The province of Heredia is situated near the capital San José. The area is lush green with several coffee plantations covering the hills. There are several national parks that are volcanic in nature. Other features include dense tropical forests, magnificent waterfalls and majestic rivers. Heredia is a must-visit, especially if you are a nature lover. There are several adventure-based activities that you can indulge in. The capital of the province goes by the same name. The city of Heredia is large and has a modern atmosphere and feel. It has nearly all the facilities and amenities that San José offers. Treat the city as a base camp for touring the country. With Heredia you can be sure to escape the hustle and bustle of San José. The traffic  [...]

The Tortuga Island is not inhabited. It is one of the many islands in the Caribbean Sea. The flora and fauna of the region are unique and diverse. The white sand of the Tortuga Island is pristine in nature, and the palm trees sway in the wind as a postcard would. The clear blue waters of the sea extend to Golfo de Nicoyo. The name Tortuga is derived from the Spanish word for turtle. Birdwatchers, too, will find the place intriguing with hundreds of species. Tortuga Island is a perfect example of a tropical island. It is a must-visit for those touring Costa Rica. The Tortuga Island is spread over three square miles. Besides relaxing on the beach, you can indulge in snorkeling and swimming. You would need to avail a tour, if you wish to visit  [...]

Montezuma is a small village located on the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula. The village makes its living primarily through fishing. It has now gained fame due to the Cabo Blanco National Park, Isla Tortuga, and Curu Wildlife Reserve. The village has a rustic and laidback culture. On the whole, the place is ideal for relaxation. The beaches encourage the hippie lifestyle. Accommodations are inexpensive and comfortable. Most of the restaurants serve delectable, local cuisine. The village is sparsely populated, although it comes to life at night. Beach parties abound in number. At dusk, the bars and clubs become active and the sight is one to behold. The beaches are separated by rocky outgrowths, and surfing is popular. The rip tide is very  [...]

Ciudad Quesada is commonly known by the local population as San Carlos. It is located in the green valley of the San Carlos plain in the Alajuela province. It lies to the southeast of Arenal Volcano. The Ciudad Quesada gets its name from the famous poet, Napolean Quesada. The Ciudad Quesada is a must-visit if you are headed toward Arenal. String cheese is the specialty of the area, and the local population is extremely hospitable. It is an hour’s drive from the capital San José. Agriculture and ranching are the lifeline of the population due to the rich volcanic soil. It serves as the country’s cattle country, and is a large producer of beef and milk. The central park of the town is home to tasty, local food at ciudad quesada restaurants.  [...]

San Isidro de El General is popularly known as Perez Zeledon. It is a major town in the General River Valley. It is located 120 km to the southeast of San José and nearly 29 km to the northeast of Dominical in Puntarenas. The local inhabitants thrive on agriculture. San Isidro is a primary transportation hub and is the largest town of the region. The town lies a few minutes away from the Pan-American Highway, which is situated on the slopes of Talamanca Mountains. Most tourists make it a point to stop by this destination on their way to Quepos, Dominical, Chirripo National Park, and Park Nacional Manuel Antonio. Tourists on their way to Panama, too, can catch a glimpse of this place. If you entering the town through the Pan-American Highway,  [...]

The province of Puntarenas lies to the west of the country along the Pacific Coast. It stretches along two thirds of the country and is also its largest province. The capital city, San José, is 75 miles apart. The lifestyle is laidback. The province occupies nearly 11,277 sq km. It extends to the southern border of Panama. The flora and fauna of the area is unique and diverse. Puntarenas is the place to be if you are fond of adventures. It is convenient to divide the province in halves because the area is vast and extensive. North Puntarenas extends up to Manuel Antonio National Park, while South Puntarenas comprises of Drake Bay, Osa Peninsula, and Pavones. There are a number of activities you can explore while in North Puntarenas. Walking  [...]

Liberia serves as the capital for the Guanacaste province. It is the gateway to the beautiful beaches of Guanacaste. Recent years have seen a surge in the number of tourists. The new international airport in Liberia has opened a vista for American airlines. Although not a metropolitan city like San José, Liberia is small and quiet with a rich colonial history. The popularity of the city has led to the renovation of the downtown area. A mall, too, is under construction. The city lies in close proximity to Tamarindo. The resorts in the nearby Papagayo Gulf have made Liberia a popular destination. The city is home to several national parks. The most popular parks include Parque Nacional Santa Rosa, Parque Nacional de la Vieja, and Parque Nacional  [...]

Cartago is the former capital of Costa Rica. It has some interesting ruins that date back to the 16th century. The church was erected in honor of Our Lady of Angels. This church has a statue of the Patron Saint of the country, Saint La Negrita also known as the Black Virgin. The history and culture of the city is unique. This made it the first capital of the country. The city was founded by Juan Vasquez de Coronado. It also is the first Spanish settlement of the country. The city served as the capital till 1823. Cartago lost to San José because of its location at the foot of Volcan Irazu. Cartago was almost destroyed due to this in 1723. Visiting the city takes you back in time as there are many ruins of the 16th century. These were the pre-Columbian  [...]

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is located in the Limon province of Costa Rica. Puerto Viejo is a paradise for beach lovers. The beaches make surfing a favorite activity. Besides the clear, blue waters of the sea, the flora and fauna of the region are a sight to behold. The places in Puerto Viejo has become a haven for tourists. Surfers from all over the world come to ride the waves of Salsa Brava. The town is heavily influenced by the Caribbean culture. While in Costa Rica, every tourist must visit this landmark city. The town should not be confused with Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui which lies in Heredia. The locals call the town Puerto Viejo. The town lies nearly 34 miles to the south east of Puerto Limon. It is separated from Cahuita by approximately  [...]

The region of Limon has some of the most exotic beaches in the world. Pre-historic rainforests abound in the area. The beaches make surfing one of the most popular activities. Limon is cut out from the rest of Costa Rica. The beaches are predominantly white sand ones. Limon is one of the most diverse regions in terms of geography. The Caribbean coastline of Costa Rica has swampy lagoons to the north. Also, the Talamanca Mountains serve as the border to the south. Limon comprises the entire Caribbean area of Costa Rica, which is nearly 125 miles. The area lies between the borders of Panama and Nicaragua. The area was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1502. The province is sparsely populated and has few visitors. The climate is hot and humid,  [...]