Costa Rica Monkey Tours

Call us Toll Free
  • Tours
  • Activities & Transportation
  • Hotels
  • Travel Agent Program
  • About Us
  • Gallery
  • BOOK NOW

The complete Costa Rica Travel Guide for the perfect vacation!

Here you will find the most complete Costa Rica Travel Guide to help you be fully informed of what your paradise vacation will be like.

What will you find in the travel guide?

This Costa Rica Travel Guide is meant to show you why this country is the most visited nation in the Central American region, and you’ll understand this once you’ve witnessed this country’s unique and spiritual lush rainforest, rare birds, smoldering volcanic peaks, clear flowing rivers, and exotic fruits. A tropical paradise protected by genial people, rich with urban historical culture, it’s no wonder so many flock here to see Mother Nature’s magnificent work. Costa Rica Monkey Tours delivers more than just adventurous getaways. We take biking, white water rafting; zip line tours, beach-going, surfing, and cultural sightseeing to a whole new level. This Costa Rica Vacations guide will help you sort and decide where you want to go once you are here.

A favorite retreat for North Americans and Europeans, Costa Rica is an affordable destination point, with kind hosts providing safe and friendly service in secure surroundings, ensuring experiences of a lifetime for you and your group. Some of the favored locations in Costa Rica include:

  • The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
  • The Tortuguero Canals
  • Corcovado National Park
  • Marino Ballena National Park
  • The Province of Guanacaste

The Meaning of Pura Vida

You will also learn in this Costa Rica Travel Guide a few of the sayings that represent the people of this county. Pura vida is the most common Costa Rican phrase. Literally translated, it means pure life, but it can also mean “plenty of life”, “full of life”, “this is living”, “going great”, or “real living.” The phrase can be used as a greeting or a goodbye, as an answer expressing that things are going well, or as a way of giving thanks. Even if you don’t speak the language, uttering the simple words, “Pura vida,” brings you closer to state of mind and to embracing the relaxed and gracious disposition of “ticos.” You’re on vacation. Right? Why not spend it with people that cater to travelers like you in the land of “Pura vida!”

Costa Rica — Geographically Speaking

Just north of the equator, this flourishing oasis is one of the planet’s most bio-diverse regions, and its national parks will take your breath away with their majestic glory. More than a third of the country has been set aside for you to enjoy in its protected natural state, abound with flora, fauna, and exotic and animated creatures. You will be able to see this in your travel guide to paradise Costa Rica.

If you aren’t a nature lover, Costa Rica will assuredly change that, with its pristine beaches and jungle backdrops, breathtaking sunsets, silky and pungent orchids, and amusing native creatures, including four indigenous monkey species and more than 800 types of colorful and often raucous birds.

Yes! There are Cultural Offerings

While its cities may not be Costa Rica’s premier attraction, that’s not to say you shouldn’t make a stop at one of its urban centers enhanced by local artists commissioned to create bronze and concrete sculptures, mosaics, and mural art. Get a sense of local life and culture as you explore downtown San Jose and its myriad of architectural styles, street performers, kiosks, cafes, and dozens of museums showcasing art and reflections of Costa Rica’s culture and history. Your Costa Rica Vacations Guide will show you that most museums are located in the country’s capital, including the popular Gold Museum, the Costa Rica National Museum, and the Jade Museum. Only a short taxi ride from there is the La Sabana Metropolitan Park which offers the Costa Rican Art Museum located inside what used to be the Control Tower of the old San Jose International Airport. It’s worth spending some time in the cities; if only experience this multi-faceted country, its charming people, their culture, and cuisine.

What about food in Costa Rica?

Costa Rican cuisine is a combination of Spanish, South American, Caribbean, and American influences. Its style is shared by most of Central America, although local variations have appeared in each of the countries. One national dish is gallo pinto, a combination of black beans and white rice spiced with cilantro, onions, garlic, salt, and a local condiment called Salsa Lizano. It is typically eaten at breakfast with eggs and sometimes sour cream. We suggest you try this native dish at least once, maybe with fried plantains, and indulge yourself with a side of either corn tortillas or fresh-baked bread. These articles disclose a little bit more about Costa Rican Cuisine:

  • Traditional Easter Foods
  • Is the food the same everywhere in Costa Rica?
  • Typical Food of Costa Rica
  • What is Costa Rican food like?

Gift Ideas for when returning from your Costa Rica Vacation

Costa Rica was once famous for its principle production of coffee, though bananas, pineapple, sugar, lumber, wood products and beef are still important exports. Coffee here is abundant, varies in texture, aroma, and flavor, making it quite simply irresistible. Coffee also makes a great gift, so be sure to take some home to share with friends and family. However, save some for yourself as a romantic and reminiscent reminder of your Costa Rican lifetime experience.

Jamie Oliver Comes to Costa Rica for Casado

Jun 10, 2015
|0 Comment
The famous celebrity chef Jamie Oliver made his way to a traditional Costa Rican kitchen, and posted pics and comments to his Facebook page as of June 8th, 2015. Jamie Oliver posted to his Facebook profile: “I’m Learning from the Costa Rican mumma’s !!:):) ❤ we had a...   [ Read More → ]

Historical Marine Museum of Puntarenas Costa Rica

Jun 09, 2015
|0 Comment
The Museo Histórico Marino de la Ciudad de Puntarenas is at once an aquariums showcasing marine life from as far away as Cocos Island and a beautiful viewpoint of the port city. The Historical Marine Museum of Puntarenas, Costa Rica, displays much of the maritime history of the...   [ Read More → ]

Central Bank Museums of Costa Rica

Jun 09, 2015
|0 Comment
The Museos del Banco Central include the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum and the Numismatic Museum, and both are located at the Plaza de la Cultura in downtown San Jose. The Coin Museum and the Gold Museum are two of the better known museums of Costa Rica simply due to their location....   [ Read More → ]

Corcovado vs. Tortuguero: Where to go?

Jun 09, 2015
|0 Comment
Corcovado National Park and Tortuguero National Park share some characteristics such as nesting sea turtles, but they also have some major differences. Corcovado National Park Corcovado National Park has an incredibly diverse biological make up, and has been declared one of the...   [ Read More → ]

Best Hikes & Nature Walks in Costa Rica

Jun 05, 2015
|0 Comment
You can find thousands upon thousands of miles of hiking trails in the many national parks of Costa Rica, but these are some of the ones to look for when traveling. 1. Rincón de la Vieja Volcano National Park This more than 3,500 year old volcano and the national park that...   [ Read More → ]
« First‹ Previous78910111213Next ›Last »

Travel Guide

  • Costa Rica Travel Guide
    • Costa Rica Tours
    • Costa Rica Maps
    • Costa Rica News
    • Costa Rica Music
    • Costa Rica Hotels
    • Medical Tourism
    • Costa Rica Sports
    • Costa Rica Rafting
    • Costa Rica Wildlife
    • Costa Rica History
    • Culture in Costa Rica
    • Costa Rica Beaches
    • Traveler Questions
    • Costa Rica Airports
    • Costa Rica Nightlife
    • Costa Rica Location
    • Costa Rica Weather
    • Costa Rica Reserves
    • Costa Rica Currency
    • Costa Rica Shopping
    • Costa Rica Museums
    • Costa Rica Volcanoes
    • Costa Rica Adventure
    • Costa Rica Travel Tips
    • Costa Rica Restaurants
    • Costa Rica Destinations
    • Costa Rica National Parks
    • Things to do in Costa Rica
    • Costa Rica Vacation Packages

Contact Us

Toll free number from USA & Canada
1-800-774-5228
info@costaricamonkeytours.com
Providers Apply here
We are hiring Apply here

Connect

Costa Rica Monkey Tours

  • Privacy & Cancellation Policies
  • Costa Rica Tours
  • Hotels Costa Rica
  • Transportation in Costa Rica
  • Travel Agent Program
  • Costa Rica Travel Guide

© 2025 - Costa Rica Monkey Tours an International Tropical Getaways S.A. Brand