Costa Rica
SMILE. YOU’VE LANDED IN COSTA RICA.
Why is Costa Rica the most sought-after destination in Central America? While convenience is certainly a factor (flights to San José are just five hours from New York and under four hours from many other US gateways), it only represents a small fraction of this destination’s charm. Costa Rica’s allures are vast: its temperate climate, friendly residents, and geographic variety only begin to scratch the surface of its enchantment.
—— IMAGE GALLERY
LANGUAGE SPANISH
CURRENCY COLON
READ THE QUETZAL & THE MACAW
TASTE GALLO PINTO
SIP REFRESCO
EXPERIENCE ZIP-LINING IN MONTE VERDE
Costa Rica resembles a continent in miniature: two coastlines, four mountain ranges, dozens of rivers, forests and wide savannahs, compressed into an area smaller than West Virginia.
Such concentrated variety enables travelers to combine destinations; a volcano, rainforest, and beach can be included in the same itinerary without difficulty. Other highlights include hot springs, waterfalls, reefs, and islands.
These diverse biomes have attracted visitors for eons. Ancestor species crossing the land bridge settled in, and today Costa Rica is astonishingly biodiverse. With only 0.03% of the planet’s landmass, this tiny nation contains an estimated 5% of the world’s species.
Taxonomy is a minor national pastime. Citizens submit their finds to the National Biodiversity Institute, discovering one new species approximately every three days. To preserve these natural treasures, nearly 2.9 million acres—over 25% of the country’s territory—are protected as national parks and reserves.
Options for enjoying Costa Rica’s wild areas are equally diverse. Active pursuits such as white-water rafting, surfing, and zip-line tours can be blended into a trip with sunset sailing, forest walks and whale watching.
Variety is also expressed in Costa Rica’s assortment of boutique hotels and lodges—a collection unparalleled in Central America. We travel regularly to Costa Rica, inspecting these properties, discovering vacation options and sampling activities.
—— FEATURED POST
WHITEWATER RAFTING IN COSTA RICA
Nearly every region in Costa Rica offers whitewater rafting—usually as a full-day excursion. Some areas, like Manuel Antonio and Turrialba, have several rivers of varying intensities.
—— DESTINATIONS
ARENAL
CARTAGO & TURRIALBA
CENTRAL NICOYA
COCOS ISLAND
DOMINICAL
JACO & ESTRELLOS
MANUEL ANTONIO
MONTEVERDE CLOUD FOREST
NORTHERN NICOYA
NORTHERN VOLCANOES
SAN GERARDO DE DOTA
SAN JOSE & THE CENTRAL VALLEY
SARAPIQUI
SOUTH CARIBBEAN
SOUTHERN NICOYA
SOUTHERN PACIFIC
THE OSA PENINSULA & CORCOVADO
TORTUGUERO
TRAVEL
GUIDES
MACHU PICCHU
Machu Picchu is a city of gods. In the same breath, it bears witness to the power of the human imagination. Towering amongst the clouds, suspended between the Amazon and Andes, each rock seems hitched to the moon, sun, and stars.