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Don’t be surprised if, when you’re in Costa Rica, someone answers with the phrase ‘pura vida’ when you ask them how they are. Translating to ‘pure life’, it sums up the country’s positive and carefree outlook, as well as referring to its very existence. Life here is pure; as one of the most biodiverse places on the planet, it’s home to around half a million different species, which thrive on its incredible, fertile terrain – that’s a staggering 5% of all the species on Earth. This is largely thanks to Costa Rica’s 12 ecosystems, spanning from the oceans to the mountains, and ranging from tropical and cloud forest to mangroves, wetlands and coral reefs.
In addition, its climate is a mix of wet and dry seasons, which helps support the vast variety of flora and fauna that have evolved there. The volcanic soil in turn contributes to the country’s lush plant life, resulting in astonishingly vivid, emerald-green landscapes. In short, this is one of the most absorbing, beautiful and fascinating places in the world to visit; a once-in-a-lifetime destination, where you could be ziplining through treetops, coming face to face with jaguars, sloths or armadillos, or simply relaxing in hot springs and on pristine beaches. Not to mention exploring volcanoes, white water rafting, or diving. Whatever your interests, there’s something for you. Here are the reasons you’ll love Costa Rica…
Incredible wildlife
The country positively teems with animals, marine life, insects, and birds, most of it in the vast swathes of jungle and rainforest. One of the most adorable has to be the sloth, Costa Rica’s national animal, with its elongated arms, wolverine-like claws and bemused, sleepy demeanour.
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Brown-throated sloth
The two main species are the brown-throated sloth, also known as the three-toed sloth, which is easier to spot as it’s more active during the daytime; less prevalent is the nocturnal Hoffman’s two-toed sloth, so sedentary that algae grows on its furry coat. Both types can be found in Manuel Antonio and Tortuguero National Parks; the latter is also home to sea turtles. Between June and October, Atlantic Green turtles come ashore to nest and lay their eggs on the beaches there, while Leatherbacks nest from March to July. Olive Ridley, Loggerhead and Hawksbill turtles all live in the waters off the country’s two coasts, so you may well encounter some while on a boat trip.
One of Costa Rica’s most elusive, but striking, creatures is the jaguar; this endangered big cat is the largest carnivore in Central America, although it is notoriously tricky to spot – you’re more likely to see a footprint than the animal itself. However, it does live in the mangroves and forests of some of Costa Rica’s nature reserves and national parks, so there's always a possibility. The rainforests lining the banks of the Pacuare River are one of the best places to see a jaguar, although you could get lucky while exploring the Tortuguero, Corcovado and Santa Ana National Parks and Monteverde Cloud Forest, where it is also known to make its home.
There's plenty of monkey business in the forests, too; the four you'll see are tiny squirrel monkeys, spider monkeys, white-headed capuchins and, noisiest of all, the howler monkey. As the name suggests, this makes a very distinctive screeching sound, so you will definitely hear it before you see it, swinging between branches. The country’s bird life amounts to around 900 different species, including the toucan – look out for the Keel-billed, with its extraordinary rainbow-coloured bill – and the quetzal. This iridescently-feathered bird was sacred to pre-Columbian civilisations, and it’s an utter thrill to spot one darting around the cloud forest – its deep green, ruby red and bright teal plumage flashing overhead.
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Quetzal
Stunning landscapes
Costa Rica was largely formed by volcanic activity; its dramatic mountains and valleys are the result of the collision of two tectonic plates. Today there are still six active volcanoes, and another 61 which lie dormant or extinct. One of the most distinctive is Arenal, with its perfect cone shape; rising proudly out of the Arenal National Park, you can walk along its base, observing recent lava flows (it last erupted in 2010). It’s fringed by thick forest, which you can explore in greater detail by walking the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges that take you higher into its canopy. Alternatively, you could get your thrills white water rafting on the nearby Balsa River or go kayaking on the man-made lake at the foot of Arenal.
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Arenal Volcano
Cloud forests are a significant natural feature, so-called because they’re usually found at high altitude, where the mist drifts atmospherically downwards into the treetops. They’re packed with wildlife, from armadillos to sloths, red-eyed frogs, pumas and jaguars, as well as more than 200 species of bird. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is a great place to spot any of these; look out, also, for butterfly varieties such as the Blue Morpho, Glass Winged and Heliconius, all found in its charming butterfly gardens. Around 500 species of wild orchid flourish there, too.
For some relaxation on the beach, you have two coastlines to choose from, the Pacific and the Caribbean, both offering powder-soft sand, gently swaying palm trees, and aquamarine waters. Head to Tamarindo and Playa Conchal on the Pacific coast, renowned for their pure-white sands, made up of crushed shells, or to Santa Teresa and Nosara for world-class surfing and a more laid-back vibe. For something different, check out the volcanic black sand beaches of Puerto Viejo or Cahuita on the Caribbean side.
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Costa Rican beach
Depending on which one of the 29 National Parks you visit, you could be peering into a volcano crater, dipping your toes in the ocean, marvelling at a giant tree fern, or walking around archeological ruins. One of the best parks is Carara, where the convergence of two unique ecosystems – tropical and dry Pacfic – makes it the perfect habitat for some unusual creatures, such as the giant anteater and poison-arrow frogs. Carara is also home to more than 400 types of bird, including the dusky pink Roseate Spoonbill, and the Green-backed Heron. If you love hiking, Corcovado National Park offers dozens of atmospheric trails, winding through forests to mangroves and secluded beaches.
Vibrant culture
Among all the incredible nature, Costa Rica has plenty of culture to offer, too. In the capital, San José, where most trips begin and end, you’ll find everything from splendid, colonial-era architecture to fascinating galleries and museums, and fashionable restaurants and bars. Take a trip to the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, where you’ll see coins, jewellery and other precious items alongside maps and exhibits from the centuries before Columbus arrived, or the National Museum, home to a variety of exhibits on indigenous artefacts, colonial history, and the country's independence.
The National Theatre is outstanding; modelled on the Paris Opera House, it’s known for its grandiose interiors, ornate proscenium arches and ornate winged statues. Shop for souvenirs at the city’s Mercado Central, with stalls lining its narrow, maze-like alleyways selling everything from traditional herbal medicines to textiles, crafts and food. Don’t miss a lunch stop at a 'soda' a small Costa Rican restaurant serving classic local dishes.
Your trip will be sound-tracked by traditional music floating out of every cafe in San José, from calypso to marimba, and of course Costa Rica is one of the world’s leading coffee producers, thanks to its rich volcanic soil and high altitudes. Stop for a cortado at Cafeoteca, which offers more than 20 kinds from the country's eight coffee-growing regions, or Franco, known for its minimalist design and dedicated to serving the perfect cup of joe. Salud!
Top image credit: AWLimages.com
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