COSTA RICA: NATURE AT ITS BEST

By Karin de Graauw

The fact that more than one million tourists visit Costa Rica each year does not happen by chance. The country is an isthmus where life seems to have created its roots. Covering only 0.03% of the surface of our planet, Costa Rica has approximately 6% of the world's biodiversity.

The country is a Central American success story. Since the late 19th century, only two brief periods of violence have marred its democratic development. Although still a largely agricultural country, it has expanded its economy to include strong technology and tourism sectors. The standard of living is relatively high.
Costa Rica's basically stable economy depends on tourism, agriculture, and electronics exports. Poverty has been substantially reduced over the past 15 years, and a strong social safety net has been put into place.

Costa Rica is characterized by impressive scenic beauty, a consolidated system of protected areas, social and political stability, high educational levels, and efficient infrastructure and services. All of this offered in a territory of only 51 thousand square kilometres, surrounded by both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, at a distance from each other of only three to four hours by land or 45 minutes by air. The country's strategic position, in the heart of the western hemisphere, the Government's positive attitude towards foreign investment, its infrastructure, access to international markets, and the quality and cost of labour, make Costa Rica an ideal place for incentive operations.

Heritage and Culture
Costa Rican culture is in many ways a reflection of its racial diversity. The predominant influence has long been European, which is reflected in everything from the official language - Spanish - to the architecture of the country’s churches and other historic buildings. The indigenous influence is less visible, but can be found in everything from the tortillas that make part of a typical Costa Rican meal, to the handmade ceramics sold at roadside stands.

An important aspect of Costa Rica’s cultural legacy is their love for peace and democracy. The Ticos, as Costa Ricans are commonly known, like to stand out that their nation is the exception in Latin America, where military dictatorships have long dominated politics. They take pride in having more than one hundred years of democratic tradition, and almost half a century without an army. The army was abolished in 1948, and the money the country saves by not expending in military issues is invested in improving the Costa Ricans’ standard of living, which has fostered a culture of social peace that makes it such a pleasant place to visit.

The Ticos are famous for their hospitality, and are quite happy to live up to their reputation. They are well-educated and hard working people, who are quick with a handshake and a smile. They are well aware of the special land they have, and most likely they will help foreigners when they get lost, even explaining things that might seem bizarre to foreigners, and making their stay as enjoyable as possible.

Geography
Rugged highlands are found throughout most of the country, ranging from approximately 1,000 to 2,000 meters. The Guanacaste Mountain Range, Central Mountain Range, and Talamanca Mountain Range are the main mountain ranges extending the entire length of the country. There are several active volcanoes (Arenal Volcano, Irazu Volcano, Rincon de la Vieja Volcano and Turrialba Volcano) and the country’s highest mountain (Chirripo Hill) with a height of 3,819 m. The country has a relatively long coastline in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, as well as a number of rivers and streams that attract specialist kayakers and rafters from all over the world.

Costa Rica’s year round climate is pleasant with naturally occurring breezes, cooling down most of the coastal areas. Temperatures in the highlands and mountains are not so cold, especially during day, producing an "eternal spring" feeling. The average annual temperatures range from 31.7°C on the coast to 16.7°C inland. The rainy or green season lasts from May to December with noticeably drier days during the rest of the year.

Tropical forests with Afro-Caribbean flavour
The Caribbean region of Costa Rica is noted for its variety of aquatic ecosystems and its beautiful white and black sand beaches, providing an ideal setting for activities such as sport-fishing, snorkelling, and sun bathing.
The Pacific coast boasts some of Costa Rica's most famous beaches for surfing, such as Esterillos, Jaco, Hermosa, Boca Barranca. In the Golfito region, near the Marino Ballena National Park, surfing fans can find the famous "big left wave".

In 1502 Christopher Columbus discovered Costa Rica arriving for the first time to these lands of the tropical humid forest, with its great exuberance and coral reef clear waters. Today this natural charm remains, in a region characterized by the coexistence of diverse cultures that have left their print on Costa Rican history: Caucasian's, Chinese, the indigenous population and the Afro-Caribbeans. The latter, with their rich coconut flavoured culinary traditions, their rhythm and their language, offer visitors a very different experience from the rest of Costa Rica's regions.

Thanks to the rich flora and fauna of the region, the variety of aquatic ecosystems and the black and white sand beaches; the region is ideal to practice activities focused on nature and sea, among them fishing Tarpon, Wahoo and the Barracuda; diving in clear waters, and surfing. Puerto Viejo constitutes one of the main locations for surfing, where the most avid surfers are attracted to conquer Salsa Brava, one of the most famous waves in the world, which surprisingly ends up reaching a height of up to 40 feet. Other prized beaches are those of playa Bonita, Westfalia and Isla Uvita. White Water Rafting is another of the region's most popular activities, thanks to the presence of the mighty Sixaola and Pacuare rivers.

The Caribbean region embraces the province of Limón. This is the country's port of export. Port Limón unites with the capital, San Jose, by means of an excellent highway that takes the visitor through the mountains of Braulio Carrillo's National Park, amid exuberant landscapes continuing through tropical banana plantations and farms that produce, ornamental plants, pejibaye, heart of palm and cocoa, flowing finally into the beaches of our Caribbean Coast, skirted by infinite arrays of coconut trees.

The Caribbean Rain Forests reflect the perfect idea of the tropical forest, with immense evergreen trees, adorned with lianas and plants of exuberant height. These characteristics, and the presence of species such as the rainbow-beaked toucan, the wild turkey, the spider monkey, the opossum and the tapir, are a results of the presence of a great quantity of rainfall throughout the year, with drier periods in the months of April and October. Coincidentally, in October the Carnival of Limón dazzles visitors with its colourful and rhythmical parades and musical groups.

Some of the protected wildlife areas that offer the opportunity to visit the region's rain forests, as well as their diverse aquatic ecosystems are: Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, Hitoy Cerere Biological Reserve, Cahuita National Park and the Barra de Colorado Wildlife Refuge The Tortuguero National Park is famous for the marine turtle arribadas and the natural canals that harbour threatened species such as the manatee, the otter and the crocodile.

North Pacific: sun, sea and savannah traditions
The country's North Pacific, comprising the Province of Guanacaste and Peninsula of Nicoya, is a region where high levels of tourism arrivals mingle with traditions and typical elements, characteristic of the Guanacaste province. Among these, the figure of the "sabanero" stands out, with his joviality and skill in handling cattle. It is for this reason that in the region's "fiestas patronales" (county fairs), corridas (rodeos) and bull mounts are a must. The fairs always include a great variety of typical cuisine based mainly on corn.

Some of the region's protected areas possess worldwide importance for the protection of wildlife species and constitute observation areas of great interest. This is the case of the Baula Turtle, in Playa Grander the avi-fauna in the lagoons of Palo Verde National Park and the nesting of the Lora Turtle in the Nancite and Ostional beaches. National parks such as Volcán Rincón de la Vieja also offer unique sites with their hot mud pools and fumaroles in constant activity.

With its many beaches, the North Pacific constitutes one of Costa Rica's most important tourism areas. The presence of a diversity in tourism infrastructure that includes five star services and some of the best places to practice golf and sport fishing, combines with natural setting and a myriad of small quaint properties. Marine currents that dredge nutrients from the ocean's depths, facilitate the existence of a rich marine biodiversity, favouring the abundance of species like the swordfish, the marlin and the dorado. Near the city of Liberia one of the main access points to the different attractions of the region stands Daniel Oduber International Airport, which offers direct international access to the region. The International American highway, in excellent condition also connects this city with the country's capital.

Guanacaste's beaches, full of sun and activity, offer all types of outdoor activities, including surfing, kayaking, swimming, diving, snorkelling and horseback riding. Some of these beaches are true tourist centres, such is the case of Tamarindo and El Coco, while others are characterized by their remoteness. All however, seem to be made just for sports and sun lovers.

Northern plains: energy and natural beauty
This is a land of volcanoes, humid and cloud forests, enormous waterfalls and mighty rivers, surrounded with rich vegetation and wildlife. This generosity of nature has facilitated diverse activities for the visitor that include horseback riding through imposing natural landscapes, canopy tours in the treetops, water sports, hiking, mountain biking and wildlife observation. The region combines the fertile plains of Guatuso, San Carlos and Sarapiquí with the volcanic mountain ranges of Guanacaste and Tilarán.

One of the main attractions is the Arenal volcano, a perfect cone of 1,633 meters of altitude. It is in constant activity that offering the visitor a fireworks spectacle with eruptions and lava. At its base, the beautiful Arenal reservoir, an artificial lagoon of 87 kilometres long, constitutes one of the best places in the world to practice windsurfing, thanks to winds that reach 72 kilometres per hour. It is also a centre of other water sports activities, such as boating and sport fishing.

The Tabacón River that runs along the vicinity of the volcano, is the source of thermal waters that, in public and private areas, offers visitors a delicious therapeutic relaxing bath. The volcano and its bordering forests constitute a National Park and trails are available that allow exploration of the surrounding areas of this colossus.

Another place of great beauty is the Cerro Chato, an extinct volcanic crater crowned by a beautiful blue green coloured lagoon. Nearby, one can also admire the 70 meters high La Fortuna waterfall. In the cloudy summits of the Tilarán Mountain range you can find the town of Monteverde, well known for its biological reserve of the same name, which protects species like the quetzal and the bell bird. Founded by Quakers, in the early 1950's, this place is known worldwide by its conservation efforts and a way of life centred on respect for nature, reflected in its environmental educational projects, recycling efforts, eco-tourism and protection of the forests.

In the cities of the north, such as Ciudad Quesada, the famous ''turnos" town fairs offer a genuine spectacle with dances, bull mount championships and cattle auctions.

Due to the high percentage of rainfall, the northern region has humid and evergreen forests as well as fertile plains. Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, located in the plains of Guatuso, is one of the most important protected areas in the region and harbours ecosystems like lagoons, swamps and wetlands. These natural environments are a true oasis for aquatic birds, reptiles and mammals. Rivers such as the San Carlos and Sarapiquí, are also of great importance. The latter, when joining with the San Juan River, forms part of the hydrological system that feeds the Lake of Nicaragua.