Tourism around the world offers unique opportunities for visitors to experience the food, culture, landscape, flora, or fauna of their locale. This industry is relied upon by many developing countries, which reminds us the importance of getting back out and traveling again once the pandemic as finally subsided. As with anything, doing some research into the tourism of your travel destination before you go can help you to plan a riveting trip.
Costa Rica has gained a lot of popularity as a travel destination for Americans due to the short flight time of an average of 4 hours and 41 minutes. It also has a relatively good safety rating considering the affordability of traveling around and staying within this beautiful country. With cloud rainforests, mountain biking, countless beaches, and beautiful historical churches, Costa Rica has something for everyone.
Here are some of the highlights of Costa Rica’s tourism.
Cloud Rainforests
As the name suggests, these are rainforests which are at such an altitude and have such a high amount of moisture that there are usually low lying clouds in the canopy. This particular kind of environment only occurs in a few countries worldwide, and is therefore something that shouldn’t be missed on your visit to Costa Rica. They often boast a range of flora and fauna which is entirely unique to the area, so be sure to take a guided tour to make the most of it.
Recommendations
There are more than 50 national parks in Costa Rica, boasting exemplary examples of 6 different kinds of forest. The most famous national park, Monteverde, has plenty of walks both guided and unguided, although there are countless other rainforests worth visiting. Read more about the cloud rainforests of Costa Rica here, as well as some suggestions.
Mountain Biking
An increasingly popular sport that doubles as a great way to see the wildlife on either side of the track, mountain biking is popular in Costa Rica among both locals and tourists alike. Thankfully, in support of this there are numerous mountain biking tracks throughout the country, as well as plenty of opportunity to rent bikes near the entrance to many of the tracks.
To learn more about mountain biking in Costa Rica, including recommendations, I advise you visit this website to read more.
Playas (Beaches)
When most people think of a holiday or even travel in general, they will often think of spending time at a beach. Whether you’re content staying in a Costa Rican beach front resort, or you want to spend your time trying to visit all the beaches, there are plenty of offer. Costa Rica’s coast is dotted with incredible beaches which can host all kinds of activities, including:
- Horse back riding down the beach, and through forest in some areas
- Surfing is particularly good at certain times of year, be sure to do plenty of research beforehand
- Scuba diving is a popular activity and provides insight into another dimension of Costa Rica’s wildlife
- Sports fishing charters are commonplace, and offer unique experiences catching various sports varieties
Historical Churches
As with much of Latin America, Costa Rica is a loud and proud Catholic country with over 70% of residents identifying as Roman Catholic. Although it is a predominantly Catholic nation, only 45% of locals who identify as Catholic consider themselves ‘practicing’. Every town has a Sunday church, and attending service is still a common tradition among both young and old.
There are several churches which have historical significant, and can make for the highlight of a Catholic family holiday or a Catholic couple’s honeymoon.
- The Coronado Church located in San Isidro de Coronado is a gorgeous example of the neo-Gothic style which is so sought after when traveling Europe
- Iglesia de San Jose de Orosi in Cartago is Costa Rica’s oldest church still holding services to date, and boasts that classic colonial style which has been masterfully maintained
- Basílica de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles (Our Lady of the Angels Basilica) is also located in Cartago, and features statues and art which absolutely cannot be missed.
Eco-Tourism
An up and coming aspect of Costa Rica’s tourism is their eco-tourism which is already taking root throughout the country. They can be found in a range of environments, even including a Costa Rican beach front resort. These venues offer a range of sustainable alternatives, such as plant-based food, and often emphasize a healthier lifestyle. Be sure to keep an eye out for LuvBurger, a plant-based burger chain which is hoping to change the world one burger at a time.
Be a Kind Tourist
Finally, however you decide to enjoy your stay in Costa Rica, remember that you are only a visitor, and that many locals could only dream of staying in a Costa Rican beach front resort. By showing grace and gratitude when interacting with the ticos and ticas you can reciprocate all they have given you by welcoming you to their country.