While there are a number of fantastic outdoor sites to see in Costa Rica, the outdoors are not for everyone. If you want a break from surfing, hiking, and touring nature reserves, but still want to do some fun tourist activities, check out the many museums found in Costa Rica. These museums are great for families and individuals who want educational activities to fill up their days in Costa Rica.

In San Jose, where many people stay, a number of museums are within a short drive of your hotel. If you like art, check out the Costa Rican art Museum, which houses many pieces of modern art. More of a history buff? Try one of the oldest and largest museums in the country, the Costa Rican National Museum. Here, you can explore Costa Rica’s heritage and learn about the archeological digs that have taken place in the country. Also found in San Jose is the Entomological Museum of Costa Rica, which is home to thousands of butterflies and insects that can be found from Costa Rica and from around the world.

Limon is also a popular place to stay in Costa Rica. Here, museums are abundant as well. One of the most popular is the Entho-Historical Museum of Lima. Here, you can see a variety of historical pieces. Most of these pieces are associated with the coming of Christopher Columbus to the country, hundreds of years ago, so it’s a real historical site!

If you’re staying in Cartago, you can visit museums there as well. The Religious Art Museum of San Jose de Orosi is a great place for lovers of art, culture, and religion. The museum is actually held inside an old church. If you enjoy this museum, you can see similar works of art at Our Señora del Pilar Religious Museum, also in Cartago, where many pieces of religious artifacts are housed.

No matter what your interest, Costa Rica has a museum for you. Many of these museums hold artifacts found no where else in the world, giving you an inside look at Costa Rica’s beautiful and colorful history. The natural life in Costa Rica is wonderful, but for a change of pace, visit a museum or two as well. This way, you can learn a bit about the country where you are staying! The experience will definitely be unforgettable for you and your traveling friends or family.

One of the mot important aspects of planning any trip is a place to stay. For most, this means finding lodging in a hotel of some kind. While every country certainly has its own version of a lavish hotel, there are simply too many people who can’t afford those kinds of rooms. Luckily there are plenty more budget hotels in many countries. One of the best places to find hotels like these is the small, democratic nation of Costa Rica. All the major cities in the popular travel destination offer budget hotels of some kind, whether you are in the capital or vacationing in the smaller towns.

San Jose, the bustling capital of Costa Rica, offers by far the most budget hotel options in the country. While some of these are not even worth the budget prices, there are plenty that are well worth taking a look at. Hotel Capital is one of these options. Located in downtown San Jose, next to bus stops and museums, this is one of the best places to find affordable hotel arrangements in the city. There are 15 rooms in the hotel, some sporting two beds, and others three. There is hot water, cable television, and all the amenities you’ll need for a pleasant stay.

Five miles from downtown San Jose is a warm and cozy little hotel known as Hotel B&B Puerta del Sol. Not only does it boast 20 comfortable rooms, it also celebrates Costa Rica’s climate and beauty by offering many unique amenities. These include a swimming pool and a nearby butterfly garden. Not only this, but the hotel will help you find exciting things to do nearby, which include bungee jumping, biking adventures, and white water rafting. This is a great hotel for adventure travelers who are on a budget.

If you want to stay away from the city and instead enjoy some time by the beach in a smaller community, then you may want to look at hotels such as the Pato Loco Inn, a budget hotel located only a half-mile from the beach in Playas del Coco. This hotel is located in the quietest part of town, yet it is still located close to Playas del Coco’s nightlife if you choose to go out and enjoy the town sometime. However, this will still be one of the quietest budget hotels you can find, since it is surrounded by lush jungle, it is also one of the most serene and beautiful hotels, as well.

Whether you want to experience the history and art of downtown San Jose, join in the exciting adventures offered in the Costa Rican wilderness, or relax on a sandy beach, Costa Rica has it all, and you can stay at these locations for low, low prices. All you have to do is find a budget hotel that works for you. There are so many to choose from, it’s a wonder why people decide to pay any more money to stay at a hotel that is part of a big chain. Choosing a budget hotel not only saves you money, but will give you a unique experience to take home with you.

Ok, so you know you want to vacation in Costa Rica-but where will you stay? The country may not be as large as the United States, but there are still plenty of places to stay and plenty of things to see. You simply cannot get to them all in a one or two week long vacation! One of the best places to stay, however, is Drake Bay, so consider this option when you are researching the many places to stay or talking to your travel agent about your choices.

Drake Bay is one of the most historical places in Costa Rica. In the 1500s, Sir Drake traveled around the globe as the first ever sailor to do so. It is said that he stopped here, in what is now known as Drake Bay. Agujita is one of the small towns on the bay, and visiting here will give you the chance to meet and talk to some Costa Ricans.

You can catch a boat to Drake Bay from Dominical. Dominical is on the Pacific Ocean, just a mile or two from Hacidena Baru, were you can visit to see a large private nature reserve. The beach here is perfect for anyone who loves to surf, so check it out if that’s your passion.

If you like to hike, this place is perfect as well. Corcovada is a small hiker’s destination, which will take you four to seven hours to walk to along Drake Bay. Here, you can stop at a ranger station or visit the Corcovada National Park to see some wildlife, if you haven’t experienced it already on your hike!

Not far from Drake Bay is a water-lover’s paradise as well. About 12 miles west of Drake Bay, you can fine Isle del Cano. Here, the water is warm like bath water and you can snorkel and dive to come face to face with many sea creatures that live in the reserve. Beach lovers will also like this island, as well as other places near Drake Bay. Not far away, you can also find excellent fishing spots and a park for crocodiles.

Remember, not all the places you want to visit will be accessible during the rainy season. Check with your travel guide to find out more about this and about other attractions in the area. Drake Bay is a great location for any traveler who wants to spend their time in Costa Rica seeing the great outdoors and meeting villagers. 

A trip to Costa Rica is not complete without a day spent diving or snorkeling. Because of Costa Rica’s amazing beaches and position in the ocean, there are many different snorkeling and diving sights to be seen. And the best part is that there is something for each level of ability when it comes to snorkeling and diving.

If you are simply a casual underwater tourist, meaning that you don’t know much about diving and snorkeling, but you would like to give it a try, there is not need to take lessons or try to improve your skills before you travel to Costa Rica. You can see some amazing underwater sights right from the beach. In Manuel Antonio, which is on the Pacific side, or Cahuita National Park, which is on the Caribbean shore, you can find many different beaches which will offer beautiful and easy, beginner level, snorkeling and diving. Many of these beaches will have stands at which you can rent equipment, and will have instructors for those who wish to try more than they are at first able to.

If you have been snorkeling and diving a bit, and you understand most of the concepts, you can also book boat dives which will run day and night. These dives to the coral reefs that are located on the southern Caribbean side of Costa Rica, or even to many of the small islands that are located off of the Pacific Ocean coast. At these boat dives, there are many things to see and many dives that you can be a part of. There is snorkeling on the reef for those that don’t want to dive, and several levels of dives for more experienced divers.

If you truly want to have a diving experience, and you yourself are a bit experienced at diving, you might want to travel on a live aboard dive trip, which will take you to the Isla del Cocos, one of the top ten undersea destinations in the world. This lies about 5600 km off the south Pacific coast, and has a lot in common with the Galapagos Islands. Some of the dive trips will combine the two destinations. The divers who choose these trips will be able to swim with schools of hammerhead sharks, and be in some of the most clean and untouched water in the entire world. No matter what your ability level is, diving and snorkeling in Costa Rica is something that you should experience.

Costa Rica’s shoreline is comprised of 1800 kms and makes a great destination for those who want to relax and take a break from the regular chaos and seek peace in this beautiful place. It also happens to be a honeymooner’s paradise offering variety of places to visit and makes a remarkable holiday resort.

In Spanish the beaches are known as ‘playas’ and here you can find some of the most glorious beaches in the world including white sand beaches, black sand beaches, pink sand beaches, gray sand beaches and golden sand beaches. Owing to its fantastic tropical climate all through the year you can also witness some of the most immaculate vegetation in this region. The geographical features add to the diversity in terrain and contribute to the existence of some of the most picturesque spots on the planet.

Costa Rica’s lush Coastal Plains are surrounded by the Caribbean Sea on the East and The Pacific Ocean on the West. Since these areas are scarcely populated one can find absolute solitude in the private seclusion of the beaches which link one with nature.
Some of the most popular beaches are located along the Guanacaste Coast known for its verve and vivacity. It attracts tourists from every corner of the world to its breathtaking shoreline, endless bird watching and horse riding. If you are a more adventurous person you can have the time of your life surfing and snorkeling.

For a more tranquil beach vacation, the South Pacific Coast is the most favorable destination. Here you can witness some of the most exotic natural beauty of the Caribbean. It has diverse and exquisite flora and fauna. Some of the most spellbinding views are offered by the Pacific Coastal Rainforests in Central America. Here you can choose from varied recreational activities that include snorkeling at Isla Del Cario, sport fishing and surfing.

The Caribbean Coast is known for its vibrant culture called ‘Rasta’ and its untamed natural beauty that fills in a sense of solitude and sanctity. The prehistoric Rainforests compile to make this one of the most striking places. This is the region where you can find palm tree lined beaches amidst glorious white sands. The Caribbean Coastline has beautiful marshy lagoons to the north bordered by the South Talamanca Mountains. This region offers a wide range of beach and water sports including surfing, scuba diving, sport fishing, deep sea fishing snorkeling, swimming, kayaking, yachting and sunbathing.

Some of the most exotic beaches of Costa Rica include Playa Grane, which is located on the Gunacste and is famous for breeding the endangered leather back turtles and Playa  Avellana, located in Guanacaste and known as the ‘ little Hawaii of the Caribbean’ and is a surfer’s paradise.

The typical cuisine (tipico) of Costa Rica is strongly influenced by the agricultural tradition and hearty meals like ojo de carne (a sort of vegetable beef soup), verduras (vegetable soup with plantains and yucca), tamales (pork, black bean or potato stuffing in corn meal, then steamed in a banana leaf wrapper) sopa negro (black bean soup with a chicken broth base and hard boiled eggs), gallo pinto (beans and rice), arroz con pollo (rice and chicken), chicken baked with ginger, and ensalada palmito (hearts of palm with tomato or cucumber) are just a few of our favorites. At home the meals are accompanied by fresh corn tortillas, black beans, refrescos (fresh fruit juice), rice, homemade bread, cabbage and carrot salad, tropical fruit, pejibajes (steamed palm fruits with mayonnaise) and of course the best coffee in the world.

While many of these dishes can be found in sodas or restaurants that cater to tourists, they often disappoint when compared to the homemade versions. A couple of notable exceptions are gallo pinto, sopa negro, and palmito salad which are often quite good in the small sodas. If you are ever invited into someone’s home for a meal, graciously accept. Otherwise check out the options below:
Grocery stores: When traveling in the United States or Europe it is possible to save considerable amounts of money by buying groceries and building sandwiches etc. While an occasional picnic is nice in Costa Rica, you will save some, but not a lot of money buying groceries. If you are on a tight budget and want to eat cheap, the sodas are your best bet. The operators often grow their own produce, and buy chicken and other staples direct from the producers. Often their markup for a finished meal is less than the supermarkets markup for the ingredients.

Sodas: Ubiquitous in Costa Rica, sodas are usually a combination of a family run restaurant, and a convenience store that sometimes doubles as a bar or disco after the sun goes down. Prices for a full meal including a beverage generally range from US$3 to about US$6 and the quality can be quite variable.

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Although it doesn’t pass through everyone’s mind at first, public transportation is really an important aspect of a country when trying to decide where to travel. Chances are you won’t be bringing your own vehicle, and many times renting a car is not worth the money. Luckily there are plenty of countries out there that have surprisingly good means of public transportation. Costa Rica is one of these countries, and although it seems unlikely, the public transportation in Costa Rica is one that can rival that of many cities in the United States of America.

This does not mean that the busses, trains, taxis, etc. are in better condition than those in the United States. Actually, the U.S. has some of the cleanest modes of transportation around. However, they are also expensive and do not run very often in many cities. The buses, for example, in Costa Rica may not be the most attractive things, but they are cheap and run regularly. They’re an easy and affordable way to get around the major cities in the country, and many of the more rural towns that dot the land.

I mentioned before that renting a car is an exceedingly expensive means of getting around, although it very well can be done. You can always rent a car at the airport, and there are companies that will rent out vehicles in San Jose and other major cities. Keep in mind, though, that the roads are not well-paved and the mortality rate for auto vehicles is almost 9 times as bad as it is in the United States. If you are not used to traveling by car in situations such as these, then it will be best to forego the car rental and, instead, opt for public transportation.

If you are one of the more romantic travelers who long for wide, expansive terrain running all around you, then there is the train system that links many of the major cities together. This option will allow travelers to experience travel through the lush rainforests and mountainous regions in the nation. There is one problem with train travel, though. It is an extremely limited way to get around, since not much track has been laid for the train to travel on. There is not much news as to the expansion of the train, so it may not suit most travelers.

Despite the potential fallouts of some of the transportation services in Costa Rica, you can be sure that there will be enough choices to get you around cheaply and quickly. It’s a great way to keep your vacation on a budget and to move throughout the country quickly, without having to worry about potholes or road rage. Give it shot next time you’re in Costa Rica, and there is virtually no chance of being disappointed.

Staying a few days in Costa Rica and need a place to stay? A number of great American hotels can be found in this country if you don’t want a more traditional Costa Rican experience.

First, try the Marriott Hotel which is located in San Jose, because here you will find Colonial Hacienda which is set on a 30 acre coffee plantation. The interior is beautifully decorated with antiques to produce an elegant and relaxed setting. The grounds are gorgeous and the service is excellent. It doesn’t matter if you are traveling to the volcanoes, rainforests trails, or the canopy tours-you will find a nice relaxing room to come back to. There is a great place to unwind from the day with two outdoor swimming pools or the wonderful Palmas Wellness and Spa center. When staying at the Marriott, you will enjoy first class restaurants and lounges, and you will also receive a breathtaking view of the mountains.  Also, receive complimentary valet parking, in-room safes and a mini bar. Enjoy High speed internet access whether it’s for business or pleasure. Your room offers a nightly refresh service and a complimentary daily paper.

If you are in Costa Rica on a honeymoon, check out the honeymoon package. The package is for $329 a night, and includes a breakfast from the Antigua restaurant; a bottle of Concha & Toro upon arrival and fresh roses cut and brought to your room every morning. Enjoy a Pura Vida massage for you and your newly-wed love in the Palms Wellness and Spa, and then in the evening, enjoy an intimate dinner for two in the Spanish restaurant La Isabela.

Maybe you prefer something a little down-to-earth, yet stylish. Choose the La Quinta De Sarapiqui Lodge. Where there is a reservation service where your flights, taxis and car rentals can be organized for you. There are 23 rooms, each having a fan, a terrace and hot water. The hotel has a pool, an insect museum which is called “Jewels of the Humid Tropics”; also enjoy the beautiful butterfly garden, frog garden, and restoration program. If you enjoy bird watching you will love this hotel, as it has a perfect destination for nature lovers.

If you are still looking for a great hotel try the Four Seasons Resort at the Peninsula Papagayo. This resort is on a slender Pacific isthmus, which is surrounded by golden- sanded beaches; it is one of the finest luxury resorts around Costa Rica. You will find golf, three swimming pools and a tropically serene spa. There are 165 huge guest rooms and suites which are crafted beautifully with wood and stone. You are sure to find class with style at this beautifully welcoming resort.

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Costa Rica is a beautiful place to travel, with lots of fun and interesting places to go and things to see and do. However, if this will be your first time traveling out of the country, there are a number of things you have to keep in mind. By learning a few Costa Rica travel tips, you can be sure that your trip goes as smoothly as planned and stay focused on having fun.

The most important things to consider when traveling to Costa Rica is to be sure that your trip goes well, without many bumps in the road is how you will get there. Of course, many people fly to Costa Rica for vacation every year, but not everyone understands the documentation you need to travel to and from this country. Check with your local airlines to be sure, because laws are always changing. Currently, if you are staying less than 90 days and are from the United States, you do not need a travel visa. You do, however, need a valid passport that is not set to expire any time soon, as well as proof of a return ticket. There are special considerations for children. The airlines also restrict what can be taken into and out of the country, and each airline differs slightly on these laws, so check with your specific airport before flying out.

Once in Costa Rica, you can make your trip go more smoothly by following local laws and understanding that customs may be different in small towns than what you are used to. Remember that drugs are illegal in Costa Rica, including marijuana and other harder drugs. If you take prescription drugs, be sure that you carry the prescription with you at all times.

Be careful, however, because many will not think twice about stealing these medications to sell. Also be careful of your money. Tourists are an easy target for the most part, so keep your money organized and safely close to your body. Also, don’t carry more money than you need, and carry smaller denominations.

As for climate, be prepared to experience a number of weather changes and dress accordingly while in Costa Rica. Even in the summertime, the weather can be cool at higher elevations, especially at night. Many people enjoy the beaches of Costa Rica. As for beachwear, use your best judgement when it comes to appropriateness and remember that many families vacation in Costa Rica with their small children. Nudity is illegal, except for a few small secluded beaches.

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face it, there are so many tropical travel destinations out there that it can be difficult to choose which one to travel to. At a glance, destinations such as the Bahamas, Belize, and Jamaica all seem to offer some of the same things: beaches, beautiful scenery, and an exciting culture. However, if you delve deeper into each of these tropical nations, you’ll find something that will make a trip there unique and exciting. One location that stands uniquely amongst all of these places is Costa Rica. Yes, it is a country with everything mentioned above, yet it offers many things that none of the other tropical travel destinations do.

Located in Central America, this small nation is covered in some of the most exotic jungles in the world. These jungles offer species of plants and animals that are indigenous to Costa Rica. Whether they are monkeys, insects, or spiny red plants, these aspects of the country make it someplace that no other tropical travel destination can replicate. Trek through the rainforest-covered mountains in Costa Rica and you’ll begin to understand how this small area of the world is a place so unlike any other out there.

Not only does Costa Rica sport some wonderful scenery, it is also full of history that is well-documented and extremely interesting. A visit to the dense and urban capital of San Jose will offer you many places to learn about this history in a fun and educational way and also introduce you to the unique culture that surrounds the country and its lively people. San Jose has some of the best museums, art galleries, and cultural activities in all of Central America. People travel from miles to visit these museums, just to experience more of the nation that continues to steal travelers’ hearts left and right.

Although the country is, indeed, unique, it still offers what all tropical countries tend to offer, a relaxing environment filled with exotic surroundings and beautiful, sandy beaches. The beaches in Costa Rica are among some of the most beautiful in the Caribbean, and they along the coast of small towns that often have surprisingly quaint and safe little beachside resorts that mix enthusiastic Costa Rican culture with a laid-back beach experience popular for many travelers.

Costa Rica is by far one of the more one-of-a-kind tropical vacation destinations in the world. It’s no wonder why people continue to return to the country, year after year, to revisit the sights and sounds of a nation that brings with it things that no other country can offer. Experience these aspects of the tropical nation yourself by visiting Costa Rica and taking part in the numerous activities that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

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