Costa Rica | 2024-2025 Packages to Costa Rica at a bargain prices

Highlights

The beautiful beaches of Nicoya and Puerto Viejo with the opportunity to surf
The incredible Arenal Volcano with its rich rainforest around
-Peninsula de Osa with the largest remaining piece of rainforest

Geography

Costa Rica borders both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, with a total of 1,290 kilometres of coastline of the Caribbean coast and the Pacific. Costa Rica also borders Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south-southeast.

The highest point in the country is Cerro Chirripó which is the fifth highest peak in Central America. The highest volcano in the country is the Irazú Volcano and the largest lake in Costa Rica is Lake Arenal.

Costa Rica has several islands: for example Cocos Island and Calero Island.
Costa Rica protects over 25% of its national territory within national parks. It also possesses the greatest density of species in the world.

Language

Costa Ricans speak standard American Spanish, but they have developed distinct patterns in their language. Costa Ricans usually utilize the respectful "Usted" form when addressing one another, this is somewhat formal and surprises some Spanish-speaking foreigners when they arrive.

Money

The local currency is the Costa Rican Colon, 1 USD is about 605.6 Costa Rican Colons (March 2019).

Climate

The best time to visit Costa Rica is December through April, this is the dry season. The rainy season, which lasts from May to November, usually has sunny mornings, with rain showers in late afternoon and evening. Overall, the climate is tropical, with an average temperature of 22°C. It can be much hotter along the coastal areas of the country, and much cooler in the mountains.

Gastronomy

When you are in Costa Rica, of course you have to taste some delicious local cuisine. It is a combination of Spanish, Mexican, American, Caribbean and Southern American influences.

The national dish is "Gallo Pinto" ("spotted rooster"). It is mainly a combination of black beans and white rice and it is spiced with cilantro, onions, garlic, salt and a local condiment called Salsa Lizano. Another typical dish is "Arroz con pollo" ("rice with chicken"). This dish basically consists of bite size chicken chunks mixed with rice and diced vegetables that include carrots, peas, corn and garbanzo beans.

A nice refreshment after a long day discovering the country are called "refrescos," "frescos," "naturales," or "batidos". They are made with either water or milk and come in an endless variety.

History

Costa Rica was populated with African slaves in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, although most Caribbean Costa Ricans of African descent originate from Jamaican workers brought in during the nineteenth century to work in the construction of railways. These Africans left behind their unmistakable cultural heritage.

During the nineteenth century, Italian and Chinese immigrants came to the country to work on the construction of the railroad system as well, but unlike the slaves, these newcomers did so for monetary gain and skills acquirement. Their cultures are reflected in the Costa Rican culture as well.

Religion

Catholicism is recognized as the official religion in Costa Rica but even though many Costa Ricans claim they are Catholic, devotion varies among the population.

Culture

Costa Ricans refer to themselves as tico (masculine) or tica (feminine). The tico ideal is that of a very friendly, helpful, laid back, unhurried, educated and environmentally aware people. The phrase "Pura Vida" (literally "Pure Life") is the motto in Costa Rica. It means living in a peace, calm manner, appreciating a life surrounded by nature and family and friends.

Music

Most music and the most representative folklore comes from the north of the country where the Mayan’s influence is large, including the Nicoya Peninsula, and the Atlantic coast. During your visit to this amazing country you will definitely come across various types of local folklore.

Wildlife

For the nature lover, this country is a must. Costa Rica is home to a rich variety of plants and animals. Over 25% of Costa Rica is composed of protected forests and reserves. The Corcovado National Park is the place to be for ecologists, it has a large biodiversity and you can see an abundance of wildlife.

Tortuguero National Park is home to spiders, howlers, white-throated Capuchin monkeys, the three-toed sloth, 320 species of birds and a variety of reptiles. But it is mostly known for the endangered green turtle.

The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve hosts two thousand plant species, including numerous orchids. Over four hundred types of birds can be found here, and over one hundred species of mammals.