It is green in Costa Rica – very green. And the jungle begins at the door of the hotel. Christopher Columbus gave this paradisiacal stretch of land the name: “Rich Coast”. And since the explorer in 1502 probably did not mean the wealth of natural resources, but was probably more fascinated by the gold jewelry of the natives, he felt this country as a kind of treasure island. As a result, Costa Rica was colonized by Spain for over 250 years before the political situation in Costa Rica led to a democracy. The socialist José Mariá Figuerres Ferrer, whom his compatriots simply called “Don Pepe” for the sake of simplicity, one day abolished the military because he believed that Costa Rica was far too beautiful to afford soldiers. That was probably a good decision. The Arenal Volcano, Image: robert cicchetti / shutterstock Certainly, the picturesque beaches alone are a reason to travel to Costa Rica. The mangrove forests reach right up to the blue lagoons, and anyone who has experienced the colourful spectacle of a sunset from the perspective of a hammock in Tortuguero on the Caribbean Sea will never forget it. On balmy nights, you can watch the turtles laying their eggs in the sand. But Costa Rica is above all a wonderland of nature between two seas, and for some, this exotic region is a bubble bath for the soul in a pleasant climate and without the threat of terror or civil war. An old bridge in the middle of the rainforest, Image: Simon Dannhauer / shutterstock Costa Rica has placed no less than a quarter of its land area under nature conservation, because no other country in the world has such a wealth of fauna and flora in such a limited area. Scientists claim to have counted 850 bird species and 150 different amphibians there alone. Costa Rica owes its fascinating rainforest to the fact that it forms a kind of biological corridor between the north and south of the American subcontinent. The country is humid and hot, and the amounts of rain are enormous in some territories. UNESCO has put three of the largest and most beautiful national parks on its list of World Heritage Sites. In the Parque Nacional Volcàn Poàs, a paved road leads to the vicinity of the crater rim. The largest geyser in the world is also located here. Rich wildlife can be found in Manuel Antonio Park, seven kilometers south of Quepos on the beach of the Pacific. If you are enthusiastic about the combination of beach, sea and rainforest, you are in good hands there, because the distances to the country’s attractions are short. The highest mountain massif in the Cordillera de Talamanca on the border with Panama is dominated by the 3,819-meter-high Chirripó. Pumas, tapirs, the mystical quetzal and wild boars live in the peripheral areas of the glacial lakes. Costa Rica delights vacationers from all over the world with a wild and sublime landscape. “Small is beautiful” – this is the advertising slogan of the tourism managers of the country, which is extremely careful with its natural treasures. There are the almost impenetrable rainforests in the south, the picture-book volcanoes that stretch across Costa Rica and the misty jungle of Monteverde with its suspension bridges and the refuge of the lively Kabuzin monkeys. If you want to experience this tropical country with your eyes open, you should opt for a round trip. The word “ecotourism” is to be taken seriously in Costa Rica, because several villages and cooperatives have committed themselves to this trend and offer excursions that focus on nature. The tours lead to the fertile and hilly regions at the foot of the Irazú volcano with a landscape that is quite close to that of Switzerland . If you want to penetrate into the depths of the rainforest, you can use the longboats and the company of local guides on the canals and river arms. It is a journey into a world where everything flies and crawls, smells and blooms.
Holidays in Costa Rica: The most important information
Important telephone numbers
Emergency number (police, fire brigade, ambulance): 911
Police: +506 2222 1365
Fire Department: +506 2222 8191
Ambulance Service (Cruz Roja): +506 128
German Embassy in San José: +506 2290 4243
German Doctors
Dr. Bernhard Bleuel: Hospital Clínica Bíblica, San José, +506 2522 1000
Dr. Dieter Lehmann: Hospital CIMA, Escazú, +506 2208 1000
Opening hours
Shops: Usually Monday to Saturday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, some shops are also open on Sundays.
Supermarkets: Usually daily from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Restaurants: Lunch from 12:00 to 14:30, dinner from 18:00 to 22:00.
Banks: Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Airport
Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO): The country’s main airport, located about 20 km northwest of San José.
Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR): Close to Liberia, important for the Guanacaste region.
Post / Stamps
Post offices: In all major cities and towns. Main post office in San José. Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Stamps: Available at the post office and in some kiosks and supermarkets.
Costs for letters and postcards to Germany: Standard letter up to 20g: approx. 500 CRC (approx. 0.70 EUR); Postcard: approx. 500 CRC (approx. 0.70 EUR)
Safety
Crime: Costa Rica is considered relatively safe, but tourists should exercise caution, especially in larger cities and busy tourist areas. Keep valuables safe and be careful at night.
Emergency number: 911
Current
Voltage: 110 volts
Sockets: Type A and B (adapters for European plugs are required)
Tip
Restaurants: 10% service charge is often included in the bill, additional tip of 5-10% is appreciated.
Taxis: Round up the amount
Hotels: $1-2 per day for cleaning staff
Customs
Allowances: Personal belongings are duty-free.
Alcohol: Maximum 5 liters of spirits or wine.
Tobacco: 500 grams of tobacco or 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars.
Other items: Goods with a total value of up to $500 are duty-free.
Destinations
Arenal Volcano and Hot Springs: The active Arenal Volcano and nearby hot springs are a must-see for visitors.
Monteverde Cloud Forest: A unique ecosystem ideal for hiking and bird watching.
Manuel Antonio National Park: One of the most beautiful national parks with stunning beaches and abundant wildlife.
Tortuguero National Park: Known for the turtles that come to lay their eggs here and the lush vegetation.
Corcovado National Park: A remote paradise with an amazing variety of flora and fauna.
Tamarindo Beach: Popular beach for surfing, swimming and relaxing.
San José: The capital offers cultural attractions such as the National Theatre and the Gold Museum.
Poás Volcano: An active volcano with a spectacular crater lake, easily accessible from San José.
La Fortuna Waterfall: An impressive waterfall near the Arenal Volcano.