Us Passport Validity for Travel to Costa Rica

Though it is non the world'south biggest state, Republic of costa rica has five percent of the world's biodiversity, beyond four mount ranges, 800 miles of coastline, 200 volcanic formations and hundreds of national parks, that are easy to get to from the capital, San Jose.

I day you could be climbing through cloud forest and the next exist visiting an active volcano, and afterwards taking time out relaxing on a pristine white beach or bathing in natural hot springs and living the cowboy life on a working ranch.

But most people head here to get shut to wild fauna, notably cuddly sloths, white faced capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys and hundreds of tropical birds including the gorgeous quetzal – called by some birdwatchers the most cute bird in the world.

Costa Rica prides itself on its greenish credentials and this, together with its peaceful democracy (it has had no army since 1948) and abundance of natural beauty has earned it the accolade of one of 'the world's happiest countries'.

Rainforest Experience

Get shut to nature and spend some time in one of the land's eco-lodges. They are institute throughout Republic of costa rica, many in lush jungle in the famous Osa Peninsula. Increasingly sophisticated with good food, stylish accommodation in wood cabins and the opportunity to experience nature kickoff-hand, they let visitors to brand minimal impact without sacrificing creature comforts. Early morning tours let you see the rainforest and leisurely kayak tours accept you past rich mangrove forests alive with snakes, crocodiles, monkeys galore, sloths, toucans and parrots.

Many offer activities including fishing, yoga and chocolate making. Using beans from the forest, the staff at one lodge, which is built on the site of a disused cocoa plantation, shows guests how to skin, roast and grind the cocoa before cooking with sugar to make a succulent chocolate paste which can be rolled or formed into lovely sweets. They taste all-time washed down with a cup of finest Costa Rican coffee.

Cloudforest

Costa Rica: Monkey (c) Jai79

Monteverde'south rare ecosystem is internationally famous as 1 of the most extensive cloud forests in Central America. At v,900ft, this natural sanctuary has more than 2,500 different types of plants and animals, including 400 species of birds. Guided natural history walks take you through the Monteverde Reserve which is dwelling house to jaguars and pumas. In that location's also a null-line bout of the reserve where you look down on mammals such as the fuzzy martilla. But the best way to run across the lush cloud forest and its inhabitants is by walking on hanging bridges which take you lot alongside the awning of copse.

In the early on 1950s, a group of Quakers from the United States left their homes in Alabama and arrived in Monteverde at a time when the region was just first to be settled. The Quakers, fleeing the United States to avoid being drafted into the Korean War, and attracted by the fact that Republic of costa rica had no ground forces, established a simple life in Monteverde centred on dairy and cheese product. Some of these families helped constitute the Monteverde and Santa Elena Cloud Woods Reserves some 20 years later. To this twenty-four hours they have an influence on the region, including owning hotels. The pretty town of St Elena looks like a Swiss village nestling beneath the misty mountains and has lively restaurants, hostels and bars filled with hikers and bird spotters.

Home on the Ranch

The cattle ranching region of Guanacaste is also dwelling to the Rincon de la Vieja volcano, a thermally active expanse. Adventure junkies volition thrive on the activities on offering here from zilch wires, Tarzan swings, white h2o rafting, canyoning, tubing and horseback riding subsequently which a dip in the hot natural springs provides a welcome relief to aching limbs. On the edge of the national park wannabe cowboys can stay at working cattle ranches with real hacienda mode accommodation available and all the adventure tours on the doorstep.

Surfs Up – Head to the Beach

The Pacific Declension has some cute beaches with conditions that offer some of the best surfing in this part of the earth. Towns such every bit Nosara are packed with bright driftwood signs pointing to surf shacks and dusk bars. Beaches have an abandoned Robinson-Crusoe experience with rickety shelters constructed from wood and sticks with covers of dried palm leaves. There are some upmarket resorts in this part of the country with Hollywood celebrities spotted sipping cocktails and admiring the views.

Republic of costa rica as well has a Caribbean coastline, which has a unlike atmosphere with a cultural mix of Afro Caribbean, Tico (the name Costa Ricans give themselves) and erstwhile hippy vibe. Puerto Viejo has recently go a hitting with tourists and has stunning white-sand beaches, tropical vegetation and is close to parks including a Sloth sanctuary.

For a heady dose of escapism, Drake Bay, set in the remote Osa Peninsula in southwestern Republic of costa rica is in viewing altitude of Corcovado National Park, one of the country's most biodiverse rainforests. Surrounded past lush fauna and flora the bay is a wonderful place to relax and unwind every bit the warm sea gently laps confronting the sand.

Take a chance seekers should join the jungle wildlife tour by nighttime or go hiking to the secluded beach of Playa San Josecito.

A room with a view (c) Drake Bay Getaway Resort

Where to stay: Drake Bay has five cabins at the five-star Drake Bay Getaway Resort. The cabins, which are named afterward local flora and creature, are congenital on stilts overlooking the bay and are made from sustainably grown local teak. The owners, Patrick and Yens, are on manus to provide guidance on nearby activities (which tin all exist booked through the hotel) and advice on travelling to and from the area, which tin exist a lilliputian challenging. All meals are included and are comprised of local ingredients, such as yellowfin tuna and fresh fruit to make proper smoothies which are deliciously addictive. Prices start from £410 per night, including meals, laundry service, local transfers to the hotel and unlimited specialty coffee drinks and fresh fruit smoothies.

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The Manner to San Jose

Downtown San Jose: regaining some of its one-time globe charm (c) Adam Jones

Near visitors to Costa rica enter via the capital San Jose, just until recently not many of them chose to linger. Narrow streets, poor air quality and run-downwardly neighbourhoods gave the city a bad name, just now information technology is regaining some of its quondam world amuse and has several points of interest.

Start with the imposing St Joseph'south cathedral and and then head to the imposing The Teatro Nacional built in the way of the Paris Opera from money raised by the coffee tax. Although tickets to run into acme shows can cost hundreds of dollars, on Wednesdays you can see a one-half 60 minutes taster performance of music, theatre or another performance for only one dollar.

Getting There

TUI Airways offer direct flights from the Britain to Costa Rica. Flights from London Gatwick to Liberia operate on a weekly basis using 787 Dreamliners.

When to Go

Costa Rica has two seasons: the Dry Season from December-April and the Green (or Rainy) Season from May-November. Nevertheless information technology doesn't rain all the fourth dimension during the Green season – showers tend to be brief – and this tin exist a pleasant, and more affordable, time to travel.

Linguistic communication

Costa Ricans speak Castilian, but English is widely spoken and understood in the primary towns and hotels. The currency is the Costa Rican Colon with US dollars also accustomed in most places.

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Disclaimer: this article was sponsored past Drake Bay Getaway Resort

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