The village Santa Teresa is a small village on the Nicoya Peninsula, along Costa Rica's Pacific coast. It consists of just one central street along a white sandy beach. All the hotels, hostels and restaurants are located on this central street. Santa Teresa's main source of income is tourism, and the infrastructure has developed considerably over the last 10 years. Despite this, there are very few tall buildings, and the forest that stretches right down to the beach is still very well preserved. What's more, all the...

In the north of Guanacaste lies Tamarindo, a long, beautiful beach of almost white sand, much sought-after by tourists. It owes its name to the many fruit trees called tamarind trees that line it. Tamarindo is one of Costa Rica's most developed areas, and in the space of just a few years, this small town has been transformed into a seaside resort renowned for its fiestas, and has also become very Americanized. It is the destination par excellence for American tourists visiting Costa Rica on vacation. There are plenty of places to...

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca (also known as Puerto Viejo de Limón) Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a colorful fishing village on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast. It's home to the Bribrí and Cabécar Indians, many Jamaicans and descendants of Spanish settlers. The village center is very lively, especially in high season. There are plenty of restaurants where you can indulge in the local fare, as well as several bars with a very lounge atmosphere where you can order a beer or a...

Cahuita, the pearl of the Caribbean The village of Cahuita: what to see, what to do, how to get there and what's on offer? Cahuita is a picturesque, colorful little village that attracts attention for its tranquility, gentle way of life and proximity to the national park of the same name. An Afro-Caribbean ambience reigns here, and strolling through the narrow streets to the sound of Calypso Limonense (music invented right here) will give a special charm to this off-the-beaten-track destination. What to see in Cahuita Cahuita is a small...

Introduction to Tortuguero National Park Tortuguero is a village located in the north of the Caribbean coast. It can only be reached by air or sea, and once there, you'll feel like you're at the end of the world. Tortuguero, literally "Where the turtles lay their eggs", is also known as "The Little Amazon". This is due to the impressive vegetation that lines the network of canals and lagoons in Tortuguero National Park. You'll have the opportunity to take a boat or kayak tour of these canals to appreciate the...

Introduction Corcovado National Park is located on the Osa Peninsula in southwest Costa Rica. It was created in 1975 to protect it from gold prospectors and the tourist industry. Corcovado National Park is an emblematic park whose reputation extends far beyond the borders of Costa Rica. Corcovado's treasures are above all natural. Corcovado National Park is home to the largest primary forest in the American Pacific, with over 500 species of trees, including Guanacaste, Ceiba, el árbol de vaco and cedro. You can also find...

Manuel Antonio is a city on the Pacific coast with a particularly warm climate, with temperatures of around 30 degrees all year round. To cool off, you can enjoy the beautiful white sandy beach that runs alongside the town, with its many bars, restaurants and souvenir stores. The sea is ideal for both swimmers and surfers. Manuel Antonio's main attraction is the national park of the same name. It is one of the most visited parks in Costa Rica. It is open every day from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., except Mondays. Admission costs 16$ per...

The village of Monteverde is 130 km from San José. This cloudy rainforest is home to many animals: over 100 species of mammals, 400 species of birds (including the Quetzal), 120 species of amphibians and reptiles. And let's not forget the region's flora, with over 3,000 species of plants: a paradise for nature lovers. Panoramic views of the rainforest can be enjoyed on excursions across the suspension bridges - for example - at Selvatura Park. You have access to a hiking trail (1h30 - 2h00) with 8 suspension bridges in the heart of the...

Located in Costa Rica's central valley, some 40 km from the capital San José, Volcan Poás is one of the country's most active volcanoes, and also one of the most visited. It is 2,705 metres high and has 3 craters, one of which is known to be one of the largest in the world. The other two are filled with water and form lakes: the first is filled with cold water and the second is an acidic lake with celestial blue hues. Recently, the Poás volcano entered a period of intense activity, emitting toxic fumes and sulfur...

The Arenal volcano, 7km from the town of La Fortuna, is a natural wonder whose highest point is 1,648 metres above sea level. Its silhouette forms an almost perfect cone. Arenal is Costa Rica's youngest volcano, but also one of its most active. Since 2010, however, it has entered a phase of rest. When you visit Arenal National Park, you'll be able to see the traces of lava flows from some of the volcano's most important eruptions, such as the one in 1968, which marked the start of a very intense period of activity involving avalanches...

Costa Rica teaches the world a lesson in responsibility and empathy by banning zoos in its country. The new law will come into force in 2014, and will involve the conversion of the country's two public zoos. zoo in Costa Rica "We're sending a message to the world. We want to be consistent with our vision of a country that protects nature", said Ana Lorena Guevara, Costa Rica's Vice-Minister of the Environment. The zoological facilities will be remodeled into botanical gardens. The main objective of the gardens will be the repopulation by birds...

But how did Costa Rica come into being? The true spelling of this beautiful Central American country is Costa Rica. The name was given to it by Christopher Columbus, who discovered it in 1502, during his fourth and last exploration. He called it the "Rich Coast" because of its luxurious vegetation and his encounters with natives adorned in gold. However, Costa Rica proved a disappointment to the Spaniards, who regarded it as a province of lesser importance. This is why there are no major colonial cities in Costa Rica....