Costa Rica is small but developed enough for Central America a country. It’s worth going there not only for the incredible nature, a fun holiday, safe walks, pirate treasures and the beautiful architecture of the capital. You can come to Costa Rica for happiness! According to a 2012 study, Costa Rica has the happiest people. They dont have advanced technologies, highways and huge skyscrapers. So what brings happiness?

Costa Rica has a pleasant climate. Many points of the country rise above sea level by a thousand meters. There are also conditions for excellent surfing and beach holiday, both with children and with a noisy company.

Volcanoes are a must-see in Costa Rica. Not going down into the crater of the Turrialba volcano and not looking at the magical fire show of Arenal means not seeing the country, not feeling its breath. There are many in Costa Rica national parks. Some of them remain almost untouched, and some are said to even contain treasures. The pirate island is also worth a visit. Who knows, maybe you will be lucky enough to find the riches looted by the robbers.

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What to see in Costa Rica?

The most interesting and Beautiful places, photographs and brief description.

1. City of San Jose

The capital and largest city of Costa Rica. San Jose is located at an altitude of 1200 meters, surrounded by valleys and mountains. It is home to about half the population of the entire country. The city's residents are friendly and sociable, the streets are quite clean, and in the center there are beautiful pedestrian streets, parks, ancient buildings, museums and shopping centers. You can also buy real aromatic coffee in San Jose.

2. Arenal Volcano

This is the youngest and most spectacular volcano in Costa Rica. Last time major eruption Arenal was recorded in 2000. It is 1657 meters high, and on its territory there is a national park and a lake of the same name. Now the volcano periodically produces small eruptions of lava, which do not threaten the population in any way, but serve as a very spectacular show for tourists.

3. Manuel Antonio National Park

The park is located on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. It was founded in 1972. Manuel Antonio occupies a little more than 16 km², but despite this, it becomes a destination for 150 thousand tourists every year. The park is famous for its four beautiful beaches and walking trails. It also has many tidal pools suitable for snorkeling.

4. Coconut Island

This is the largest uninhabited island in Pacific Ocean. Its area is 24 km². It is located 600 km from west coast Costa Rica. The island is famous thanks to a legend that says that an incredible treasure is hidden on it, which no one has yet found. The entire island is covered with wild jungle, in the center is Mount Roundell-Kon, and in the coastal waters algae grows wildly and sharks live.

5. Lake Arenal

Exactly this big lake in Costa Rica. It is located 90 km from San Jose. The area of ​​the lake is 80 km². It reached this size after the construction of the hydroelectric dam in 1979. Depending on the season, the depth of the lake ranges from 30 to 60 meters. There is a beautiful tropical forest around the reservoir, and between April and November thousands of tourists come to the lake to go windsurfing.

6. Volcano Turrialba

This active volcano, which is located 30 km east of San Jose. The height of its largest peak is 3340 meters. This is the only volcano in the country into whose crater you can descend. The process of lava formation constantly occurs in it, which tourists can see. The high peaks of the volcano offer amazing panoramas of tropical forests.

7. Guayabo

On the southern slope of the Turrialba volcano there is archaeological site Guayabo. While a small part of it has been excavated, its size is 218 hectares. But already from it one can judge the importance and level of development of the city. It was inhabited from 1000 BC to 800 AD. About 10 thousand people lived in it, and in 1400 the city was abandoned. Archaeologists have discovered the remains of stone streets, aqueducts, and the foundations of wooden houses.

8. Corcovado National Park

The park is located on the Pacific coast, on the Osa Peninsula. It includes 42,500 hectares of almost untouched rain forest with incredible flora and fauna. The nature of the park consists of at least eight ecosystems. It is home to more than 500 species of trees and is home to many animals. The main attraction of Corcovado is the Salsipuedes Cave. According to legend, Francis Drake left a treasure there.

9. Irasu

This is a volcano located 31 km from the city of Cartago. It is located at an altitude of 3700 m above sea level. One of its craters used to contain salt lake, changing color from red to green, but after the earthquake it disappeared. But the volcano did not lose its beauty because of this. It offers incredible views, and while climbing the volcano you just need to have time to photograph everything.

10. National Theater of Costa Rica

Construction of the theater began in 1891, and opened in 1897. Coffee magnates found money for construction: they introduced a tax on coffee exports. Thus, the national theater became a symbol of the economic prosperity of the state. For its construction, they took the Paris Opera as a model. The theater was built in the Renaissance style and decorated with statues. One day, the expensive interior was damaged by an earthquake, but was restored.

11. Volcano Poas

The territory of the volcano is a national park in Costa Rica. It was founded in 1971 and its area is 65 km². Maximum height volcano 2700 meters. Poas has three craters, of which two are inactive. The crater of one of them is picturesque ice lake. Its diameter is 360 meters. In the park you can find many animals and plants. Among them are beautiful magnolias and orchids.

12. Monteverde National Park

This is one of the richest reserves in the tropical zone. It is located at an altitude of 1400 m, so it is constantly shrouded in foggy haze. There are hotels for tourists in the park. Walking around Monteverde, you can see more than 400 species of orchids, 400 species of birds and 2,500 species of plants. Among the entertainment in the park is rappelling. Wearing insurance, you can fly at a height of 40 meters and look at the park from above.

13. La Fortuna Waterfall

This picturesque waterfall is located in the Arenal National Park. The height from which the water flows is 70-75 m. There is a path leading to the top, along which you can climb on foot or on horseback. There is also an observation deck, which offers an incredible view of the waterfall and moss-covered rocks and canyon. The waterfall pool has cool water in which you can swim.

14. Tortuga Island

This is an island in the Caribbean, famous for legends about pirates. In the old days, this piece of land was a haven for entire generations of sea robbers. Pirates sailed to it to repair ships, sell looted goods and jewelry, relax and have fun. Now the island attracts adventure-hungry tourists.

15. Jaco City

The city is located on the Pacific coast. You can get there by car from San Jose in 1.5 hours. This is a youth resort that attracts active and fun-loving tourists. The beaches of Jaco have excellent surfing conditions, and a beginner can find a place here to learn how to stand on a board. At night, Hako never sleeps. There are a lot of bars, clubs and restaurants here. Souvenirs are sold on every corner at low prices.

16. La Amistad International Park

The park is located on the border of Costa Rica and Panama. Its total area is more than 5,700 km², which are covered with picturesque tropical rain forests. This is the largest nature reserve in Central America. At the same time, four indigenous Indian tribes live in the park. It also contains remains of human activity who lived in the 10th century BC.

17. Gold Museum in San Jose

The museum is located in the capital of Costa Rica, near the Plaza de Culture. It features gold jewelry and items created by Indians. Some exhibits were created in the 5th century BC. In total, the museum displays 2,000 gold items. Among them are figurines, golden shields, and household items. But this is not all the heritage of the Indians; much of it was destroyed or melted down.

18. Guanacaste Conservation Area

This is an area in northwestern Costa Rica that includes five parks. Their total area is more than 1400 km². National parks taken under protection by the state and UNESCO are important natural complexes. They have not yet been fully explored, but they surprise with their rich fauna, flora and beautiful landscapes.

19. Santa Teresa Beach

Santa Teresa Beach is called one of the most beautiful civilized beaches in Costa Rica. It has snow-white sand, clean water, and all conditions for surfing. Those who want a quiet and relaxing holiday will find cute bungalows here, restaurants on the beaches serve delicious dishes, and in the evenings there are no noisy discos. In the village near the beach you can find everything a tourist needs.

20. Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels in Cartago

After the earthquake, Cartago was destroyed. The only surviving building was the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels. It is located in the central square of the city. Inside you can see the miraculous statue of the “Black Madonna”, admire the amazing stained glass windows and figures with which the basilica is decorated along the entire perimeter.

21. Braulio Carrillo National Park

The park was founded in 1978 and named after the president of the country. Its area is about 44 thousand hectares. Most of the park is occupied by beautiful mountains, densely covered with tropical forests. Also interesting are two extinct volcano. Due to the sharp changes in altitude, the park has a diverse range of flora and fauna. There are more than 600 species of trees alone.

22. Nauyaka Falls

This is not a waterfall promoted by travel agencies, which locals love very much. From the parking lot to the water you will need to walk several kilometers through the forest. But this is not a very tiring route, because the nature around is very beautiful. The waterfall falls with enormous force, forming a pool of very cold water. You can also catch tiny frogs in the waters of the waterfall.

23. Venado Caves

These are limestone caves that were created approximately 15-20 million years ago. Inside them, stalactites and stalagmites create an amazing interior. There is no lighting or anything to entertain tourists inside the cave. There is water on the floor almost everywhere, so tourists feel like real explorers. You can wander through the narrow passages with a flashlight as much as you like.

24. Simon Bolivar Zoo

The zoo is located in the city of San Jose. This is the largest zoo in Costa Rica. Many representatives of felines live in it, there is a large serpentarium in which multi-colored snakes are kept. Many of them are poisonous. The main thing that the zoo can boast of is a huge collection of colorful parrots collected from all the forests of the country.

This state has wonderful sights. Costa Rica is a place where there is a constant flow of tourists, although the country itself is not very large in size. An interesting area is the beautiful square where a large number of natural complexes are located.

About the center of the country

This is an amazing state where there is stunning vegetation, volcanoes, savannah, dense forests, picturesque mountain slopes, gorgeous beaches, extensive coffee and banana plantations. It is not surprising, because the very name of this area in translation sounds like “rich coast”. There are many architectural monuments, Indian settlements, wonderful waterfalls, rivers and mountains.

The city where the most interesting and important sights are located is San Jose (Costa Rica). The capital, which was founded in 1737. It is located at an altitude of 1155 meters above sea level. The climate here is quite pleasant.

Nearby is the city of Alajuela, the second largest in the state, where there are butterfly farms. In the building where there used to be a prison, Juan Santamaria is located - another interesting museum.

The natural attractions of Costa Rica are also no less interesting. For example, there is Poas, a volcano whose height is 2.7 km. There are always a lot of tourists here. It is also interesting to visit the zoo and the El Bosque Encantado entertainment complex for children. Grecia is called the cleanest city in all of Latin America. There is a beautiful red church here. Handicraft products are produced in Sarchi. In Heredia you have the opportunity to look at the walls of the Fortin fortress. Here you can learn a lot about coffee by visiting the museum complex and institute dedicated to this drink.

Wonderful nature

The attractions attract many people here. Costa Rica is a region where they are numerous. A significant part of them can be seen in provincial town Cartago, which is on the southeast side of San Jose. There are beautiful green valleys where coffee and cane grow. People started living here in 1563. Until 1823, this settlement was the capital of the state. The Orosi Valley has beautiful vegetation,

Directly in the city there are museum exhibitions dedicated to religious history and interesting antiquities. There is a church here built in the first half of the 18th century. On the territory of Uharrasa, the ruins of the oldest shrine in the state have been preserved. Its creation dates back to the period from 1681 to 1693.

When tourists find out what to visit in Costa Rica, the list of attractions is quite impressive:

    This includes a center where tropical flora is grown in Turrialba.

    Volcanoes Arenal and Paos.

    Antonio is a national park.

    Corcovado is a natural area for hiking.

    Tortuguero is a valley of rain forests.

    National Theatre.

    Museums of Pre-Columbian Gold.

    Chirripo is a great place for hiking.

Impressive flora

In the northern part of the state the situation is somewhat different. This is an area of ​​tropical plains. The vegetation here is green throughout the year. Tourists rarely come to see these sights.

Costa Rica is a land with wonderful natural conditions that have been preserved to this day in an almost untouched state. It is interesting to get into the caves called Venado, the Caño Negro protected area, in San Rafael and the waterfalls. There are forest camps for tourists in Sarapinka. Archaeologists are conducting research work on the territory of Kutris.

About people and land

In the east there are canals, mountain ranges - these are all wonderful sights. Costa Rica is a country that can amaze with its picturesqueness. The population here is characterized by its originality. The language in which people communicate is a cross between Spanish, Indian and English dialects.

High-quality rice and excellent cocoa are grown here. The indigenous people are found on reservation areas in the forest. Tourists cannot go there. Nearby there is the town of Limon, which has an unusual coloring. It is a little dirty and sometimes dangerous, but there are good bazaars and an ethnic museum complex. Carnival celebrations are held annually on October 12th.

What should a tourist pay attention to?

It's hard to decide which is the most famous attraction in Costa Rica. Many people like the local chic beach expanses with dark-colored sands, nature reserves, wonderful parks, and picturesque reefs with corals. People come here to surf.

There are many Indian reservations in the park called Itoy Serere. The Atlantic Coast has a collection of interesting canals. Rainfall amounts to more than 5 thousand millimeters per year - extremely high. It would not be very comfortable for a European to live here due to the abundant amount of moisture. However, fishing here is a nice thing. The forest expanses are picturesque, where various animals live.

Which places to visit

There are amazing sights of Costa Rica in the northwest. The climate is milder and it rains less often. The government cares about the environment and is doing everything possible to preserve this pristine natural paradise.

Tourism is also actively developing, technologies are being introduced that can help preserve nature. Local tourist complexes numerous. Interesting place is the ecologically clean zone of Kourou, as well as the whale bay, wonderful waterfalls near Montezuma. There is a reserve where turtles living in the sea are protected. Truly impressive Costa Rica. The sights here amaze with their beauty. These are bays, parks, an area called Golfito, where trading operations are carried out, the town of Jaco, a complex dedicated to the fauna of the forests of Isla Bolaños.

The most attractive locality state is Liberia, which is also called the “white city”. Also attracting attention is Orosi, a park of national importance, rising 1.4 km above sea level. There are also mud-type volcanoes, the origin of hydrogen sulfide, Lake Arenal, which is often visited by windsurfers, a spring with hot water Tabacon, wonderful waterfalls, protected areas of Monteverde, "Forest of Santa Elena", Carara, Manuel Antonio. Tortuga is called Turtle Island.

Active water recreation

As a rule, tourists admire the state of Costa Rica. Attractions and leisure Help a person relax both emotionally, mentally and physically. Surfers find the local coastlines excellent. They travel to Puerto Viejo and Limon to ride the waves. Other beaches are also popular. From July to August there are many people here.

Arenal is a lake great for windsurfing. It is located at an altitude of 1.7 km above sea level. Constant and strong winds blow here. The best time to visit here is April-December. You can swim underwater on the local islands.

Rich animal and vegetable world in the depths of the waters can be seen in Ballene - national reserve. Beautiful in Bahia Draca and Cahuita. The coastline, washed by the Pacific Ocean between Golfito and the Gulf of Papagayo, is excellent for fishing for tuna or sailfish. Such a catch can be called a trophy. You can catch trout in the rivers in the mountains.

Would you like to go down into the crater of a real volcano? Or feel like a pirate searching for lost treasure? Or maybe your ideal vacation is surfing and white sand beaches? Then take a trip to Costa Rica - a true Central American tourist paradise!

San Jose is the capital of Costa Rica

Be sure to visit this hospitable city, located among mountains and valleys at an altitude of 1200 meters. Ancient buildings and modern shopping centers, old buildings in pre-classical or neo-colonial style, pedestrian streets, friendly locals - all this awaits you here. A unique landmark of the city is the central market. Connoisseurs of real aromatic coffee can buy it here.

There are many museums in the capital of Costa Rica, San Jose. For example, those who want to plunge into the pre-Columbian era can visit Gold Museum. There are more than two thousand gold items created by the Indians, some dating back to the fifth century BC. These are household items, jewelry, gold shields, and figurines. Unfortunately, this is only a small part of the Indian heritage: much of it was melted down or destroyed at one time.

Creativity local population before his contact with Europeans is dedicated and jade museum. It houses one of the largest thematic collections in all of America.

Jaco - for fans of clubs and windsurfing

Just an hour and a half drive from San Jose, Jaco — real paradise for young people who come on vacation. Here you can find clubs, restaurants and bars in huge numbers. And if you want to learn windsurfing, they can also help you here: the beaches of Jaco have excellent conditions for this type of recreation.

Natural Wonders of Costa Rica

If you ask tourists why they go to Costa Rica, the nature of this country will certainly be high on the list of their answers. Volcanoes, lakes, National parks, islands, beaches with pure water and white sand - all this attracts those who want to take a break from the city noise and love nature tourism.

Volcanoes of Costa Rica

A significant part of the country is covered by mountain ranges, and there are many volcanoes - active and extinct. Traveling to Costa Rica without volcanoes is almost impossible to imagine. The most popular volcanoes among guests of the country are:

  • Arenal;
  • Turrialba;
  • Irasu;
  • Poas.

One of the most famous attractions in Costa Rica is Arenal volcano. It reaches a height of 1657 meters, and last erupted in 2000. Nowadays, small lava eruptions occur periodically, absolutely safe, but at the same time very spectacular. The volcano is located on the territory of the national park of the same name; nearby there is a lake with the same name.

Lake Arenal- the largest in Costa Rica. It covers an area of ​​about eighty square kilometers. It became so large due to the fact that a hydroelectric dam was built here in 1979. The depth of the lake can vary from 60 to 30 meters - it depends on the season. It is surrounded by the most beautiful tropical forest. In the spring and summer, thousands of windsurfers come here.

In the Arenal National Park you can also see La Fortuna waterfall, falling from a height of more than 70 meters. You can climb to the top of the waterfall on horseback or on foot along a specially organized trail and enjoy the view of the waterfall, canyon, moss-covered rocks with observation deck. Those who wish can even take a dip in the cool water of the waterfall pool.

Another active volcano, located just thirty kilometers from San Jose - Volcano Turrialba. Its height is 3340 meters, and it is the only volcano in the country into the crater of which tourists can descend absolutely safely. And from its high peaks there are stunning views of the tropical forests surrounding the peak.

Guayabo- archaeological site, abandoned ancient city, located on the southern slope of the Turrialba volcano. At the moment, archaeologists have excavated only a small part of the city, a little more than two hundred hectares. But this alone allows us to judge that during its heyday the city was quite well developed. People have lived here since about 1000 BC. to 1400 AD In 800 AD. About ten thousand people lived here. Aqueducts, remains of the foundations of wooden houses and entire streets were found.

At a distance of 31 kilometers from the city of Cartago, at an altitude of 3700 meters above sea level, is located volcano Irazu. Once upon a time there was a salt lake in one of its craters. It could change color from green to red. However, after the earthquake the lake disappeared, but this did not make the volcano any less beautiful. As you climb, you can take unique photos of the landscapes opening from its slopes.

Territory Poas volcano It is also one of the national parks, spread over an area of ​​65 square kilometers. The height of the volcano is 2700 meters, two of its three craters are inactive today. In one of the craters there is an ice lake with a diameter of 360 meters. In the national park you can find a huge variety of animals and plants, for example, beautiful orchids and magnolias.

National parks

Nature reserves, national parks, and protected areas occupy almost a third of the country. There are seventy-four in total in Costa Rica nature protection zones. The most famous of them:

Situated on the Pacific coast Manuel Antonio National Park, founded in 1972. On an area of ​​more than 16 square kilometers there are four wonderful beaches, many hiking trails, and tidal pools for scuba diving enthusiasts. About one hundred and fifty thousand people a year become visitors to the park.

On the Osa Peninsula, also on the Pacific coast, is located Corcovado- another national park. It is almost 42 and a half hectares of untouched rain forest with amazing plants and animals. Visitors to the park can see at least eight different ecosystems and more than five hundred species of trees. Be sure to visit the Salsipuedes Cave, the main attraction of Corcovado, where, according to legend, Francis Drake himself hid a treasure.

National Park Monteverde constantly shrouded in foggy haze, and no wonder: it is located at an altitude of 1400 meters. In the tropical zone of our planet, this is perhaps one of the richest reserves: there are more than 2,500 species of plants, more than 400 orchids alone. More than 400 species of birds also live in the park. Hotels have been built for tourists in the park, and extreme sports enthusiasts can have fun rappelling at a height of 40 meters with insurance.

La Amistad — international park: It is located on the border between Costa Rica and Panama. More than 5,700 square kilometers of the park are covered with tropical rain forests. This reserve is the largest in Central America. Four tribes of Indians live here, and archaeologists have also discovered traces of human activity dating back to the tenth century BC.

Braulio Carrillo- a national park named after the country's president. This is more than forty-four thousand hectares that cover tropical forests. The park contains many mountains, as well as two currently inactive volcanoes. There is a very wide variety of plants and animals due to significant elevation changes. For example, visitors to the park can see more than 600 species of trees alone.

Located in the north-west of the country Guanacaste- a protected area that includes five parks with a total area of ​​more than one thousand four hundred square kilometers. The state and UNESCO protect the rich flora and fauna and beautiful landscapes of the territory. To date, the nature of the parks has not yet been fully explored.

Six hundred kilometers from the western coast of the country is located Cocos Island- from uninhabited islands It is the largest in the Pacific Ocean. According to legend, a mysterious treasure was hidden on the island, which has not yet been found. Who knows, maybe you will be lucky enough to become its owner? In the center of the island is Mount Roundell-Con, around which there is a wild jungle, and sharks live in the coastal waters.

Many fans of pirate legends have heard about island Tortuga. Whole generations of pirates molested this island in the old days. Here one could not only profitably sell looted jewelry and other goods, but also simply have fun and relax. Today the island is an attractive place for tourists.

Costa Rica: what else to see from natural sites?

Santa Teresa Beach- one of the most beautiful in this country. If you like calm beach tourism, then this place is simply created for you. There are no noisy discos here, but there are cozy bungalows, cute restaurants with delicious dishes, snow-white sand and all the conditions for surfing.

In general, each beach in the country has its own “specialization”:

  • Playa del Coco is a scuba diving center;
  • Playa Flamingo and Tamarindo are ideal for surfing;
  • Playa Conchal is the beach with the whitest sand;
  • On the beach of Playa Grande you can see turtles - they love to lay eggs here.

Nauyaka Falls travel agencies not popular, but loved by locals very much. From the parking lot, to see it, you will have to walk several kilometers through the forest, but it’s worth it: along the way you will be able to observe beautiful nature. And in the waterfall itself there are tiny cute frogs that you can catch if you try.

Age limestone caves of Venado- about 15-20 million years. Here you can see stalactites and stalagmites created by nature itself over this long time. Tourists can go into the caves, but it is worth remembering that the territory of the caves is not specially equipped: there is no hiking trails, lighting, on the floor of the caves there is water almost everywhere. Therefore, you can wander here with a flashlight as much as you like, feeling like real cave explorers!

They also willingly take tourists to coffee plantations. Most Popular Heredia plantations, located just ten kilometers from San Jose.

What to see in Costa Rica, besides nature?

Construction of the national theater building began in 1891, and opened six years later. It was built thanks to coffee magnates: money for construction was received from taxes on coffee exports. Thus, the theater symbolizes the economic prosperity of the country. The building was built in the Renaissance style and decorated with statues, and the Paris Opera was taken as a model. The interior of the theater was severely damaged by one of the earthquakes, but it was subsequently completely restored.

One of the most beautiful sights in Costa Rica - Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels. It is located in the central square of Cartago. It is noteworthy that the basilica was the only building that survived the earthquake that once destroyed the city. The inside of the building is decorated with many beautiful stained glass windows and statues; visitors can also see the “Black Madonna” - a miraculous statue.

In San Jose you can also visit the largest in Costa Rica Simon Bolivar Zoo. Various representatives of the cat family live here, a huge variety of species of colorful parrots - they are collected from literally all the forests of this tropical country. And in the serpentarium of the zoo there are colorful snakes.

Costa Rica attractions










Costa Rica (Costa-Rica) - translated from Spanish means "rich coast", in fact, a lot of wealth can be found in this country: Quiet and Atlantic Oceans with their wonderful beaches, many national parks, forests and reserves with animals and birds, volcanoes, including active ones, provinces rich in adventures and authentic souvenirs, and finally, the capital with its colonial architecture. Costa Rica will not leave anyone indifferent.

Geography of Costa Rica

Costa Rica is located in the narrowest place in Central America, excluding Panama, the distance between the two oceans, the Pacific and the Atlantic, at the narrowest point is only 118 km. Costa Rica borders on the north and the south on the south.

Due to the presence of long oceanic borders, Costa Rica has big line sea ​​coast- 1228 km, on which many sea resorts are located. In the center of the country there is a plateau with cloud forests and volcanoes, also called the “Central Valley”.

In the center of the country there are many small but fast rivers that originate in mountains and volcanoes; canoeing is often arranged on them and canopies and zip lines are arranged over them.

Largest cities in Costa Rica:

  • Capital - (San Jose)
  • Alajuela is a satellite city of the capital, part of the capital agglomeration
  • Liberia is a large city in the north-west of the country (the capital of the province of Guanacaste), from here you can reach most of the seaside resorts on the north-west coast of Costa Rica (,).
  • Puntarenas - resort town in the west of the country, the capital of the province of the same name. From here you can get to the resorts of the western and southwestern coasts of the Pacific Ocean (Playa Herradura, Manuel Antonio, Marino Ballena).
  • Limon is a large port city on the Atlantic coast of the country, the capital of the province of the same name. From here you can reach all resorts on the Atlantic coast of Costa Rica (,).

Russians do not need a visa to visit Costa Rica. For up to 30 days, you will be given an entry stamp right at the border or at the airport. .

Currency of Costa Rica

The currency of Costa Rica is the Costa Rican colon or simply colon. On price tags it is designated as CRC.

The Costa Rican colon exchange rate for 2019 is:

1 USD = 600 CRC.

IN tourist places you can pay in dollars. In many shops, restaurants and cafes you can pay with plastic cards. The banking infrastructure is very well developed in Costa Rica, so that even in the most run-down town there are bank branches with automated teller machines (ATMs) where you can withdraw money from your card.

All outlets in Costa Rica are American type 110V.

The climate in Costa Rica is determined by its distance from the ocean and altitude. The closer to the ocean and lower, the warmer and the climate is more tropical; closer to the center and higher up, the colder. In general, the central part of the country is located on a plateau, and it is quite comfortable here.

There are clearly defined rainy (May - November) and dry (December - April) seasons.

How to get to Costa Rica

By plane

There are no direct flights from Russia to Costa Rica, so you need to make a transfer in Cuba, the USA or Europe. The most profitable options are offered by Iberia airlines - via Madrid, Lufthansa (Condor) - via Frankfurt and Cubana - via Havana. An airport tax will be charged upon departure. A taxi from the airport to the center of San Jose takes about 15 minutes and costs about 20 USD. The bus travels for about 1 hour and costs 1 USD.

By bus

Costa Rica can be reached from nearby countries (Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama). The Pan-American Highway travels through all these countries. international buses. The most common bus companies: TicaBus, KingQuality, etc. Compare prices on websites and choose cheaper. And, of course, all these international buses arrive and depart to/from their terminal. These terminals are located in different cities; if there is no terminal in the city, you will be dropped off in the city or somewhere nearby.

The most common and cheapest transport in Costa Rica are buses. The bus network very tightly covers almost the entire country, including even the most hidden corners, national parks, volcanoes, etc. Almost everywhere can be reached by bus. There are city, intercity and international buses. It should be noted that in Costa Rica there is no such cruelty as in other Central Asian countries (I mean chicken bass). There are none here, just ordinary modern buses, very often with air conditioning.

In the capital and large cities you can use taxi services, for example a short trip around San Jose will cost 10-15 USD.

You can also rent a car at one of the rental offices: license, age over 21, 1000 USD as deposit and the car is yours. It makes sense to rent a car for traveling around the country, it’s very convenient

Where to stay, what to eat, prices in Costa Rica


Costa Rica has a huge number of hotels, hostels, cabins, lounges, etc. There are also luxury chain hotels: Hilton, Holiday Inn, Best Western, and quite cheap hostels for 20-30 USD.

On popular sea ​​resorts You can often come across themed hotels, for example the world-famous airplane hotel () in .

In small resort towns, you don’t have to book a hotel in advance, but look for it upon arrival, because... Usually these towns are small, and there is a lot of housing, then you can go around and look for it. In addition, you can evaluate the level of comfort live and bargain.

In large cities, such as San Jose, you need to either have a reservation or have several options with addresses in mind, because... V big city It can be quite difficult to find a hotel at random. You can book standardly on or on a newfangled

The cuisine and food of Costa Rica is not very different from the cuisine of other countries in Central and South America: it is still the same arroz con pollo (rice with chicken), arroz con carne (rice with meat), arroz con camarones (pilaf with seafood), ensaladas (salads). There is also a large selection of fast food (all kinds of burgers).

As a side dish, they usually serve platano (banana cakes), patacones (fried plantain stalks), casados ​​(rice-vegetable mixture).

The cost of food and housing is quite high when compared with other Central Asian countries. It’s very cheap to eat in a cafe with a drink for about 7-10 USD. Eating in a restaurant for tourists from 30 USD. Housing is the cheapest 20 USD per double. with very modest conditions (this will most likely be a cabinas (room)).


Sights of Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a country attractive for all types of holidays. Here you can either bask on the beach with snow-white sand, drinking rum and cola, or climb a volcano or conquer the waves on a board.

The main attractions of the country are undoubtedly its natural beauty: oceans, beaches, volcanoes, tropical and cloud forests, and national parks with many inhabitants.

On the Pacific Coast National parks definitely worth visiting: Santa Rosa, Guanacaste, Marino Ballena

You can see the capital of Costa Rica - its architecture, churches, parks and museums, but I would not stay here more than 2-3 days, because there is so much interesting in Costa Rica.

Safety in Costa Rica

Costa Rica feels like the safest country in Latin America. There is a lot of white population (descendants of the Spaniards), maybe because of this this impression is created. It was a little awkward in San Jose early in the morning, but that's normal for a big city.

Let me remind you of the safety rules that should be followed even if everything seems safe:

  • In the dark, it’s better not to go out at all, and if you really need to, we take a taxi. We plan all transfers during daylight hours
  • Do not flash money, photo or video equipment on the streets or in crowded places. We carry all our camera equipment in a bag or backpack. We take out our camera, quickly take pictures of what we need and put the camera in our backpack.
  • Do not wear jewelry or earrings
  • It’s better to wear discreet clothes, but even though you’re tourists you can already see
  • Do not go into potentially dangerous areas (usually the city center, markets, bus terminals)
  • Try not to go out on Sunday in business centers and the city center (all centers “die out” on Sundays)
  • Drink only bottled water, wash fruits with water.

But of course, all these rules are for strong reinsurance, otherwise the country is cool - come, but it’s expensive.

Reference

  • Costa Rica covers an area of ​​51 km? — it’s a little larger than the Moscow region
  • The only state in all of America that does not have an army, i.e. Costa Rica is a completely neutral state
  • Population 4.8 million people.

Costa Rica is of interest to scientists, geographers and archaeologists. But most of all, travelers love it. It is a small country in Latin America with a diverse natural landscape and favorable climate. Tourists are interested in all the sights of Costa Rica, including national parks and reserves, thundering waterfalls and terrifying volcanoes . The journey takes place along exciting routes, full of secrets and local color. By the way, there is never winter here, so recreation is year-round. All guides are highly qualified, since traveling around this country requires specific knowledge.

What to see first in Costa Rica

Before you enlist the help of tour guides and begin exploring this colorful country, take a couple of minutes to look through our list. Even experienced people may not guess which objects will be of interest to you, so it is better to decide on your preferences before the trip.

1. Manuel Antonio National Park (Manuel Antonio)

Bay of Manuel Antonio Park with beach

Attractions to visit in Costa Rica e A must see is Manuel Antonio Park. This is the oldest resort in the country, and it is rightfully considered the most visited. Tourists are attracted here, first of all, by the extraordinary beautiful beaches. They are well maintained, clean and completely safe. A special feature of the local beaches is their snow-white sand, warmed by the sun. In addition, the water in Costa Rica is very clean and clear.

Since the coast is surrounded by greenery, the beaches of Costa Rica are very convenient for families with small children. Families come here, and the tourism infrastructure allows this. Good access routes ensure an even distribution of passenger traffic. There are many restaurants of different levels in Manuel Antonio. Moreover, here, as in any southern resort, active nightlife.

Bars and cafes are always ready to welcome guests, music thunders from everywhere. Souvenir shops are found at every step, so tourists leave here with gifts and souvenirs. There are always a lot of people here, which determines the friendly nature of the local monkeys, of which there are many in the area. Funny white-faced animals literally stick to tourists, but feeding them is strictly prohibited.

2. Santa Teresa Beach (Nicoya Peninsula)


Tropical paradise of Santa Teresa Beach

The beach is located in the southern part of the Nicoya Peninsula. This is one of the natural attractions of Costa Rica. Atmosphere tropical paradise from the advertising posters it was as if she had stepped out of the pictures onto the ground in this place. Snow-white sandy beaches called the pearl of Costa Rica, and this is true.

The sand here is pleasantly white. It has extremely small fractions, so it is not for nothing that it is called silk. The water on the coast is very clean, this is carefully monitored by local services. Many tourists with children flock to this beach, since the coast is sloping and the shallow water here extends far inland.

In addition to its natural beauty, the beach is interesting because it has well-functioning tourist services. Experienced tourists call it civilized. There is a place to relax and have a snack. The access roads are in excellent condition. You can always hide from the scorching sun in the shade of spreading trees.

For thrill-seekers looking for what to see in Costa Rica, Santa Teresa Beach boasts year-round high swells. Surfing conditions here are excellent. Nearby is the small settlement of Malpais, where you can relax if you are tired of too many impressions on the beach.

3. Venado Caves (Venado Village)


Bizarre outlines of the Venado Cave

Thinking about what to see in Costa Rica? The caves of Venado deserve your attention. Tourists are amazed by the guides’ message that the age of the caves reaches 20 million years, and that they were under water for a long time. The caves appeared on the surface due to tectonic activity. After the surface of the earth began to move under water, the caves gradually moved upward.

For many centuries they were inhabited by aborigines, settling as much as possible. This is a natural landmark of Costa Rica, formed from beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. Here you can see plenty of amazing corals. The structure of the caves is limestone, their arches are compressed to the state of dense stone. An underwater river flows in the cave, which gives its arches the most bizarre shapes.

By booking an excursion to the Venado Caves, you can admire the fossilized remains of marine animals and meet hordes of bats. They inhabit these gloomy underground labyrinths, and their whole life is spent in complete darkness. Staying in a cave, as they say, tickles the nerves, but professional guides do not let travelers get scared, drawing their attention to new details. The tour ends with a group selfie.

4. Arenal Volcano (Alajuela Province)


Arenal Volcano and its surroundings

Arenal Volcano is active. It is interesting because it is located in a mountain with perfectly regular conical outlines. Nature has decreed that in the dark the volcano is illuminated with “neon” longitudinal stripes. When an eruption occurs, the lava completely illuminates the surroundings. The height of the volcano above sea level is 1670 m.

Scientists suggest that the volcano's first eruption occurred 7,000 years ago and lasted for more than 30 years. Since then, explosive eruptions, extremely spectacular, have occurred here every few hundred years. Last thing powerful eruption it happened in 1968 after the earthquake. Powerful lava flows erupted continuously for several days. They covered 15 square kilometers of terrain. Then 80 local residents and 10 rescuers died.

Interestingly, after the 1968 eruption, several other craters formed near the volcano. The village, located on the mountainside, was completely destroyed. Currently, scientists periodically note the activity of the volcano. For example, in 2011, a smoke screen was recorded at the top of Arenal.

5. Corcovado National Park (Puntarenas province)


The pristine beauty of Corcovado Park

The province of Puntarenas is close to the Pacific Ocean. This is where one of the main attractions of Costa Rica is located - Corcovado Park. It is located on the Osa Peninsula. The park area is almost completely covered wild forest. There has never been any cutting down of trees here, so the area is rightly considered a protected area. The flora and fauna in Corcovado are extremely diverse.

The first settlers began to appear here only in the mid-seventies of the last century. The park has been preserved in its pristine beauty. There are more than 500 species of different trees here. The famous 70-meter cotton tree, located in the park, has a diameter of 3 meters.

The park will be interesting for those who are interested in ornithology. In particular, 400 species of birds can be found here, including several especially rare ones. For example, the population of red macaws feels at ease here. In addition, the rare glass frog is also an inhabitant of local forests. Among the mammals in the park you can find ocelots and jaguars. Everyone's favorite sloths also live in Corcovado. In the park, to the delight of tourists, there are many monkeys.

If you are thinking about what to see in Costa Rica, then the Salsipuedes Cave, located in the park, will leave an indelible impression on you. There is a legend that the countless treasures of the famous navigator Francis Drake hidden on this island. In 1579, F. Drake stayed in one of the bays of the peninsula. This happened during his trip around the world.

Feel the atmosphere of Costa Rica in this beautiful video!

6. La Fortuna Falls (Alajuela Province)


La Fortuna waterfall with wild nature in the background

Natural attractions of Costa Rica include La Fortuna Falls, located in the Arenal National Park. The waterfall is 75 m high, but the water flow is not wide, so there are always a lot of swimmers at the foot. In addition, the place has become a favorite for those who prefer picnics in the wild. The place where the waterfall falls is surrounded by large stones. A cool and very clean lake formed at its very foot.

Interestingly, the waterfall can be admired both from below and from above. A narrow path leads up, and you can not only walk along it, but also ride a horse. Locals We are happy to provide this opportunity to tourists.

A waterfall is used as an object tourism infrastructure. At its base on top there is Observation deck, giving travelers the opportunity to enjoy a fabulously beautiful view of the surrounding area. The site is safe, it is fenced with a strong mesh and stable railings.

7. Gold Museum (San Jose)


Golden Indian figurines from the Gold Museum

What to see in Costa Rica? Of course, the Gold Museum. It is located next to cathedral in San Jose. The exhibition includes jewelry and religious objects made by Indian craftsmen. Among the exhibits there are rarities made 500 years before the birth of Christ. In addition, exhibits dating back to the 16th century, when the Spaniards first arrived in the city, are of particular value. In total, the museum has approximately 2,000 exhibits.

There are household items, ritual figurines, and jewelry. Tourists are delighted with the shields made of pure gold, the size of a man. The fabulous figures of birds captivate with their particularly delicate ornamentation.

At the same time, the museum represents one of the saddest pages in the history of Costa Rica. The fact is that many jewelry and unique household items belonging to the indigenous population were simply transported by the conquistadors into ingots, since it was more convenient to transport them to Spain. Some things, however, have been preserved, so the museum is under special state protection. It is one of Costa Rica's most famous cultural attractions.

8. Tortuga Island


View of Tortuga Island

When thinking about what to visit in Costa Rica, you should not ignore the idyllic island of Tortuga, which is a place of pilgrimage for tourists from all over the world. Of all the peninsulas and islands in Costa Rica, this is the most desirable. However, there are no hotels on it, and you cannot pitch tents here.

What attracts tourists there? The azure ocean and silky sand of the beach are the main advantages of the island. In fact, Tortuga consists of two islands: Alcatraz and Tolinga, but the local population has adopted the name Turtle Island. The water here is not just clean, it has the color of sapphire.

On the island you can endlessly enjoy the sun and sand or book a variety of excursions. One of the most favorite entertainments for tourists is a trip on a glass-bottomed boat, which gives a happy opportunity to admire the beauty of the underwater world.

There are quite a lot of places where you can eat. Inexpensive and uncrowded cafes are part of the tourist infrastructure. Tired of the sun, you can relax in a coconut grove in the beneficial shade. The island is rocky, so in the 17th century it served as a shelter for buccaneer hunters.

9. Hot springs (Tabakon)


Hot springs at the Tabacon resort

Among those natural attractions that you must visit in Costa Rica are the hot springs at the Tabacon resort. They are pools of different shapes with thermal water. The hotel itself promises luxurious service, which is enhanced by the extraordinary beauty of nature.

The water in the hottest pools has a temperature of 42 degrees Celsius. They are closest to the Arenal volcano. In those pools that are located on the territory of the resort, the water has a temperature of no more than 27 degrees Celsius. As a rule, tourists move from one pool to another, which enhances the therapeutic effect of the contrasting temperature.

The history of the origin of these pools is interesting. Water originates in clouds. This is nothing more than rainwater falling into crevices in the earth's crust. In the immediate vicinity of the Arenal volcano, water is pushed to the surface.

What do Tourists see at the resort? There is a lot of lush tropical vegetation here, which does not at all give the impression of some kind of wild thicket. The hotel has a staff of 50 people whose responsibility is to care for the local green spaces. Well-groomed paths lined with beautiful plants lead from one pool to another. Everywhere tourists are surrounded by natural beauty, enriched by man.

10. Chirripo National Park (Cerro Chirripo)


Mountain lakes of Chirripo Park

The park is located at an altitude of 3820 meters above sea level. Staying in the park is very comfortable. There is always a pleasant coolness here. The nature in the park is diverse, but tourists are most attracted to dwarf trees.

Translated, the name of the park means “eternal waters.” It comes from several mountain lakes scattered throughout the park.

The only way to get to Chirripo Park is on foot. The path is safe, but the journey is long and tiring. However, after crossing it, you will be able to admire the sunrise over the Caribbean.

Sights of Costa Rica: what else to visit while in Costa Rica

To say that they are interesting is to say nothing, because here tourists can get acquainted with truly exotic animals, monuments of ancient times and incredibly beautiful views. Our list will give you the opportunity to get at least a general idea of ​​the best attractions, so that later it will be easy to decide where to go first and what to leave “for later”.

11. Zoo named after. Simon Bolivar (San Jose)


Zoo crocodiles

The San José Zoo is one of Costa Rica's most iconic attractions. It was founded in 1919. During the entire operation of the zoo, the Ministry of Conservation environment paid special attention to ensuring that animals were kept in conditions as close as possible to natural ones.

Here you could see jaguars and lions, not in cages, but in cozy open enclosures. In total, the zoo is home to 400 species of different animals, fish and birds, as well as an impressive collection of snakes. Moreover, in the serpentarium there are especially rare snakes - multi-colored ones. The pride of the zoo was large collection parrots, which are also provided with comfortable living conditions.

In 2013, the government intended to close the zoo. Environment Minister Rene Castro intended, in his words, to “awaken the environmental conscience of Costa Ricans.” He, in particular, stated that keeping animals in enclosures and cages is inhumane. The government's initiative was for all 400 species of fish, birds and animals to be distributed to sanctuaries or released to wildlife.

However, his opponent was the director of the zoo, Yolanda Matamoros. The woman harshly criticized the minister, saying that the country does not have the means to distribute such a large number of animals to different points. She was especially outraged by the idea of ​​releasing already domesticated animals into the wild.

Later, the idea of ​​turning the zoo into a Botanical Garden appeared. However, it continues to function to this day. For tourists, this is one of the most interesting sites in the country.

12. Lake Arenal (90 km from San Jose)


Lake Arenal is a place of various entertainments

The lake is located at an altitude of 600 meters above sea level. It is located next to the Arenal volcano, which is located on the southeastern coast. In 1979 there were construction works at the dam of the local hydroelectric power station. This caused the water in the lake to almost triple. At the same time, several local settlements were subject to flooding.

The area of ​​the lake is 80 square kilometers. This is the largest fresh water reserve in the region. The lake provides water not only to San Jose, but also to Gaunacast. A wide variety of entertainment is offered to tourists in the lake area all year round. Here you can go organized fishing or windsurfing.

In addition, kayak and boat tours are regularly carried out on the lake. For surfers, the lake is interesting because there is a constant wind load here. You can also go mountain biking in the area around the lake.

13. Butterfly Farm (Puntarenas)


Butterfly farm - home of lovely creatures

At the butterfly farm in the province of Puntarenas you can see butterflies of all kinds. This is one of those attractions that almost all tourists want to see in Costa Rica. The journey to the farm is accompanied by a professional guide. You can listen to a whole story about each butterfly.

The accompanying people talk about how the butterflies hatch from the cocoon and what living conditions they need. The farm is located in Monteverde Park. Tourists can expect to see not only beautiful colorful butterflies, but also many exotic plants.

The farm is one of the undoubted attractions of Costa Rica. Butterflies are raised here not only for scientific purposes. This is a real business, since such an original gift as a butterfly in a box is gaining more and more popularity around the world.

14. Monteverde National Park (Monteverde)


Suspension bridge in Monteverde Park

The province is located at an altitude of 1200 meters above sea level in the Cordillera. For tourists, this area is attractive because of its forests, which are always shrouded in fog. In them you can admire flora and fauna untouched by humans.

Monteverde National Park has become a natural attraction of Costa Rica and one of the most sought-after destinations for popular eco-tourism. This biological reserve is home to over 400 species of birds and 100 species of mammals.

As for plants, there are more than two and a half thousand species here. There are hiking trails throughout the park that are invisible at first glance. They are laid through the thickets of the forest, so making your way through them is especially interesting.

In addition, the park has several suspension bridges, from which you can admire the tops of the trees, which are always covered with gray clouds.

15. Cocos Island (Puntarenas)


The lush jungle of Cocos Island

Of all the uninhabited islands in the Pacific Ocean, Cocos is the largest. It is separated from the coast of the country by 360 miles. The fauna of the island is under protection; since 1997, Cocos Island has been included in the list of UNESCO sites.

Why is this natural attraction of Costa Rica interesting to tourists? Of course, lush jungles, making your way through which is a real adventure. In addition, the seabed near the island is dotted with volcanic rocks, on which algae writhe intricately.

It is noteworthy that gold played a big role in the history of the island. In the 16th century, the warriors of the Tauantinsuyu Empire were armed with swords made of real gold, and the central square of the main city on the island was surrounded by a huge chain, also made of precious metal.

There is a legend according to which the disappeared gold of the Incas is hidden on this island. For example, August Gissler, a German explorer and founder of the colony on Cocos Island, searched for this gold for 20 years. However, his search was unsuccessful.