Costa Rica Travel Tips
Costa Rica is Central America's jewel. It's an oasis of calm among its turbulent neighbors and an ecotourism heaven, making it one of the best places to experience the tropics with minimal impact. It's also mostly coastline, which means great surfing, beaches galore and a climate built for laziness.
Costa Rica's enlightened approach to conservation has ensured that lush jungles are home to playful monkeys, languid sloths, crocodiles, countless lizards, poison-dart frogs and a mind-boggling assortment of exotic birds, insects and butterflies.
Top Beaches in Costa Rica
Written by Paige, Nicaragua, December 2011
Dry season, or verano (summer) has almost arrived in Costa Rica ,
which means it’s time to choose the perfect beach for your upcoming
vacation. From December through May, the sun shines ...
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Tortuga Island in Costa Rica
Written by Paige, Nicaragua, September 2012
The most popular island escape off Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast is this idyllic spot—actually two neighboring islets, Alcatraz and Tolinga—known as Isla Tortuga, or Turtle Island. Its rugged, rocky ...
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Traveling With Children in Costa Rica
Written by Paige, Nicaragua, October 2012
Friendly and beautiful, Costa Rica is a fine destination to introduce children to the adventure of travel. Though still a developing country, it boasts some of the best tourism infrastructure in ...
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Visiting Manuel Antonio National Park in Costa Rica
Written by Paige, Nicaragua, June 2012
Arguably the most beautiful national park in Costa Rica (Forbes magazine ranked it as one of the 10 loveliest in the world) is Manuel Antonio. It is a slender peninsula that reaches out into the ...
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What to Eat in Costa Rica
Written by Paige, Nicaragua, September 2012
Some say that you don’t come to Costa Rica for the food. And it’s true that the simple, tasty, healthy cuisine of this beautiful country just can’t compare to its glorious beaches, cool mountains, ...
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Where to See Sloths in Costa Rica
Written by Paige, Nicaragua, July 2012
Sloths, or “perezosos,” are quite common in Costa Rica, and can be found everywhere from the cool cloud forests of Monteverde to the steamy lowland jungles along both coasts. Regardless, they can be ...
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Wildlife Encounters in Costa Rica
Written by Paige, Nicaragua, October 2012
One of the best reasons to visit Costa Rica is to see the wildlife, obsessively protected by both the government and private interests, and often easily spotted from beautifully maintained trails in ...
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Ziplining in Costa Rica
Written by David J, February 2013
More than a quarter of Costa Rica is covered in rainforests, and one of the best ways to explore these enchanting ecosystems is via a zipline. First developed by American scientists, who wanted to ...
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Elton John Coming to Costa Rica
Written by Paige, Nicaragua, January 2012
On February 3, superstar Elton John will be performing in San Jose , Costa Rica , with a very special opening act: Minister of Culture and Youth Manuel Obregon . Appointed to the position by ...
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Fiestas de Zapote
Written by Paige, Nicaragua, December 2011
This isn’t say, however, that the Costa Rican capital doesn’t celebrate the season in style. The second-largest party in the country begins the day after Christmas in San Jose, Las Fiestas de ...
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Hot Springs of Arenal Volcano
Written by Paige, Nicaragua, April 2012
When an active volcano like Arenal, erupting almost continuously since 1968, meets a moist and well-watered rainforest, things can get a little steamy. Welcome to one of the most geothermal regions ...
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Jade Museum
Written by David J, March 2013
This small museum in central San Jose, Costa Rica, holds the world’s largest collection of American jade, containing a vast array of jewelry and artifacts, as well as an exhibit that offers a ...
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Surfing in Jaco
Written by Viator, March 2012
With its perfect and predictable sandy-bottomed beach break, flanked by more challenging waves on either side, Jaco has long been a top draw for the international surfing set. Waves are kicky enough ...
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Top 5 Beaches in Jaco
Written by Viator, March 2012
Jaco, with its endless options for lodging, dining, and nightlife, makes a fine and festive base for exploring area beaches on Costa Rica’s gorgeous Central Pacific Coast. Don’t limit yourself! With ...
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What to Do in San Jose, Costa Rica
Written by Paige, Nicaragua, May 2012
There’s a joke, in tourism circles at least, that says, “San Jose: It’s only 45 minutes from Costa Rica!” The bustling, modern metro area of almost 2 million people is indeed a far cry from the ...
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