Costa Rica, a Central American country. Costa Rica is Spanish for “rich coast”. As such, expect to find this place to be the ideal tropical paradise. Costa Rica is a Catholic Country but other religious groups are welcomed. A native song has it that the Virgin Mary came down to Costa Rica and never went back to Heaven.  

Get in: 

There are two airports in Costa Rica, both with domestic and international services. Juan Santamaría Airport is located close to the cities Alajuela, Heredia and the capital San José while Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport is near Liberia in the Guanacaste province.

By car, the Interamericana or Panamerican Highway is the main entry point by car. The border post in the north (to Nicaragua) is called Peñas Blancas and in the south (to Panamá) Paso Canoas. All travels outside the capital will involve this road except the Caribbean side.

The roads are terrible, navigation is hard and there are no formal street addresses but it's not all that bad. Gas is actually slow to burn when going around and the guys at the gas stations are really cool and fun to watch. You don't even have to tell them what to do, they just give great service, with a smile!

There are bus services from the neighboring countries of Panamá, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala.

There is also a twice daily ferry from Los Chiles (in NE Costa Rica) to San Carlos, Nicaragua. These boats usually operate during the mornings only. 

Get around: 

Buses are fairly cheap and cover most towns around the country. Most major tourist destinations in Costa Rica are serviced by at least two daily buses from and to San Jose.

Thanks to the internet, renting a car in Costa Rica is a breeze. A car can also take you to those secluded spots not serviced by public transport. Always exercise caution though as Costa Rica has one of the highest deaths by car accidents in the world. Also, make sure to check the car carefully before you sign off the damage sheet.

Taxis are also plentiful in Costa Rica and are quite affordable. The drivers are efficient and the cars and vans are clean.

Hitchhiking is illegal and is far more common in rural areas than in urban areas. Costa Ricans are generally very friendly and helpful, particularly in more rural areas where traffic on the dirt roads can be light. As always, be gracious and offer a bit of money, although it will most probably be declined.

Charter planes are available as well as motorcycle rentals. 

See: 

• Wildlife
• Bird Watching

• Fishing
• Surf
• Biking
• Golf
• Active and extreme sports
• Water activities

• Cahuita National Park
• Chirripo National Park
• Corcovado National Park
• Arenal Volcano
• Manuel Antonio National Park
• Monteverde and Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserves
• Pacuare River and Protected Zone
• Tapanti National Park
• Tenorio Volcano National Park