora, and fauna From rain forests, to dry tropical and temperate forests, to volcanoes, to Caribbean and Pacific beaches, to high mountains, and marshy lowlands
Costa Rica is one of the world's most popular destinations for eco-tourists because of its biodiversity It has been stated in various places that Costa Rica may contain as much as 6% of the world's plant and animal species in an area the combined size of the US states of Vermont and New Hampshire Both tropical plant and animal species abound in Costa Rica Some of the more impressive plants range from huge ficus trees with epiphytes abounding on their limbs to approximately 1500 different orchids The animals are equally as impressive, whether it's a jaguar the largest cat in the New World, the ever-elusive Margay, or the wonderful birds like the green or scarlet macaws lapas in Costa Rican Spanish The amphibians are also quite impressive; the poison dart frogs with their bright colors are bound to catch your attention, or the giant cane toads
Spanish is the main language in Costa Rica All major newspapers and official business are conducted in Spanish English is used widely in areas populated by international tourists, and information for tourists is often bilingual or exclusively in English A number of businesses operated by European proprietors can accommodate guests in Spanish, English and their native languages
Some Costa Rican expressions:
A prevalent version of slang in Costa Rica, and other regions of Latin America, is called "pachuco" or "pachuquismo," and is used by across social classes and understood as a "friendly" way of speaking
The traditional spanish "vos" form as in "vos sois" - you are is not commonly used in Costa Rica or in Latin America generally, yet they understand it and have no problem using it with gringos or others who may have learned it Most people use the alternate informal but correct "vos" as in "vos sos" - you are which is common in Argentina, Uruguay and some other countries in Latin America
Limonense Creolé
As well as Costa Rican Spanish, there is also an English-based creole language spoken in Limón Province Puerto Limón on the Caribbean Sea coast of Costa Rica It is called Limónese Creole also called Limón Creole English or Mekatelyu Limón Coastal Creole is similar to varieties such as Colón Creole, Mískito Coastal Creole, Belizean Kriol language, and San Andrés and Providencia Creole The name Mekatelyu is a transliteration of the phrase "make I tell you", or in standard English "let me tell you"
Wildlife - Costa Rica is world famous for having an incredibly high level of biodiversity throughout its tropical forests this covers what you may hear referred to as rain forests, cloud forests, and dry forests There are tropical mammals such as monkeys, sloths, tapirs, and wild cats as well as an amazing assortment of insects and other animals There are many many birds both migratory and resident - more on that below With 25% of the country being national parks and protected areas, there are still many places you can go to see the abundant wildlife and lush vegetation of the country Just like anywhere, the farther you get off the beaten path, the more likely you are to see a wide variety of flora and fauna
There is such biodiversity in Costa Rica not only because it's a land bridge between North and South America, but also because the terrain is so varied and there are weather patterns moving in from both the Pacific and Atlantic/Caribbean There are impressive volcanoes, mountain areas, rivers, lakes, and beaches all throughout the country There are many beautiful beaches - most of the popular ones are on the Pacific side but the Caribbean has many excellent beaches as well
Bird Watching - One of the most wonderful activities for people who love nature is bird watching You can enjoy bird watching in many areas of Costa Rica Due to the great diversity of climates, temperatures and forest types in Costa Rica, there is a wonderful variety of birds, with over 800 species Some helpful books available on bird watching are Birds of Costa Rica by F Gary Stiles and Alexander Skutch Cornell University Press or An Illustrated Field Guide to Birds of Costa Rica, illustrated by Victor Esquivel Soto These books can be found at certain bookstores in San José or before coming to Costa Rica They are both heavy books; many people tear out the plates of the Stiles & Skutch book to carry into the field and leave the rest of the book in their car or room Plastic cards with the most common birds are available for many areas and are sold at gift shops
Costa Rica's list of birds includes:
The coastal list of birds includes:
Good Bird watching spots include:
Most hotels, as well as tourist information centers, will provide bird watching guides, maps and other essentials for bird watching Unless you are an experienced neotropical birder, it can be a lot more productive to go out with an experienced birding guide Do not forget to bring a hat, rain gear, boots, binoculars and camera In hot areas, an umbrella can be more useful than a poncho or jacket Southern Costa Rica is generally considered the better option for bird watching
Volcanoes -Costa Rica is one of the most seismologicly active countries in the western hemisphere, and as a result several volcanoes have sprouted over the years- most notably volcanoes Poas, Irazu, and Arenal
Costa Rica is a country with an extraordinary wealth of things to do, but regardless of your travel interests, you're going to want to spend time at one of the country's great beaches The lion's share of beach tourism is concentrated on the Pacific side, in the Central Pacific region near San José, the Nicoya Peninsula, and in the dry tropical forests of Guanacaste Less touristed, but no less beautiful are the beaches in the tropical rainforest of the southern Pacific coast near Corcovado National Park, or on the exotic, rastafarian, eco-tourism paradise of the Caribbean side
While some of the best beach vacations will be found on tiny quiet beaches off the beaten path, or even at exclusive resorts, here's a quick list of the country's biggest and most popular beach destinations:
Costa Rica is one of the countries with more rivers per square kilometer than anywhere else in the world Anywhere you go you will find some kind of float trip to enjoy nature from a very unique point of view
For many years, the rafting Mecca of Costa Rica was Turrialba, a large town embedded in the mountains near the Reventazon and Pacuare Rivers, on the Caribbean slope of Costa Rica Second in popularity was always the Sarapiqui River shed which pushed the opening of rafting companies near the Arenal Volcano Then, rivers such as the Penas Blancas now dammed and Toro started delighting rafting enthusiasts in the northern slopes of the country
Nowadays there is a wide variety of exciting river trips offered in Costa Rica On the Pacific slope is the river with the largest volume, El General This river is famous for multi-day adventures and for being an incredible playground for kayakers As part of this watershed is the Coto Brus River Further north, on the central Pacific coast, are the Savegre and Naranjo Rivers In this area you have the opportunity to enjoy both half-day trips on the Naranjo River and 1-to-2-day trips on the Savegre River Near Canas, Guanacaste there is the Corobici River widely known for being an excellent nature float trip, and the Tenorio River, which started running commercially soon after the new millennium
As for recommendations, the quintessential Pacuare River Class III-IV is at the top of the list, and even better if you have time for a 2- or 3-day adventure If you are interested in similar trips, the Savegre River Class III-IV is an excellent alternative for an overnight
If you want more adrenalin, the Chorro Section Class IV+ of the Naranjo River, near Manuel Antonio, Quepos is the most exhilarating rafting trip of the country This section is run from December to May
As for nature-oriented trips, the Penas Blancas River would be the perfect example of the biodiversity of the country Most likely, any of these rafting trips will be the highlight of your active vacations, so don’t miss your chance to paddle one
Costa Rica has some of the best Sport Fishing in the world and is the first country to practice catch and release fishing The Pacific side has incredible fishing for Sailfish, Marlin, Dorado, Tuna, Wahoo, Roosterfish, Snapper, and more The Caribbean side and Northern regions of Costa Rica are famous for big Tarpon and big Snook Over sixty-four world records have been caught in Costa Rica Half day, Full day and Multi-Day Trips are available
Costa Rica has many surfing hotspots The best time of year to surf is from November - August
The Pacific coast, particularly in the Central Pacific and Guanacaste, has some of the best surfing in Central America
In the Guanacaste there are several beaches to choose from if you intend to go surfing Among them, Playa Negra and Playa Grande are two stand out breaks Playa Negra breaks over a shallow lava reef producing fast hollow waves for advanced surfers only Playa Grande is the most consistent break in the area with surfable conditions most days of the year6 It breaks over a sandy bottom and is good for beginner and experienced surfers
Tamarindo is a good beach to learn how to surf, whilst Playa del Coco offers advanced surfers the chance to surf at Witches Rock and Ollie´s Point On the Caribbean side there are beautiful beaches, but limited surfing prospects
The southern Costa Rica area has two very good spots for surf: Dominical and Pavones Beach Pavones Beach has thick, heavy waves which consistently barrel and can get really big It's little known, but picturesque and untamed; Definitely not for the light hearted
Costa Rica has great mountain biking routes, particularly near Irazu, Turrialba and Arenal Volcanoes There is popular dirt road that connects Irazu Volcano and the foothills of Turrialba Volcano that is perfect for mountain biking, as it traverses the mountain and presents great views of the Cartago Valley weather permitting, of course
The area around Lake Arenal is also a great spot to bike You can circle the lake in one long day, or break up the ride in two sleeping in Tilarán or Nuevo Arenal The use of mountain bikes is a must, since the southern shore of the lake is unpaved
The Nicoya Peninsula also has great riding, particularly the stretch between Sámara, Puerto Coyote and Malpais There is a coastal road that connects these three beachtowns
Costa Rica is also know as a haven for some of the most lush, tropical golfing environments in the world At any course, you can expect to an ensemble of exotic, indigenous animals; jungle; mountainous terrain; and a surreal, blue ocean painting a brilliant, seclusive experience
Courses are located in 3 major areas of Costa Rica: Guanacaste, San Jose and Mid Pacific Due to road conditions, you should check the driving times between courses
There are many tournaments during the year that any traveler can participate in Most courses offer shoe and club rentals
Wind surfing in the Tilarán area is some of the best in the world
The local currency is colónes named after Columbus Spanish: Colón The rate of change is about 534 colones for 1 US dollar, or 657 colones for the euro Money exchange is provided at most banks, however it is recommended to do so at the state banks, especially the Banco Nacional, since they have lower rates There is also a money exchange service at the airport, but it is outrageously expensive But note that the use of US dollars is quite common; in the tourist setting, almost everything is priced in dollars but sometimes prices are cheaper in colones Note that when a price is quoted in "dollars", the speaker may be thinking of a dollar as 500 colones; so it is always worth checking whether this is what is meant
You can find ATMs in most places They normally dispense US dollars and colones With Visa you get money at almost all ATMs If you've got a MasterCard try the ATMs in the AM/PM supermarkets, they give you up to 250,000 colones c 500 US$ Another option are the ATH-ATM's but they just give you up to 100,000 colones c 200 US$ each transaction
You might get a discount usually between 5% and 10% when paying in cash
Traveler's checks are rarely used When paying with traveler's checks, unless for hotel nights, change them first at a bank Expect long delays with traveler's checks at the bank, lots of stamping, the higher up the official at the bank the more stamps they have Dollars are easier
The most common souvenirs are made from wood Unless it's marked as responsible plantation grown wood, it is most likely not and may be contributing to the deforestation of Costa Rica — or even Nicaragua or Panama!
Most visitors returning home are not allowed to bring back any raw foods or plants Accordingly, the single most desirable commodity for visitors to take home may be roasted not green coffeeconsidered by many as some of the world's best Numerous web sites explain the fine qualities of various growing regions, types of beans, types of roasting and sources for purchase Best prices come by purchasing several sealed bags of 12 ounces or so And experts definitely recommend buying whole beans entero: in any kind of storage, they last longer, and ground coffee there often contains sugar because preferred by locals The stores in San Jose airport will sell you excellent coffee, but other good quality blends can be found in local supermarkets and direct from the roasters It can be an expensive but delicious habit If you're serious about your coffee, bring at least a partially-empty suit case and fill it with perhaps a year's supply web sites explain how to store it that long Take care with tourist outlets where small quantities may cost as much as ordering on the Internet
Costa Rican cuisine can be described as simple but wholesome The spiciness often associated with Latin America has typically originated in Mexico, most Costa Rican foods are not spicy, but, as they simmer in a large pot, the flavors are blended
Gallo pinto is a mixture of rice and beans with a little cilantro or onion thrown in While more common at breakfast, it can also be served at lunch or dinner
Casado, which means married, is the typical lunch in Costa Rica, containing rice and beans with meat, chicken or fish, always served with salad and fried plantain
Plato del dia, is the 'Plate of the Day' and is often a Casado, but has the meat or fish selection of the day Usually around 500 USD and includes a natural juice
Good, fresh fruit is abundant in variety and low in cost Mercados provide an excellent place to sample fruit and other Costa Rican fare, with many including sit-down snack bars You are encouraged to experiment because some of the local fruits do not "travel well" as they are bruised easily and or have a short shelf life The mango found in store in North America are much more fibrous and less sweet than the mangos found in Costa Rica The fingerling bananas are much more creamy and less tart than the ones found in North America
Be sure to stop off at a restroom along any of the roads: a casado and beer will cost ~$3
Don't forget to try the Salsa Lizano that you will surely find at any restaurant It is a mild vegetable sauce that has a hint of curry and is slightly sweet It's often referred to as Costa Rican ketchup It tastes good on just about anything! Bring some home with you! You can find smaller sized bottles at any market
Also as per usual in Central America standard breakfast fare is a ham sandwich, so people averse to eating pork might be advised to check out a grocery market for something else Many Ticos will go to a local bakery and buy a loaf of white bread
Vegetarians will find it surprisingly easy to eat well in Costa Rica
Don't forget to tip tour guides, drivers, bellboys and maids Restaurant bills include a 10% gratuity but leave an extra tip for good service North Americans often get better service because they are used to tipping separately, but it's not necessary
The beef cattle are raised on grass; the meat will taste differently from corn fed cattle The cuts of meat at the local restaurants are also different Chicken tastes like chicken
Most places have potable water, so don't worry about drinking tap water Bottled water is also available at low prices
Refrescos are beverages made from fresh fruit cas, guanabana, sandia/watermelon, mora/blackberry, fresa/strawberry, granadilla/passion fruit, sugar and either water or milk All sodas mom and pop diners serve these You can also easily buy the standard international soda pops 'Fresca', 'Canada Dry' and the local 'Fanta Kolita' fruit punch are recommended
The national drink is called guaro, which is made from fermented sugar cane It is similar to vodka, and is usually drunk with water and lemon Note that it's not a very "clean" liquor, so exercise caution
There are approximately 8 different national beers available and most international, which are sold in cans, bottles and even kegs The most common beers in the country are Pilsen and Imperial: all bars and restaurants serve both Bavaria, "Bavaria Negra" dark and Bavaria Light are considered higher quality but more expensive, Rock Ice and Rock Ice Limón lemon flavor has a higher alcohol percentage and is less common in rural areas Heineken is locally made under license and is more expensive as well
Ready-to-drink coffee is excellent and considered again to be among the best in the world
You can find many places to stay all over Costa Rica, including hotels, aparthotels, condos, vacation rentals, and cabinas Vacation Homes, Cabinas, and Condos can be less expensive than hotels and provide more flexibility in your adventure to Costa Rica Free accommodation or hospitality exchange networks such as the "Hospitality Club" or "Couchsurfing" are also becoming increasingly popular They offer a great way to save money by not paying for accommodation but getting to know the local culture through the locals' eyes
The local newspaper, La Nación, has an extensive jobs listing every Sunday and Monday You must be a resident or be sponsored by a company to work legally in Costa Rica
The print and online versions of the Tico Times, the Yahoo! group "Costa Rica Living" and the online newspaper AM Costa Rica are other great resources for people considering long term stays in Costa Rica There's also a book called Living Abroad in Costa Rica by Erin Van Rheenan that would be very helpful
Costa Rica is an open business country and investors are always welcome, so if you or your company is interested in founding a new or buying a business in Costa Rica, it is best to contact a Costa Rican lawyer about your interest in investing
There are several opportunities to engage in volunteer work in Costa Rica Volunteer projects range from turtle conservation, building houses, teaching English and community development work
Affordable organizations such as ISV Costa Rica 7, Travel to Teach 8, International Cultural Youth Exchange 9 and Volunteer Visions 10 are able to arrange work for international volunteers in Costa Rica and other countries in the region Other volunteer programs can be found at Tico Times Science and Environment 11
