Costa Rica Information

Formal Name: Republic of Costa Rica
Local Name: Costa Rica
Local Formal Name: República de Costa Rica
Location: Central America
Status: UN Country
Capital City: San José
Main Cities: Alajuela, Cartago
Population: 3,347,000
Area [sq.km]: 51,100
Currency: 1 colón = 100 céntimos
Languages: Spanish
Religions: Roman Catholic

Imagine... awakening to a perfect sunrise from an ocean front villa, followed by 18 holes of championship golf in the tiny tropical paradise of Costa Rica. Then re-live each day's great round, stroke-by-stroke, with a piña-colada at poolside. Rejuvenated by Pacific breezes, admire the fading glimmer of the evening's sun as it slowly vanishes into the horizon. But the day's not done, the excitement of Costa Rica's nightlife, famous for clubs, casinos and international cuisine is about to begin!

A new world leader in eco-tourism, Costa Rica is also earning a reputation as a home for world-class golf. Proudly, we offer some of the world's least crowded golf courses. Carefully tucked into the natural surroundings, our courses vary from rolling fairways, lined with rare tropical hardwoods, to open links style nestled between mountains and flowering valleys with challenging greens overlooking sandy beaches and ocean. Golfing in Costa Rica is a unique experience! Blessed with near perfect weather, majestic mountain peaks and volcanoes, secluded coastlines, luxurious golf resorts and a passionate and friendly people, it's no surprise that Costa Rica has now become a premier golfing destination.

It's not just all 'tee times' though! Costa Rica is exploring tropical rainforests, bird-watching, hiking, whitewater rafting, world famous deep sea fishing and almost every other water sport and out-doors adventure under the sun. So whether it's golfing, exploration & discovery, luck-of-the-draw, or merely a leisure-filled afternoon of searching for beached star fish... Golf in Costa Rica awaits you!

The Arenal Volcano is the youngest strato volcano in Costa Rica and one of its most active. The 1657 meters (1 meter = 3.28 feet) high andesitic volcano towers above the eastern shores of Lake Arenal, which has been enlarged by a hydroelectric project. Arenal was constructed by successive eruptions to the NW side of the older Chato volcano, which contains a 500 meters wide summit crater. The earliest known eruptions of Arenal took place about 7,000 years ago. The Arenal Volcano's most recent eruptive period began with a major explosive in 1968. From that day on, Arenal Volcano has erupted daily, emitting smoke and red-hot lava from vents at the summit and on the upper western flank, to the delight of residents and travelers.

Montezuma Waterfall
A 30 minute walk from Montezuma will take you to the 60 ft. Waterfall, which is located in spectacular flora. The waterfall cascades into a large natural swimming pool surrounded by beautiful rocks and plants.

Costa Rica Sport Fishing
Enjoy an exciting sport fishing vacation adventure in beautiful Costa Rica. Sailfish gather here in such numbers that anglers consistently catch them on fly reels. Our passion is fly fishing and flyfishing for billfish is one of the fastest growing sports. Costa Rica is also world famous for it's billfishing. Anglers here regularly catch Marlin, Sailfish, Yellow-fin Tuna, Wahoo, Snapper, Amberjack and more. World records are waiting to be caught here, so come and join us for a fantastic adventure.

For futher information on what Costa Rica has to offer,
visit www.costarica.com, and www.visitcostarica.com

Currency Converter: www.oanda.com/convert/classic

The Tico Times - Central America's leading English language newspaper:
www.ticotimes.net