Costa Rica tops most lists for one of the best places to travel for a thrilling eco focused vacation. The country’s dedication to preserving its thriving biodiversity and stunning wildlife make it an incredible destination for sustainable travelers, hikers, birders, photographers, sun lovers and explorers
Here are our top 10 interesting facts about Costa Rica:
Where is Costa Rica Located?
Costa Rica is a Central American country located between Panama and Nicaragua. It borders Panama to the south and Nicaragua to the North. It has 1290 kms of coastline with approximately 300 km of coast on the Caribbean Sea and 1,000 kms on the Pacific Ocean.
Where is the Capital City of Costa Rica?
The capital city of Costa Rica is San Jose. It is located in the Central Valley region and is the main political, transport, and economic hub of the country. San Jose has an estimated population of 360,000 as of 2021.
The city covers a total area of 44 square kilometers. It has an elevation of between 800-1500 meters above sea level.
Is Costa Rica Safe to Visit?
Costa Rica is one of the safest countries to visit in the Americas. The country has minimal records of violent crimes. However, some regions record instances of money laundering and drug trafficking.
Costa Rica has a very stable democratic government, a fair judicial system, and socioeconomic diversity.
Costa Rica celebrates 74 years without a military. The decision was made in 1948 to divert defense spending to improve education and health care, and to ensure a durable social safety net. This experiment has proven successful as Costa Rica maintains high levels of political stability and economic prosperity.
As of 2019, Costa Rica was one of the most visited countries in Central America, with over 3 million visitors annually.
What is the Population of Costa Rica?
Costa Rica has a population of 5.2 million as of January 2022. The country is multi-racial, with people of Hispanic, White, Black, and Asian backgrounds.
Why is Costa Rica so Diverse?
Costa Rica has a rich biodiversity. It is home to the greatest quantity of plants and animals in the world. There are over 500,000 wildlife species, most of them considered rare or endangered. You can explore the various national parks and other areas of dense rainforest to view different species.
If birdwatching is one of your favorite activities, Costa Rica offers the perfect setting for exotic birds. It has over 900 bird species, most of them unique and not found in other countries.
What is the Climate of Costa Rica?
Costa Rica experiences a cool climate and abundant rain all year round. The higher mountain ranges have a warm temperate climate, while the Pacific slopes experience alternating dry and wet seasons.
The capital city, San Jose, experiences ample rainfall and moderate temperatures all year round.
The south-western coastal regions, particularly the Osa Peninsula, can be very hot and humid, while northern central regions like Monteverde can be cooler. Monteverde is home to the famous cloud forests, where it can rain multiple times a day in between wonderful sunny stretches.
How is the Culture of Costa Rica?
Costa Rica has a vibrant culture with a blend of indigenous and Spanish colonial influence. The people of Costa Rica are generally laid back, happy, and friendly. They have unique artistic expressions in the form of cinema, music, and dance.
Costa Rica has preserved its traditional cuisine which is centered around vegan food prepared with fresh and natural ingredients.
Costa Rica’s most famous expression is Pura Vida! Used for hello, goodbye, and everything’s ok, it literally means pure life, or simple life, and is the Costa Rican way of celebrating life’s simple pleasures.
What is the Best Time to Visit Costa Rica?
The best time to visit Costa Rica is during the dry season, which runs from December to April. During this period, the country boasts plenty of sunshine and is an ideal time to explore the beaches and rainforests.
The rainy months, mostly from August to October, aren’t the perfect time to explore Costa Rica due to periods of prolonged and extremely heavy rain.
What Is So Unique About Costa Rica?
Costa Rica has sustainability at its core, with wide-reaching, deeply rooted eco-friendly practices in place. 99% of the country’s electricity is generated using renewable energy, mostly from geothermal, solar, biomass, wind, and solar.
25% of land in Costa Rica is under conservation. There are sanctuaries that protect millions of animals, from turtles to birds. The country is dedicated to preserving its eco-diversity and becoming the first carbon-neutral country in the world.
What is the Currency of Costa Rica?
The Costa Rican colón is the currency of Costa Rica and its symbol is ₡. The US dollar is approximately 645 Costa Rican colón.
Other Facts About Costa Rica
Here are more interesting facts about Costa Rica:
- Costa Rica has over 200 volcanic formations, with 5 active volcanoes
- In 2012, Costa Rica was ranked the happiest country in the world. Up to date, Costa Rica ranks among the happiest countries in the world.
- Costa Rica has a relatively high life expectancy of 80 years
