Costa Rica, with its thirty three thousand square miles, is about one-third the size of Florida in the United States. Nicaragua is on our north border and Panama is to the south of us. Both of our coasts are bathed by tropical waters; on the east the Caribbean Sea and on the west the Pacific Ocean. Costa Rica is located 10 degrees south of the equator, and is close to South America, which gives us a great biological and cultural influence from the southern continent. This is a tropical land, but also offers many microclimates whose temperatures range from 32 degrees (F) in the mountains to 95 degrees in the lowest areas and in the beaches.
- Climate
January, February, March and April are the best months to visit the Pacific beaches. During this period the Caribbean beaches have the most rain. Its always raining somewhere in Costa Rica, yet there is always a sunny place in our country since the weather is constantly changing. The climate should not be a problem when planning a Costa Rica tour because the temperatures are stable during the year with few variations. We offer a year-round vacation destination.
- Mountains and Volcanoes.
Three mountain ranges form the mountain structure of Costa Rica: The Tilarán, the Central, and the Talamanca mountain ranges. These three mountain formations are of volcanic origin and numerous craters, active and inactive can be found along these 
formations.
The Mountain Ranges play a very important role in the climactic patterns of the country; they cool the humid pressures from the lush tropical forests of the Caribbean and protect one of the last high barren plains of the region. In the Tilarán (or Guanacaste) Mountain Range we can find the: Orosí, Miravalles, Rincón de la Vieja and Arenal Volcanoes. In the Central Mountain Range are located the Poás, Barva, Irazu and Turrialba volcanoes. The Chirripó Mount is the highest point in Costa Rica and is located in the Talamanca Mountain Range.
- Coasts
Both coasts in Costa Rica have exceptional and attractive beaches, but are as different as the sun and the moon. In the Pacific the sand is darker and the tides are six times higher than the ones in the Caribbean coast. In the Caribbean Coast the sands vary from mid grey to brilliant white because of the higher amount of coral banks producing clear waters; contrary to the volcanic origin of the sand in the Pacific Coast . The vegetation on the Caribbean is much more exotic. The Pacific and Atlantic Oceans offer a great number of water sports, with sport fishing being one of the most important. Surfing is another of the most popular aquatic sports, both at the national and international level.
- The People of Costa Rica
One of the most important reasons to visit Costa Rica is its people. Costa Rica has always been oriented toward agriculture while it also keeps a steady course in promoting education and political stability. This has been key to the development of tourism and to the variety of destinations that combine nature and adventure while adding cultural activities. Ecotours have also become a very important part of our industry.
It is likely that our culture is what makes Costa Rica one of the unique destinations in the Central American Region. Our education and literacy level is 97%. Another reason to be proud is that Costa Rica has maintained peace for over four centuries. The Army forces were abolished in 1949, and the general headquarters, the Bellavista castle, was converted into the Museo Nacional of Costa Rica .
Our bountiful agriculture has allowed Costa Ricans to successfully export not only fruits and vegetables, but also to diversify into different areas of commerce. By attracting foreign investment, Costa Rican entrepreneurs have developed a diversified hotel structure while protecting our environmental stability. Native Costa Ricans welcome foreign visitors, and many Costa Ricans speak more than one language, which contributes to an even better cultural exchange.
- National Parks
The best places to experience the tropical variety that Costa Rica Offers are its National Parks, Wildlife Reserves and Protected Areas. Keeping their eyes on the future, the Costa Rican Government has declared over 20% of the country a Protected Area. All of these areas were created to preserve the country's diversity, and almost all the different ecosystems can be found within these areas.
The protected areas are found throughout the country. Even though academic tourism may not be the main purpose of your trip to Costa Rica, a visit to some of these areas is very interesting. A great variety of attractions can be found incuding beautiful rain forests, unexplored beaches, coral banks, mangroves, active volcanoes, cloud forests, and crystalline rivers. There are still traces of a small pre-columbian indigenous city. Many of these areas have easy access, with clearly marked trails and facilities for the visitor.
1-Santa Rosa National Park. 2-Rincón de la Vieja National Park. 3-Ostional wildlife reserves. 4-Las Baulas National Park. 5-Absolute Reserve Cabo Blanco. 6-Barra Honda National Park. 7-Palo Verde National Park. 8-Biological Reserve Negritos, Guayabo, Pájaros. 9-Peñas Blancas wildlife reserve. 10-Carara National Park. 11-Manuel Antonio National Park. 12-Biological Reserve Isla del Caño
13-Corcovado National Park. 14-Biological Reserve Golfito 15-International Park La Amistad 16-Chirripó National Park. 17-Biological Reserve Hitoy-Cerere 18-Gandoca-Manzanillo wildlife reserve 19-Cahuita National Park. 20-Tortuguero National Park. 21-Barra del Colorado wildlife reserve
22-Braulio Carrillo National Park. 23-Poás Volcano National Park. 24-Irazú Volcano National Park. 25-National Monument Guayabo 26-Tapantí wildlife reserve 27-Isla del Coco Nacional Park 28-Monteverde wildlife reserve
29-Arenal Volcáno National Park.
As you can see, there are many resources for academic tourism, ecotours, and for studying our bio-diversity.
Costa Rica Rural tours is ready to help you today!
Costa Rica Rural Travel
PO Box 2535-3000 Heredia, Costa Rica
(506) 237-3400 from USA / (506) 262-1891 fax
