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About Costa Rica
Peaceful, democratic Costa Rica is one of the world’s more prosperous developing countries and is currently the focus of international attention for its incredible biodiversity. Historically, Costa Rica has avoided armed conflicts that have engulfed neighboring nations, and has concentrated on improving life for its citizens. The development of a modern welfare state has resulted in Costa Rica's having good health care, a good standard of living, and high literacy rates.
With jaguars, resplendent quetzal birds and green tree top frogs as its kings and queens, exuberant rainforests as its baroque palaces and crystalline raging rivers and majestic volcanoes as its power, Costa Rica (the ¨rich coast¨) has defined a new meaning for wealthy!!
In Costa Rica, visitors will have the privilege to enjoy an assortment of sceneries and ecosystems within a very short drive: dense rainforests were electric blue Morphos and Resplendent Quetzals fly over green baby leaves and fresh flower dew, tropical dry forests were century old trees lit the vistas with pink, yellow and orange splashes, mystic volcanoes with smoky craters were rare sub-alpine dwarf vegetation breathe, golden coasts were surfers will slide through luscious warm sparkling waves and deep blue waters were scuba divers will discover an enchanted world of colorful corals, green sea turtles, blue whales and crowds of mantas. Read a Brief History of Costa Rica.
Costa Rica's National Parks
The fact that more than one million tourists visit Costa Rica each year does not happen by chance. Our country, located in Central America, is an isthmus where life seems to have created its roots. Covering only 0.03% of the surface of our planet, Costa Rica has approximately 6% of the world's biodiversity. Costa Rica protects approximately 25 percent of its national territory in national parks, wildlife reserves, forest preserves and private reserves.
Geography
Rugged highlands are found throughout most of the country, ranging from approximately 1,000 to 2,000 meters (3,000 to 6,000 feet above sea level). The Guanacaste Mountain Range, Central Mountain Range, and Talamanca Mountain Range are the main mountain ranges extending the entire length of the country. There are several active volcanoes (Arenal Volcano, Irazu Volcano, Rincon de la Vieja Volcano and Turrialba Volcano) and the country’s highest mountain (Chirripo Hill) with a height of 3,819 m/12,530 ft. The country has a relatively long coastline in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, as well as a number of rivers and streams that attract specialist kayakers and rafters from all over the world.
Climate
Costa Rica’s year round climate is pleasant with naturally occurring breezes, cooling down most of the coastal areas. Temperatures in the highlands and mountains are not so cold, especially during day, producing an 'eternal spring' feeling. The average annual temperatures range from 31.7°C (89°F) on the coast to 16.7°C (62°F) inland. The rainy or green season lasts from May to December with noticeably drier days during the rest of the year.
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