Costa Rica is a well-known tourist attraction in Central America which was bounded by Nicaragua towards the north, Panama to the east and south direction, the Pacific Ocean towards the west and south and finally the Caribbean Sea towards the eastern direction. This country could be found at the Central American isthmus. The glory of Costa Rica was increased by the national parks. One-third of the area of the country is set as a protected land. This country has an amazing variety of landscapes, microclimates and flora-fauna. The nature lovers will not at all get disappointed through wonderful wildlife viewing. Tourists plan for the holidays to reach at this place and explore it to the fullest and make a memorable holiday.
Here you can enjoy the whitewater rafting and surfing with a glimpse of interesting Spanish heritage that will boost your energy ahead. Well, the heritages are very few but never fail to interest the visitors. Also the Catholic Church will make the visitor happy. The name Costa Rica means Rich Coast and is one of the top Latin American countries as per the Human Development Index and was ranked in the world as 54th in the year 2007. This country in the world ranked 5th and ranked 1st among the Americas as per the Environmental Performance Index in the year 2008. In the year 2007, the government of Costa Rica declared the plans for it to become the first Carbon Neutral country till 2021. As per the New Economics Foundation, Costa Rica is the greenest country in the world.
Christopher Columbus was the first European who reached in Costa Rica in the year 1502. In the year 1719, a Spanish Governor characterized Costa Rica as the poorest and most miserable Spanish Colony in all Americas. Costa Rica covers 1,290 kilometres of Coastline. The major lake of this country is Lake Arenal. Here you will get many islands out of which Calero Island is the major one with an area of about 151.6 square kilometres.
This country is a home to a huge variety of plants and animals. It has 5 percent of the world’s biodiversity and some 25 percent of the land area of this country is covered in the protected national parks. This protected area is the largest percentage in the world. You will experience a variety of wildlife in the Corcovado National Park. This is the only place in the country where you can experience the four Costa Rican monkey species. Few of them are White-headed Capuchin, the Mantled Howler and the endangered Geoffroy’s Spider Monkey. These also comprises of the Central American Squirrel Monkey that could only be found on the pacific coast of this country.
Besides these, you can also experience the Tortuguero National Park which means Full of Turtles. This park is the home to spider, howler and also the white-throated Capuchin monkeys. Also it is a home to the three-toed sloth and two-toed
sloth with 320 species of birds and also for a number of reptiles. It is the most significant resting site for the species especially the green turtles like leatherback, hawksbill and loggerhead turtles. To experience the plant species you should visit the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve which is a home to some 2,000 plant species like the orchids. Here you will find more than 100 species of mammals and 400 types of birds.
Over all, in Costa Rica some 800 species of birds have been found. Central American Squirrel Monkey is very common in this place but they are threatened due to deforestation, illegal pet trading and hunting. This country is actually a hub of biological diversity for reptiles and amphibians like the fastest living lizard in the world which is called as the spiny tailed iguana.
If we consider the demography, Costa Rica has 4,509,290 populations with the diversity of many cultures like Italian, German, English, Dutch, French, Irish, Portuguese, Lebanese, Black/Afro-Caribbean, Amerindian, Chinese, Jewish and others. But the only official language spoken in this country is Spanish. 97 percent of population uses Spanish as their mother tongue and the rest 3 percent uses Amerindian languages and also the English-creole. The standard Costa Rican and the Nicoyan are the two major accents native to this country.
Those who love wildlife and nature must not miss this opportunity to visit Costa Rica where many tourist attractions are simply waiting for your arrival. You should visit at few of the national parks in Costa Rica like Arenal national Park which is a home to the most active volcano of Costa Rica. The major attraction of this park is the Tabacon Hot Springs. This makes a wonderful refreshing and relaxing place for the tourists who throng here from every corner of the world. Tortuguero National Park as mentioned above is a set of lagoons and canals that usually make a best part for trips. Manuel Antonio National Park is a very small park in this country but attracts thousands of tourists in each year. All happens because of its attractive pristine unspoiled beaches that make this park unique among others. And last but not the least is the Corcovado National Park which is the best place for the wildlife viewers. All these parks have their own distinct features that cater to a wide population.
Here you can enjoy plenty of activities like cycling, camping, golf courses, national and state parks, rain forests, volcanoes, waterfalls, tours and many other attractions. Tourists also fly to this place to enjoy the water activities like kayaking, rafting and surfing. Well, in Costa Rica you will get many bars to hang on. Some of the other attractions of Costa Rica are Palo Verde National Park, La Fortuna de Bagaces, Barra Honda Caverns, Santa Rosa National Park, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Wilson Botanical Gardens, Cano Negro wildlife refuge, Cerro Chirripo, Manuel Antonio National Park, Monteverde and many other tops attractions.
To move around you have many transportation facilities available in Costa Rica like domestic flights, rental cars, shuttles, private vans, ferries, public bus and also horseback. You can even go for a guide who can take you to experience incredible scenery. To reach here the nearest airport is Tobias Bolanos International situated at the city of San Jose. It depends on the city where you want to go and just fly to the airport close to it. Well, as per the city you choose you will accommodation to that place. Just be chilled as Costa Rica is a developed country that has almost everything. And to be very precise the Rich Coast is among the top eco-tourism destinations in the world.
For accommodation Costa Rica offers you plenty of hotels like Villas Hermosas, Los Altos De Eros, Casa MarBella, Casa Chameleon, Hotel El Silencio del Campo, Blue Banyan Inn, Conchal Hotel and many others that have various luxury and moderate hotels to suit your budget. Well, one must say that Costa Rica has something for everyone. Those who love hiking can enjoy here in the rainforests and mountains. Get relaxed on the beaches, snorkel through the tropical reefs and surf at the best waves in Central America. Over all, you have to say finally that Costa Rica is a real natural wonderland.
