The two Americas you’ve heard of, are a landmass of a pair of continents (namely North and South America) joined together by the Isthmus of Panama. And Central America, which can be spotted on the world map at the southern end of North America is where the Republic of Costa Rica lies.
When looked at through a geographical lens, Nicaragua can be noticed at its arctic end, panama to its Antarctic side, the world’s deepest water body aka Pacific Ocean to the west, and Caribbean Sea at its Eastern end.
Visiting a place for the natural attractions it is gifted with, carries huge importance for discoverers. However, the culture, and its story of evolution is of equal value when there exists a keen interest in finding varying aptitudes among civilizations. Humans have been witnessed (through archaeological findings) to have lived on Costa Rican lands even before Columbus arrived.
And Spanish colonists marked their existence soon after Columbus’s discovery. Down the line, this Spanish colony, along with a few other colonies residing in Central America, separated from Spain and that’s how paths were cleared for Costa Rica to stand independently as a country in 1838. So, with all that has been happening as part of history, this place has now become homeland to diverse cultures (coming from Jamaican and Chinese immigrants, along with native Spanish inheritors).
As part of a bonus point, language barrier is no issue for outlanders willing to visit Costa Rica. And that’s because, tourism turnout has made acknowledgement for the English language feasible than ever. The moment someone lands at San Jose’s International Airport, they’re facilitated with Europe’s leading brand of rental cars, the ‘Jumbo Car’.
Along with providing complementary items like SIM cards, hotspot, cooler, baby accessories, Wi-Fi and the like to make traveling navigation comfortable easier, their staff makes the overall communication user-friendly through the use on English, French and Spanish language.
So, now that you’ve known some facts about the place you’d been planning to discover, and worked out a mental map on how you’ll reach and make your way in, it’s time you’re finally introduced to the destinations you shouldn’t miss going. And, for that, scroll down to read what’s coming ahead.
Things to do in Costa Rica
Depending upon the plan you’re following, it is only possible to visit certain places and gear up for limited activities to be performed within such premises. With that in mind, this article has been written to bring to your notice all that you can do in the shortest, yet standard period of time most travelers choose. Below is a brief, yet informative overview of the places, and relevant fun things you can look up to enjoy.
1. Zip Lining in Manuel Antonio
Zip lining or what is commonly known as Canopy touring in Costa Rica is all about sliding down a zip line while enjoying an overhead view of something exotic (in this case, a jungle). El Santuario is a famous zipline near Manuel Antonio national park which has been rated safe and apt for beginners and families alike.
2. Scuba Diving in Cahuita National Park
Back in the 20th century, this park was mapped out with a plan to preserve one of the world’s largest belt of coral reef (with 35 various existing species) at Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast. And so as it makes sense, this can be a feast for scuba divers coming from different parts of the world to experience seeing something as unique.
3. Canyoning in La Fortuna
If you’re comfortable with swimming, that too in combination with hiking and jumping, you’re a perfect fit for canyoning aka canyoneering. Waterfalls in La Fortuna (to the northwest of San Jose) can be visited for this sport with the country’s leading canyoning company called the ‘Pure Trek’.
4. Munching on Special Costo Recan Treats
Without food, that too something which you can enjoy in certain parts of the world, family vacations seem incomplete. That’s why we suggest that you grab some easily available treats like the Copo, Ceviche, and Horchata during your stay.
You may easily find the first two items from stalls at the coastal sides. And, Horchata is also widely available across the country (although this country’s version is a bit different that others around the world).
5. Experiencing the Wildlife at Corcovado National Park
For animal lovers specifically interested in studying Jaguars, Squirrel Monkeys, Tapirs, and Scarlet Macaws in their natural ecosystems, this is the famous go-to place. This park covers 163 square miles of land; almost a half of Osa Peninsula.
6. Site Seeing Coastal Areas
As mentioned earlier, there are two areas in Costa Rica which have everything to do with water, and that’s where you can definitely find coastal areas as well.
However, to visit two oppositely situated places in restricted time can be hectic. So, the most practical option is to visit either of the two. If you’re in for surfing, you shall pick the Pacific coast, otherwise visit the Caribbean coast for site-seeing national parks.
