• The staple in Costa Rican diets is black beans and rice, as it is in much of Caribbean cuisine.  Often referred to as comida tipica, this simple dish is served for lunch or dinner with meat or fish. 
• When you are trying to find out where to eat in Costa Rica, you will want to keep in mind that they adhere to the more European custom of a large midday meal.  You may also find that portions are smaller than what is customary in the United States.
• You may find a casado meal on a menu-this is simply a rice and beans dish accompanied by meat or chicken.  It’s the Costa Rican equivalent of an American “combo.”
• The fruit in Costa Rica is as exotic as the landscape.  You will find plantains, pipas, starfruit and manzanas de agua in market stands and in restaurants. 

For the adventurous eater, local restaurants will be the best place to eat.  With so many different vegetables and fruits than we are accustomed to seeing, it can be a great experience.  If you are trying to decide where to eat in Costa Rica and you want the familiar, you will be in luck in San Jose or the coastal towns where you can get pizza or even Chinese food!

•  As part of the Central American Isthmus, Cost Rica is bordered on the East by the Caribbean Sea and on the West by the Pacific Ocean.  It has miles of gorgeous white and black sand beaches on both coasts and clear blue waters for tourists to enjoy.
• As the detailed map of Costa Rica shows, the central valley of the country has  bit higher elevation, but is also full of lush rainforests that are home to amazing animals of all kinds.  Jaguars, monkeys, tapirs and sloths are just a few of the incredible creatures that call Costa Rica their home. 
• Although the country borders two nations who have famously been involved in military conflict, Nicaragua and Panama, it does not have a military of any kind.  In fact the Costa Rica people, or Ticos, pride themselves on being pacifists by nature. 
• Costa Rica is the connection between the Northern and Southern American continents-essentially a land bridge between the two.

As you can see, you can learn a lot from the map of Costa Rica, but the best way to get to know this beautiful and majestic country is to visit it and see the wonders it holds first hand.  Only after a trip to this Central American gem, can you feel you truly understand Costa Rica for yourself.

• Costa Rica has no military.  This is remarkable considering it is situated between two notoriously militant countries:  Nicaragua and Panama!
• 4 million people live there, with about half men and half women.  Nearly 80% of women and about half of men work in some type of service industry-many of them in hospitality or tourism. 
• The country itself is about 20,000 square miles, roughly the size of West Virginia.
• Spanish is the most common language spoken, but Costa Rica tourism means that many people you encounter will speak English.
• The country is bordered on the East by the Caribbean Sea and the West by the Pacific Ocean.
• 25% of Costa Rica’s land is protected for wildlife or national park reserves.
• Sustainability is important to this country-they have set up a watchdog organization to monitor tourism and its impact on the environment.

Costa Rica tourism is ever changing, and responding to the needs of tourists and the environment with the development of eco-tourism.  Once you are there, you will understand why so many people love to visit this little gem tucked away in the isthmus of Central America and why they keep coming back to enjoy the hospitality of its people again.

• Students can travel to Costa Rica to learn about the environmental work being done throughout the country and to study the indigenous animals and plants of the region. 
• Families can take full advantage of tours of Costa Rica that focus on its wildlife and natural bounty.  A special favorite of families is a trip to Tortuguera to see the leatherback turtles in their natural habitat.  At the right time of year, you can even watch them lay eggs at Playa Grande.
• An eco-conscious tour of Costa Rica will still have plenty of excitement.  You can employ the standards of eco-tourism to your adventure trip of whitewater kayaking or hiking in the volcano parks.  Your guides will help you stick to the ideals of minimizing the impact of your visit and respecting the natural environment.

Eco-tourism is growing rapidly around the globe as more and more people begin to see the negative effects of overusing resources and not respecting nature, whether on vacation or at home.  Tours of Costa Rica are leading the charge when it comes to being eco-conscious.

• hit the casinos in San Jose!  Maybe your luck will be good and you will strike it rich when you visit one of the capital city’s casinos, which also offer great food and shows.
• Visit in the dry season and you can enjoy the music festivals in Monteverde, when the best musicians in Costa Rica converge on this small town.  If you are there on September 15^th, a great Costa Rica entertainment idea would be to join in the country’s independence day celebration.
• Futbol!  Catch the fever that Ticos (native Costa Ricans) have for their favorite sport, the one that we Americans call soccer.  You can watch a game and get into the spirit!
• Zip it!  See the jungle at top speeds when you try a zip line tour of the canopy of trees in the rainforests of Costa Rica.  You may not see much as you speed past the trees, but it will certainly be fun.

Whatever Costa Rica entertainment ideas you decide upon will be an added bonus to your amazing vacation.  Whether you hit the clubs every night or just sit on your balcony and look out over nature’s bounty, your trip to this beautiful Central American nation will be one to remember.

• Marriott Costa Rica Hotel (San Antonio de Belén, San José area; tel. 888/236-2427 or 2298-0844; www.marriott.com). This new hotel, with beautiful rooms that are kept very nicely is one of the best in the San Jose area.  The service and food are wonderful and there are so many great amenities-you will be staying in the lap of luxury. 
• Peace Lodge (north of Varablanca; tel. 954/727-3997 in the U.S., or 2482-2720 in Costa Rica; www.waterfallgardens.com).  This beautifully appointed hotel boasts the best bathrooms in Costa Rica, with each room sporting a private balcony and a jacuzzi! 
• Hotel Punta Islita (on the Pacific coast in central Guanacaste; tel. 866/446-4053 in the U.S. and Canada, or 2231-6122 in Costa Rica; www.hotelpuntaislita.com).  Positioned high above the Pacific Ocean, this hotel is the romantic getaway you want, whether it’s for a honeymoon or an anniversary. With great food, a gorgeous pool and comfortable rooms, you don’t have to leave the hotel if you don’t want to. 

Luxury hotels in Costa Rica offer the comforts of home (and more) plus the location that cannot be matched anywhere in the world.  Your home away from home in Costa Rica can be a once in a lifetime experience or one you visit again and again-the choice is yours. 

• Visit a volcano.  For most of us, volcanoes aren’t something we see every day, but there are several beautiful and active ones in Costa Rica.   Volcano tours are an amazing display of nature at its dangerous best.
• Surf, snorkel or lie on the beach.  Beaches in Costa Rica are a tropical paradise come to life, with white sand or even black sand reaching into clear turquoise waters and backing up to the jungle.  You can snorkel and see thousands of tropical fish or learn how to catch a wave along Costa Rica’s coast.
• Zip through the jungle.  One of the most amazing things to do in Costa Rica is take a zip line tour through the canopy of trees in the rainforest.  You won’t soon forget the experience of moving at super speed through the trees!
• Wildlife watching.  From the tropical birds to the squirrel monkeys, there are so many types of wildlife to see in this beautiful country.  Be sure to watch the turtles at Playa Grande!

You won’t run out of things to do in Costa Rica; in fact you may run out of time on your trip before you’ve even gotten halfway down your list of “must-do’s.”  It’s a paradise because it’s beautiful and because there are so many wonderful ways to spend your time there.

• Eco-tourism done right.  Costa Rica has a stake in preserving the rainforest it encompasses.  Besides the fact that the rainforest is a natural resource which need to be preserved for future generations, the country depends on the jungles and their inhabitants for much of the tourism the country enjoys.  There are many eco-tours of Costa Rica available.
• Adventures.  If you are the outdoor adventure type, there is plenty to do in Costa Rica.  With a Costa Rica vacation package that features mountain biking and whitewater kayaking, this will definitely be a trip to remember.
• Surf and turf.  How about a vacation that has a little of everything?  You can get a package that will be all about surfing and visiting the volcanoes of this beautiful country. 

Whatever Costa Rica vacation package you choose, your trip is sure to be memorable because the country is rich in so many ways.  From the relaxed lifestyle of its people to the exciting nightlife and adventure sports, Costa Rica will be a great destination for anyone looking to get away from it all and make some memories that will last a lifetime.

• In San Jose, taxi drivers are required to use their meters, but may try to persuade you not to make them do so, especially if you don’t speak Spanish.  Be sure to insist that they use the meter so that you know you are being charged a fair price.
• In smaller towns in Costa Rica taxi’s don’t use meters, so you may have to agree upon the price before you start the ride.  For long trips, as well, the price should be determined before you get into the vehicle so that you know what you will be paying once you reach your destination.
• In some towns, taxis work more like buses and may be shared with other travelers and then you will be charged a flat rate.
• You can often hire a car for long trips, similar to a taxi ride.  This service is much easier than renting a car because it saves you money and you don’t have to worry about navigating unfamiliar roads.

In Costa Rica taxi’s are a great way to get from place to place when you don’t want to take the bus or rent your own car.  For the most part, you will be able to walk to what you want to do and won’t need the added expense or worry of renting a vehicle for your trip.  Taxis can fill in when you need the convenience of getting somewhere right away.

• Open air markets.  No trip abroad would be complete without at least a stop in the open air and street markets of the town you are visiting.  These shops are true slices of life in Costa Rica and give you a feel for the local culture and how the natives live.  A trip to a market for fresh fruit or a great cup of coffee is what a trip to Costa Rica is all about.
• If you do hit the markets in San Jose, remember to keep your money and wallet close-after all you will be an easy target for pickpockets and thieves if you allow yourself to be. 
• Hit the mall for the big stores.  You can find American stores like Tommy Hilfiger and Nine West in the Mall San Pedro, Multiplaza in Escazu and Paseo de las Flores.  You won’t be wondering where to shop in Costa Rica for long once you’ve found these great shopping malls. 
• Visit locally owned department stores, Carrion, Aliss and Play while you are there for an authentic experience.

Once you know where to shop in Costa Rica, you can enjoy the experience.  Be sure to sample the local flavor in the markets as those casual meals and snacks may be your favorites.   You will also find lots of goodies to bring home from your trip.