Costa Rica, a country to feel it
From the Pacific coast to the Caribbean; from the summits of its famous volcanoes to the dense valleys where the green explodes: Costa Rica is nature, adventure, rest and relaxation . A character outlined by his more than 51 thousand square kilometers defined by diversity, that of its landscapes and that of those who inhabit them . A quality that invites you to live the country with passion and intensity: there is no other possible way to understand this land. There is no other possible way, in short, to feel Costa Rica.
Discover the perfect itinerary here:
CORCOVADO NATIONAL PARK: AN IDYL WITH NATURE
Start this particular trip by the country of Pura Vida in the beautiful province of Puntarenas, the largest of all, it leaves no room for error: spread out largely along the Pacific coast, its dream beaches and its natural wealth are more than enough excuse to explore it.
Famous for its landscapes and for its historic fishing port, Puntarenas also seduces for its immense natural wealth . To check? nothing like moving to the Osa Peninsula, where the Corcovado National Park is located , one of the most remote places and with 2.5% of the world's biological wealth : It is home to an extensive list of animal and plant species.
Just a little further north Costa Ballena lives up to its name by giving away one of the most enriching experiences: whale watching —humpback whales and bottlenose dolphins are regulars in the area— is one of the wonders to enjoy in this corner of Costa Rica. Without leaving the waters that bathe its coastline, kayaking, diving or surfing tempt the traveler to continue living its most maritime side. Nothing like getting lost on its lonely beaches — Tortuga Beach, Uvita Beach, Dominical Beach …—, walk its natural trails or start bird watching in this wonderful natural Eden. To finish? An incursion into Ballena Marine National Park : With its 110 hectares of coastline and more than 5,300 of ocean, it protects one of the most beautiful coral reefs on the entire planet and where you can also see the Kemp's ridley sea turtle. What better way to feel Costa Rica?
Hunchback
A JOURNEY TO ANOTHER WORLD: THE SPLENDOR OF THE CENTRAL VALLEY
More than two-thirds of the population of Costa Rica resides in the Central Valley and this, like everything, has its explanation. The enormous beauty that characterizes the area — who does not prefer to live surrounded by beautiful landscapes? —, and the importance of agriculture, they already give us the reasons: you just have to look at the immense coffee plantations that cover the valleys at the foot of its iconic volcanoes To understand. And we explain it: volcanic activity makes its soils fertile and rich in minerals, which has allowed it to cultivate one of the best coffees in the world.
One of those volcanoes is, precisely, the poas , emerged in the heart of the province of Alajuela and protected by Poas Volcano National Park ; It is a still active volcano and has one of the largest craters in the world. The ascent to contemplate its crater, whose lagoon of bubbling and acidic waters is one of the most representative pictures of the country , is a must: when the clouds that take over the top disperse and show the beautiful picture, one feels that time stops.
Of course, from privileged environments they also know, and a lot, the neighboring La Paz Falls : its longest cataract, White Magic, has a 28 meter drop . Surrounded by pure green and immersed in the foliage of the rain forest, with them nature does its thing again and gives one of those images that remain forever etched in the retina.
Poás Volcano, in the heart of the province of Alajuela
EL ARENAL: MAGIC IN THE COSTA RICAN HEART
It is not necessary to leave Alajuela to continue enjoying the Pura Vida . In this case admiring, face to face, Arenal, considered one of the most beautiful volcanoes in the world : it is normal that its conical shape, practically perfect, is the object of all eyes.
The great luck is that you can enjoy its profile from practically anywhere miles away: either while walking the suspension bridges through rainforests, soaring through the skies while practicing canopy , soaking in the hot springs from its pools or walking through twisted trails in the Arenal Volcano National Park , his silhouette remains impassive from afar, attentive to everything that happens around him.
Alajuela is also part, by the way, of the neighboring San Jose Highlands , ranging from the outskirts of the Costa Rican capital to towns with deep-rooted traditions such as Grecia or Sarchí. Famous among them are the colorful carved and hand-painted carts used in the past to transport the coffee beans grown on their land, pulled by oxen. Learning everything about this beautiful cultural heritage is possible by visiting the Eloy Alfaro Cart Factory, founded in 1920 : a small multicolored universe where you can let your imagination flow.
Arenal Volcano
SAN JOSÉ: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE
It is not difficult to challenge the mind to past times when strolling through neighborhoods such as Amón or Escalante in Chepe , name that the Ticos affectionately assign to their capital. In this last, climbing , past and future shake hands at a table full of traditional flavors: old houses with neo-colonial and Victorian architecture are now home to innovative restaurants in whose stoves unleash the ingenuity of its young chefs.
But to fully understand the essence of this beautiful capital, it is best to walk. Let go. Get lost in its streets in search of what truly gives you life. A must stop is in the National Theater of Costa Rica , from the end of the 19th century and a symbol of Costa Rican culture whose visit reveals its ins and outs and allows you to discover its majestic halls and architecture.
Chepe continues to shine in his innumerable museums, from the one dedicated to jade to the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum . Also in his laureate National Museum , symbol of the abolition of the army in the country. After the intense bath of culture, it will be the turn of the liveliest San José: the one that lives in the Central Market , where it is time to soak up the color and hubbub of the Ticos between affectionate greetings, the music that comes from every corner and the aroma of married and gallopinto that emanates from their traditional food stalls.
The x-ray is done like this: here you do feel Costa Rica