Click thumbnails above for the large jpg map image or detailed, printable, zoomable pdf map. Pdf costa rica is a small central american nation that has gained an international reputation as a leader in environmental conservation. The human development index places it as a highlevel country. March is the driest and hottest month, and may to october brings the wet season to the region. We help you plan your trip to costa rica with unique maps of costa rica road map. Many other hotels, lodges, and tour operators are earnestly jumping on the. Costa rica description cost rica is a central american country of 3. This tour combines high quality, isolated lodges with pristine national parks and coastline, resulting in a unique experience of costa rica s natural landscape. During 2019, international arrivals to costa rica reached 3,9,008, representing an increase of 122,341 compared to 2018, according to data from the general directorate of migration and foreigners dgme analyzed by the costa rican tourism institute ict this 4. This investigation adds to a very limited body of work by providing explorations of the significance of surf tourism for surfers and by bringing forward data and. Around 500km southwest of the costa rica mainland, isla del coco is a natural wonder that teems with wildlife, including the largest schools of hammerhead sharks on the planet. Costa rica is an ideal place for americans to visit.
Costa ricas pacific coast has tropical heat almost all year round. Active volcanoes, lush cloud forests, lowland jungles, rolling savannas, and coral beaches create a. Generally speaking, costa rica enjoys a tropical climate yearround with temperatures averaging at 18c minimum and 27c maximum. According to costa rica s national institute for tourism ict, costa rica is in demand and is ranked 56th in the world for tourist arrivals. Summary of the socioeconomic situation in costa rica1. Tourism in costa rica has been one of the fastest growing economic sectors of the country and by 1995 became the largest foreign exchange earner. Surf tourism is a largely ignored mode of touristic behavior in the academy.
Costa rica also has the highest density of plant and animal species on earth. The dental tourism guide can help you find the ideal dental treatment in costa rica at the best price. See why you should visit costa rica, from the stunning orosi valley, wet tapanti national park, panoramic osa peninsula, lush tropical corcovado national park to escapism at places like chayote lodge along with all the best ecotourism activities costa rica has to offer. Toms puerto caldera costa rica cruise port guide toms puntarenas costa rica cruise port guide with over 500,000 plant and animal species, perhaps no other country on the planet contains such dense biodiversity. Coronavirus already cause of more than 8,000 tourist. Visit the lesstraveled southern pacific coast this unconventional itinerary focuses on destinations farther from the standard tourist track, including tiskita, a jungle lodge thats the bestkept secret in costa rica. Costa rica is a tradeheavy economy, with trade accounting for over 60% of gdp. It is bordered by nicaragua and panama in the north and south, respectively, and by the caribbean and pacific oceans on the east and west. In order to increase the likelihood that ecotourism achieves goals of sustainable development in costa rica, all of the key.
Researchers have identified five global regions as blue zones, and costa ricas nicoya peninsula, just south of papagayo, is one of them. Government ordered the suspension of all trips from europe, which could translate into an additional impact on costa rica s and international tourism in general. As part of costa rica s declaration of a state of emergency due to the coronavirus pandemic, it will not allow foreigners or nonresidents to enter the country from 11. Costa rica is the most popular travel destination in central america. Costa rica s tourism industry has developed as environmentally sound and lucrative, protecting the vast natural treasures of the country while bringing economic opportunities to the rural areas. Expert naturalist guides lead excursions through the diverse. Parque nacional isla del coco costa rica attractions. All you have to do is select the type of places youd like to include restaurants, museums, etc. That tourist has since recovered from the coronavirus. For that reason, divers descend from all corners, often venturing out on liveaboard trips with companies like aggressor and. Costa rica is a central american country with a land area of 51,100 sq km and a population of nearly 3.
The private sector and the government became active in looking for ways to protect and promote nature tourism and costa ricas image. That leaves costa rica with over 30 percent of its national territory marked for conservationone of the highest ratios in the world. Costa rica, a small country in central america, has transformed itself into a popular and wellvisited tourism destination. Responsible tourism in costa rica is a genuine success story, with tourism supporting the creation of vast protected areas, helping local communities and assisting with the protection of wildlife such as sea turtles. Development and conservation tool in the osa peninsula, costa rica. Laura driscoll, carter hunt, martha honey and william durham. Amidst the political and social turbulence that plagues many of the latin america countries, costa rica has been able to sidestep that. Due to costa rica s position on the world stage, a significant amount of the nations success in the ecotourism sector can be attributed to its proximity to the united states. Costa rica s economy is led by exportoriented agriculture, relatively lowcost technology services, and tourism. From an epidemiological standpoint, the presence of coronavirus in costa rica is small.
Costa rica has a variety of specialist lodges located in places away from the most frequented tourist destinations. Centering yourself on a surfboard or yoga mat, descending into batfilled caves or ascending misty volcanic peaks, hiking, biking or ziplining your only limit is your return date. One of the most prosperous and politically stable countries in the region, costa rica is the only central american state without a permanent standing army, after it. Ecotourism in costa rica is a robust industry because the country was one of the earliest adopters of connecting naturewildlife conservation with responsible travel costa rica has been ranked among the worlds best ecotourism destinations on more than one occasion, and became the first country in the americas to ban hunting in 2012. Costa rica maps visit costa rica costa rica tourism. Along with the cheaper ones, there are some of the worlds most opulent and expensive options. Pdf costa rica, a small country in central america, has transformed itself into a popular and wellvisited tourism destination. September 2009 598 john rutter an ecotourism case study. Annual statistical data on international arrivals, costa rica departures, economic details, tourist offerings and cruise ship arrivals.
Here youll find splendid beaches that spill into sparkling blue waters, peaceful conservation areas, and outstanding adventure sports. A current costa rica tourist visa stamped in your passport if your visa expired you may or may not be allowed to leave or reenter. In the 1960s costa rica warily became aware that tourism could be an important source of income. Costa rica is so much more than just a little country in central america.
The handy printable highway map of costa rica includes a table of driving distances and an alphabetical index of grid coordinates for most cities and towns and features national parks, reserves and wildlife refuges. The strong emphasis on sustainable practices and development of protected areas has boosted ecotourism in costa rica to a large degree. Oecd, adapted from the costa rican tourism board tourism policies and programmes the ministry and costa rican tourist board are actively planning for the future by scanning market trends, new product opportunities and initiatives to further professionalise the tourism sector. Whether you choose a sunset cruise, an aerial tram, a walk through the rainforest on a suspension bridge, or an afternoon soaking in a volcanic hot spring, there are many relaxing ways to. Our costa rica travel guide offers valuable information on the top tourist destinations as well as valuable costa rica travel tips. Transnational land investment in costa rica utrecht university. Costa rican biodiversity, and on policies of conservation and sustainable use of our biological wealth. The impact of tourism in costa rica the costa rican times. Sustainable travel and ecotourism in costa rica frommers.
Costa rica ecotourism is the countrys main factor for drawing in visitors each year. Costa rica road map, costa rica go visit costa rica. Here you can find valuable information about costa rica. Given the unique and unrivaled natural resources and characteristics shown by. Costa rica is one of the planets prime ecotourism destinations. Visit costa rica costa rica tourism official website. The viruss impact on costa rica s tourism industry, however, is. When youre done, you can download your costa rica travel guide to your phone or tablet, or print it as a pdf. Whatever type of person you are we have everything you need and want. Many of the hotels, isolated nature lodges, and tour operators around the country are pioneers and dedicated professionals in the sustainable tourism field. At the dental tourism guide of costa rica, we understand the importance of making the best decision when choosing a dental clinic abroad. Trends in coastal and marine tourism in the area of study since mid 1980s, costa rica was able to develop an interesting model of nature.
The economic, political and social stability of costa rica is one characteristic that has distinguished it through its entire contemporary history and as one of its most important strengths, has enabled it to. However, costa rica is not immune to the pressures of deforestation and land use change, largely a result of the clearing of land for cattle ranching and agriculture cia 2003. While the costa rica tourism board ict didnt provide concrete data, the tourism minister recognized april. The tourism boom began in 1987, with the number of visitors up from 329,000 in 1988, through 1. Coastal and marine tourism in costa rica, panama and. Costa rica get your official my costa rica travel guide. Its greatest benefits in the social, economic, environmental and cultural areas have helped put the little country of costa rica onto the international map awareness setting costa rica as a worldwide leader and a success story of how eco tourism can positively impact a whole country as long as it is done properly, at an early stage of. Tourism is one of costa rica s most important businesses, and they are blessed to contain all the key ingredients of the perfect tourist destination. Explore costa rica holidays and discover the best time and places to visit. Exploration doesnt need to be exhausting, and costa rica has much to offer for those who want to recharge and enjoy the country at a leisurely pace. Located between panama to the south and nicaragua to the north, and nestled between the caribbean sea to the east and the north pacific ocean to the west, costa rica is a short 2. More than onequarter of costa rica is considered to fall under some form of protected status, and costa rica has become a worldrenowned ecotourism destination because of its extensive protected areas. The second part is focused on the general characteristics of.
By now, youve likely heard of blue zones places in the world where data indicates people live longer and healthier lives than the average person. This includes zipline tours, canyoning, horseback rides, rafting trips, and kayak excursions. Wednesday through the same time on sunday, april 12. You will find comparisons with the two previous years and in 10year series. Biodiverstiy and tourism in costa rica march, 2001 6 1. For 25 days, costa rica will close its doors to international tourism. Which tools and techniques were used in order to develop to one of the most popular destinations for sustainable tourism. Coronavirus pandemic begins to affect costa ricas tourism. Costa rica travel guide places to visit in costa rica. Weve created your virtual best friend an insiders guide full of practical information and videos for costa rica travel as well as plenty of interesting details about this amazing country. Statistics tourism in costa rica centralamericadata the.
Heres how travelers can help protect frogs in costa rica heres how travelers can help protect frogs in costa rica the secret to mindful travel. If you are allowed to cross the border either direction. Over 12 days of travel throughout costa rica, youll indulge in almost every activity the country is famous for. Whether or not ecotourism in costa rica will prove to be sustainable in the longterm remains to be seen. As part of the central american isthmus, costa rica is both interoceanic and intercontinental. Costa rica s first reported case of the virus appeared in an american tourist. Statistics tourism and costa rica in central america. Tourism makes a significant contribution to the costa rican economy.
Costa rica has been a leader in the ecotourism race, with the largest economic revenue coming from tourism and the industry continues to grow dasenbrock 2002. It is the most popular destination in central america, although tourism faces rising competition and slowing growth. Read about itineraries, activities, places to stay and travel essentials and get inspiration from the blog in the best guide to costa rica. For many, this country is an example to follow because of its successful. Since 1999, tourism has earned more foreign exchange than bananas, pineapples and coffee exports combined. Ecotourism has more promise for achieving sustainability than alternative types of land use such as agriculture, cattle grazing, logging, or mass tourism. According to costa ricas national institute for tourism ict, costa rica is in demand and is ranked 56th in the world for tourist arrivals. In addition, american travelers make up 20% of the worlds tourism market.
Embraced by the pacific ocean and the caribbean sea, costa rica has been attracting ecotourists for decades, thanks to rich biodiversity and abundant wildlife. Community agency and sustainable tourism development. Costa rica and central america, tourism, whose ultimate goal is offering visitors. Ecotourism and sustainable development in costa rica.
Due to costa ricas position on the world stage, a significant amount of the nations success in the ecotourism sector can be attributed to its proximity to the united states. Costa rica is bestowed with an intense array of biodiversity and environmental attractions majestic volcanoes, misty cloud. The purposes of this article is to 1 serve as an introduction to the current special edition of tourism in costa rica, and 2 summarize the country s tourism history and trends to provide a. The far reaching environmental and economic benefits of ecotourism cannot be denied.
The trip starts with a visit to costa rica s famous arenal volcano for hiking and natural hot springs before continuing to the pacific ocean for some beach time at manuel antonio national park. Read more about what makes this costa rica adventure so distinctive. Costa rica case study unedited working paper 1 1 introduction. Although between 2017 and 2018 the average spending of tourists in costa rica fell 14%, businessmen estimate that the country has the capacity to absorb more demand. Conservation strategies, protected areas, and ecotourism. Tourism growth in costa rica tourism is the fastest growing sector of the worlds service industry, and ecotourism is the newest rage. Costa rica is currently on track to be one of the most sustainable countries in the world its working to become the first carbonneutral country by 2020 but this hasnt always been the case. The slogan of that time the garden of the americas already demonstrated a willingness to develop ecological tourism. Costa rica stability economic, political, and social. This is a mission close to my costa ricas own philosophy and our costa rica ecotourism nature packages are perfect for the environmentally aware ecotourist. Coastal and marine tourism in costa rica, panama and nicaragua. Costa rica travel guide free online guide for costa rica.