Nature
Within an area created for natural conservation, not surprisingly, the visitor is moved before so much beauty. In the jungle, each element of the landscape has a sense of exquisite balance and harmony. Only the fact walking through a tropical forest and hear the sound of rain seeping between the foliage, carries an entirely different atmosphere. It is not easy to guess all the secrets that encloses a single tree or a single wild bird. Hence the importance to be accompanied by experts. Costa Rica has many naturalists and guides that allow biologists discover and understand, in an enjoyable way, the essence of a forest and its inhabitants.
The classification of forest, the main habitat for the maintenance of biodiversity, varies from tropical dry, until very humid montane. In certain areas one can find over 10 types, including forests deciduous, evergreen, mangroves, wetlands, vegetation beach or moor vegetation achaparrada.
Costa Rica is a special refuge life, in whose territory of just 51 square kilometers, representing about 0.03% of the planet's surface, is about 5% of global biodiversity. Within minutes, tourists who visit Costa Rica can enjoy all this thanks to biodiversity, from the capital, San Jose, even the most remote corners of the country, runs a vast network of highways and roads covering more than 36,447 Km.
Weather
The country's mountainous geography plays a major role in its climate. Despite the existence of two stations clearly marked, the dry and rainy seasons vary depending on rainfall areas of the country where they are registered. In the area of Central Pacific, for example, the rainy season takes place between May and November. In the North Pacific and the Guanacaste province, on the other hand, the rainy season takes place since May until late October. In the South Pacific, the phenomenon occurs from May to November. The regime change in rainfall returns to the Caribbean where the rains appear from May to August and November-December. This allows visitors to plan visits to different places according to their tastes and preferences. Even more rain during the morning across Costa Rica, tend to be sunny and beautiful.
Depending on the area, the country recorded temperatures of 24.9 ° C medium (76.8 ° F) in low-lying areas; of 16.3 ° C (61.3 ° F) in upland areas and 20.0 ° C (68.0 ° F) in the Central Valley.
Volcanoes
Would you imagined it was possible to observe and even down the crater of a volcano? This adventure is unimaginable can live in Costa Rica, no matter the season in which they wish to do so.
Among the 11 volcanoes located in Central and ridges of Guanacaste, visitors may face, among others, to the imposing volcano Poás and watch the mist discovers its main crater, described as one of the world's largest, a huge Hoya almost 2 km. de diámetro y 300 mts. in diameter and 300 meters. De profundidad. From deep.
If the volcano Poás is a poignant spectacle, the fact remains the Irazu volcano. For the first man who put one foot on the moon, Neil Armstrong, there is precisely one place closer to that star that the Irazu volcano. The very low temperatures rise, its magnetism, the visual impact of its landscape, will remain forever in the memory of those who visit.
Since 1968, moreover, the constant activity of the volcano has caused thousands of geologists and volcanologists especially scientists have been fascinated by their behavior. Sus retumbos recuerdan la fuerza sin límites de la naturaleza. Its Rumbles recall the unlimited force of nature.
Animals
According to the area that visit, tourists will be able to observe quetzals, 5 or 6 species of toucans, tapirs, deer, and hormigueros sloths, monkeys, pizotes and a wide variety of tropical flowers.
Although the country has populations of large mammals, including jaguars, ocelots and pumas, it is difficult to see them. In addition to the aforementioned animal species, wilderness stay around 13,000 species of plants, over 2,000 species of butterflies, 4,500 night, 163 amphibians, 220 reptiles, 1,600 freshwater fish and salt, and 850 species birds.
Costa Rica is one of six places in the world where you can see the "arrival" of turtles. The main places where this is linked to the phenomenon of spawning turtles are: Tortuguero, Playa Grande, Tamarindo and Playa Ostional Nancite
Meals
The "gallo pinto" and "sleeves"
With the firm belief that cooking is an art, "ticos" surprise the visitor with native dishes prepared based ingredients that although universal, such as rice and beans, combined with the Costa Rican, are the national dish called "Gallo Pinto."
In some households served as a main dish of the day Sunday, either, a delicious soup or mondongo, a nutritious "pot of meat."
Among the popular dishes are: rice with chicken, potatoes with chopped meat and also "married" (rice, beans, ripe bananas, salad and meat). Then there are the corn roasts, the jet (large corn tortillas tender), empanadas stuffed with beans, cheese or meat.
A typical meal of Costa Rica, is the tamal, prepared with ground corn meal and a stuffed with rice, pork or chicken. The tamale is wrapped in banana leaves and boiled in water before serving. Families tend to cook the "Tamale" especially in times of Christmas.
And to sweeten any palate can not miss the cajeta coconut, rice with milk and fruit salad.
Finally, one can not omit the coffee. In Costa Rica is common to take a "cafecito" black, or with milk for breakfast, mid-morning, after lunch and evening or night.
During his stay in the country, visitors can sample more than 150 varieties of fruits among which, blackberry, suckers, cas, bananas, sapote, mango, guava, passion fruit, cashew, tamarind and soursop, among others.
If the tourist taste like vegetables, you'll find more than 30 varieties with the advantage that may acquire them in the mornings on Saturdays and Sundays during the "Farmers' Fair", an open market where farmers offer their fresh products to very convenient prices.
Art of Costa Rica
The artisans of Costa Rica still a strong tradition in the woodwork. The handicrafts more attractive you will find in the country are made with precious woods. You'll find bowls, boxes, jewelry, ceramics, handmade paper with banana and coffee, leather goods, handicrafts with seeds, baskets and more. You will also find souvenirs made in other Central American countries, especially some of textiles
The “Ticos”
The joint effort and direction to the dialogue, are an integral part of the Costa Rican culture. Spirit democratic decisions that seek consensus and agreements that do not require military intervention, have become an entire lifestyle. Currently the "ticos", well known for their tendency to use diminutives give a value very important to the family. This has facilitated the strengthening of the country's social structure and nature of national solidarity.
Because much of the economy has been based on agriculture, the Ticos have a great attachment to land.
Being the owner of at least a small portion of land, part of the Costa Rican tradition and has also been an important factor in the distribution of wealth and consolidating democracy.
Since 1870, Costa Rica is inserted into the global market through the marketing of coffee, the first export of the country, for many years. In the middle of this century, products for export were put up at diversifying tourism to the doors of the new millennium, as the first foreign exchange generating activity in the country. lush country either relaxation, businesses, the adventure, or rest.
We invite you to enter a colorful little paradise where the sweetness of nature dominates.
Important details of Costa Rica
Capital: |
San José |
Official language: |
Spanish |
Currency: |
El Colón |
Limits: |
North: Nicaragua |
Political system: |
Democrátic |
Administrative divisions: |
7 provinces, 81 cantons, 463 districts |
Population: |
4.500.000 (aprox.) |
Territorial Extension: |
51.100 km 2 |
Maximum length: |
464 Km. desde el Río Sapoa hasta Punta Burica SAPO from Rio to Punta Burica |
Minimum length: |
110 Km. desde Tuba hasta Boca del Colorado Tuba up from Boca del Colorado |
Overall width: |
259 Km. desde Cabo Santa Elena hasta la boca del Río Colorado from Cape St. Helena to the mouth of the Colorado River |
Mountain highest: |
Cerro Chirripó (3.820 msnm) |
|
|
Electricity: |
110 volts |
National Ave: |
Yigüirro (Turdus grayi) |
National Flower: |
Guaria Morada (Cattleya skinneri) |
National Tree: |
Guanacaste (Enterolobium cyclocarpum) |
Climate: |
Tropical con dos estaciones al año: |
