On the narrow headland that connects North and South America lies the green paradise of Costa Rica. The shores of the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea are lined with long, white sandy beaches that are occasionally broken by barren cliffs, mangrove swamps and scenic lagoons. From the north to the south runs the backbone of Costa Rica, a mountain range with both active and extinct volcanoes surrounded by tropical rainforest. The incredible nature, the rich wildlife and the calm pace of the population make Costa Rica the perfect country to tourist in.

See Costa Rica Travel

Population: 4.8 million

Capital: San José

Language: Spanish

Costa Rica is called Central America’s Switzerland because the country is more prosperous and more socially well-functioning than its neighbors?

a quarter of Costa Rica consists of national parks and protected areas? These have been established to protect the country’s extremely many animal and plant species.

Nature and climate in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a narrow country between Nicaragua and Panama with a coast facing the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. With the exception of the northeast corner, the country is mountainous and has several volcanoes, some of which are still active. Costa Rica has a very varied nature. Here you will find everything from tropical rainforest, deciduous forest, dry areas and mighty swamps to white palm beaches and roaring rivers. A large part of the country’s area consists of national parks that are protected for their great diversity of plants and animals. Costa Rica’s many animal species include howler monkeys, spider monkeys, sloths, toucans, over 100 different butterfly species and the large sea turtles that lay their eggs each spring on the shores of the Nicoya Peninsula.

Population and culture of Costa Rica

Most of Costa Rica’s four million inhabitants are mestizos with a mixture of European and Native American descent. In addition, a small African minority lives on the Caribbean coast and a few Indians in remote mountainous areas. Costa Rica shares the Spanish language and the Catholic faith with the rest of Latin America, but differs quite a bit from its neighbors in general. Democratic tradition and political stability are an exception in this otherwise troubled region, and Costa Rica is Central America’s most industrialized country. In addition, the country is so neutral that there is not a single soldier here. The army was abolished after a short but bloody civil war in 1948. Costa Ricans are proud of their peaceful lives and use the term “pura vida” (best translated as “pure life” or “real life”) for almost everything. The expression is associated with a life philosophy of community, joy and enjoyment of life.

Costa Rica history

Before European seafarers turned their attention to the American continents, Costa Rica lay between the famous Native American high cultures of the Maya Indians in the north and the Inca people in the south, but were not so developed themselves. The population consisted of small scattered peoples when Columbus landed here in 1502. However, the love of the great gold jewelry was something that the Costa Ricans had in common with the great Native American civilizations, and Columbus did not hide his admiration when he named the newly discovered land Costa Rica. rich coast, After a short visit to Columbus, Spanish colonization slowly began to take shape as the conquerors fought their way through the dense jungle. Until 1821, Costa Rica was a Spanish colony, after which it was part of the Mexican Empire. The real independence came in 1839. Shortly afterwards, Costa Rica became an impressive model for a peaceful, democratic state. The short-lived civil war of 1948 and some scandals and social tensions traditional for the region are so far the only interruptions in Costa Rica’s well-functioning democracy.

Costa Rica attractions

Almost everyone who visits Costa Rica is touchingly in agreement that the country is one of Latin America’s most beautiful. The fantastic nature and the friendly population enchant most who venture into this jungle-clad mountain country. The capital San José is located on a hill and enjoys the mild weather of the mountain area. The atmosphere is warm and lively and the nearby sights include La Sabana Park, the Gold Museum, the Metropolitan Cathedral and not least the many different forms of architecture that characterize the city. Not so far from San José, the nature experiences await. With its 3,800 meters, the Iruzu Volcano is the country’s highest volcano. The volcano has four craters, the largest of which, with a diameter of over 1,000 meters, is enchantingly beautiful with a lake full of shimmering, green water. The volcano had its last eruption in 1963.

National parks are a great way to experience the beautiful Costa Rican nature, and should be a given element in every trip to the country. The Braulio Carrillo National Park is located in the highlands between San José and the coast, and is a so-called fog rain forest. This particular type of rainforest occurs in tropical mountains with low hanging clouds and very high humidity. Tortuguero National Park is best reached by water, and after a fantastic sailing trip through the dense rainforest among howler monkeys, sloths and toucans in the trees along the river, you can stay in a lodge in the middle of the jungle. The park is also a very important breeding ground for the mushroom turtles (the green sea turtle) and a number of other rare sea turtles.

A holiday in Costa Rica can be enriched with a cultural-historical element in the old city of Cartago, which is the country’s religious center. The city’s large church is home to the country’s patron saint “La Negrito” and is filled with pots and other relief items in memory of the many miracles the saint has performed. Other exciting attractions include the ancient Native American ruins of Ujarras, the Orosi Monastery built in the old colonial style, the Orosi Valley with its many hot springs, the Arenal Volcano which is one of the world’s most active volcanoes, Lankester Garden, where over 800 different orchids fight for the attention of devout visitors, and – of course – the many beautiful beaches.

Climate in Costa Rica

Here you get information about Costa Rica’s climate

	JAN	FEB	MAR	APR	MAY	JUN	CHRISTMAS	AUG	SEP	OCT	NOV	DEC
San Jose
Daytime temperature	24	24	26	27	27	27	26	26	27	26	25	24
Night temperature	14	14	15	16	16	16	16	16	16	15	15	15
Precipitation (mm)	15	5	20	45	229	241	211	240	305	300	145	41
Lemon
Daytime temperature	29	29	30	30	31	30	30	30	31	30	30	29
Night temperature	21	21	21	22	23	23	23	22	22	22	22	21
Precipitation (mm)	303	228	196	270	327	300	439	316	146	214	380	449

According to bridgat, the climate is tropical with temperatures of around 23 ° in the mountain valleys and slightly warmer on the coasts. The temperature varies very little during the year, although slightly between the different heights. The rainy season falls between March and November, when the rain comes in short, heavy villages in the afternoons. The Caribbean coast has much more rain than the Pacific coast and receives precipitation almost all year round, which does not mean that it rains all the time.