Last Updated on May 17, 2018 by Nancie
Costa Rica is a popular destination for travelers wanting to experience Central American culture, food and adventure. The country boasts a stable democratic government, and with its strong Spanish roots, visitors wanting to practise their Spanish will have many opportunities. For those travelers who don’t speak Spanish, no worries. The country boasts a well-educated workforce, who for the most part, are conversant in English. With 2 million plus visitors per year, it’s important to research your accommodation options prior to arrival. Costa Rica Rental Properties is an excellent choice.
San Jose, Costa Rica
Many international visitors arrive by air, usually landing at the Juan Santamaria International Airport, 20 kilometres west of its capital, San Jose. Theatre, music, and world-class museums, the city is a cultural mecca. During the day visitors can immerse themselves in the country’s rich history at The Gold Museum (Museo de Oro Pre-Colombino). The museum is home to one of the largest collections of pre-Columbian gold in the Americas. International visitors pay an admission fee of $9US, and that includes entrance to a numismatic museum housing bills and coins dating back hundreds of years. The Costa Rican National Museum (Museo Nacional de Costa Rica) located at the old fort showcases a timeline from Pre-Columbian art to the present day. Located between Parque Espana (Spain Park) and the National Library, The Museum of Contemporary Art and Design (Museo de Arte y Diseño Contemporaneo) will delight contemporary art lovers. The museum houses a permanent collection of 900 pieces, plus numerous temporary exhibits throughout the year. Guided tours are available.
Markets are high on my list wherever I travel. In San Jose when hunger hits, or you need a museum break, its time to experience San Jose’s Central Market (Mercado Central). Occupying a city block, the market features over 200 shops, stalls, and sodas (inexpensive family-run restaurants). Be prepared for the crowds. Tens of thousands visit the market daily. Wandering through the maze of narrow alleys you’ll find a variety of fresh food, local handicrafts/souvenirs, snakeskin boots, herbal remedies, and much more. You’re sure to find something for everyone on your gift buying list.
To quench your thirst, treat yourself to a refesco, a mixture of freshly squeezed juices, water, and sugar, at Soda Los Angeles on the markets southwest side. If its food you want, try the olla de carne with beef short ribs, or a Casado (a hefty plate of fried plantains, beans, and rice with meat, chicken, or seafood), at Soda Cristal in the market’s centre. Finish off at Cafeteria y Cafe Central on the northeast end. Order the cafe chorreado, which is brewed using mild peaberry beans. The barista pours hot water over a coffee-filled sock sitting on top of an aluminum pot known as a chorreado. The perfect brew to finish off your market visit.
Be sure to include an evening at the theatre in your city itinerary. The National Theatre (Teatro Nacional de Costa Rico), decorated with Italian marble and a neo-classical facade, entertains theatregoers with both local and international performances. Try to take in a performance of the Concert Symphony Orchestra or Flamenco duos.
Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica
Leave the culture and food of San Jose for an adventurous date with nature at Tortuguero National Park. There are numerous options available to travel between San Jose and Tortuguero. Check here for complete transportation details. The majority of visitors are drawn here to see, first-hand, sea turtles nesting. Tortuguero is one of several places in Costa Rica where visitors can witness these slow-moving, lumbering creatures leaving the ocean, preparing their nests in the sand and finally laying their eggs. Between June to November the Atlantic Green turtles (Chelonia mydas) nest here. Then, from February to July, Tortuguero is the nesting ground for the much larger Leatherbacks (Dermochelys coriacea). Do not show up unannounced during nesting season. A certified guide and advanced reservations are mandatory for beach access after dusk or before dawn when the turtles are nesting. The turtles nest only at night.
You can also take the opportunity to explore Costa Rica’s rainforest during your stay in Tortuguero. Vistors can hire a boat and cruise down one of the many canals. Your guide will sail down the most scenic routes, naming every animal and plant along the way.
The beaches in Tortuguero are not the best for swimming, but they are a beachcombers paradise with miles and miles of white sand.
Cahuita, Costa Rica
Now, head to the beach for some snorkeling, sunbathing, and beachcombing. Three to four hours from Tortuguera is the laid-back beach town of Cahuita in Limon Province. Offering warm, calm waters, the stunning black sand beaches welcome sun lovers. Cahuita is still relatively unknown, so be sure to get there before it’s discovered by the masses.
When you need a beach break head for Cahuita National Park with its wildlife and 600 acres of living coral reef. A coastal walking trail from the Kelly Creek Ranger Station to Puerto Vargas is perfect for viewing wildlife. Monkeys and sloths are often spotted playing and eating in the trees. There are two shipwreck sites just off the coast, which can be explored on a diving trip.
Give your taste buds a treat and sample Cahuita’s unique Afro-Caribbean cuisine. Visit a nearby chocolate factory and museum, where visitors can learn about the history of cocoa in Costa Rican culture and make chocolate using traditional methods.
From turtles to chocolate and everything in between, there’s something for everyone in Costa Rica.
41 responses to “Costa Rica: Culture, Food, and Adventure is Waiting for You”
Oooo that laid back beach sounds awesome. I love black sand that remind me of the moon and waters that aren’t too cold (even though I’m used to bathing in cold water in Norway)!
Wow, it looks so beautiful there! And I’ve always wanted to see the turtles!
I have heard so much about the natural beauty in Costa Rica and this post certainly reinforces that very well. Would just love to visit and explore there one day.
It looks really fantastic! I have never been to South America but would love to, such a vibrant place!
Costa Rica is truly a bucket list materials. I wanna go here soon.
I have never been in this place but Costa Rica seems like a good place to visit with your love ones. I will definitely add this to my bucket list and hoping to explore the beautiful spots of this place someday!
All three places sound amazing! If I had to chose one to visit it would be Tortuguero for the rainforest you mentioned.
Costa Rica a number of years ago what my absolutely favorite country to visit. I’d love to go back one day soon.
What a wonderful guide! The central market alone sounds like an adventure. I cant even imagine tens of thousands of people in place.
Sounds like a great place to visit! I love beaches and forests, my kind of vacation!
I have never been to Central America and thanks for introducing Costa Rica. Central America should be in my future bucket list and Costa Rica should be one of the city that I should not miss. Great guide for me and going to bookmark this one for my future travel.
Beautiful description…lovely writeup..
Thank you
Thanks for dropping by, Krish.
What a fun trip. It looks like you had a great time. Such beautiful photos…I definitely want to visit!
It is a beautiful country. There is so much to see and do.
Costa Rica looks so beautiful via your photos. You definitely picked some wonderful places to highlight, they all look fabulous for a vacation.
Wow! What a beautiful place. I’ve never been there – but looks like Costa Rica is rich in history and nature. Definitely, their culture has a lot to offer.
Never been there but definitely on my bucket list now! Gorgeous pictures!
Looks like an amazing place to visit. I am hearing a lot about Costa Rica the moment so it must be getting popular!
I love Costa Rica. It was so peaceful and I can’t wait to go back and explore more places. I visited San Jose but not the Gold Museum.
Costa Rica is so beautiful! I would love to see the rainforest, the beaches, and the nesting turtles!
Wow, you’ve really given such great info and pics. Costa Rica is definitely on my travel bucket list.
I’ve only been to Costa Rica once and it was such a long time ago. Now, I know where I need to go if I can visit again! Thank you!
The gold museum sounds super fun! I keep hearing how kid-friendly Costa Rica is, so I’m keeping it in mind for future family trips!
I absolutely fell in love with Costa Rica when I first visited. It is such a gorgeous country. I can’t wait to return, thank you for your travel tips.
I’ve never been to Costa Rica, but I do have a bucket list, so I’m definitely adding this place!
I make it a point to visit a museum or two in the country that I’m traveling to. Would definitely visit the Nation Museum given the chance to travel to Costa Rica. 🙂
Thank you for sharing such great tidbits of what seems like a nice place to visit! I will have to keep these in mind when I decide to go!
I have never been but sounds like a nice one to visit. I will definitely go in their museum to know and learn from their history.
I have never visited Costa Rica but it looks so beautiful, I’d definitely love to visit one day.
I have never been anywhere like this. It is amazing how much world there is out there to see.
You had me at sea turtles! I am obsessed with sea turtles!
Costa Rica is definitely on my must-visit list. All of the places in this post sound amazing, especially Tortuguero National Park.
Costa Rica is beautiful. We have it on our bucket list and hope to visit one day.
I’d love to go to Costa Rica someday! It looks absolutely beautiful. What a lovely post! x
Costa Rica looks like a fun place to visit. I love the photos and I would definitely visit it for sure in the future.
I don’t know if hubby and I would ever get a chance to visit Costa Rica, but the scenery is gorgeous. I think the museums would be fascinating, and I would love to see that leatherback turtle in person.
omg i love this! im from costa rica and you defineitly wrote about all the top spots!!! Specially cahuita, its one of my faves!!!! thanks for writing this!
Wow! Actually I’m vacationing right now and we’ve been discussing possible future destinations so thanks a lot for the idea and review! The Cahuita beach sounds very appealing to me, and I am very eager to see what black sand look like. Overall I think I would love to visit the market site as well! I’m definitely considering Costa Rica for my next vacation!
The pictures are so beautiful! Costa Rica is a place I have been wanting to go to for a while now but I’ve mostly focused on Asian countries till now. Hope to get the opportunity soon. Your blog just intrigued me.
Costa Rica was really look an awesome place and I wish I could go there someday. I love all the photos