Costa Rica - Cruise Stories

~Costa Rica~

Costa Rica has long been known as a great vacation destination, featuring amazing landscapes from beaches to mountains to incredible rain and cloud forests, with a varied climate that do always the best time to visit Costa Rica and more flora and fauna than you’ll know what to do with.

Your beach vacation just got better! Because the Pacific Ocean borders on one side and the Atlantic Ocean borders the other side, you can watch the sunset and the sunrise all in one day.

Choose a spot in the morning on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica to watch the sunrise. Travel across to the Pacific coast and watch the sunset on an eastern beach. Allow plenty of time to travel by bus or car. While the distance is short by total mileage, traveling the Costa Rican roads can be a challenge.

Ticos, as the people of Costa Rica are called, use the phrase pura vida (“pure life”) in their everyday speech, as a greeting or to show appreciation for something. Ticos are generally proud of their political freedoms and their relatively stable economy.

Enjoy Renewable Energy

For eco-conscious travelers, you’ll appreciate Costa Rica’s commitment to renewable energy. The country currently runs on 98% renewable energy.

Using a combination of hydropower, wind, geothermal sources, and solar energy, powers more than a million homes and thousands of businesses.

Catch Plenty of Monkey Antics

A jungle vacation wouldn’t be complete without a monkey sighting. You won’t have to worry about that! Monkeys are one of the most common mammals.

It’s home to several species of monkeys, including the howler monkey, the white face monkey, Central American squirrel monkeys, and Geoffrey’s spider monkeys. Be sure to visit some of Costa Rica’s National Parks, where you’ll find plenty of monkeys roaming the parks.

If you want to see all four of these monkey species in the same place, make time for Corcovado National Park. It’s the only place you’ll find all of these monkeys in one place during your trip!

The Cuisine is Simple and Delicious

Costa Ricans enjoy a staple dish of rice and beans most mornings for breakfast. You’ll see this meal listed on menus as “gallo pinto.” You’ll also find plenty of black bean soup and other dishes made with rice and beans.

If you get tired of variations on rice and beans, try some Costa Rican ceviche. They have a unique take on this popular dish using tilapia and fresh vegetables.

Don’t forget to try plantains during your stay! You’ll find them fried as a side dish to traditional Costa Rican dishes.

With about 800 miles of coastline, you’ll have no problem finding a relaxing spot on the beach while you’re there.

You’ll find some of the best beaches in secluded areas off the beaten path. Work with a travel guide to choose the ideal beach for your vacation and help get you there safely.

Costa Ricans Have Long Lives

Nicoya Costa Rica is one of the top blue zones in the world meaning that its inhabitants live to be over 100 years old!

What’s their secret? They have a strong bond with family, elders remain active, and have a strong sense of purpose.

But their diet and the calcium in their water also play an important role.

It’s loves colorful art! You won’t have to look hard to see beautiful artifacts or paintings.

While the dollar is often accepted, the colon is Costa Rica’s currency—and it’s a delight to behold. Each denomination bill has a different colorful scene depicting the natural habitats and animals.

Costa Rican visitors can find plenty of art in museums throughout the country. In the capital city of San José, you’ll find:

the National Museum of Costa Rica
the Museum of Art
and Museum of Jade, which houses artifacts made of jade