Costa Rica

Types of trips: Adventure, Cultural, Nature, Geographical, Food/Drink

Best known for: National Parks & Rainforests, Day of the Dead festival, Coffee, Having no Armed Forces

Why Go?: Costa Rica is a country of adventures into nature and memorable cultural experiences - with a friendly local population and great weather, this will be an excellent destination for people of all ages and interests.

Fact File

Population: 4,580,000

Capital: San José

Language(s): Spanish

Ties to the UK?: Popular travel destination

Landscape: Wide coastal plains separated by central mountains including many volcanoes, with over half of the terrain covered by rainforests.

Climate/Seasons: Generally tropical, but with differences in areas of high elevations. The "summer" dry season runs from December - April and the "winter" wet season frm May - November, the latter of which coincides with the hurricane season in the Atlantic.

When to Go: December - April is the best time to visit country-wide, but will also be the most expensive period.

Reasons to Visit: Local food/drink, Nature Park experiences

How to Get There: Air travel is the best way to get to Costa Rica from the UK - there are several good international airports you can travel to. 

Places to Go: Museo Nacional de Costa Rica, Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, Galeria Namu

Famous People: Luis Guillermo Solis, Keylor Navas, Adolfo Diaz

Natural Wonders/Wildlife: Tortuguero National Park, La Fortuna Waterfall, 

History: Period of Spanish rule before becoming independent and getting rid of any armed forces after a civil war. 

Architecture: National Theatre of Costa Rica

Culture: Mix of Native American, Spanish and African influences

Sport: Football, Skiing, Swimming

Events: Day of the Dead, Food and Dance Festivals

Watch Out For: Be aware of hurricane risks during the wet season

Medical Issues: Some vaccines and boosters may be advised for you - check here for a good general overview and always check with a doctor.