Costa Rica Travel Guide

It’s a place where rainforest hikes, rushing white water-rapids, world-class surfing, and beachside relaxation all come together to embrace the country’s motto of “pura vida” or the pure life. Welcome to Costa Rica, the small Central American country that certainly makes up for its lack of size with plenty of adventures, beautiful beaches, and warm, friendly people who are ready to welcome travelers from all walks of life to their little slice of paradise.
Located in Central American and bordered by the Pacific Ocean as well as the Caribbean Sea, Costa Rica is a fairly small country with a total area of around 51,100 square kilometers (19,730 square miles). It shares its northern border with Nicaragua and its southern border with Panama. While it may be lacking in size, the country more than makes up for it with its impressive biodiversity, including lush rain forests and over 500,000 plant and animal species! In fact, Costa Rica is known to be one of the most biologically dense places in the world.
Adventure seekers and nature enthusiasts flock to this Central American country every year, and with the wide array of various terrains, there’s definitely something for every type of traveler looking to explore the various beautiful landscapes. Here you’ll find three mountain ranges running through the country, as well as over one hundred volcanic cones, some of which are major active volcanoes. Because the geography in Costa Rica can vary from coastal plains, to rugged mountains, to thick rain forests, there’s plenty to keep even those adrenaline seeking travelers content.