Fast facts

Geography:
Area: 51,100 sq. km (19,730 sq. mi.) about the size of the states of Vermont and New Hampshire combined.

Cities:
Capital--San Jose (greater metropolitan area pop. 2.1 million, the greater metropolitan area as defined by the Ministry of Planning and Economic Policy includes the cities of Alajuela, Cartago, and Heredia). Other major cities outside the San Jose capital area--Puntarenas, Limon, and Liberia.

Terrain:
A rugged, central range separates the eastern and western coastal plains.

Climate:
Mild in the central highlands, tropical and subtropical in coastal areas.

People:
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Costa Rican(s).

Population (2009): 4.299 million.

Annual population growth rate (2009 est.): 1.3%.

Ethnic groups:
European and some mestizo 94%, African origin 3%, Chinese 1%, Amerindian 1%, other 1%.

Religion:
Roman Catholic 70.5%, Evangelical Protestant 13.8%, other 4.3%, none 11.3%.

Languages:
Spanish, with a southwestern Caribbean Creole dialect of English spoken around the Limon area.

Government:
Type: Democratic republic.

Independence: September 15, 1821.

Constitution: November 7, 1949

Economy:
GDP (2009): $29.29 billion.

GDP PPP (2009 est.): $48.19 billion.

Inflation (2009 est.): 8.3%.

Real growth rate (2009 est.): -2.5%.

Per capita income (2009): $6,900. (PPP $11,300, 2009 est.)

Unemployment (2009 est.): 6.4%.

Currency: Costa Rica Colon (CRC).

Natural resources:
Hydroelectric power, forest products, fisheries products.

Agriculture (6.5% of GDP):
Products--bananas, pineapples, coffee, beef, sugar, rice, dairy products, vegetables, fruits, ornamental plants, corn, beans, potatoes, timber.

Industry (25.5% of GDP):
Types--electronic components, medical equipment, textiles and apparel, tires, food processing, construction materials, fertilizer, plastic products.

Commerce, tourism, and services (68% of GDP):
Hotels, restaurants, tourist services, banks, and insurance.

People:
Unlike many of their Central American neighbors, present-day Costa Ricans are largely of European rather than mestizo descent; Spain was the primary country of origin. However, an estimated 10% to 15% of the population is Nicaraguan, of fairly recent arrival and primarily of mestizo origin. Descendants of 19th-century Jamaican immigrant workers constitute an English-speaking minority and--at 3% of the population--number about 119,000. Few of the native Indians survived European contact; the indigenous population today numbers about 29,000 or less than 1% of the population

Places of interest/attractions

Cities: San José

More people are taking advantage of the international airport in Liberia, and the hotels and B&Bs in smaller Central Valley towns like Alajuela each year, but San José still gets more visitors than any other place in Costa Rica.

Beaches:

Manuel Antonio is the single most popular national park beach in Costa Rica.
Playas Tamarindo and Jacó are a toss-up for the most popular surfing beach. Playa Montezuma/Mal País is the most popular "undiscovered" beach destination in Costa Rica.
The beach resorts of the Nicoya Peninsula command the vast majority of international tourist traffic and dollars, and are continuing to grow.

Volcanoes:

Most people familiar with Costa Rica would immediately think of Arenal's fiery lava flows if asked for the most popular volcanic destination, but it's third on the list. Irazú and Poás are both the most visited volcanoes and the most popular national parks in the country.

Treks:

Corcovado and Chirripó draw most of the trekkers in Costa Rica. You don't necessarily even need a tent. Corcovado has some limited bunk space at the backcountry ranger stations, and Chirripó has a refugio system that includes 60 bunks near the summit.

Cloud Forest:

Monteverde private reserve provides the easiest access to the cloud forests and an infrastructure of guides and resources to help you make the most of your visit. Like Manuel Antonio, it has gained tremendously in popularity, but has much less chance of being loved to death. Monteverde is much larger, the cool, wet, windy weather means shorter visits, and as a private reserve it has better funding than most of the national parks. Despite the growth in tourism in the surrounding community, a few hundred yards off the main loop (el triangulo) you're unlikely to see anyone else on the trail.
Hot springs: Tabacón resort is far and away the most developed and popular hot spring in Costa Rica.

Turtles:

Tortuguero National Park is the premier destination to observe sea turtle nesting. The canals and estuaries are also prime locations for nature cruises, canoeing, and kayaking.

Nature Cruise:

The canals of Tortuguero, wetlands of Caño Negro, and mangroves of the Damas estuary adjacent to Manuel Antonio are the most popular places to sit back relax and let the boatman be your guide to bird and wildlife spotting.

Waterfall:

Owing to its splendor and location next to the highway from Barva to San Miguel, the waterfall popularity champion is La Paz.

Popular Activities

Canopy Tours:

Canopy tours are becoming one of the most popular activities in Costa Rica. On the tour, you are hoisted up to a platform in a tree about 50 feet up, securely tied to a zip line and then sent flying to another platform in a tree via a zip line. The small Quaker community of Monteverde is where the first canopy tours began; they have since spread out all over the country. This is truly an adrenalin-filled experience that should not be missed.

Beaches and Surfing:

Both of these activities are good throughout the year with the months of June and July being the best for southern spots like Pavones and Matapalo. The central Pacific coast as well as the north Pacific coast is good all year. Some more popular breaks are in Playa Grande, Playa Negra and Playa Hermosa just to mention a few.

White Water Rafting:

White water rafting is world class with the best time to navigate the rivers being during the rainy season when the rivers are flowing, from May to December.

Sportfishing:

Sportfishing is another popular activity in Costa Rica. What you will catch will depend on the time of year you go  . There are many types of fish catch ranging from Dorado, Wahoo, Roosterfish and Tarpon. Of course for all of the large game fish there is a strict catch and release policy.

Volcano Tours:

Arenal Volcano is the most spectacular of the many volcanoes in Costa Rica.  With a visit here  you can see it erupt on a daily basis. There also are beautiful hot springs nearby where you can spoil yourself at one of the many full service spas. If you want a day trip from San Jose, the capital, you can go to Poas Volcano. It  has a huge crater over one mile in diameter and it also has one of the largest geysers. Volcano Irazú is also a day trip from San Jose.  

Visit a forest reserve:

A vacation to Costa Rica is not complete until you visit one of its many tropical forests. Monteverde Cloud Forest is one of the most popular reserves in the country. However by the laid back feel to the neighboring town of Santa Elena you would not expect that it is one of the most visited destinations in Costa Rica. The unspoiled cloud forest of Monteverde is very popular with birdwatchers. The Quetzal is of particular importance, and it is at Monteverde where you can see the rare and exclusive bird. Corcovado National Park, although much harder to get to, is one of the most beautiful rain forests in the world.

Culture/History:

Take an excursion and visit cities like Cartago, Alajuela and Heredia, or visit the historical ruins at Cachi. Also worth seeing are the mysterious stone spheres found on the Isla del Caño off the Osa Peninsula & Drake Bay. With origins from the early part of the century, no one really knows why these centuries-old spheres were formed.

Diving:

Scuba diving is all the rage in Costa Rica at the moment. Scuba diving facilities in Costa Rica are now world class. With professional PADI instruction courses as well as top quality dive shops with equipment rental services, scuba diving here has reached new heights. Massive schools of fish, an amazing array of marine life and an ideal water temperature throughout the year has meant that scuba diving conditions in Costa Rica are near perfect.

Travel programs

1. There are a large variety of custom programs available upon request that can incorporate any combination of the country’s main destinations, attractions, and popular activities as well as off the beaten path locations.  Contact us to get started!

2. We also offer an exciting 7-night “Costa Rica Explorer”- a fully guided package package that visits some of the country’s most beautiful natural attractions, and combines activities in San Jose, Arenal Volcano, Monteverde, and Manuel Antonio. Activities include whitewater rafting, kayaking, snorkeling/diving, hot springs, volcano visits, the country’s biggest zip line tour, and more! Can be arranged for any time of year. Starting at $1395 per person.

Package includes:

- Private transport throughout trip.

- Driver’s and guide expenses (meals and lodging)  

- 7 breakfasts/3 lunches /1 dinner

- 7 nights lodging in first class hotels and resorts  

- Four-in-one tour (Entrance fee to Poas Volcano and La Paz Waterfall Garden, Sarapiqui Boat Ride, breakfast & Lunch.)  

- Arenal Volcano Tour (Visit to Zarcero Park, visit to Sarchi and entrance fee and buffet dinner at Tabacon Resort Hot Springs).  

- Selvatura Canopy Tour

- White Water Rafting on the Naranjo or Savegre River

- Snorkeling or Kayak Tour

- All hotel taxes

Various Extensions available including: 
Osa Peninsula Corcovado National Park  (Rainforest Adventure) 3 days starting at $495

3. You are also welcome to join into one of annual multi-sport trips to Costa Rica. Reference our upcoming events for details.

Photos

No matter what you want out of a vacation, Erik's trips have it! I’ve been on two of his international vacations, most recently Costa Rica, and each trip is loaded with activities for the sports nut, the naturalist, the shopper, the art/culture enthusiast...and the part of you that just needs a break with time to relax. Angela- Nashville, TN