Located in the southernmost Central America, Costa Rica is surrounded by three different surface waters including Panama Canal On south-east, the Pacific Ocean on the south-west and in the west and the ocean of the Caribbean on the east. Costa Rica is geographically a small country, but despite this, nobody can deny that it has an endless number of attractions and places to see. It has over 50 beaches and more than 160 parks, reserves and conservation areas and several of the most active volcanoes in the world Site seeing is a never ending pleasure in Costa Rica. Costa Rica has plenty of activities to keep each visitor active.

Lets take for example the highlight of Costa Rica’s southern Pacific coast, the Manuel Antonio Park. The park is a small but popular place because of its white sandy beaches and dense rain forest. Sunbathers flock to the beaches throughout the week. This stretch of coastline between the Nicoya and Osa peninsulas has several other low-key beach towns, including Playa del Jaco. Costa Rica is one of the most biologically diverse places in the world. In regard to this, more than a quarter of Costa Rica is under protection that includes some conservation areas and forest reserves. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve, on the other hand, requires an arduous uphill drive on unpaved roads. Upon reaching it, the trek is worth the hike through the cloud forest. There are a lot of flora and fauna that thrive in the environment.

The quetzal, an iridescent green bird with an extravagant long tail, is the most popular spot in the Forest. Many one of a kind species can be seen. It includes the rain frog and other colourful amphibians. You can also lure the dangerous tarantulas out of their lairs should you choose to. In San Jose and the Central Valley, there are a lot of activities that it sure to keep every tourist on the go. One of its many interesting attractions is the Museo del Oro Precolombino, which exhibits gold dating back to 500 A.D. The Museo del Jade, with its impressive, ornate jade collection. The distant surrounding has many rainforest between villages. People can explore the rain forest by boat through a system of canals that bring each one close to spider monkeys and three-toed sloths.

Lake Arenal is one of the country’s largest bodies of water, it is a relatively undiscovered region. People can easily find last minute accommodation to rent, even during high seasons. The activities can range from horseback riding to windsurfing. The most popular attraction is the Volcan Arenal. Many tourists spend the night here just to catch a glimpse of the country’s most active volcano. They watch the lava flow down the volcano’s western side. This experience is truly awesome and completely unforgettable.

Cultures are often known for their importance to the constructs of a given society. Costa Rica is not an exception to this theory on culture. Costa Rica is rich with culture. Culture is synonymous with variety as is the land of Costa Rica. And in this country touching on the topics of race, food, festivals, and customs just scratches the surface of how colorful the culture if this land is.

Costa Rica has a strong and efficient national education system, with its citizens maintaining a 95% literacy rate. Combine that with the strongest and most stable, democratic tradition in all of Central America and it molds the human character that has made the Costa Ricans a self-assured and hospitable bunch. That again is the outcome of the education system that makes it obligatory up to the sixth grade; for pursuing higher education, the National University and the University of Costa Rica has been made available to the public.

Among the premier holidays, Easter and Semana Santa are the most prominent. It is the time when the Costa Ricans express their faith through street processions held every day for one week before Easter commences. Christmas celebration and New Year’s Eve also manifest a similar phenomenon. Among the most significant non-religious holidays, the Independence Day of Costa Rica rules supreme. The magic of the ceremony lies in the diverse formal official celebrations that vary greatly from town to town.

Musically speaking, the land of Costa Rica represents mostly the folklores that had originated at the northern part of the country and bears heavy Mayan influence in the form of tambito (a rhythm) while the genre of the music is known as Punto. Further classification reveals the Punto Guanacasteco (from Guanacaste Province) and the Punto Sancarleno (from San Carlos in Alajuela Province) as the sub-genres. The modern era has witnessed rock music taking center stage.

The cuisine of Costa Rica borrows flavors from different parts of the world, although some would say it lacks in terms of anything distinct or original. Costa Rican cuisine stands as a grand assortment of Spanish, Mexican, American, Caribbean and Southern American recipes like other Central American countries. However, it still retains the age-old flavors. Gallo Pinto (a combination of black beans and white rice) is considered the national dish, though Arroz con pollo or rice with chicken always gives it a run in terms of popularity.