Corcovado National Park, on the Osa Peninsula in southern Costa Rica, is the country’s best park for wildlife: Baird’s tapirs, …
Costa Rica Beach Photography: Tips, Timing and Best Spots
The best Costa Rica beach photos come from the first and last hour of daylight. Costa Rica sits close to …
National Theatre of Costa Rica: History, Tours and Shows
The National Theatre of Costa Rica (Teatro Nacional) is a 19th-century opera house in downtown San José, paid for largely …
Maleku People of Costa Rica: History, Culture and How to Visit
About an hour north of La Fortuna, the Maleku keep alive a language, crafts and history that few Arenal visitors …
Limón, Costa Rica Travel Guide: Beaches, Culture and History
Limón, Costa Rica, is both a province and a city. The province covers the country’s whole Caribbean coast, from the …
Costa Rica National Anthem: Lyrics, Meaning and History
The Costa Rica national anthem, the “Himno Nacional de Costa Rica,” opens with the line “Noble patria, tu hermosa bandera” …
What Is a Casado? Costa Rica’s Classic Lunch Plate Explained
If you eat one meal like a local in Costa Rica, make it this one. The casado is cheap, filling …
Costa Rica Gun Laws: What Visitors and Expats Should Know
Thinking of packing a handgun for your trip, or buying one after you move? Costa Rica’s gun laws are stricter …
Costa Rica Wetlands: Best Mangroves and Marshes to Visit
Costa Rica’s wetlands range from the canals of Tortuguero and the mangrove channels of Térraba-Sierpe to the seasonal marshes of …
Guayabo National Monument: Visiting Costa Rica’s Ancient City
Guayabo National Monument is Costa Rica’s best-known archaeological site. It holds the remains of the largest pre-Columbian settlement found in …
Costa Rica Coffee Guide: Regions, Flavors and Farm Tours
Costa Rica coffee is all arabica, mostly grown at high altitude on volcanic soil, and known for a clean cup …
Juan Santamaría: Who He Was and Why April 11 Matters
Juan Santamaría is Costa Rica’s national hero: a 24-year-old drummer from Alajuela who, according to the traditional account, was shot …
Morpho Butterfly: Costa Rica’s Blue Icon
The big, electric-blue butterfly you see flashing through Costa Rica’s forests is the blue morpho, Morpho helenor. Costa Rica made …
Hiking in Costa Rica: Best Trails by Region and Difficulty
The best hiking in Costa Rica is in its national parks and private reserves. Arenal and Río Celeste are good …
What Does Tico Mean? Why Costa Ricans Are Called Ticos
“Tico” is what Costa Ricans call themselves. It’s friendly, it’s used with pride, and you’ll hear it within minutes of …
Costa Rican Music: Styles, Artists and Where to Hear It
Costa Rican music runs from the marimba-and-guitar folk of Guanacaste to calypso sung in Creole English on the Caribbean coast, …
Rio Celeste, Costa Rica: Waterfall Hike, Tickets and Tips
Rio Celeste is a sky-blue river inside Tenorio Volcano National Park in northern Costa Rica, best known for its waterfall …
Costa Rica Soccer: La Sele, Top Clubs and How to See a Game
Soccer (fútbol) is Costa Rica’s most popular sport by a wide margin. The national team, La Sele, has played in …
Best Beaches in Costa Rica: 8 That Are Worth the Trip
The best beaches in Costa Rica depend on what you want from a beach day. For wildlife, go to Manuel …
Whale Watching in Costa Rica: Best Time, Places and Tours
Whale watching in Costa Rica has two seasons. Humpbacks from the Southern Hemisphere arrive from July to November, with the …
Gallo Pinto: Costa Rica’s Beloved National Rice & Bean Dish
Order breakfast almost anywhere in Costa Rica and it arrives with a scoop of speckled rice and beans. That’s gallo …
Getting Gas in Costa Rica: How Gas Stations Work
Filling up a rental car in Costa Rica is easier than at home in one way: you never touch the …
Boruca Masks and Festivals in Costa Rica
Boruca masks are hand-carved, brightly painted wooden masks made by the Boruca, an indigenous people of southern Costa Rica. Carved …
Moving to Costa Rica: Residency, Costs and First Steps
Moving to Costa Rica starts with one decision: how you’ll stay legally. Visitors from the U.S., Canada and many other …