Costa Rica: a journey to the tropics

Who would enjoy traveling in Costa Rica, and what makes this country so amazing?

Costa Rica is a small nature reserve country in Central America, located in the narrowest part of the isthmus connecting two continents. First and foremost, this amazing country is famous for its enormous diversity of landscapes: mountain ranges stretch almost across the entire country from north to south, with beautiful beaches and amazing forests in between.

Costa Rica is simply a paradise for fans of eco-tourism: the brilliant green of the forests, unique animals and plants, amazing insects, active volcanoes, the mysterious caves of Barra Honda, waterfalls, and lakes. There is also the uninhabited Cocos Island, where Jurassic Park was filmed, sprawling national parks, and endless sandy beaches with white, golden, and even black sand. If, when planning your trip, you prioritize the opportunity to see the beauty of amazing nature, Costa Rica is what you need.

This country may also be of interest to lovers of antiquities: unique buildings from the colonial era, the beautiful Cathedral, the legendary Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels with its Black Madonna, and numerous museums are just a few of the country's cultural attractions.

Which cities and locations should you visit in Costa Rica?

Despite its small size, Costa Rica is literally packed with attractions that are worthy of travelers' attention.

San José

We usually suggest starting your trip in the capital city, San José. It's right in the middle of Costa Rica, so most tourist routes start here.

In San José, old buildings coexist quite organically with modern glass and concrete structures, creating a unique style. Both in the city itself and in the surrounding area, there is plenty of interesting things for visitors to see:

• the majestic Cathedral,
• the Simón Bolívar Zoo,
• the Gold and Jade Museums,
• and the University Museum of Exotic Insects.

Small markets and streets are filled with a special atmosphere, and in the immediate vicinity of the city, tourists can visit coffee plantations, butterfly farms, and even volcanoes. See this extraordinary atmosphere of Costa Rica in the video.

Carthage

Cartago is a city that has preserved its history. It is also called the "city of thick fog." It was once the capital, and even today, it is here that you can see the most beautiful old houses and ruins of colonial-era buildings.

This city was often shaken by earthquakes, which destroyed most of its unique buildings. But one of them, the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels, survived and is still considered the country's main shrine. Pilgrims from around the world come here to worship the statue of the Black Madonna, who is considered the patron saint of Costa Rica. Cartago is surrounded by picturesque mountains, and the Irazú volcano is located 30 kilometers from the city.

Alajuela

Alajuela is the third largest and one of the most beautiful cities in Costa Rica, preserving its traditional colonial style. In addition to its picturesque architecture, Alajuela's main attraction is the nearby Poás Volcano with its two craters. The smaller crater contains a small lake with cool water. Tourists can approach the very mouth of the volcano and even smell the sulfur coming from its depths.

You can book a hotel in Costa Rica with a discount of up to 65% on the website.

Eredia

Eredia is Costa Rica's coffee capital. Coffee plantations are spread out almost everywhere here. It is precisely for these precious beans for the aromatic drink that you should come here in the first place. Special tours of the plantations allow you to learn about the entire process of producing this popular drink, from growing coffee trees and harvesting beans to brewing coffee and tasting it. The ancient fort is the main local architectural monument.

Puntarenas

Puntarenas is Costa Rica's main seaport and a paradise for ecotourists. It is home to the country's main seaport, from which coffee is shipped all over the world. Beautiful beaches and dense forests, mangrove bushes where crocodiles swim peacefully, herons and other exotic birds – all this natural diversity can be seen in one place. A boat trip around Puntarenas will leave you with unforgettable impressions.

Liberia

Liberia, or "White City," as Costa Ricans call it because of its many white colonial-style buildings. Spanish culture and traditions, such as siesta, have been preserved here much more than in other cities in the country. One of the city's main attractions is the majestic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Liberia is also the starting point for exploring Costa Rica's nature reserves, in particular the Rincón de la Vieja National Park with its fabulous waterfalls and picturesque volcanoes.

Puerto Limón

Puerto Limón is a port city on the east coast. Most of the population are descendants of Jamaicans, whose ancestors once built a railway to the port to facilitate the export of coffee to Europe. As a result, the city bears the mark of African-Caribbean culture, which is unusual for Costa Rica. Puerto Limón is the easiest way to get to Tortuguero National Park, whose main attraction is giant leatherback turtles. Surfers from all over the world flock to Cauteira National Park with its unique beaches. Limón, as the Costa Ricans themselves call it, also offers tourists beautiful coral reefs. However, it is strictly forbidden to take unprocessed coral out of the country.

Quesada

Quesada is one of the largest cities in the north of the country, which will also be of interest to ecotourists: here you can observe the bird world in the Juan Castro Blanco National Park. The Arenal volcano is an hour's drive from the city, and every April an agricultural exhibition is held here, accompanied by a carnival and a horse parade.

Watch the video to see how people live in one of the best countries in the world .

When is the best time to visit Costa Rica?

Costa Rica does not have the four seasons that Europeans are accustomed to. There are only two seasons here: the dry season from December to April and the rainy season from May to November.

However, Costa Rica's climate is generally pleasant throughout the year, making it a great place to visit at any time. The warmest months are March, April, and May, while September and October see the most rainfall. But the extra humidity is offset by the abundance of nature, as this is when the trees begin to bloom. The average temperature in January is +23°C, and in July it is +25°C.

What documents are required to visit Costa Rica?

Citizens of the European Union as well as the United States do not require a visa for tourist travel to Costa Rica. The permitted visa-free stay is up to 90 days (the exact length is determined by immigration authorities upon entry). However, citizens of a number of countries in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East are required to obtain a visa in advance through a Costa Rican consulate.

To enter Costa Rica, you will need:

• a passport valid for the entire duration of your stay;
• a return ticket or a ticket to a third country;
• proof of accommodation booking (at least for the first days of stay);
• medical insurance covering the duration of the trip;
• proof of sufficient financial means (may be requested selectively).

When departing the country, a mandatory exit fee of approximately USD 29 is charged regardless of the mode of transportation.

How to get to Costa Rica?

Most often, tourists fly via Madrid, Paris, Amsterdam, London, or Frankfurt, from where regular and seasonal flights operate to San Jose (SJO) and Liberia (LIR) international airports. Routes with a stopover in the US or Canada are also possible. Ticket prices depend on the season and city of departure, so the best option is to choose flights via major European airports.

All that's left is to pack your suitcase and set off to discover this amazing tropical country!