"... the result is a spectacular amalgam of
vegetation and wildlife. Costa Rica, a meeting point for the biota
of North and South America, is crowded with exotic flora and
fauna"
National Geographic Traveller Magazine,
2000
The country is bordered to the north with Nicaragua, to the
west and southwest by the Pacific Ocean, to the northeast by the
Caribbean Sea, and to the southwest by Panama, 51, 100 sq km in
size, even smaller than West Virginia, it has a great variety of
micro climates, flora and fauna.
GEOGRAPHY. The diversity is the most extravagant fact about Costa
Rica, its geography goes from volcanic mountains, cloud forests,
plains, and coastal lowlands.
GEOLOGY. Most of Costa Rica is around 3 million years old with the
exception of Osa peninsula, many millions of years older. Most of
the mountain chains are volcanic, with the exception of Cordillera
de Talamanca.
CLIMATE. Costa Rica has two seasons, the dry season, lasts from
about December to April, and the rest of the year the country
experiences the wet season. The Caribbean zone is rainy year round.
Temperature varies little between seasons, and the most influencing
factor is altitude.
FLORA AND FAUNA. Costa Rica has an exceptional variety of
flora and fauna, according to the World Resources Institute, Costa
Rica has the most varied fauna of any country on the
planet.
PEOPLE. "Ticos" are well known worldwide as friendly, polite and
helpful people, Costa Rican society is still very family oriented,
and it is easy to become friends with Costa
Ricans.
LANGUAGE. The official language is Spanish. There are few indian
languages that are spoken, primarily Cabecar and Bribri. If you
don't speak Spanish, don't worry, it is an easy language to learn,
we recommend to visit this website for further information about
courses, and activities.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT COSTA RICAN
REGIONS...
Central Valley (San Jose, Heredia, Alajuela and Cartago
Cities, Escazu, Santa Ana, San Rafael, Poas, La Garita, Turrialba):
This area is the "center" of Costa Rica, average elevation of around
3,000 feet, it is region of forest, coffee plantations, mountains,
and an eternal spring and summer climate. From one side to the other
of the Central Valley you can find, coffee fields, cloud forest,
volcanoes, butterfly gardens, handmade arts & crafts, offices,
malls, beautiful mansions, and much more.
Northwestern (Monteverde, Juntas, Caņas, Arenal): From the cloud forest
in Monteverde and from one of the most active volcanoes in Costa
Rica, to the dry tropical forest of Santa Elena, this zone is one of
the most varied zones in the country, not only for its flora and
fauna, but also for its weather.
Nicoya (Coco, Hermosa, Conchal, Flamingo, Mal Pais, Montezuma
Beaches): The Costa Rican cowboy country, the most representative of
the Costa Rican culture, Guanacaste is worldwide recognized for its
stunning beaches, and landscapes. Its tropical dry forest gives to
the zone a particullary beauty that is hard to find
elsewhere.
Northern (San Carlos, Sarapiqui, Guatuso): The climate in these zones
is wet and hot, the vegetation is mixed tropical forest, and it
becomes evergreen going to the Caribbean, it is a zone chock full of
rivers, lagoons, and rain forest. It has a very low population, and
mostly small towns.
Southern (Los Santos, San Isidro del General, Chirripo, La Amistad):
This zone has extreme contrasts of mountains and valleys, unique
wildlife, big rivers and colonial history. It contains the highest
peak in Costa Rica, Cerro Chirripo (3820 m), and others almost as
high as this one. This region is also the land of many indigenous
members of the Boruca and Guamies tribes.
Zona Sur (Osa, Golfo Dulce, Valle del Diquis, Corcovado, Coco
Island): Costa Rica's remote southwest corner, Golfo Dulce, is
situated in this zone. This is an wild and wet area with lush
forests, and some of the best wildlife viewing in the country. With
typical tropical ports, valleys and beautiful beaches these zone is
sparsely inhabited.
Caribbean (Guapiles, Siquirres, Tortuguero, Cahuita, Puerto Viejo,
Manzanillo, Bribri, Sixaola): The Caribbean coast is lined by
beaches, wildlife refuges, mangrove swamps, coastal forests, and a
unique and exotic culture. These zone can be wet year round, and it
varies little in its humid and hot climate.
Central Pacific (Puntarenas, Carara, Herradura, Jaco, Manuel
Antonio, Dominical beaches): There are marked wet and dry seasons
along this coast, average temperatures are about 220C (71F) minimum and around
320C (89F) maximum. This is
one of the country's most visited areas, maybe because its fine
hotels, green mountains, lonesome beaches and
rivers.
