Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a small but remarkable country in Central America, known for its breathtaking nature, rich biodiversity and progressive environmental policies. It lies between Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south and borders the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean to the east.
Facts
Costa Rica is translated as “rich coast”. Christopher Columbus suspected rich natural resources such as gold and precious stones here. Nevertheless, it is a prosperous country and is therefore sometimes referred to as the “Switzerland of Central America”.
At its widest point, from the Pacific coast in the west to the Caribbean coast in the east, the country measures around 200 kilometers. At its narrowest point, it is only about 120 km.
Costa Rica’s landscape is extremely diverse and includes tropical rainforests, active volcanoes, misty mountain ranges, lush coastlines, mangrove forests and beautiful beaches. It provides a habitat for an astonishing variety of plant and animal species.
The three-fingered sloth (perezoso) is one of the country’s most characteristic animals and is common in Costa Rica’s rainforests and cloud forests.
Although Costa Rica only makes up around 0.03 % of the Earth’s land mass, it is home to around 5 % of the world’s biodiversity. This natural diversity makes the country a paradise for ecotourism and adventure travel.
Pura Vida is an expression that is closely associated with Costa Rica and is frequently used by both locals and visitors to the country. Translated, “Pura Vida” literally means “pure life” and is more than just an expression. It is an attitude to life that describes the relaxed, joyful and simple happiness that many associate with life in Costa Rica.
Costa Rica prides itself on being one of the most stable and democratic countries in Latin America. After colonization by Spain in the 16th century and as part of the short-lived Central American Confederation, Costa Rica declared its independence as a separate nation in 1838.
The government is strongly committed to environmental protection and sustainability and is implementing measures to protect natural resources and biodiversity. A large part of the country is protected by national parks and reserves and offers visitors the opportunity to experience the rich flora and fauna.
The approximately 5 million inhabitants, the Ticos, are considered friendly, hospitable and proud of their culture. Most of them speak Spanish as an official language and English as a second language.
The cuisine is varied and reflects the different influences of local, Spanish and African traditions. The national dish is gallo pinto, a dish made from rice and beans.
Since the civil war of 1948, the country has dispensed with a permanent military and instead relies on reinforced police forces and a small paramilitary unit for border security and the protection of national sovereignty.
Costa Rica has repeatedly been ranked as one of the happiest countries in the world. This is attributed to factors such as the high life expectancy, the strong social support, the low crime rate and the close connection to nature.
The official currency is the Costa Rica Colón (CRC), named after Christopher Columbus (Cristóbal Colón). In addition to colónes, US dollars are also frequently accepted.
Food & Drinks
Costa Rican cuisine is known for its simplicity, freshness and the use of local ingredients such as rice, beans, fresh vegetables and tropical fruits.
Main courses
Gallo Pinto: Traditional breakfast dish made from rice and black or red beans, often with onions, peppers and coriander. It is served with eggs, sour cream, cheese and tortillas.
Casado: The typical lunch consists of rice, beans, plantains, salad and a source of protein (chicken, beef, pork or fish).
Olla de Carne: A savoury beef stew with vegetables such as yucca, potatoes, corn, carrots and pumpkin.
Arroz con Pollo: Rice with chicken, prepared with vegetables, spices and sometimes coriander. Often with salad or crisps.
Chifrijo: Popular dish made from rice, beans, roasted pork (chicharrón) and pico de gallo (tomato salsa).
Sopa Negra: Traditional soup made from black beans, often with eggs and coriander.
Tamales: Corn dough filled with meat, vegetables or beans, wrapped in banana leaves and steamed. Especially popular at Christmas time.
Snacks and side dishes
Patacones: Fried green plantains that are flattened and fried again, often served with dips.
Tortillas de Maíz: Traditional corn patties as an accompaniment to many dishes.
Empanadas: Deep-fried pastries filled with cheese, meat, beans or potatoes.
Ceviche: Fresh, raw fish or seafood, marinated in lime juice, with onions, coriander and paprika.
Pico de Gallo: A fresh salsa made from tomatoes, onions, coriander and lime juice, which is often used as a side dish or dip.
Sweets and desserts
Tres Leches: A moist cake with three types of milk (condensed milk, sweetened condensed milk and cream).
Arroz con Leche: Rice pudding with cinnamon, sultanas and vanilla.
Cajeta de Coco: Sweet made from grated coconut, sugar and spices such as cinnamon.
Chorreadas: Sweet corn pancakes, often served with sour cream or cheese.
Queque Seco: Simple sponge cake, often flavoured with fruit or spices.
Non-alcoholic drinks
Café Costarricense: Costa Rica is known for its high quality coffee. It is often prepared as ‘Café Chorreador’ (through a traditional cloth filter) and served plain or with milk.
Agua Dulce: Traditional hot drink made from melted panela (dried sugar cane juice) and hot water. Particularly popular in rural areas.
Frescos Naturales (Batidos): Fresh fruit juice made from tropical fruits such as pineapple, mango, papaya, watermelon, passion fruit or cas (sour apple), mixed with water or milk.
Horchata: Sweet drink made from rice, milk, sugar, cinnamon and sometimes nuts, similar to Mexican horchata.
Chan: A refreshing drink made from chan seeds (similar to chia seeds), which are softened in water and served with lemon and sugar.
Chocolate Caliente: Hot chocolate, often made from locally grown cocoa, traditionally prepared and flavoured with cinnamon.
Te Frío de Frutas: Iced tea, often flavoured with tropical fruits such as passion fruit or mango.
Alcoholic drinks
Guaro: A clear sugar cane spirit that is considered the national drink. It is used neat or as a base for cocktails such as ‘Guaro Sour’.
Guaro Sour: A popular cocktail made with guaro, lime juice, sugar and sometimes soda.
Cerveza Costarricense: Local beers such as Imperial, Pilsen or Bavaria are very popular and are often drunk ice cold.
Ron Centenario: A high-quality rum from Costa Rica that can be enjoyed neat or in cocktails.
Chiliguaro: A spicy shot made from guaro, mixed with tomato juice, lime, Tabasco and spices – similar to a small Bloody Mary.
Vino de Coyol: Fermented drink made from the sap of the Coyol palm, which is traditionally produced in some regions of Costa Rica.
Sights
Travel time
Costa Rica has a varied climate that varies depending on the region and altitude. In general, the climate can be divided into two seasons: The dry season and the rainy season.
Dry season
The dry season usually lasts from December to April. During these months, there are sunny days and only occasional rain showers in most parts of the country. This is often the most popular travel time for tourists as the weather is ideal for exploring beaches, national parks and other outdoor activities.
Rainy season
The rainy season lasts from May to November. During this time, it usually rains every day, especially in the afternoon and evening. However, the rainy season also brings with it a lush green landscape and makes it possible to observe animal migrations and enjoy less crowded tourist attractions.
Events
Turtle season
May – October: Best chances to observe the hatching of turtles (Guanacaste, Osa Peninsula, Tortuguero & Manzanillo)
Green sea turtles:
December – March: Egg laying of the green sea turtles (Guanacaste & Osa Peninsula)
December – May: Hatching of the green sea turtles (Guanacaste & Osa Peninsula)
June – November: Egg laying of the green sea turtles (Tortuguero & Manzanillo)
July – December: Hatching of the green sea turtles (Tortuguero & Manzanillo)
Leatherback turtles:
February – July: Egg laying of the leatherback turtles (Tortuguero & Manzanillo)
April – September: Hatching of the leatherback turtles (Tortuguero & Manzanillo)
Olive ridley turtles:
July – December: Olive ridley turtles lay their eggs (Guanacaste & Osa Peninsula)
September – February: Hatching of olive ridley turtles (Guanacaste & Osa Peninsula)
Hawksbill turtles:
May – August: Loggerhead turtles (Tortuguero & Manzanillo)
April – October: Hawksbill turtles (Guanacaste, Osa Peninsula, Tortuguero & Manzanillo)