Costa Rica is a tropical paradise in Central America, and there are lots of things, that you may not know about our little, eco-diverse and magnificent country.
Here, we add 20 interesting facts that you may not know about Costa Rica.
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Pura Vida
“Pura Vida” Is a term that is really common in the Costa Rican community, in fact, everybody says it. As soon as you get out of your plane and start knowing the people, the words “Pura Vida” (Pure Life) are going to be stamped in your language.
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Ticos & Ticas
We, Ticos and Ticas, refer to ourselves like that. It’s a common way that is used as our identity. It is not considered to be an insult or anything. And it comes from our tradition to call everything as small… Let’s explain this: In Spanish if you say, for instance, “little dog”, we say, “perrito”, but in Costa Rican Spanish, we say “perrititico”.
Costa Rican Flag
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Eco-diverse
Arenal Volcano landscape
Costa Rica is one of the great countries with a real ecological conscience in the World, more than 25% of the land are national parks, and lately, we have archived a 100% of clean energy. The country actually has more than half its territory in forest coverage and growing!
This is the sort of World region where, in three or four hours driving you can go through, literally, six or seven different climates and consequently different landscapes.
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Really small
Central Mountains
Costa Rica is smaller than the Michigan Lake in the United States and a bit bigger than Denmark. Which is really cool! Because actually what happens is that you can be warm and wear a swimsuit at the beach and travel a couple of hours to be at a cloud forest with a sweater and a raincoat.
It is the sort of place where the diversity combines in a great cocktail with the size and makes it a great vacation place!
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Hummingbird’s Lovers Heaven
An approximate of 52 species of hummingbirds are native from Costa Rica, and I mean! there are hummingbirds smaller than a bug (Volcano Hummingbirds, for instance!) and much larger as the Sabre Winged Hummingbirds. Red, purple, white and of course green… Their iridescent colors shine everywhere in Costa Rica!
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No army
Costa Rica hasn’t had an army since 1949. And in its constitution, it actually recites that the army was abolished and that the country is completely neutral.
And because of this the country dedicates the budget that would be going to the military now it is going to the education programs. And this also turns Costa Rica in a completely safe country politically speaking.
A destination for retiring
Costa Rica is a common location for retired fellows from the United States, Canada and, Europe. Lots of them own businesses, but definitely, all of them enjoy the beauty, friendliness, and commodities fo Costa Rica.
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Butterfly Sanctuary
Approximately 10 percent of the world butterflies live in Costa Rica. making it also a heaven for butterflies lovers! From the gorgeous Morpho (Below) to the known Monarchs, and the toxic but beautiful Heliconius.
You see them in fantastic butterflies gardens, but also in the forests, hotel gardens and open areas in general.
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Education for everyone
There is a school In every district of the country, as well as the education is free, mandatory and the Government pays for everything. As said previously the military budget went to education. Wherever you are in Costa Rica you will find a school!
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Most amazing Insects
It’s estimated that there are more than 20,000 spider species in Costa Rica. and the total number of insects is unknown, as there are new species discovered every day.
There are the usual creepy things… But also, some of them are absolutely beautiful or truly impressive.
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Bordered by two Oceans
The country is surrounded by 1287 kilometers if coast, with the Pacific and the Caribbean Ocean. These are two different oceans, and this fact alone makes Costa Rica to have more than 56 life systems and different climates. Plus… A lot of beaches to choose from!
As an interesting fact, the Pacific beaches are much more popular and known than the Caribbean. 
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Ethnic Diversity
Costa Rica never had a huge indigenous population but now, it is less than 1 % of the total population. Later on in the colonial days, people came from all over the World, primarily, of course, Spanish, but a lot of Jewish also hid in our mountains (In the times of the Spanish Inquisition) and many people from all over made their lives and families here. A Caribbean and a Chinese population also came for the construction of the train track.
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Best season to visit Costa Rica
The sunny or dry season, which is known is Costa Rica as “Verano” (summer), and it goes from December to April, and it’s a great moment to visit it. Although probably the best time is May, the first two weeks )Still dry but already low season). And unbelievably… September, going to the Northern areas and the Caribbean. That is their sunny season and it is empty.
Monkeys
Monkeys are everywhere to be found in Costa Rica, the most common ones are; The howler monkeys, the spider monkeys, and the white fast.
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Proud democracy.
Costa has one of the oldest democracies in Central America. With low abstention rates, Costa Rica is one of the oldest and most stable democracies in Latin America.
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Sunset and sunrise
The sunsets and sunrises are produced almost at the same time all year long. And they happen fast! The colors are amazing and in any place of Costa Rica, even in the cities (At the right places) the skies are breathtaking!
Don’t miss them! While on vacation make a commitment to be somewhere looking at the fantastic nature show of the tropical sunsets and sunrises!
