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About Costa Rica
Overview
"Where there is a Costa Rican, wherever it is, there is liberty"
Julio Mar�a Sanguinetti
Ex-president of the Republic of Uruguay
Costa Rica is a nation of exquisite tranquility and cultures for all around the world. There everybody, Costa Ricans and foreigners, are free to travel aroundthe country in peace.
It is necessary to highlight that costa rican inhabitants are very peaceful people. Since from 1948 Costa Rica has been a nation without army and with the most stable democracy in Latin America up to this day.
Costa Rica is one of the tourist destinationss with a high numberl of beautiful landscapes, humid and tropical forests, gorgeous beaches that give the visitor the sensation of being in a totally natural paradise.
It is located in Central America and its extension is of 51.000 km2 (19.700 square miles).
It is a country of volcanic and marine origin; and it is for this reason that it still keeps five active volcanoes.
It also possesses 6% of the world's diodiversity, 0,02% of tropical forests in the entire world and 25% of the territory is called protected area.
There are 10 thousand varieties of plants, 1200 species of orchids, high variety of butterflies, 845 species of birds, 205 classifications of mammals, 160 categories of amphibians, 218 types of reptiles, 1013 varieties of fish of fresh and salty water gathered in an area of only 51.000 km2.
Costa Rica, ...A naturally entertaiment spot!
Enjoy there the second biggest left wave of the world, rivers, natural refuges with unique species, museums, variety of towns and kind people that will welcome you with a smile saying Pura Vida!
For that reason and more ...Costa Rica is waiting for you!.back
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Wheather and activities
Costa Rica is perfect for visitors during the entire year.
Costa Rica has a variety of climatic profiles in its six different regions. For this reason, with the right travel guidance and expertise, Costa Rica is a country ready to fulfill anyone's expectations and tastes.
Costa Rica has a dry and a rainy season.
Dry Season
The dry season is from December to May and turns out to be the most common expectation when anyone decides to travel to Costa Rica.
This season provides great fun for aquatic sports lovers: surfing, windsurfing, sportfishing, diving (scuba diving, snorkeling), sea and river kayaking, white water rafting, etc.
It also provides great fun for nature lovers to enjoy hiking, canopy, biking, sightseeing, volcanoes, beaches, national parks, biological reserves and much more...
The following are the highlights during the dry season from Costa Rica Voyage:
� City Tour
� Sky tour
� Volcanoes (Arenal, Po�s, Iraz�, Turrialba, Miravalles, Rinc�n de la Vieja, etc)
� Island cruises
� Tortuguero channels
� Sport fishing at Tortuguero and Southern area
� Surfing (Pavones, Jac�, Tamarindo at Northern and Southern coast)
� Scuba diving (Guanacaste beaches)
� Snorkeling (Guanacaste, Southern and Jac� Beaches)
� White water rafting (Quepos and Caribe Beaches)
� Hiking
� Carara Biological Reserves at Jac� Beach
� Manuel Antonio National Park at Quepos
� Canopy tour
� Caving tour at North Pacific
� Coffee tour & Butterfly farm
� Golf
Rainy Season
From June to November the rain will be showering the entire country; However, between June and July the rain stops and the sun shines. This period is called Veranillo de San Juan (Saint John's short summer).
October usually is the time when the rain appears more frequently and for longer periods. However, in the Caribbean area the rain decreases significantly and this area becomes one of the most attractive during the month of October.
This season is special for the natural observers, since in the country there are more than twenty protected areas between tropical and rain Forest.
Eventhough the rain usually falls for a few hours in the afternoons, you will still be able to enjoy many aquatic activities and visit many places in the mornings.
The following are the highlights during the rainy season from Costa Rica Voyage:
- City tour
- Island cruises
- Tortuguero channels
- Sport fishing at Tortuguero and Southern Pacific
- Surfing (Pavones, Jac�, Tamarindo at Northern and outhern coast)
- Scuba diving (Guanacaste beaches)
- Snorkeling (Guanacaste, Southern and Jac� Beaches)
- White water rafting (Quepos and Caribe Beaches)
- Beach walking
- Rain Cloud Forest at Monteverde
- Rain Forest at Cerro de la Muerte and Nationals Parks
- Coffee tour & Butterfly farm
- Caving tour at North Pacific
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The Costaricans
They are known nationally and internationally as ticos, due to their old way of speaking with the termination "tico" or "tica". (Examples chiquitica, hermositico).
Their native language is Spanish, inherited from the Spaniard culture. In the metropolitan area 70% speak English and 0.5% speak French, German and Italian. Outside the metropolitan area these percentages
are smaller.
Their influence is from Europe and because of the few indigenous establishments in the country before Columbus arrived, their appearance seems to be whiter than the rest of Central America.
Costa Ricans are a respectful and pleasant people.Their way of living is based on tranquility at work and at home. They work very hard but they also love holidays and time with their families and friends is very important.
They are very hospitable towards visitors; for example, they like to help people who request information about addresses or lodgings. This is evident in the growth of tourism during the last few years.
In scheduling matters, if you are going to meet with a tico in a certain place, make sure you tell him/her to be on time, as they have a tendency to be delayed between 15 to 30 minutes. That's the reason why some used to joke about the "tico time".
Costa Ricans are very polite when they speak or when they are asking for something, using words such as please, thank you, could you, you're very welcome.
The accent in the language differs from region to region. The inhabitants of the metropolitan area maintain a general accent that sometimes mixes with foreign expressions like "OK".
In areas like Guanacaste, the accent and even some words change due to the cultural influence and the proximity of the neighboring country.
Costa Ricans have a particular way of describing addresses. Orientation is focused on places and distances are measured by meters. (Example: by the Post office, 50 meters to the south). Very few use the streets and avenues to give addresses.
In Costa Rica there were aboriginal towns such as the Borucas, located in the central Valley near the National Park Guayabo, where one of the main roads of international access existed. Other aboriginal towns are The Brunca, T�rraba, Guaym�, Brib�, Cab�car and Malekus - a few of which are in existence today.
Nowadays the aboriginal reservations are mainly in the South Area of Costa Rica. Some of them are Conte-Boruca reserve to the south of the Pavones beach, Osa reserve near the Corcovado National Park, Abrojo Montezuma reserve located a few kilometers before Ciudad Neily, Boruka in Palmar Norte and Ujarras-Salitre-Cabagra reserve to the east of Buenos Aires.
Some aboriginals maintain their customs, clothes, work and ranches. However, others have adopted more of a contemporany lifestyle. They have fought so that the Government recognizes them as citizens with equal rights. Nowadays they can obtain an identification card without any problem.back
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Provinces
San Jose
Area: 4.959 Km2
Altitude: 1.160 meters above sea level
Mean Annual Temperature: 20�C
Mean Reference: Capital of the Republic.
Population: 36.30%
Places to visit:
National Museum, Gold Museum, National Theater, Jade Museum, Braulio Carillo National Park, Chirripo National Park, Children Museum, Costa Rican Art Museum, Plaza de la Cultura, theaters, and more.
San Jos� is the capital of the nation. It has the main politic buildings, most of the national and international Banks, the biggest hospitals, Theaters and Universities.
San Jos� is located in the Central Region. In the last years it has become the populated area in the country, due to the attraction of the metropolitan phenomenon.
Heredia
Area: 2.656 Km2
Altitude: 1.150 meters above sea level
Mean Annual Temperature: 20�C
Mean Reference: The Province of flowers and colonial tradition
Population: 8.02%
Places to Visit
Braulio Carrillo National Park, La Selva Protected Zone, Monte de la Cruz Recreation Park, Ojo de Agua Water Park, The historical Center of Barva, San Isidro Churche, Museum of Marine Biology.
Heredia, also was called in the past as the Old Villa or Cubujuqu�."
It is located to the north of the capital and it is the smallest county of Costa Rica.
The best attributions for this sector are their longings of conservation of the city and colonial style. Great part of the old houses is there.
It has a hospital characteristic of the area and one of the main universities of the country.
This land is famous for producing flowers and it is for this reason that is very well known as the city of the flowers.
The plantation of coffee is the main activity in this place.
Alajuela
Area:9.752 Km2
Altitude: 925 meters above sea level
Mean Annual Temperature: 22.5�C
Mean Reference: Volcanos region
Population: 17.84%
Places to Visit
Arenal Volcano National Park, Po�s Volcano National Park, Tenorio Volcano National Park, Ca�o Negro Wildlife Refuge, Juan Castro National Park, History Museum.
Alajuela is known as Beautiful Villa. It extends its limits inside the central region of the country.
Their location is strategic because it has the International Airport Juan Santa Mar�a, the most important airport in Costa Rica.
This province is dedicated to the cultivation of the coffee and the industrial sector. New areas free zone have taken place.
It also has a hospital and several centers of superior education. It has one of the most important volcanos in the world, the Volc�n Po�s, having this the biggest volcanic crater in the earth. Additional, it is one of the volcanic treasures in Costa Rican earth, since shows activity registrations at the present time.
Some many people love to visit it at night, to observe the the Volcano in activity with the expulsion of the lava. A simply beautiful activity as artificial games.
Cartago
Area: 3.124 Km2
Altitude: 1.429 meters above sea level
Mean Annual Temperature: 17�C
Mean Reference: Virgin of the Angeles city
Population: 11.24%
Places to visit
Iraz� Volcano National Park, Guayabo National Park, Tapant� National Park, Lankester Garden, Quirco Temple, Ruins of Ujarras, The Basilic of The Angeles
Cartago is located to the west of the central Valley and it was the first " village " founded by the settlers in the period of expansion.
Cartago was the territory leader in the economic, social and political field up to 1823, when San Jos� intervened and became the most important center in those times.
It is well know for its highly agricultural production of potatos, the onions and ornamental plants mainly.
Also, it counts with its own hospital and natural attractions as the Iraz� Volcanoe and the Turrialba Volcano.
Cartago highlights among the other regions to be one of the coldest of the territory and to produce the richest cheeses in the country.
Also there is a story that influence the rest of the costarican people. talks about the Angeles Virgin than showed herself to a little girl many years ago. Every year, the first of August, most of the people of the country carry out walks of more than six hours to visit the Churche builded in the place where she appeared.
Puntarenas
Area:11.276 Km2
Altitude:Sea level
Mean Annual Temperature: 27�C
Mean Reference: Mean Ports and beautifull beaches around
Population:11.24%
Places to Vistit
Cabo Blanco National Reserve, Pe�as Blancas Wildlife Refuge, Cur� Wildlife Refuge, Jac� Beach, Montezuma Beach, Manuel Antonio beach, Coco Island National Park, and more famous beaches!
Puntarenas belongs to the Regi�n Oeste or Central Pacific of the Costa Rican territory.
It has amazing beaches such ace Jaco Beach and Quepos, very knew places for its natural charming and good opportunities to practice water sports. Also has the Gulf of Nicoya and the Southern Pacific, very convenient for nature and fishing lovers.
According to the experts, this country is the second area with bigger population in the country. It is very important due the Calderas Port and beautiful beaches to visit.
The economic activity of the region is diversified, because some areas like Golfito show agricultural African palm plantation; other, as Puntarenas downtown, shown interesting in the fishing industryr and handmade industry.
Also, it has its own hospital located in Puntarenas center.
Guanacaste
Area:10.140 Km2
Altitude:25 meters Above Sea level
Mean Annual Temperature: 27�C
Mean Reference:Warm climate & Amazing Beaches
Population:7.93%
Places to Visit
Santa Rosa National Park, Rincon de la Vieja Volcanoe National Park, Tenorio Volcanoe National Park, Barra Honda National Park, Palo Verde National Park, Santa Cruz Folklore town, Cabo Blanco Natural Reserve, Flamingo Beach, Samara beach, Coyote beach, Nosara beach, Coco beach and more.
Guanacaste: one of the biggest turist atration of Costa Rica by their beaches, volcanos and tropical climate!
With 11.735 square km it turns out to be the biggest region in Costa Rica, because it embraces 23% percent of the national territory.
It is hundred porcent an agricultural area; the bovine livestock and the cultivation of the rice are the main factors of more influence in the economy of this region.
Guanacaste is very touristic zone due its amazing landscapes, inactive volcanoes such as Rinc�n de la Vieja, Tenorio, Miravalles, and several protected zones, national parks and wildlife refuges.
Guanacaste was the last area belonging to the inhabitants of the north that once decided to be Costa Rican. Due to this fact, in Costa Rica the Annexation of the Guanacaste takes place July of every year.
Lim�n
Area:9.188 Km2
Altitude:Sea level
Mean Annual Temperature: 27�C
Mean Reference:Afrocaribbean culture and great nature bio-diversity
Population: 7.45%
Places to Visit
Tortuguero National Park, Tortuguero Channels, Cahuita National Park, Hitoy- Cerere Biological Reserve, Barra del Colorado Wild Life Refuge, Gandoca-Manzanillo Wild Life Refuge, Bonita beach, Punta Uva beach, Cahuita beach, Puerto Viejo beach, and more beaches
Limon is located in the Region Atlantic and Caribbean Region.
It has natural and gorgeous landscape. It represents an important area for fishing in the country.
Is very knew for the Tortuguero Channels where the turtle nusting is seen some times through the year.
Its population's orig�n is migratory of Haiti, Chinese and Italy, product of the introduction of the Railroad in the past. Nevertheless, its people dedicate their work to the cultivation of the banana tree and the cocoa.
It has the hill Chirrip�, located in the Mountain range of Talamanca and qualified as the highest hill in the country where the temperature some arrive at 0C.
Limon stands out for its culture afrocostarican. The dances, foods and even the language product of the mixture between English and French make it different to the rest of the inhabitants.
It has also another important port of the Costa Rica and the company of fuel in the country, denominated as (RECOPE) "Refinadora de Petroleo" (Costa Rican Petroleum Refinery.
Their habitants are very cheerful and they share their native flavor to all the Costa Ricans when the carnival of Limon, taking place for one week every year.
Processions, dances, bands and the whole afrocostarican flavor welcome you to this rich culture. back
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Regions
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History
Costa rica (Rich Coast)
Before the period of conquest, the first Costa Ricans gathered in 22 aboriginal establishments and began to develope the area. Agriculture was one of the main sources of life and social organization.
Cities like Guayabo of Turrialba, Palmar Sur, San Carlos, Oros� and Liberia are some of the areas in which archaeological discoveries have proven life existed; so, mythology, painting, metallurgy, ceramics, politics and trade all existed in those communities from a long time ago.
The Guayabo National Park, named National Monument of Costa Rica, is the main archaeological treasure in the country. In this reservation, excavators found pieces of gold, jade and porcelain; part of this Costa Rica treasure is exhibited as National Patrimony in different San Jose museums.
When the Spaniards arrived to the rich coast of the Atlantic in 1502, more than 300 thousand people resisted against the foreigners. However, the long distance between them, the small supply of weapons and the infectious diseases brought by the new people facilitated the conquest in the country.
The European influence turned out to be more intense in Costa Rica than in the rest of centroam�rica; that is why the "ticos" are usually physically and culturally different from the rest of the Central American population.
Uvita Island, located in Limon (Caribbean Coast), was the first territory to harbour the visitors who, at the time, did not have plans for Costa Rica. Years later, they began to arrive to the North Pacific site and created the first coloniesin the Central Valley.
In 1561, Juan de Cavall�n founded the first village called Castle of Garcimu�oz; in 1564, it was transferred to the Guarco Valley and re-named Cartago. Cartago was the first capital of Costa Rica; later, the capital became San Jos�.
San Jos�, Cartago, Heredia, Alajuela, Puntarenas, Guanacaste and Limon constitute the territory of Costa Rica.
To this day, Costa Rica remains a country rich in nature and a country without an army.
In 1808, Costa Rica took its first economic steps with the introduction of coffee as a commercial product. Coffee then became the main export, especially after the construction of the Atlantic and Pacific railroad.
The construction of the Atlantic Railroad was impelled by Tomas Guardia (categorized as the first dictator of Costa Rica) and the government hired Minor Keith to manage the job.
This project expanded agricultural activity in the country and benefitted the export of coffee. The introduction of coffee as an export product has given Costa Rica not only economic benefits, but also international recognition.
In 1821, the Great Letter brought the news of independence from Guatemala. Costa Rica was defined as an Independent State. The first State Manager of Costa Rica was Juan Fern�ndez.
From this date, Costa Rica looked up for better political taste. Later, Mr. Jos� Mar�a Catro Madr�z was named as first President of the State of Costa Rica; after him, Juan Rafael Mora was the second President.
1856, during a growth process, Costa Rica was part of a conquest plan by the American William Walker. William Walker, along with an army, wanted to take possession of the territory and to make subjects of the "ticos".
President Juan Rafael gathered an improvised army of 1000 men that gave their lives for their freedom.
The Battle took place in Santa Rosa of Guanacaste and it was thanks to the young Juan Satamar�a that today the Costa Rican people enjoy their freedom. The Historical Museum Juan Santamar�a tells the story and exhibits the original objects of the national hero.
The peace that is enjoyed in Costa Rica is the result of small, but significant armed conflicts during the War of 1948, when for the first time Costa Rica is declared a Republic.
Jos� Figueres (Pepe Figueres) and Rafael Angel Calder�n Guardia were the two presidents that led the historic revolution. During his presidency, Calderon Guardia fought in favour of social guarantees and individual human rights.
Pepe Figueres abolished the army after the war of '48, granted women and blacks the vote, created limits to the presidential term, nationalized the bank system and founded one of the strongest political parties in the country.
The Costa Rica Political Constitution was created in 1949. It became essential to the political system that sustains the four Supreme powers:
The Legislative Power, The Executive Power, the Judicial Power and The Supreme Tribunal of Elections. The document has suffered several modifications during its 50 years.
However, it has allowed Costa Rica, the second smallest country in Central America, its'pattern of peace for more than half century.
The Nobel Peace Prize was granted to the president Oscar Arias S�nchez and it is the highest recognition of this nation's culture of peace..
Three administrations later, Oscar Arias was in favour of presidential reelections as he wanted to lead the nation a second time.
After President Rodriguez administration, reelections may be possible. back
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Security
The smallest degree of delinquency, as robberies in the streets could be the bigger problem in the capital.
In the country sites, the situation seems to be more favorable for the inhabitants and tourists.
The local government of San Jos� (Municipalidad) is working on the security, mainly in the central area.
It has created a new police such as --municipal-- and mounted police. (they traffic for the capital in horse, motorcycle or bicycle, these last ones specialize in tourism, because most are bilingual.)
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the Government maintains organisms and bilateral agreements with other countries like it USA for processes of cultivations, sale, consumption and export of drugs.
On beaches there is not lifeguard service, then you should be wary and follow the regulations of the local authorities.
The water is drinkable in most of the places. back
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Health
All Costa Ricans and foreigners have access to the health services offered by the government.
The Costa Rican Public Health Institution (CCSS) is in charge of the hospitals, centers of health, preventitive campaigns and other responsibilities.
Costa Rica has good quality medical services, ambulatory centers and red cross. Also, there are good private services in the capital and in regional places.
Costa Rica also has good quality destistry and plastic surgery services and the prices are very reasonable. Many foreigners visit the country to take advantage of these services.
Don't worry about contagious diseases such as cholera; the instances are very low.back
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Holidays
Ticos are very well known for their popular holidays.
Some holidays are paid and other are not. The Holidays are national religious or social celebration days.
For example:
January 1; New year's day (It is an official holiday most of the stores closed this day.)
January 13-24: Popular Fair of Palmares Town. This fair is very popular with young people, due to the musical concerts, traditional games and mechanical attractions.
January 27 to February 6: carnival of Puntarenas.
March 19: Saint Joseph day. In some places, there are popular fairs where the saint is Saint Joseph.
Marzo 29- April 4: Easter (official holiday)
April 12: The National Hero's Day. (official holiday)
May 1: The Worker's Day. (Institutions and stores are closed.)
16-17 June: Father's Day. Normal activity in the country.
July 25: Day of the annexation of Guanacaste.(official holiday).
August o2: Virgin of the Angels Day.(official holiday)
August 15: Mothers' Day.
September 15: Independence Day. Public and private institutions are closed. (official holiday)
October 12: Day of the Encounter of Cultures (before it was called the day of the Race).
October 12-October 18, limon carnivals.
November 02: Day of the dead, (All Soul's Day).
December 12: Festival of the light. Floats of light illuminate the capital.
December 16: Horseparade in San Jos�
December 17: Carnival in San Jos�
25 December; Birth of Jesus. airports and emergencies stay in service. (official holiday).
26 December: Zapote fair. back
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Education
The education is one of the main priorities of the Government from Costa Rica.
There are Middle schools and high schools in the whole national territory. The children study languages, calculation, general history, mathematics, sciences, art and sport. Also study languages like French, German and English.
Costa Rica has The university centers as the University of Costa Rica, the National University, the Technological of Costa Rica and the EARTH which have high quality in studies for the Costa Ricans and the foreigners.
It also has international agreements for minor students and degrees adult's students.back
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Transportation
There are three ways to travel to Costa Rica. You can make it by air, by road or sea.
Costa Rica Voyage offers you a smart sistem to get lodging services, transport services (car rental) and one or multi tour packages. Each one with prices for low and high season. Also, you will be able to make you own quote and add it into your vacation planner.
Just looks for the services, according to the region or Province of Costa Rica. But if you need more information about the country, place to go or tourism services, you can save your vacation planner and to continue with the search to get more options in Costa Rica. After, you get what you really want, you can come back to your vacation planner.
The transfer can be carried out by car, taxis, bus, light plane and yacht.
To travel via highway and to manage yourself the automobile you need to take the driving license .
Eighteen is the minimium age to drive in Costa Rica.
To drive in Costa Rica can be difficult in some parts of the country, due to the state of some highways and unusual form of driving of the Costa Ricans.
It is Trafficked by the right rail and when the traffic light is in yellow it means that it can pass with caution or to reduce the speed if it is far from the traffic light, because the light will change to red.
Rent exists more than 10 agencies to car in Costa Rica. To rent a car you should present the license of driving and the credit card.
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Service of Comunication
The postal service is regulated by the government. The way to describe addresses is very different comparing other countries.
The telephony, faxcimile and internet has good quality in the central territory. In regions of the interior it could be slower.
The communication access from outside the country is the same one for the whole country. +506.
The phone numbers consist of seven digits and they are according to the area.
The communication is direct for any point of the territory. Area code doesn't exist in Costa Rica.
With the 116 bilingual operator's service you can make internationals phone calls.
Press 911 in the event of emergencies: Red Cruz, Firemen, Traffic, Organism of Judicial Investigation and Police.
Defense of the Inhabitants Institution: 800-296-4114 (toll free)
National Insurance Institute (you have an accident) 800-800-8000
There is a net of television with 6 national channels. The Channel 13 diffuse programming made for Costa Ricans. The cable service also exists with more than 50 channels, some specialized in several languagesback
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Art
Although in Costa Rica the art is in development like in other countries, the variety, color, influences and quality can be reached by several public and independent organizations.
The introduction of the International Art's Festival, which includes visits, public and private demonstrations of the groups from every where from the world, as well as the National Festival of Art which is provide for the Costa Rican gouvernment, tries to promote the art in the country sides, to prevail and increase the national artistic creativity.back
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Surfing
Costa Rica is known worldwide for the excellent places dedicated to surfing.
The wonderful beaches and powerful waves transform Costa Rica into the dream of all professional surfers.
Many beaches, the predominant wind, the sun and the tropical atmosphere are the essential elements that provide the greatest surfing experience.
The variety of places and climatic conditions of this country allows this activity during the whole year.
Therefore, you will have the opportunity to carry out your dream any time.
From the beginning of November until the end of April the winds in the coast of the North Pacific are strong and constant, transforming this region into one of the most important for surfers.
Also, in several beaches, such as Potrero Grande, Golfo de Papagayo, Naranjo, the wind produces left and right turn waves.
The South Pacific is very well recognized for Pavones beach. This beach is famous because it has the second biggest left turn wave in the world and because it is located in one of the regions that has plenty of primary and humid tropical forest.
If you are a beginner surfer, it is recommended to start inshore. But if you like adventure, the beaches of the North Pacific wait for you with their amazing waves.
Some places in Costa Rica have been characterized as strategic surfing spots - for example, Jac� beach, Hermosa beach and Manuel Antonio located in the Central Pacific region. These are the most popular beaches among the international tourists.
Every year at the Caribbean Coast and the Pacific Coast professional tournaments take place where the best surfers in the world challenge the waves and enjoy the warm climate, the incredible vegetation, the beautiful landscapes and the hospitality of the Costa Ricans.
Costa Rica has everything for everybody. From coast to coast, there are many places that provide good service and surf supplies.
The best spots in Costa Rica are: Caribbean Coast, North Pacific, Central Pacific and south Pacific.
Seasons by region:
Caribbean Coast: From January-March & July-October.
Puerto Viejo: one of the best places for surfing.
Nevertheless, be wary because of reefs that attract big waves. The period of December until April is the best season. Hermosa beach has really strong left turn waves; it is recommended only for professionals.
Portete beach is a special spot for those that look for right turn waves
Other beaches to visit: Manzanillo, Westfalia and Isla Uvita ( a little dangerous because of the reefs).
North Pacific: From December to March
The beaches Potrero Grande, Naranjo, Tamarindo, Golfo de Papagayo, Grande, Langosta, Avellanas, Nosara, Coyote, Mal Pa�s , Cabuya are splendid due their natural beauty and tourist atmosphere..
Central Pacific: From December to April
Jac� beach (the nearest spot from San Jos� and from the international airport).
Other spots: beaches such as Hermosa, Espadilla, Damas, Rey, Boca Barranca, Puerto de Caldera, Tivives, Playa Escondida, Roca Loca, Esterillos, Bejuco and Boca Damas.
South Pacific: July-November
Beaches such as Dominical, Pavones and Matapalo; also Drake Bay and Punta Burica which are accessible only by boat.back
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Sport Fishing
The existent rich marine life attracts fishermen from all over the world to Costa Rica.
The most attractive internationally well-known spots for sportfishing (Catch and release) they are distributed in the Regions of North Pacific, Central Pacific, South Pacific, inland (the north area among others) and the Caribbean.
There are so many opportunities for sportfishing in this tropical paradise because there are many species of fish in the different areas during the entire year. So you won�t miss the chance to sportfish in Costa Rica.
The Caribbean Coast has special places for the sport fishermen: the channels of Tortuguero, Barra del Colorado, Puerto Viejo, Cahuita and Puerto Mo�n.
According to the National Tourism Institute, those are the best places to find a variety of species and services.
In these areas, according to the season, we can easily find species such as Tarpon, Snook, Fat snook, Billfish, Wahoo, Golden, Tripletail, Kingfish, Barracuda, Spanish, Cero Mackerel and Jack Crevalle.
On the other hand, the Pacific Coast has more than 28 special beaches dedicated to fishing the marlin, sailfish, tuna, dorado, wahoo, roosterfish, cubera and snapper.
This area also has places that give professional service to the visitors. It is divided in three main regions along the coast:
North Pacific: El Golfo de Papagayo,flamingo,Tamarindo, Potero, Coco, ocotal, Cabo Blanco, Nosara, S�mara beaches, Catalina's Island and Coco's Island, among others.
These places maintain good level of services, especially between the months of December and March (when the wind blows with more force from the Central region to the Pacific North area).
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Central Pacific: Punta Leona, Quepos and Manuel Antonio beach. Besides having a famous national park, Manuel Antonio also has several strategic spots to catch billfish (12 to 20 thousands from the coast).
Other species like tuna, roosterfish, wahoo, golden, jacks, mackerel, cubera, snapper and snook are found inshore.
South Pacific: The Golfo Dulce and surroundings, Puerto Jim�nez, Zancudo Beach and Drake Bay, are excellent points in this area for sportfishing.
Marlin, Matapalo castrates, plenty of jacks, runners, mackerel, amberjack, roosterfish are the characteristic species of the place.
Also, in the Golfo Dulce it is possible to find small barracuda, snapper, corvine and snook over 40 pounds.
Inland: This area illustrates the internal wealth of the country, not only because of the different types of forests but also because of special places such as, Arenal Lake for sportfishing.
San Jos� (specifically Cerro de la Muerte) has several trout hatcheries where you can catch and cook the fresh fish.
Toward the north, San Carlos' Fortune and, specifically, Arenal Lake are good points to find rainbow bass. Ca�o Negro, besides being a natural paradise for wildlife, is a point of interest for tarpon fishermen.
Annually, there are international tournaments in Costa Rica which allow the best fishermen to demonstrate their abilities in the country.
According to the International Game Fishing Association, Costa Rica holds 44 line class records, 17 fly rod records and 18 all-tackle records all published by the Tourism National Institute.
Seasons for species (According to the Costa Rican Institute of Tourism).
Tarpon:
From December to May in the Caribbean Coast.
Snook:
High season March-May, September-November in the Caribbean.
In the Central Pacific, the mouths of the rivers along the coast, especially in Sierpe, are the best places during July to November.
The snooks are available the whole year at South Pacific.
The best period from the end of May until July, as well as in January and February.
Fat Snook:
Middle of November-January in the Caribbean Coast.
Billfish:
February-September is the season of the billfish in the Caribbean Coast.
Wahoo:
In the Caribbean the season is from the middle of February until June. In the North Pacific the season is from May-August.
One can usually find the wahoo inside rock places and deep seas.
In the South Pacific wahoo is found mainly in Drake Bay and Ca�o's Island between the months of June and August.
In the South Pacific wahoo is not plentiful, however they can be seen occasionally along with species like the Billfish and Matapalo.
Dorado: (golden)
They are usually found in the mouths of the rivers of the Caribbean and inshore during the whole year.
It is also possible to find them during the rainy season (May-October) in the rivers of the North Pacific and central Pacific.
In the South Pacific from the end of May until October they are found within high currents.
Tripletail:
January-June in the Caribbean Coast.
Kingfish, spanish, cero mackerel, jack Crevalle, barracuda.
The whole year in the Caribbean coast and deep sea.
Marlin:
In the North Pacific they are found during the year, except between November and March.
The Marlin appears in the months of April-June and they increase between August and September.
On the Central Pacific Coast: October, September and November are the best months for the marlin.
In the South Pacific there are also important spots for the fishing of marlin during August until December.
Sailfish:
Annually in season, especially between May and August in the North Pacific.
Central Pacific: Middle of December until April. However they
can also be seen in the South Pacific during December until March and August to September.
Tuna:
The higher months are August to October, although it is possible to find them the rest of the year.
The yellowfish and bigeye tuna are concentrated in Catalina's Island in abundant quantities.
In the Central Pacific tuna is available the whole year;
during June until September the tuna can be from 8-12 pounds and some are up to 200 pounds.
Roosterfish:
In season the whole year. These fish are in the Golfo de Papagayo (North Pacific) 50 or 6o feet under the sea from November to March.
In Central Pacific, the best spots for fishing are at the mouths of the rivers Parrita, Palo Seco, Damas, R�o Naranjo and in the area of Dominical between June and September.
The South Pacific is famous for the great size of the Roosterfish during the whole year.back
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