Costa Rica

 

Costa Rica

March 2024

 

           Our travels have not included Central America. Well, a brief dip into Nogales, Mexico, during a trip to Arizona in 1987, but not enough to check off the region. Costa Rica has much to recommend it. One of the most “biodiverse” countries in the world, with some 5% of the world’s species. Been called the birthplace of ecotourism; 12 different life zones, 20 national parks, 26 protected areas, 9 forest reserves, 8 biological reserves, & 7 wildlife sanctuaries. All this packed into an area about the size of West Virginia. Climate seems quite agreeable: average highs about 80 don’t vary much by month and March looks the best for rainfall. Costa Rica is also described as a “safe paradise” with a very stable political climate. Last but not least: rave reviews from a surprising number of friends who’ve been there; we seem to be latecomers, guess we didn’t get the memo.

Costa Rica was inhabited by indigenous peoples before coming under Spanish rule in the 16^th C following Columbus’ arrival on his final New World voyage in 1502. In 1821 Costa Rica joined other Central American provinces in a joint declaration of independence from Spain. Following a brief  Civil War in 1948 its army was abolished, becoming one of only a few countries without a standing army, and there has been uninterrupted democratic rule since then. According to stats in Wikipedia, Costa Rica ranks well on various world indicators: higher “human development” than countries at the same income levels, 98% literacy, the 8^th freest press, 35^th most democratic, and 23^rd happiest country. We’ve done a number of trips with Gate1, which has several options for Costa Rica. The “10 Day Classic Costa Rica with Manuel Antonio” offers a quite comprehensive itinerary from mountains & volcanos to rain forests to coastal beaches.