Costa Rica is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Central America and for a good reason! Not only does it offer a great place to chill out and decompress, Costa Rica provides a superb background grounded in nature and a warm climate. This wonderful country offers the perfect place to get away, escape from it all and enjoy a vacation!
Costa Rica is a democratic, peaceful land and has been without an army since the mid 1900s – making it a very safe country to explore. Bordered by Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the South, it is easy to travel around Costa Rica in a rental car, by local bus or private shuttles. The Pacific ocean is to the west and the Carribean Sea is to the east.
Costa Rica means “Rich Coast” and is known for the Pura Vida Lifestyle, diversity in nature, surfing, fishing and adventure activities. All this together makes Costa Rica a first choice vacation spot! Vacation lovers, seasonal guests and permanent residents can find a wide variety of things to do – ranging from sun and beaches, rainforest and volcanoes to adventure, nature and culture. One of the main sources of income in Costa Rica is tourism because there is something for everyone!
Geography
The small Central American country (also known as the „Switzerland of Central America) stretches over 51’060 km2 and is about 20% larger than European Switzerland. It borders to two oceans: the Pacific to the west and the Atlantic (Caribbean) Ocean to the east. Costa Rica shares borders with Panama to the south and Nicaragua to the north. While the Caribbean coastline is relatively straight, there are two significant peninsulas on the Pacific side (Nicoya, Osa).
Sinuous mountain ranges with over 100 volcanoes (of which 7 are active) divide the country in two parts from north to south. There is an amazing variety of vegetation types to be found and several lakes, rivers, creeks and waterfalls spring from these mountains. Cerro Chirripó (3820m) is the country’s highest mountain. The lowlands are characterized by mostly humid tropical fauna. Costa Rica and its variegated geography will astonish you!
Climate
Costa Rica’s climate is so varied that it becomes difficult to describe. It changes from region to region: compare, for instance, the dry hot climate of Guanacaste with humid Caribbean regions or the Central Valley highlands where temperatures can even drop below zero at night!