Costa Rica
The Republic of Costa Rica is located in the southern portion of Central America and abuts Nicaragua to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the east, Panama to the southeast, and the Pacific Ocean to the south and west. Isla del Coco (Coconut Island), in the Pacific, is uninhabited and covered with tropical forests. The nation's capital is San Jose. Other major cities are Alajuela, Cartago, Puntarenas, Limon and Heredia. Christopher Columbus discovered Costa Rica in 1502. In 1519, conquistadors Gaspar de Espinosa, Juan de Castañeda and Hernan Ponce de Leon arrived in the country. Two decades later, Hernan Sanchez de Badajoz got the green light to scour the territory. In 1561, Juan de Caballon Arboleda and Father Juan de Estrada Ravago carried out the first colonization, as Juan Vazquez de Coronado –considered Costa Rica's true discoverer- reached the Central Tableland. In 1574, the General Captainship of Guatemala was founded, remaining in place until 1848 when the independence of Costa Rica as a sovereign State was proclaimed.
POPULATION Most of the Costa Rican population is of European descent, especially of Spanish origin, that together with half-breeds account for 93 percent of the total population. At the same time, there's a small black community (barely 3 percent) hailing from Jamaica that lives along the Caribbean shore. Chinese and indigenous people stand for 3 and 1 percent of the inhabitants, respectively. Roughly 52 percent of Costa Ricans live in rural areas, and a considerable chunk of that portion is settled down on the Central Tableland, in San Jose and in the outskirts of the capital. The official language is Spanish, though some residents of Limon speak English quite fluently. Catholicism is the official religion, though there's freedom of credo all across the national territory.
HOW TO GET THERE International flights land at the Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose and the Daniel Oduber Airport in the tourist zone of Guanacaste. Other visitors make it to the country through the Limon seaport. There're excellent connections with several cities in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Latin America. A good deal of agencies in North America and Europe put together travel packages to Costa Rica. You can drive your way into the country through the Mexican, Guatemalan, Honduran or Nicaraguan borders. Travelers may take public buses as well. Different airlines, such as LACSA, SANSA and NATURE AIR, cover domestic flights on a regular basis. Given the high demand for plane tickets, would-be travelers are suggested to book their flights in advance.
WHAT TO SEE Once in San Jose, don't forget to drop by the National Museum (former Bellavista Barracks) featuring major collections of archeological, artistic, historic and natural artifacts and pieces. The Museum of Entomology, at the University of Costa Rica (basement of the School of Music) and the only one of its kind in Central America, treasures a rich collection of insects hailing from all parts of the world: butterflies, bumblebees and other species. And the Museum of Gold contains over 2,000 of the finest pre-Hispanic goldsmith pieces ever made. Taking into account that wild nature is Costa Rica's main attraction, a visit to the country's nature parks, especially to volcanoes and beaches, is a must,. The Cahuita National Park, some 27 miles from Puerto Limon, is well known for its coral reefs, beaches and wildlife; the Tortuguero National Park stands out for its variety of turtles and gorgeous beaches; to the north, the Arenal Volcano (active) is a breathtaking spectacle that poses no dangers to travelers. To top it all off, the Monte Nuboso de Monteverde Biological Reserve boasts out-of-the-way flora and wildlife species; the countless beaches that Costa Rica has to offer include Guanacaste and its show of laud turtles at the Baulas de Guanacaste Marine Park, in the Nicoya Peninsula. The central mountain range is dominated by the Poas and Irazu volcanoes. The first, at a one-hour drive from San Jose, stands out some 3,000 meters above sea level and allows trekkers to climb all the way to the top through well-preserved, steep paths. The second volcano features an amazing sulfur-spewing activity all year round. Along the Pacific coast, the Manuel Antonio National Park is another must-see for a multitude of reasons. Not far from there, in the location of Quepos, there's a paradise for anglers and scuba divers at the Corcovado National Park, the top example of Costa Rica's biological diversity.
WHERE TO EAT Traditional and international cuisine: Añoranzas Bar & Restaurant, 4km from the Church of San Rafael de Heredia on the road to the Castle; El Valle de las Tejas, 150 yards north of the Church of Trinity of Moravia; Rustico, San Padro Mall, 254, P.O. Box 1090-2050; Rio Oasis S.A., Jaco, 25 yards north of the National Bank,106, Jaco; Rio Blanco Tourist Center, from Blanco River 150 east, the Guapiles Marina, P.O. Box 789-2010; El Paso, 13km Marker on the Braulio Carrillo Road, next to the gas station; El Grano de Oro, 150 south, former Anglo Bank; Balcones & Cocina de Leña, El Pueblo Commercial Center, 148; La Central Tharia, Ave. 1, Street 11, across from Juan Bansbach, 663-1100, Tibas; La Casona del Cafetal, Cachi, Cartago 118-1150, La Uruca.
WHERE TO STAY Barceló San Jose Palacio Hotel, Uruca, San Jose; Costa Rica Marriott Hotel, San Antonio de Belen, Heredia; Hotel & Villas La Condesa, San Jose; Amon Plaza Hotel, Ave.11, Calle 3 Bis, San Jose; Balmoral Hotel, Ave. Central, Calle 9 & 11, San Jose; Radisson Europa Hotel & Conference Center, San Jose; Meliá Cariari & Conference Center Hotel, Heredia; Tryp Corobici Hotel, San Jose; Real Intercontinental San Jose Hotel, Escazu, San Jose; Barceló Los Delfines Golf & Country Club, Puntarenas; Los Sueños Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort, Playa Herradura, Puntarenas; Fiesta Resort & Casino Hotel, El Roble, Puntarenas; Best Western Jaco Beach Hotel, Playa Jaco, Puntarenas; Club Suerre Hotel & Country, Guapiles, Limon; Cariblue Bungalows Hotel, Playa Cocles, Puerto Viejo, Limon; Pachira Lodge, Tortuguero, Limon; Suerre Caribbean Beach Hotel, Puerto Viejo, Salamanca, Limon; Barceló Playa Langosta Hotel, Tamarindo, Guanacaste; Paradisus Playa Conchal, Playa Conchal, Guanacaste; Villas Sol Hotel & Beach Resort, Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste; Arenal Paraiso Resort & Spa, La Fortuna, San Carlos; Tabacon Hot Springs Resort & Spa Hotel, La Fortuna, San Carlos; El Establo Mountain Resort, Monteverde, Puntarenas; Lapa Rios Hotel, Osa, Puntarenas & Casa Corcovado Jungle Lodge, Osa, Corcovado, Puntarenas.
SHOPPING AROUND Shopping malls and specialized stores where visitors can find an assortment of typical items and keepsakes to take back home: Shopping Mall of Calle Real, San Pedro, San Jose; El Pueblo Shopping Mall, Urbanizacion Tournon, San Jose; Guadalupe Shopping Mall, Guadalupe, San Jose; Alajuela International Shopping Mall, Alajuela Centro, Alajuela; Plaza Colonial Shopping Mall, Escazu, San Jose; Plaza del Sol Shopping Mall, San Pedro, San Jose; Plaza Los Colegios Shopping Mall, Moravia, 400 yards west of the Lincoln School, San Jose; Yaohan Shopping Mall, La Sabana, San Jose; Cemaco Costa Rica Square, overpass next to the Obelisk of Garantias Sociales, Zapote; Kalahari Shop, Plaza Real Cariari, 44, San Jose; Natural de Costa Rica, San Rafael de Escazu, San Jose; Souvenirs World, Calle de las Artesanias, Moravia, and Tipico Exclusivo San Luis, Mall San Pedro, San Jose.
MAJOR CELEBRATIONS AND RED-LETTER DAYS New Year's Eve (January 1), Holy Week and Easter; Labor Day (Mayday); Guanacaste's Annexation to Costa Rica (July 25); Our Lady of the Angels (August 2); Central America Independence Day (September 15); Columbus Day (October 12), and Christmas (December 25).
CULTURE Most traditions and cultural values of Costa Rica's small indigenous population have lived out to date, especially through garments, jewelry and leather clothing, and above all, folklore: the punto guanacatesco, a national dance performed to the beat of guitar, accordion, mandolin and quijongo, is part of a rich mosaic in which African and Spanish elements melt into one another and rub elbows with Jamaican-origin and Caribbean rhythms. Today's cultural life is modern and cosmopolitan, with music comprising a considerable part of it.
Useful Hyperlinks: www.tourism-costarica.com www.entretenimiento.co.cr www.conozcacostarica.com www.costaricanhotels.com www.ticofiesta.com www.guiascostarica.com
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