15 fun facts of Costa Rica I learned during my visit.
The abundance of nature in Costa Rica is truly epic.
The rainforests seem to go on forever, and are home to some awesome wildlife!
There is more to Costa Rica than rainforests though, with the mighty Pacific Ocean creating a surfers paradise all down its west coast, and to the East, you will find a touch of the Caribbean.
These fun facts of Costa Rica will give you some practical knowledge to ensure your visit to the country is full of exciting surprises and beautiful interactions with the charming locals.
I loved my backpacking trip around the country.
You will also find out what ‘Pura Vida’ means to the Costa Rican people.
A perfect setting in La Fortuna.
Splitting two continents.
Costa Rica sits on the Central American Isthmus, a narrow strip of land that bridges North and South America.
I found the location of the country to offer a very unique culture which is a blend of South American influence with American tourism.
The mixture of South American style food with Internationally recognised restaurants throughout the country is fascinating.
Costa Rica’s location has played a significant role in shaping the nation’s biodiversity. It served as a natural corridor for plant and animal migration between the continents, contributing to the country's incredible variety of species.
You really have to visit to believe the extent of the nature on offer.
Rare wildlife and a variety of trees and plants live side by side!
This is ever growing also!
The Costa Rica flag flying in front of the Pacific Ocean.
Conservation Champion.
Over 25% of Costa Rica's land is protected in national parks and reserves, showcasing their commitment to conservation.
Following the opening of the country’s first national park ‘Poas Volcano Park’ in 1955, Costa Rica has since opened a further 28 parks, as the ever growing nature and wildlife is protected as a priority.
During my visit to Volcano Tenorio National Park, I witnessed first hand how seriously the Costa Ricans take sustainability of their rainforests and other natural wonders.
There were strict rules about taking plastic inside the national park, along with other prohibitions such as the use of bug spray, cigarettes and alcohol.
You are always required to stick to the public walkways, which I would advise anyway as we saw a viper, and some poisonous frogs and spiders!
Some of the national parks in Costa Rica cover large distances, with the largest in the country being Corcovado National Park at the size of 164 square miles.
That is a lot of nature!
Enjoying the Volcano Tenorio National Park where the Rio Celeste waterfall is.
An epic film inspiration.
Author Michael Crichton's thriller novel set in Costa Rica, called "Jurassic Park" was inspired by a visit to Costa Rica's Monteverde Cloud Forest.
Although Costa Rica was an inspiration behind the Hollywood blockbuster, it wasn’t the locational used for the film, as it was filmed on the islands of Kauai, Maui, and Oahu in Hawaii.
In the actual movie, the setting was a fictional island on the Pacific Coast very close to Costa Rica though!
There were times during my trip to the beautiful country where I really thought I was in Jurassic Park, especially in Montezuma, where the unique noises from the local “howler monkeys’ sounded like dinosaurs roaring in the jungle.
In certain parts of Costa Rica, the noise from the birds at sunset also makes you feel as though you are on a movie set.
The rainforests are so abundant.
Surfing Paradise.
Costa Rica's coastlines offer world-class waves for surfers of all levels, attracting surfers worldwide. Here are some popular spots:
Tamarindo - This beach town is the undisputed capital of surfing in Costa Rica. It offers consistent waves, a variety of breaks for all skill levels, and plenty of surf camps and schools.
Jaco Beach - The waves here tend to be a bit more powerful than in Tamarindo, making it a good spot for intermediate surfers.
Hermosa Beach - The waves here are known for their long rides and powerful barrels.
I found Tamarindo to be an awesome spot to test out surfing for the first time on my solo trip to Costa Rica, and my instructor ‘Jona’ was so good!
My first ever surf lesson in Tamarindo.
Tamarindo experiences a low tide and high tide at varying times each day, therefore, many beginner’s lessons are planned around this.
Mid-to-high tide is generally considered the best time for beginners to learn to surf in Tamarindo, Costa Rica, for a several reasons:
Gentler Waves - During high tide, the water level is higher, which means the waves tend to be smaller and gentler. This is ideal for beginners who are still getting the hang of paddling, popping up, and riding the wave.
Easier Paddling - With a higher water level, there's more water between you and the seabed. This makes it easier to paddle without getting scraped by the bottom and uses less energy.
Safer Conditions: The shallower water at high tide provides a softer landing if you fall off your board. This is especially important for beginners who are likely to spend more time in the water than experienced surfers.
Watersports lessons are popular on the beaches in Costa Rica.
Birdwatching Paradise.
With over 850 bird species, Costa Rica is a haven for birdwatchers, with opportunities to spot everything from toucans to quetzals.
With nearly 10% of the world's total bird population in Costa Rica, you could enjoy many hours searching the trees through your telescope and binoculars.
You should be on the lookout for the resplendent quetzal, which is a national treasure with stunning emerald green plumage and a fiery red breast.
Another must-see is the keel-billed toucan, easily recognisable by its enormous, brightly coloured beak.
Chris, our tour guide, did a great job of spotting some nests and quirky looking birds.
Using a telescope in the Costa Rican rainforests is like entering a different world!
Searching for wildlife.
A beautiful bird spotted.
Setting the telescope up.
Volcanic Playground.
Over 100 volcanic formations dot the landscape, with some active volcanoes offering breathtaking views (and occasional rumbles).
I will never forget the moment I arrived at La Fortuna and got my first glimpse of Arenal Volcano towering over the small jungle town.
Although the Arenal Volcano is currently dormant, it was not long ago that it was the most active volcano in the country. Between its largest eruption in 1968 and 2010, the volcano had many small eruptions.
The 100,000 people who live within 30km of the Arenal Volcano will be happy that the volcano is now just a beautiful backdrop, and the perfect sunset spot!
Visitors can climb to the top of Arenal to enjoy amazing sights, however, this is currently illegal.
I did not have time on my trip, but wouldn’t have hiked up anyway… or would I ;)
Irazú Volcano is the largest volcano in Costa Rica at the height of 11,260 feet (3,432m).
Arenal volcano view from La Fortuna.
Some important tips for Costa Rica.
Following my visit to Costa Rica I have put together five tips to help you plan your trip:
Be aware that the rainy season runs from May to November and as you can imagine there can be severe rain. Although this is classed as the worst time to visit Costa Rica, I did visit in early May and only experienced minimal rainfall.
Costa Rica is very expensive, so booking your transport and accommodation in advance is likely to save you some money.
I found in many areas of Costa Rica there was very basic English, or none at all, so some basic Spanish will help you during your visit.
Transport will take longer than you would expect due the country’s landscape, poor roads and very slow traffic in some areas.
Dining at a local ‘Soda’ food establishment is cheaper than some of the International restaurant options. I found an awesome street with many sodas during my time in San Jose.
Enjoying Mistico Park Hanging Bridges Park in La Fortuna.
Vibrant Displays.
Due to its proximity to the equator, Costa Rica experiences minimal twilight. The transition from day to night happens quickly, often resulting in more dramatic and colourful sunsets.
My favourite spot to watch the sunset was on the beach in Tamarindo, as I found it to be extra special to watch the Pacific Ocean and sun collide.
In terms of activities at sunset time, you can ride a horse along the beach or sail on a catamaran, both of which offer a spectacular way of welcoming the night.
I personally preferred making the most of the happy hour along the beach bars and enjoyed a nice cold beer with a view!
Sunset in Tamarindo.
One of my other favourite sunset spots is at the top of town in La Fortuna.
The sun setting over the Arenal Volcano offers some beautiful scenery. I got lucky that we happened to be driving in that direction during our commute to the hot springs.
Remember that the sun sets between 5pm and 6pm all year round in Costa Rica.
Sunset over the Arenal Volcano.
Jungle Meets Ocean Backdrop.
The combination of the lush rainforest canopy and the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean creates a unique and beautiful setting for sunsets in Montezuma.
When I was in Montezuma I enjoyed the hiking trails which are set just back from the beach, as I could hear the waves from the Pacific crashing against the shoreline, while hearing the howler monkeys and other forest animals echoing.
It is rare and fascinating to hear this combination!
Montezuma sign in front of the Pacific Ocean.
The beach in Montezuma.
Optical Illusion, Not Chemical Reaction.
Contrary to what some might believe, the blue colour of the Rio Celeste waterfall isn't caused by the presence of a specific chemical compound in the water itself. It's actually an optical phenomenon.
The key player is a mineral called aluminosilicate, which is naturally present in the riverbed.
However, the size of these particles makes all the difference. In its normal state, the aluminosilicate in the Rio Buena Vista (one of the two rivers that merge to form Rio Celeste) is too small to affect the water's colour.
Enjoying Rio Celeste waterfall.
Unlike some of the other impressive waterfalls in Costa Rica, you are not allowed to swim at the Rio Celeste waterfall, so unfortunately you can only marvel at the beautiful watercolour from a distance.
As you head towards the end of the trail in the National Park, you will have the opportunity to see more of the sky blue coloured water, along with the exact point where the two rivers meet.
It is quite the phenomenon seeing two different colour rivers meet randomly, and makes for a picture-perfect setting.
The sky blue water at Volcano Tenorio National Park is beautiful.
Waterfalls Galore.
Costa Rica boasts over 100 waterfalls scattered throughout the country, making it a paradise for waterfall enthusiasts. From cascading giants to hidden gems, there's a waterfall for everyone to explore.
You are going to have to work to enjoy some of the beauty though!
Many of the waterfalls include hiking or steep ascents to reach them, however, this challenge makes the reward so much better. Having a dip at Montezuma waterfalls was the perfect way to cool down!
I found the La Fortuna waterfall to be the trickiest to visit with over 500 steps between the park entrance and the waterfall, and I couldn’t help but think of the journey back up the stairs facing us later on as we descended.
It is a waterfall worthy of such a feat though, so you don’t want to miss it.
You can swim here also!
La Fortuna waterfall.
Two-toed vs. Three-toed.
Costa Rica is home to two sloth species: the brown-throated three-toed sloth and Hoffmann's two-toed sloth. The three-toed sloth is more common and diurnal (active during the day), while the two-toed sloth is nocturnal.
The sloths of Costa Rica can be found in many places as they are arboreal mammals, meaning they spend most of their time living in the trees.
Costa Rica is filled with tropical rainforests and cloud forests, so there is no doubt that wherever you end up in Pura Vida land, you won’t be far from some delightful sloths.
If seeing a wild sloth is high up on your priorities during your Costa Rica visit, I would recommend for you to book a tour of the rainforests, as the locals are experts at spotting the cute creatures.
Our tour guide “Chris’ was amazing and really made our day special!
A sloth in Costa Rica.
My favourite Costa Rican tour.
All of the tours which I took in Costa Rica were awesome, however, there was something truly unique about walking across the top of the rainforest on the hanging bridges at Mistico Park.
The Mistico Park Hanging Bridges tour ticked every box for adventure.
The local tour guides are experts at spotting the wildlife and rare nature, which turns your simple walk through the forest into a rare look into a spectacular hidden world.
The hanging bridges go high above the forests which gives you a great birdseye view of the natural abundance below.
I found it to be truly mind blowing!
Zip-lining across the canopy is another fun way to experience forest life.
Looking for sloths in La Fortuna.
Record Breaker.
A whopping 5% of the world's documented biodiversity can be found in Costa Rica!
Although impressive, this doesn’t come anywhere near some of the larger countries in the world.
Brazil takes top spot with its vast array of ecosystems, which include the Amazon rainforest, the Atlantic rainforest, the Cerrado Svannah, and the Caatinga dry forests.
If you consider the size to nature ratio though, Costa Rica is right up there in terms of concentration of life.
I felt this as I listened to the life of the forests day and night, as there are so many different animal noises echoing around the trees.
It is actually mind-blowing knowing that there is a whole world out there which most humans will never experience.
This was one of the biggest draws to Costa Rica for me!
Epic views of the rainforest from a hanging bridge in Mistico Park.
Happy Place.
Costa Rica consistently ranks high in happiness indexes, known for its "Pura Vida" (pure life) laid-back lifestyle.
This laid-back approach to life emphasises slowing down, appreciating nature, and fostering strong community bonds.
In the surfing towns of Costa Rica, the perfect day exists!
A nice healthy breakfast in one of the beautiful restaurants, followed by surfing on the Pacific, relaxing on the beach, before beers at sunset, later in the day.
There is international influence throughout the country also, which adds a little bit of flair to the culture, which I noticed in the abundance of street art.
I felt this ‘happy’ vibe everywhere that I visited in the country!
Sunset in Tamarindo.
Pacific Power.
Costa Rica's most popular beaches are located on the Pacific coast, which is known for stronger riptides compared to the Caribbean side. These powerful currents can pull swimmers out to sea quickly and unexpectedly.
Unfortunately, there are hundreds of deaths through drowning in the ocean each year in Costa Rica, and many are tourists, who are usually unfamiliar with riptides and don’t know how to spot them.
Here are three tips to put your mind at ease:
Look for beaches with lifeguard patrols and swim in designated areas.
Pay attention to the warning signs and take them seriously.
If you're not a strong swimmer or are unfamiliar with the conditions, it's best to avoid swimming in areas with strong waves or currents.
Despite the risks, this should not stop you enjoying all the magic which the Pacific has to offer.
As long as you stay close to other tourists on popular beaches, you will be fine swimming in the Pacific, which is very warm!
There are rip currents warning signs throughout the coastal towns.
Hidden Swimming Holes.
The plunge pools at the base of some Costa Rican waterfalls transform into refreshing swimming holes. Taking a dip surrounded by rainforest and the sound of cascading water is a truly invigorating experience.
Yes, its true that Costa Rica is a lot more expensive than it used to be, therefore, the activity costs soon add up, however, the beauty of the country is the abundance of free activities.
One of my favourite things in the beautiful country was swinging from the tarzan swing at El Salto in La Fortuna.
The locals have spent a lot of time creating an awesome spot, and they are not shy in showing tourists their tricks as we watched them complete tricks such as backflips from the swing.
You are never too far from a secret swimming hole anywhere in Costa Rica, but sometimes you need to interact with the locals to find out about them.
Staying in hostels is a great way to find out about some untouched beauty!
The El Salto swimming hole in La Fortuna.
Two awesome places you should visit in Costa Rica.
Costa Rica is filled with so many natural wonders, I feel you could easily fill a 3 month travel itinerary, however, if you are short on time during your visit, here are two must visit places to add to your Costa Rica itinerary.
La Fortuna.
A small town full of adventure and an epic volcano towering tall above the town, creating a truly unique backdrop.
What’s not to love? You won’t have any trouble filling your La Fortuna itinerary up!
An awesome free activity in the jungle town is the Tarzan rope swing at El Salto Swimming Hole.
Tamarindo.
Although it is famous for its spectacular surf, Tamarindo also offers visitors some beautiful beaches to relax on, along with a diverse community throughout the town’s bars, restaurants, and surf clubs. Tamarindo Estuary is also home to some crocodiles, which were fun to spot on our tour.
Ideally, you want to include both of these locations to your travel itinerary, so you can enjoy the best of both worlds in Costa Rica.
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