10 Fun Facts You Didn’t Know About Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a worthwhile addition to any worldwide travel bucket list. It’s the perfect destination for avid travelers and newbies alike. There’s so much to see and do, whether you want to learn more about the delicious coffee produced there or spend time in the enchanting beauty of the cloud forests. But before you go, here are a few fun facts to familiarize yourself with your next travel destination.
1. It’s the most visited country in Central America.
Costa Rica hosts approximately 1.7 million tourists every year, making it the most visited country in Central America. Most of these tourists are from the United States and Canada, although some come from other countries worldwide.
2. Tourism is one of the main sources of income for the country.
Given the sheer volume of tourists that flock to Costa Rica every year, so it’s no surprise that tourism is one of its main sources of income. Those tourists bring in over $1.7 billion dollars annually. Exports, agriculture, and services are Costa Rica’s other top earners, raking in billions every year.
3. Costa Rica is home to over half a million animal species.
Hundreds of thousands of animal species call Costa Rica home. It’s one of the most diverse countries in the world, housing everything from exotic birds to various reptiles to all sorts of mammals. During your visit, you might spot ocelots, jaguars, sloths, monkeys, iguanas, tapirs, scarlet macaws, and much more.
And if you spend some time out on the ocean, you might even spot a few humpback whales (depending on when you visit) or sea turtles, including leatherback and green sea turtles.
4. Costa Rica experiences thousands of earthquakes each year.
Earthquakes are the norm in Costa Rica. Residents are used to the frequent quakes, as the area experiences thousands every year. This abundant seismic activity is thanks to the active volcano range in the region.
5. The Nicoya Peninsula is home to one of five Blue Zones in the world.
There are a total of five Blue Zones in the world, and Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula is home to one of them. These zones are areas where people typically live longer and have lower rates of chronic disease. The other four regions are Okinawa (Japan), Sardinia (Italy), Ikaria (Greece), and Loma Linda (California, United States).
6. Costa Rica doesn’t have armed forces.
Costa Rica abolished its military nearly 70 years ago, shortly after the end of World War II. since then, the country has lived in peace, even while its neighbors experienced various civil wars and similar conflicts. Today, it has an armed Police Force, which serves as the nation’s security forces. Costa Rica also has an Intelligence and Security Directorate in place.
7. There’s more ocean than land in Costa Rica.
Costa Rica’s marine area is far larger than its terrestrial area. In fact, the seas in Costa Rica are more than 11 times the size of the terrestrial area. There are about 230,000 square miles of ocean in Costa Rica but only 20,000 square miles of land. So, if you’re going for the ocean, Costa Rica is a perfect destination.
8. Costa Rica’s national animal is the sloth.
The multi-toed sloth has earned Costa Rica’s national animal title. The two-toed and three-toed sloths were named the national symbols, chosen for their slow-paced, peaceful, and stress-free approach to life. While they’ve long been a symbol of Costa Rica in the tourism industry, these creatures have only recently earned this title (in 2021).
9. There are a whopping 12 different ecosystems in Costa Rica.
Despite its relatively small land mass (compared to the oceans), Costa Rica is incredibly diverse. It has an impressive 12 different ecosystems, including tropical forests, mangroves, and wetlands. It even has a cloud forest (a must-visit) that feels almost ethereal.
10. Costa Rica only has two seasons.
Unlike many of us in North America, Costa Rica only has two seasons. It doesn’t get the classic summer, fall, winter, and spring. Instead, its seasons are divided in two: wet and dry. The dry season, commonly called the “high” season, is, as you’d probably guess, dry. The wet season, or “green” season, experiences lots of rainfall.
However, while you might expect the tourism patterns to follow the dry season, that’s not always the case. The country experiences varying tourism rhythms, hosting countless visitors during both seasons.
Visit Costa Rica With Caravan on a Guided Tour
After visiting Costa Rica many times, our team at Caravan highly recommends adding it to your bucket list. Whether you visit for the incredible and ethereal cloud forests or the pristine expanses of coastline, this country is well worth the visit.
Of course, planning a vacation to a foreign country can seem daunting (we get it). So, to make it easier for you to enjoy your vacation to the fullest without sweating the details, we offer two Costa Rican tours.
Caravan’s Costa Rica Tours: A Quick Look
We offer two tours to Costa Rica: Costa Rica Natural Paradise and Costa Rica & Manuel Antonio. The first focuses on the country’s captivating natural beauty. On this tour, you’ll visit coffee plantations, volcanic hot springs, hanging bridges, and picturesque beaches.
The second tour still prioritizes soaking up the beauty of Costa Rica’s natural beauty but also adds Manuel Antonio National Park to the mix. At the park, you’ll get to experience exceptional views on a rainforest hike (where you might even spot a few monkeys!).
Both offer experiences that create memories to last a lifetime. But one of the best parts about each one? You won’t have to plan anything. You’ll get to kick back, relax, and enjoy your vacation without worrying about the details.
All you need to do is book your flights and arrive at the hotel for the welcome briefing. After that, we have it covered. We’ve planned everything from transportation to lodging to food, ensuring you can enjoy your vacation stress-free. Of course, there’s a bit of time penciled in for whatever you want to do (thanks, leisure afternoons!), but for the most part, everything is planned for you. Talk about convenience!
If you’re ready to book a trip to the natural wonders of Costa Rica, contact our team at 1-800-CARAVAN or 1-312-321-9800 to get started today!
