Experience Pura Vida: A Dream Holiday in Costa Rica with Adventure, Nature and Relaxation!
Location:
Costa Rica is a country in Central America, roughly the size of the German state of Bavaria. Costa Rica borders Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south. To the east lies the Caribbean, to the west the Pacific Ocean. The capital is San José, located in the central highlands.
What Makes Costa Rica Special
Costa Rica has many remarkable highlights:
- The volcanic mountain ranges of the Cordilleras, home to numerous active and dormant volcanoes.
- The Valle Central with the capital San José.
- The lowland plains of the Caribbean coast.
- The central Pacific coast.
- The arid Nicoya Peninsula.
- An extraordinary diversity of plant and animal species.
At 3,820 metres, Chirripó Grande is the highest peak in the country.
Costa Rica is the world's second-largest exporter of bananas. In terms of production volume, however, it ranks seventh globally with around 2.7 million tonnes — unfortunately causing considerable environmental challenges in the process.
History of Costa Rica
The oldest archaeological finds indicating human settlement in Costa Rica date back to between 12,000 and 8,000 BC.
- In 1502, Christopher Columbus became the first European to land on the Atlantic coast.
- Between 1519 and 1523, the majority of present-day Costa Rica was conquered in the name of the Spanish Crown.
- Systematic colonisation did not begin until 1560.
- In the 17th century, the Spanish consolidated their rule.
- In 1821, Costa Rica gained independence from its former colonial power, Spain.
- In 1949, Costa Rica abolished its army in favour of investment in education and healthcare.
- On 8 January 2009, a powerful earthquake measuring 6.2 on the Richter scale struck the centre of Costa Rica near the capital San José. The tourist regions along the Pacific and Caribbean coasts were not affected.
Weather & Climate in Costa Rica
Costa Rica's rainy season runs from May to November, and the dry season from December to April. The heaviest rainfall during the rainy season falls in central Costa Rica, while the Pacific coast remains relatively dry at the same time.
Due to its position between 8° and 11° north latitude, Costa Rica lies within the tropical zone. However, rainfall varies enormously across the country. San José receives approximately 1,867 mm of rain per year, while Puerto Limón on the Caribbean coast receives nearly double that, at 3,518 mm.
Entry Requirements for Costa Rica
Germans can enter Costa Rica visa-free for up to 90 days with a valid passport.
All travel documents must be in good condition and valid for at least 180 days beyond the date of entry. Transit via the USA requires a visa!
