About Costa Rica


climate: Depending on altitude can vary from 50 F to 90 F
area:  
51,100 sq kms
population:      
4,5 million
location:
Central America
currency: 
Colon
seasons:
Wet and Dry only.  The wet season goes from may until november and the dry  season from december until april
provinces:
San Jose, Heredia, Alajuela, Cartago, Limon, Guanacaste, Puntarenas
language:
Spanish




About Guanacaste

Guanacaste is one of Costa Rica's 7 provinces and maybe the most touristy one, known for it's great variety of beaches.  Hotels, resorts and it's dry climate has helped the development of the tourism industry in Guanacaste.  Guanacaste beaches are located in the Pacific.
At Baulas National Park, in Guanacaste, the Leather back Turtles lay their eggs.  The nesting season goes from october to february although the Park closes in mid February.


About San Jose
San Jose is the Capital of Costa Rica.  Little is preserved in San Jose from the colonial era.  Downtown San Jose is located in the Central Valley at an altitude of  1150 m above sea level .  Downtown San Jose is small and congested , driving is not advisable because of Costa Rican driving habits and because of parking difficulties.


About Tortuguero National Park
 
Tortuguero National Park is the nesting place of the Leatherback and Green Turtles.  Turtles dig a hole in the sand to collocate the eggs and then they cover the hole with sand.  Some other animals that can be observed in Tortuguero National Park are monkeys, iguanas, sloths, toucans, parrot and loriots.  Green turtles nest from august to november.  Leatherback Turtles nest from october to february.  Tortuguero Village can be accessed only by boat or airplane.


About Arenal Volcano

Arenal is an active volcano and the only one in Costa Rica with lava flow.   Its activity started in july 29, 1968, when huge explosions destroyed the villages around.  Since then the volcano has been in continuos activity.  Arenal volcano's  shape is of a perfect cone.


About Monteverde

Monteverde was founded in 1951 by North American Quakers.  This Quakers were searching for a peaceful land to live in and searched within Canada, Mexico and Central America.  They chose Costa Rica.  This country matched with the Quakers philosophy for been a peaceful country without an army.  Within Costa Rica they chose Monteverde for it's nice climate and fertile land.  Forty four Quakers came first to Monteverde and bought 1500 hectares for dairy farming and cheese production.
Today Monteverde offers a beautiful Cloud Forest with lots of exciting activities such as: sky walk, sky trek, hikes, horseback rides, butterfly gardens, art galleries, Arenal Volcano sight seeing, etc., etc.  Monteverde also hosts many biological research groups.


About Manuel Antonio  National Park

Manuel Antonio National Park is famous for its beautiful forest that comes all the way to white sand beaches.  Wildlife can be easily observed, such as, monkeys, sloths, iguanas, dolphins, etc.