Explore Costa Rica’s culture from city to Caribbean Sea, starting with its contemporary art scene and ending with soul food and sea turtles. Leaving San José behind, the rain-nourished, undulating landscape of the country’s center gives way to Costa Rica’s distinct Caribbean coast.
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What is considered the Caribbean side of Costa Rica?
The Limon province is Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, extending from Nicaragua to Panama and covering 200 km. The province is divided in the North and South districts. North Limon goes from the Tortuguero Canals to Nicaragua’s border. The South of Limon is the Talamanca coast.
Where is Costa Rica located in the Caribbean?
Costa Rica is located on the Central American Isthmus, surrounding the point 10° north of the equator and 84° west of the prime meridian. It has 212 km of Caribbean Sea coastline and 1,016 on the North Pacific Ocean.
Geography of Costa Rica.
| Continent | North America |
|---|---|
| Exclusive economic zone | 574,725 km2 (221,903 sq mi) |
How do I get to the Caribbean side of Costa Rica from San Jose?
Reaching the South Caribbean coast of Costa Rica is easy on a 30-minute domestic flight between San Jose and Limón. It’s an additional 40-50 minutes to Puerto Viejo from Limón. In about 90 minutes time, you can be lounging on a hammock in the tropical Caribbean with a fruity drink in hand.
What is the best beach on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica?
The best beaches in Costa Rica’s Southern Caribbean are Cahuita, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Cocles, Punta Uva, and Manzanillo. These beaches are perfect for swimming horseback riding, hiking and simply enjoying some quiet beach time.
Is the Caribbean side of Costa Rica safe?
The Caribbean coast region has had a bad reputation over the years for being more dangerous than other parts of Costa Rica. In reality, crime against tourists is no more frequent here than in any other part of the country.
What US state is closest to Costa Rica?
Costa Rica is a republic in Central America on the Isthmus of Panama, with coastlines on the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, it borders Nicaragua in north and Panama in south east. With an area of 51,100 km², the country is about the size of Slovakia or slightly smaller than the U.S. state of West Virginia.
Is Costa Rica part of USA?
Costa Rica is not and never was a US territory, but it has strong relations with the United States in terms of economic, strategy, and security.
Is Costa Rica in Central or South America?
Central America is the southernmost region of North America. It lies between Mexico and South America, and it includes the countries Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Belize.
How do you get to the Caribbean side of Costa Rica?
Getting to the southern Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica is easy on 30-minute domestic flights between San Jose and Limon operated by Nature Air and Sansa Airlines. After the 30 minute flight, it is only a quick 30-minute drive from the Limon Airport to Puerto Viejo.
How far is San Jose Costa Rica from the beach?
From San Jose, Playas del Coco is 244 kilometers (152 miles), about a 4.5 hour drive. Playas del Coco is the closest beach town to an international airport in Costa Rica.
Is it safe to drive in Costa Rica?
Yes, driving in Costa Rica is safe and is the best way to travel around the country. Can I drive in Costa Rica with a US license? Yes! No international drivers license is needed to drive in Costa Rica.
Is San Jose or Liberia Costa Rica better?
Liberia is closer to some of the best surfing beaches in the country but flights can be more expensive. San Jose is closer to nature activities and the hustle and bustle of the capital city with generally cheaper flights, but has more expensive local transportation.
Is Costa Rica or Puerto Rico better?
Costa Rica has more nature sites to explore, Puerto Rico is easier to explore since it is smaller in size than Costa Rica. Puerto Rico has less airlines flying direct, it is less developed in those terms, from Costa Rica you have direct flights from almost anywhere in the world, which is truly an advantage.
Where is the clearest water in Costa Rica?
Unless a big hurricane swell moves in, Manzanillo to almost Punta Mona on the south Caribbean coast will offer the clearest waters in Costa Rica for the next few months. For the rest of the year, the clear is to be found offshore in the Pacific.
What is the nicest part of Costa Rica?
The Best Places to Visit in Costa Rica
- Puerto Viejo. Located on the Caribbean coast near Panama, Puerto Viejo is popular with young people and backpackers because of its great beaches, surfing, and party atmosphere.
- Cahuita.
- Tortuguero.
- Corcovado.
- Arenal.
- Manuel Antonio.
- Monteverde.
- Poas Volcano.
How long does it take to drive from one side of Costa Rica to the other?
The travel time can vary significantly between destinations, but a general rule of thumb is 30 mph (50 km/hour). Thus, if the distance between destinations is 125 miles (200 km), you should plan on it taking about four hours to get from one place to another.
Can you swim in the Pacific Ocean in Costa Rica?
4. Safest Beaches in Costa Rica: Where Can You Swim? With the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Caribbean Sea pounding the other side, Costa Rica’s beaches are famous for having big waves and fast currents. These are perfect for surfing, but not so much for gentle, safe swimming.
What should I avoid in Costa Rica?
Things You Should Never Do While Visiting Costa Rica
- Leave valuables unattended. Unfortunately, one of the most common crimes in Costa Rica is theft.
- Go to the beach at night.
- Buy drugs.
- Speed.
- Swim in front of a surf break.
- Take a dip in the river.
- Think you can get a base tan.
- Skip out on mosquito repellent.
Is it possible to drive to Costa Rica from the USA?
A: You can drive from the US border to Costa Rica in 8 days if you drive non-stop and hit all the border crossings just right.
What food is Costa Rica known for?
The 9 Most Popular Foods in Costa Rica
- Gallo Pinto. Gallo Pinto is a breakfast dish made of rice and beans (well that’s no surprise!).
- Casado. The Casado is probably the most traditional dish in Costa Rican cuisine.
- Tamal.
- Arroz con Leche.
- Sopa Negra (Black Bean Soup)
- Olla de Carne.
- Chifrijo.
- Patacones.
