Tourism

Important facts about the country

Weather: Costa Rica has a tropical weather characteristic in Central America and some parts of South America. The weather in the country is particular stable during the year, for that reason the seasons are not divided in the four well-known types. In Costa Rica there is two seasons: dry season and wet season, distinguished by the amount of rain that falls in the country. Dry season occurs from December to March, while wet season occurs from May until November.

The temperature is commonly very stable during the year, with an average of 74 °F, but depending on the zone it can raise to 86 °F in the coasts or fall to 59 °F in the elevated regions in the mountains. A characteristic phenomenon in the country is the existance of microclimates, which can be understood as significan variations in the climate separated by just a few miles.

Currency: The currency in the cuntry is the Costa Rican colón, which symbol is “₡”. Currently, the currency has an exchange rate of approximately 605 colón per american dolar. The institution in charge of defining the exchange rate is the Central Bank of Costa Rica, so we recommend to visit its web page to obtain the actual exchange rate and other important information of the economy of the country.

Volcanos

Costa Rica has a vast collection of volcanos, some of them active due to the connection with the Rinf of Fire. Some volcanos are National Parks and can be visited by the general public to observe the craters quiet close. Other volcanos are refuges for the flora and the fauna of the country and are protected territories. Some others, although they cannot be visited, are the scene of inconic photos that reflect the nature of the country.

Photo of the Arenal Volcano from La Fortuna, San Carlos

Eliécer Duarte is passionate about volcanoes, he travels all over the country periodically to inspect the structures and is one of those that best manages -at the bottom of the line- the historical data on the volcanic behavior of the country.
Officer of the Volcanological and Seismological Observatory of Costa Rica (Ovsicori), is one of the most authoritative voices to answer questions about the history of the volcanoes. As he explains, it is presumed that there are about 200 volcanoes in the country. However, Duarte reiterated that it is a fact the existence of multiple buildings or volcanic structures that are yet to be discovered.
“There are other structures that have not been found. They are in the territory, they need to enter the jungle or the coastal area to do a field work that is complicated and tedious, “the official explained. The national scientists are focused on monitoring the 5 active volcanoes: Turrialba, Poás, Irazú, Rincón de la Vieja and Arenal. The other volcanoes represent a secondary interest, since they do not represent an immediate danger for the population.
“We can talk about small structures that are being formed by springs, thermal springs or huge structures like the Turrialba or the Arenal that are forming their building,” said the expert.

Crater of the Irazú Volcano in Cartago

To visit these places, the organization offers the following tours for the assitants of the ESW and their companion

Tour Meals Price
Irazú Volcano + Basílica de los Ángeles + Lankaster Garden + Valley of Orosí Lunch $100
Volcán Poás + Casita del Café + La Paz Waterfall Gardens Breakfast and Lunch $132
Volcán Poás + Casita del Café + Visita a Grecia + Visita a Sarchí Lunch $95
Volcán Arenal + Baldí Hot Springs Lunch and Dinner $137
Volcán Arenal + The Springs Resort Lunch and Dinner $156
Volcán Arenal + Tabacón Resort Lunch and Dinner $153
Spider Monkey + Baldí Hot Springs Lunch and Dinner $305

Beaches

His name is his best presentation: Costa Rica. And it is that this small Central American country is a true paradise of beaches, of coasts rich in natural beauty, tropical climate, warm people and adventures. Not in vain, Costa Rica is an unmissable destination on the map of tourists who love exotic beaches. Last year 2,665,000 visitors entered the country attracted by the beauty of the country, which also stands out for having the best beaches in Central America. The web site Trip Advisor mentioned The National Park Manuel Antonio as one of the 25 most beautiful beaches in the whole world.

National Park Manuel Antonio in Quepos, Puntarenas

Having coasts in both oceans, Costa Rica has a great diversity among the beaches. For the people who wish to visit the Caribbean Sea, the country offers caribbean turistic places full of culture and tradition. Puerto Viejo is specially known for its turistic attractive and beaches of clear water.

Hotel in Puerto Viejo next to the Caribbean Sea

The tours to visit the coasts are listed in the following table.

Tour Meals  Price
Tour Jacó Beach + Surf Lessons Lunch $150
Tour One-Day to Jacó Beach Lunch $110
Tour Jaco Beach with Canopy Lunch $160
Tour Jaco Beach with ATV Lunch $170
Tour with ATV Lunch $138
National Park Manuel Antonio Breakfast and Lunch $125
Tortuga Island with Bay Island Breakfast and Lunch $135
 Tortuga Island and Calypso Breakfast and Lunch $145
One-Day Tour Canales of Tortuguero Lunch $108

Mountain

For those who enjoy more the mountainous landscapes and the species of the tropical rain forest, Costa Rica offers specific destinations that take advantage of the serenity of the forest and the altitude of the mountains to offer relaxing activities walking in the forest, or more adventurous activities throw the mountains. Does not matter if someone wants to relax listening the sound of the birds, far from the city, or if someone preffers the adrenaline of hanging in a canopy, Costa Rica has something to offer for everybody.

Suspension bridge in Monteverde
Tour Meals Price
One-Day Tour Monteverde Breakfast and Lunch $150
Canopy San Luis + Suspension Bridge + Superman Swing Lunch $135
Canopy La Carpintera  Lunch $90
Rapids of the Pacuare River class IV Breakfast and Lunch $99
Gravity Falls Xtreme Adventure  Lunch In progress
3 in 1: Aerial Tram + Selva Verde + Sarapiquí River  Lunch $136
Aerial Tram in the Rain Forest  Lunch $108

City

The capital of the country, San José, located in the Central Valley, is the nucleus of the Metropolitan Area of Costa Rica, with an extension of 170 square kilometers and a population of about 2 million people. Offers, like other places in the Republic, historical sites that talk about the path walked by the Costa Rican people toward the construction of a peaceful and democratic country.

National Theater of Costa Rica

There are a lot of trips that can be done to explore the city. A special one is the walk to visit the three principal museums of the city: Nacional Musem, Gold Musem and Museum of Jade. During the night, people like to visit Barrio Escalante or San Pedro and enjoy the background of the restaurants. Some others prefer the cultural encounters organized in Barrio Amón or shopping in Escazú.

Escazú Avenue Project

 

Tour Meals Price
City Tour Premium Lunch $129
City Tour and Shopping Lunch $56