ABOUT COSTA RICA
Costa Rica is a small Central American country wedged between Nicaragua and Panama. Its beaches are washed by the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Caribbean Sea on the other. Both the natural beauty and the monuments of the gold deposits are worth visiting.
INFORMATION:
time shift: winter - 7 hours / summer - 8 hours
Currency: Costa Rican Colon (CRC)
airline: Air France, Condor, Iberia, Lufthansa
flight time: from 2 p.m
CLIMATE:
The high season in Costa Rica runs from December to April, when there is the least rainfall. From May to November is the rainy season in Costa Rica. However, it depends on which coast it is, and in recent years it has not been 100% true. For example, in the Caribbean, September and October are the TOP times of the year. Temperatures are similarly around 25-30°C throughout the year except in the mountainous regions where temperatures hover around 15-20°C.
LANGUAGE:
The official language in the country is Spanish. You can also communicate in English in tourist locations.
CURRENCY AND MONEY EXCHANGE:
The main currency unit is the Costa Rican colon (CRC). We recommend USD for exchange. Money exchange is most reliable at the airport or at banks or authorized exchange offices. Credit cards as well as traveler's checks are commonly accepted.
ELECTRICITY:
In hotels, an electric current with a voltage of 100-127 V is used. The sockets have flat sockets, so an adapter is necessary.
VISA AND ENTRY FORMALITIES:
Visa-free travel to Costa Rica applies. A citizen of the Czech Republic, holder of a valid passport or travel card, can enter the territory of Costa Rica without a visa and stay there for a period not exceeding 90 days from the date of entry.
Costa Rica is a real paradise. You will find both tropical forests and beautiful sandy beaches and more than 100 volcanoes, 10 of which are still active. It's hard to pick the best spots, but definitely don't miss these.
1. Tortuguero National Park – mini Amazonia
Tortuguero National Park is proud of its varied biodiversity and thanks to 11 different types of environment (rainforest, mangroves, swamps, beaches, lagoons...) it is called a mini-Amazonia. With an area of 31,174 ha, it is home to about 400 species of birds, 60 known species of frogs, 30 species of freshwater fish, 3 species of monkeys and also endangered manatees. Tortuguero is also the most important green sea turtle breeding site in the entire Caribbean. Approximately 40,000 individuals arrive here during the egg-laying season. Only eight species of sea turtles live in the whole world, of which six nest in Costa Rica and four in Tortuguero. Even though Tortuguero is less accessible and you can only get there by boat, plane or helicopter, it rightfully belongs among the most beautiful and most visited national parks in Costa Rica.
2. Cahuita National Park – paradise under the sea level
Cahuita National Park is a vast marine reserve southeast of Limón. Preserved Costa Rican coral reefs provide refuge for many species of fish and turtles. But definitely make time to visit the park and start really early in the morning (the park opens at 7am). This way you increase the chance of seeing many animals such as armadillos, snakes, snakes, basilisks and many other species. There is a hiking trail along the beach, but it tends to be impassable at high tide, so it's a good idea to find out about the current situation before you set off.
Admission is voluntary, but most people donate around $10. Beaches with azure blue water are close to the trail, so don't miss swimming.
3. Puerto Viejo - Relaxed Caribbean Life "Pura vida"
Puerto Viejo is a small resort town in Limon province on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica known for its picturesque beaches. You will strongly perceive a strong Rastafarian footprint here.
In addition to relaxing on the famous Caribbean beaches, you can also look forward to easy trips to local jungles, rainforests or national parks. We will taste the best quality cocoa, bananas and coffee at the plantation. If you want to continue exploring the Caribbean coast, you can take a walk in Punta Uva.Another tourist attraction can be found in Manzanillo. Here you will find the start of the coastal path along which you will discover a number of lost beaches. The trail goes all the way to Punta Mona.
4. Manuel Antonio National Park
The beach in Manuel Antonio National Park on the Pacific coast is definitely not to be missed. Not everything in Costa Rica is just jungle. The park is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean, not far from the city of Quepos. Picturesque bays, sandy beaches, tropical forest, where the impressive scenery is complemented by high mountains in the background. The entrance to the park is separated from the village of the same name by the river Río Camaronera. After approximately half an hour's walk, you will reach the first beach with tide pools, Playa Ospadilla Sur, which is an ideal place not only for snorkeling. You can already see most of the animals living here. You will meet howlers, marmosets and monkeys, maybe even sloths, ocelots, iguanas, toucans, parakeets, macaws and dolphins and many others.
5. Monteverde - walk or fly through the treetops in the jungle. The Monteverde Cloud Forest is not only a paradise for ornithologists, who can spot hummingbirds, toucans or the elusive crested jays, but also for orchid lovers. More than 1000 species of this plant grow in Costa Rica. Most of them can be found in the Monteverde reservation. Another big attraction of the park, however, are the so-called canopy tours, i.e. trips to the treetops. It is often an adrenaline rush that you will never forget. You can either walk calmly through the crowns of the trees, or you can run down them while hanging on a rope. In both cases, you will have the opportunity to observe the jungle from an unusual perspective. A rush of adrenaline, unique views and an unforgettable experience are guaranteed. Few would associate Monteverde with cheese production, as the Quaker cheese factory in the middle of the Costa Rican fog is a rarity that should not be missed.
6. Arenal Volcano – the most visited volcano in the country
The most active and famous volcano in Costa Rica is the Arenal volcano. It has a perfect cone shape and people often call it nothing other than "Pan de Azúcar", meaning a sweet sandwich. Until October 2010, it presented a spectacular spectacle almost every day in the form of spewing massive columns of dust and smoke. With an impressive thunder, it provided a view of streams of red-hot lava rolling down the slopes, then suddenly fell silent and is currently resting quietly without any sign of activity. Even so, the view of perhaps the most impressive volcano in Costa Rica is worth it. Due to the large number of active volcanoes in Costa Rica, you will find many thermal springs. They have different temperatures and contain many minerals. Even at the foot of Arenal you will find thermal baths such as the famous Tabacón hot springs.
7. Poás volcano – chameleon lake In addition to Arenal, active volcanoes in Costa Rica also include Irazú, Rincón de la Vieja, Turrialba and Poás volcano, which has three craters. The highest one completely merges with the side and is shrouded in fog. There is a lake in the second crater, and only the lowest, 1.5-kilometer-wide crater, is still active. At its bottom, a hot, muddy lake bubbles, which changes color like a chameleon. Based on the chemical composition of gaseous exhalations, they change color from milky to turquoise to gray. But that's not all. The fissures at the bottom of the crater are the paths through which the surface water penetrates underground and is heated there. It then comes back suddenly enriched with gases in the form of geysers.
8. Montezuma – a town in a bend
If you are looking for peace and all the pleasures of life, then you have come to the right place.
Montezuma is a really stylish colorful town, a small paradise located on a beautiful beach surrounded by palm trees with colorful houses full of cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops and surf rental shops. Local dreadlocks sell their handmade jewelry here. From the city of Jacó, the journey to Montezuma is considerably faster and more pleasant, but unfortunately at a several times higher price. On the edge of Montezuma is the ASVO Montezuma turtle capture station, which is definitely worth a visit. In order to be lucky enough to meet the turtles, it is best to inform yourself in advance directly on their website or contact the station via Instagram, where they also respond very quickly. Another excursion option is a cruise to explore the surrounding islands.
9. Corcovado National Park – Costa Rica's greatest jewel
If there is one place you must visit in Costa Rica, it is Corcovado. With an area of more than 400 square kilometers, making it the largest park in the country, this large nature reserve has incredible biodiversity. The primary forest was spared from massive deforestation in the 20th century. The vast area and the real primary forest are two factors that explain why you can find here big animals like jaguar, puma, tapir... you should stay at least one night in the park to enjoy an immersive experience from a night spent searching for animals of all kinds. As for the entrance to the park, it is very expensive and a guide is mandatory. Someone may tell you that you can go without a guide, but it is not possible.
10. Cerro Chirripo National Park – unforgettable views from the clouds
If you dream of climbing the highest point in Costa Rica, I have some tips for you. Cerro Chirripo is the highest mountain of the Cordillera de Talamanca with an altitude of 3820 m.a.s.l. and is located in the Cerro Chirripo park of the same name. This trip will take you to an unforgettable view of the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea at the same time, but I warn you that it will be at the cost of some physical effort. You can start this trek from two points, from San Jeronimo or from San Gerardo (at an altitude of 1300 m.a.s.l.). It's easy to get there by bus from the capital or the Pacific coast via San Isidro de El General. You will then need to obtain a permit to enter the park at a cost of $18 per day. The number of places per day is very limited, so you must make a reservation several weeks in advance. The ascent of the Cerro Chirripo Trek is usually divided into two days with an overnight stay at Crestones Hut. Estimate $30 per night including meals.
11. Rio Celeste – azure river
Voloro Tenorio National Park, home of this azure river, is located two hours from La Fortuna. The park opens at 8:00 a.m. and admission is $10. You can park right in front of the park for one or two euros. In this case, it is really good to choose the day of your visit according to the weather, because in case of rain or without sun rays, the specific blue color will not show you. Again, I recommend being at the park early and heading to the park as soon as it opens. This will allow you to fully enjoy everything in peace without people and try to observe the animals that live here.
The azure river will accompany you through the entire park. If you arrive in the morning, start with the circuit first so that the sun's rays have time to illuminate the water surface. Along the way, enjoy riverside spots and views of the majestic Tenorio Volcano. The path also leads to the “Laguna Azul” which, as the name suggests, could not be more blue.
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