Many people think of paradise the moment Costa Rica is mentioned. Indeed this is a place of great natural beauty, varied animal habitat, crashing blue waves, friendly locals (who call themselves ticos) and a slow pace of life.
In 1949 Costa Rica permanently abolished its army. It is the only Latin American country included in the list of the world’s 22 oldest democracies. Currently it is ranked 3rd in the world and 1st in the Americas in terms of the 2010 Environmental Performance Index.
Every year 1.5 million tourists visit Costa Rica and most of them vow to return. If you want to go – the best time to visit is during the dry season from December to April. During this time it rains the least, but from December to February Costa Rican school kids are on holiday, which mean the beach towns are busy, especially on weekends.
Some areas are hotter and drier than others, like the famous Guanacaste province and areas close to the Nicaraguan border, while others are cool and often misty – the Central Valley and the Highlands.
Because this magical Shangri-la is so popular it is no longer cheap. Travel costs are significantly higher than in other Central American countries, although still cheaper than both US and UK. US dollars are widely accepted and are fine to use as long as you don’t mind sometimes getting change in the local currency (the colon) .
If you are into nature and wildlife you will love this place. Nowhere else in the world are so many types of habitat squeezed into such a tiny area.
Costa Rica has an amazing diversity of flora and fauna and even driving around the countryside often turns into a mini safari. Come and see for yourself!
