Costa Rica Travel

The Republic of Costa Rica (the Rich Coast) lies between Nicaragua and Panama. For nearly three centuries Costa Rica formed part of the Spanish American dominion. In 1821 it became independent. More than any other Central American nation, Costa Rica has developed a spirit of national unity. In contrast to its neighbours, Costa Rica has had a generally peaceful history, with over a hundred years of democracy.

The country is mainly agricultural. Agriculture employs nearly one half of the labor force, and large landholdings exist. Yet productivity is relatively high, and small and medium sized, owner operated farms are widespread. Within Costa Rica's small area, there is considerable regional specialization. In the highlands around San Jose, high quality coffee is grown; on the fringe of the highlands dairying, also important. Along the coast are banana plantations and cacao, and in the northwest beef cattle are raised. Centered in and around San Jose, manufacturing is limited but expanding. As with other Mainland Middle American nations, population growth is rapid. In Costa Rica many rural people are moving into the rainy tropics and to the San Jose area. Costa Rica presents a picture of progress, yet the high population growth rate spells the need for continue, economic progress.

Coffee is the most important product, accounting for about half the exports. Other crops include banana, sugar, cocoa, cotton. Bananas, cocoa, cattle and, recently, sugar are exported. In recent years there has been a shift towards high tech exports like computer chips and services. Now Costa Rica is the largest exporter of technology goods per capita in Latin America. After abolishing its army nearly half a century ago, the country has pumped large sums of money into education, creating a highly skilled workforce that reflects a population with a 95% literacy rate. People enjoy a relatively high standard of living. 98% have electricity. Silicon processors have brought prosperity to Costa Rica in recent years.

Costa Rica has some good beaches (e.g. South of Port Limon and at Cahuita) but relatively few significant historic resources, having been outside the Mayan sphere of influence and not having been heavily colonised by the Spanish. However, its location and topography mean that it has a wide variety of different types of wildlife habitat and a larger than normal range of species present. Although its natural environment is far from untouched (two thirds of its rainforest have been cleared, half of it since 1950, and clearance is continuing), the Costa Ricans are very aware of the value of their natural habitats and 20 per cent of the country has been designated as National Parks. However, the protection of these areas has caused conflicts of interest between local villages who traditionally have exploited the Parks' natural resources and the national conservation policies that seek to preserve them.

There is significant domestic tourism to these parks and the government has vigorously promoted the country as an international ecotourism destination since the mid 1980s. Thirty four per cent of its tourists come from USA, 7 per cent from Canada, and 13.6 per cent from Europe. Ecotourism is their main reason for coming to Costa Rica.

Ecotourism in Costa Rica

Because Costa Rica is situated on the landbridge between North and South America it has animal and plant species from both continents. It is located in tropical latitudes (8' to 11' North of the Equator) yet its highest mountain (Chirripo Grande) reaches 3820 m. The country is only 119 - 282 km wide, so the transect from the tropical climate at sea level to the peak of Chirripo Grande crosses a large number of climatic zones (and therefore ecological environments) in a very short distance. Because of these factors, the country has about 6000 kinds of flowering plants (including 1500 species of orchids), at least 825 species of birds and 237 species of mammals (including jaguars, tapirs and ocelots). The country has 24 National Parks: the Braulio Carrillo Park covers five kinds of forest, while the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve includes eight different ecological zones down the side of the Tilaran Mountain. The centre piece of the Poas National Park is a dormant volcano which has a hot water lake in its crater and has outstanding mountain scenery. The Santa Rosa Park on the Pacific coast is a forest and savannah habitat. On the Caribbean coast, the Cahuita Park is a coral reef, while the Tortuguero Park is a mixture of tropical rain forest, swamp, lagoons and beaches where the green sea turtle breeds. Many of the Parks have tourist facilities and lodges, In 2006, nearly 3,62, 000 foreign tourists visited the parks (the Poas National Park being the most popular in the mid 1980s). So many high quality hotels and lodges are available throughout the country.

Costa Rica is the safest country to visit in Latin America. But it is not only safe - it is friendly. Costa Ricans delight in showing off their lovely country to visitors, and wherever you go you will find the locals to be a constant source of help, smiles and information.

Capital: San Jose.
Other Large Cities: Alajuela, Cartago.
Area: 51,100 sq.km
Population: 4.3 m.
Lang: English, Spanish.
Literacy: 95%.
Religion: Christianity; Currency: Colon ($ 1 =332.87).
Per Capita Income: $8,500