Category: Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a small country located in Central America. It is bordered by Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south. Costa Rica is known for its lush rainforests, beautiful beaches, and diverse wildlife.

There are also many interesting places to visit in Costa Rica, including volcanoes, national parks, and charming villages. In this article, we will take a closer look at Costa Rica and what makes it such a popular travel destination!

Facts About Costa Rica

• Costa Rica has a population of around five million people.
• The capital and largest city is San Jose.
• The official language is Spanish, but English is also widely spoken.
• The currency in Costa Rica is the Costa Rican Colon (CRC).
• The current exchange rate is about 550 CRC to every USD.

The History of Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a relatively young country, having gained its independence from Spain in 1821. However, the area has been inhabited by humans for thousands of years. The first people to settle in Costa Rica were the Native Americans, who arrived in the region around 3000 BC. These early inhabitants were hunter-gatherers and lived a simple life in harmony with the environment.

The first Europeans to explore Costa Rica were Christopher Columbus and his crew, who arrived in 150². However, it was not until the early 1800s that Costa Rica became a Spanish colony. The country remained under Spanish rule until 1821, when it gained its independence following the Mexican War of Independence.

Since gaining its independence, Costa Rica has been relatively stable politically. The country is a democracy and has not experienced the same level of violence and turmoil as other countries in Central America. This stability, along with the country’s natural beauty and friendly people, has made Costa Rica a popular destination for travelers from all over the world.

What Costa Rica Is Known For

Costa Rica is a land of contrasts. The country is home to both the tallest mountain in Central America and the lowest point on the continent. It also has an amazing variety of plant and animal life, as well as stunning beaches and landscapes. Here are some of the things that Costa Rica is most known for:

– Lush rainforests: Costa Rica is home to over 25,000 species of plants, including more than 500 species of trees. The country’s rainforests are some of the most biodiverse in the world and offer a unique experience for visitors.

– Beautiful beaches: Costa Rica has over 1300 miles of coastline, making it a paradise for beach lovers. The country’s beaches offer something for everyone, from surfing and sunbathing to fishing and swimming.

– Diverse wildlife: Costa Rica is home to an amazing variety of animals, including monkeys, sloths, iguanas, and toucans. Visitors can see these creatures in their natural habitat by taking a jungle safari or visiting one of the country’s many national parks.

– Interesting places to visit: In addition to its natural beauty, Costa Rica offers many interesting places to visit, including volcanoes, national parks, and charming villages.

Why Costa Rica Is Such a Popular Travel Destination

Costa Rica is a popular travel destination for a number of reasons. Here are some of the things that make it stand out from other countries in Central America:

– Stable democracy: Costa Rica is one of the few democracies in Central America and has had stable government since its independence in 1821. This political stability makes Costa Rica a safe place to visit.

– Natural beauty: Costa Rica is one of the most beautiful countries in Central America, with lush rainforests, stunning beaches, and diverse wildlife.

– Friendly people: Costa Ricans are known for their friendliness and hospitality. They are always happy to help visitors learn more about their country and culture.

– Variety of activities: Costa Rica offers something for everyone, from hiking and surfing to zip-lining and jungle safaris.

If you’re looking for a country that has it all, Costa Rica is the perfect destination! Whether you want to relax on the beach, explore the rainforest, or learn about new cultures, Costa Rica has something to offer.

Popular Sights To See In Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a country that is rich in both culture and natural beauty. There are many popular sights to see when visiting Costa Rica, including the following:

● Volcanoes – Costa Rica is home to several active volcanoes, which provide an amazing sight. Some of the most popular volcanoes to visit in Costa Rica include the Arenal Volcano, the Irazu Volcano, and the Poas Volcano.

● Beaches – Costa Rica is also known for its beautiful beaches. Some of the most popular beaches to visit in Costa Rica include Manuel Antonio Beach, Tamarindo Beach, and Jaco Beach.

● National Parks – There are several national parks in Costa Rica that offer visitors a chance to see amazing wildlife and lush rainforests. Some of the most popular national parks to visit include Manuel Antonio National Park, Corcovado National Park, and Tortuguero National Park.

● Cloud Forests – Costa Rica is also home to some beautiful cloud forests, which are perfect for hikers and nature lovers. Some of the most popular cloud forests to visit in Costa Rica include Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve.

Popular Places to Visit In Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a Central American country that is known for its lush rainforests and beautiful beaches. Costa Rica is also home to a wide variety of animals, including sloths, monkeys, and toucans. Here are some of the most popular places to visit in Costa Rica:

– Manuel Antonio National Park: This park is known for its stunning beaches and hiking trails.

– Arenal Volcano: This active volcano is one of Costa Rica’s most popular tourist destinations.

– Tortuguero National Park: This park is known for its turtle nesting grounds and canals.

– Rincon de la Vieja National Park: This park is known for its geothermal pools and waterfalls.

– Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve: This reserve is known for its beautiful cloud forests.

On the Pacific coast there are also many beach towns that are popular among tourists, such as Tamarindo, Jaco, and Manuel Antonio. Nosara is also a beautiful and popular beach town, however it is on the Nicoya Peninsula which is a bit more difficult to get to. If you like to surf, then you’ll want to check out some of the waves at Playa Hermosa, Witch’s Rock Surf Camp in Santa Teresa, or Punta Leona. If you’re looking for a more relaxing beach experience then head on over to Bahia Ballena which is known for its whale watching.

There are also many national parks and reserves throughout Costa Rica that offer hiking, bird watching, and other outdoor activities. One of the most popular parks is Cahuita National Park which is located on the Caribbean coast and is known for its white sand beaches, coral reefs, and lush rainforest. Another popular park is Tortuguero National Park which is known for its turtle nesting beaches.

Nosara is a charming little surf town on the Pacific (West) Coast of Costa Rica. There is Nosara proper which is where most of the locals live and then there are the beach areas called Playa Guiones and Playa Pelada which are mostly tourist hangouts.

This town is honestly epic if you are a good surfer and still a lot of fun if you’re not.

Getting To Costa Rica

You can fly into either San Jose or Liberia airport. Liberia is closer to Nosara, but depending on where you fly from San Jose is often cheaper.

Before entering Costa Rica you either need a vaccine or you need to fill out a health questionnaire online. Once completed, it’ll display a QR code that you need to download.

You also need to have travel insurance that covers COVID – you should print out / have access to a letter from the health insurance company that details that the policy covers COVID related issues. If you keep all of these documents downloaded on your phone, you won’t have any trouble when you arrive to Costa Rica in the airport. Sometimes people try to use the airport’s WiFi to get access to their documents and show to immigration officials, but it’s much easier to just download them in case you don’t have data yet on your phone or the airport’s WiFi is weak.

Getting To Nosara

Once you’re in Costa Rica, to get to Nosara itself you have a few different transportation options.

By Plane: There is a local airline called Sansa Airlines which flies from San Jose to Nosara in a small plane that seats around 8-10 people.

You can fly from SJO to the Nosara airport and it takes around 1 hour depending on the conditions.

Rent A Car: You can rent a car in San Jose and then drive to Nosara. The drive lasts between 5.5 – 6 hours although Google Maps shows the driving time as a bit shorter.

Take A Shuttle: If you don’t want to fly or drive yourself, you can also take a shuttle to Nosara from San Jose.

Where To Eat: Restaurant Recommendations

La Luna

A bit fancier and has a gorgeous view of the ocean and sky – highly recommended during sunset. You can also walk down to the beach from the restaurant. It’s just a very tiny hill that takes five seconds.

La Brazza

An Argentine steak house. The steak is great and so are the burgers (the meat tastes great)!

Sushi Mar

The rolls (maki) here are just OK, especially if you know your sushi, but the sashimi and nigiri are solid.

The tuna tataki is also SUPER delicious and is our top recommendation. The meat tastes great and it also comes with a bit of a salad and some diced mango.

Selina

Selina is a great place to stay and it also has great food at the Nosara location. The burger with fries at Selina is awesome (we recommend medium-rare) and the Golden Poke is also SUPER yummy. It comes as a beautiful art creation in layers and includes tuna, mango, tomatoes, diced onions, and avocado.

Where To Stay In Nosara

Airbnb

You can look for a place to stay on Airbnb in Nosara. The areas you’re looking to stay in are either of the beaches – Playa Guiones or Playa Pelada. There are lots of unique stays, and if you’re with a group of friends you can rent a larger house with a pool.

However, the cost of Airbnb’s in Nosara does tend to be pricier than other Nomad locations.

Pelada Studios

Pelada Studios is a great spot in Playa Pelada, one of the two popular beach areas in Nosara. It has a narrow pool which is very aesthetically pleasing, though it’s so narrow that you probably won’t do much real swimming in it. You can book one of the studios through Airbnb. Studio #1 which has a loft bed, and kitchen with a fridge, and a really nice gas powered stove for cooking.

It’s only a short walk (literally 30 seconds) to La Bodega for groceries or sandwiches and coffee.

Selina Nosara

Selina is like a mix between a bougie hotel and a backpacking hostel. There are options to stay in shared / community rooms if you’re on a budget, or really nice rooms like the Suite+ or Rockstar room as they called it locally.

It’s a great place to stay because they have a co-working space on the premises, a restaurant and bar, and there are parties during the spring on Fridays that are a ton of fun with an outdoor DJ. The staff are warm and friendly, and it’s a great place to meet other travelers or digital nomads.

Getting Around Nosara

We recommend that you try to find accommodations close to the beach so you can just walk to it within 2-5 minutes! If you’re staying at Selina, which is awesome by the way, it is a bit of a trek to the beach especially if you have a surfboard. If that’s the case you have a few options:

Rent An ATV

These are a ton of fun to drive around and are very common in Nosara. Make sure you use a helmet and are careful when going around turns! We recommend MonkeyQuads for ATV rentals. If you rent longer term ask them for a discount.

Rent A Car

Economy Car rental is a great option for car rental in Nosara. They are located on the main road up a small hill beside the organic grocery store (Orgánico Grocer & Café) and close to Café De Paris. If you’re coming from Café De Paris you go up the hill and turn left and then it’s on the right just past the organic grocery store.

Driving around in an ATV is really fun, but the advantages of renting a car is that are:

1. You can drive to nearby surf towns along the coast
2. The road’s can get dusty around Nosara, so while an ATV is fun, if dust bothers you, a car is a good alternative

Take a TukTuk

A third option is to take a TukTuk. These are smaller vehicles with local drivers you will take you around. They are the Nosara alternative to a Taxi / Cab and are the same style as what you’d find in India (though thankfully Nosara has way less traffic). If you’re staying at Selina you can ask the front desk to order one for you and the TukTuk will come to the parking lot where you can give them cash (colones).

TukTuk drivers also hang out across from the Organic Grocery store near the main road in Playa Guiones, so if you’re staying nearby that’s a good place to walk to for a ride.