Central America · North AmericaCosta Rica
Discover Costa Rica - the country with no army, more biodiversity than most continents, and a way of life called pura vida that makes everyone want to stay forever.
Where Is Costa Rica?
Costa Rica is a country in Central America, North America. Its capital is San José.
- Capital San José
- Population 5.15M
- Area 51,100 km²
Costa Rica is the country that abolished its army in 1948 and spent the money on education and healthcare instead. That single decision tells you almost everything you need to know about this place. Sandwiched between Nicaragua and Panama, this small Central American nation has become the gold standard for ecotourism, environmental conservation, and the art of living well without excess. The national phrase is pura vida - pure life - and Ticos use it as a greeting, a farewell, an expression of gratitude, and a life philosophy all at once.
The biodiversity is almost absurd. Costa Rica covers just 0.03% of the Earth's surface but contains nearly 6% of the world's species. You can watch sea turtles nesting on Caribbean beaches at dawn, hike through cloud forests draped in orchids and moss by midday, and spot scarlet macaws flying over Pacific jungle by sunset. There are active volcanoes, hot springs, white-water rivers, and both Caribbean and Pacific coastlines within a country smaller than West Virginia. Costa Rica routinely ranks among the happiest countries in the world, and after even a few days there, you start to understand why.
The country generates over 98% of its electricity from renewable sources, has doubled its forest cover since the 1980s, and aims to be completely carbon neutral. It is proof that a developing nation can choose a different path - and thrive.
At a glance
Largest cities in Costa Rica
San Jose
Liberia
Puerto Limon
Alajuela
Heredia
Famous people from Costa Rica
Oscar Arias
PoliticsPresident of Costa Rica who won the 1987 Nobel Peace Prize for his work on the Central American peace plan that ended regional civil wars
Franklin Chang Diaz
ScienceCosta Rican-born NASA astronaut who flew seven Space Shuttle missions and is developing advanced plasma rocket propulsion
Claudia Poll
SportOlympic gold medalist in swimming at the 1996 Atlanta Games in the 200m freestyle, Costa Rica's first individual Olympic champion
Keylor Navas
SportWorld-class goalkeeper who won three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles with Real Madrid, a national icon
Jose Figueres Ferrer
PoliticsRevolutionary leader who abolished the Costa Rican army in 1948 and established the modern democratic welfare state
Traditional cuisine of Costa Rica
- Gallo Pinto
- National breakfast dish of rice and black beans fried together with onions, peppers, and Lizano sauce, served with eggs, plantains, and sour cream
- Casado
- The married man's lunch - a plate of rice, beans, salad, plantains, and a choice of meat, fish, or chicken, found at every soda restaurant
- Chifrijo
- Bar snack of rice, beans, chicharrones, pico de gallo, and avocado layered in a bowl, invented in a San Jose bar and now a national obsession
- Olla de Carne
- Hearty beef soup loaded with corn, yuca, plantain, chayote, and other vegetables, the quintessential Costa Rican comfort food
- Tres Leches Cake
- Sponge cake soaked in three kinds of milk - evaporated, condensed, and heavy cream - a beloved dessert across Central America
Nature and landmarks in Costa Rica
- Arenal VolcanoMountain
- Nearly perfect conical volcano rising 1,670 meters above lush rainforest, surrounded by hot springs, hanging bridges, and hiking trails
- Monteverde Cloud ForestForest
- Magical cloud forest reserve draped in moss and mist at 1,400 meters, home to the resplendent quetzal, 500 orchid species, and unique hanging bridges
- Manuel Antonio National ParkNational Park
- Costa Rica's most visited park, where white-faced monkeys, sloths, and iguanas share pristine white-sand beaches backed by rainforest
- Corcovado National ParkNational Park
- Called the most biologically intense place on Earth by National Geographic, a remote Osa Peninsula wilderness with tapirs, jaguars, and scarlet macaws
- Tortuguero National ParkNational Park
- Caribbean jungle canal system where green sea turtles nest by the thousands, accessible only by boat or small plane
Sports in Costa Rica
- Football
- Costa Rica shocked the world at the 2014 World Cup by topping a group with Uruguay, Italy, and England, reaching the quarterfinals
- Surfing
- Both Pacific and Caribbean coasts offer world-class waves, with Santa Teresa and Pavones drawing surfers from around the globe
- Cycling
- Andrey Amador became the first Central American to compete in the Tour de France and ride for a top professional team
Did you know?
Costa Rica abolished its army in 1948 and has been one of the most peaceful and stable nations in Latin America ever since
The country generates over 98% of its electricity from renewable sources, mostly hydroelectric, geothermal, and wind power
Costa Rica contains nearly 6% of the world's biodiversity while covering only 0.03% of Earth's surface
The country has more than doubled its forest cover since the 1980s, reversing decades of deforestation through innovative payment programs
Pura vida is used as a greeting, farewell, thank you, and life philosophy - it might be the most versatile phrase in any language
Costa Rica has no street addresses in much of the country - directions are given by landmarks like 200 meters north of the old mango tree
Sloths are so common that there are sloth crossing signs on some Costa Rican roads
Read more about Costa Rica
Can you find Costa Rica on a map?
Drop a pin where you think it is and see how close you got. A few rounds and you will place Costa Rica and its neighbours without a second thought.
