Despite its tiny size, Costa Rica is an eco tourism dream, containing within its borders over 6% of the world?s biodiversity. Costa Rica boasts 20 national parks, 8 biological reserves, and a wealth of other protected areas that have captivated lovers of ecotourism for decades. Nearly one quarter of the entire country is protected and with good reason. Within its borders you can find over a dozen volcanoes, savannas, rainforests, cloud forests, mountains, streams and rivers. The variety of activities includes horse-back riding, hiking mountainous paths in the cloud forests, and guided bird-watching tours. This is a destination to satisfy even the most demanding of tourists. The beaches are great for lounging but you can also white water raft, fish, visit the canopy of the rainforest, hike, horseback ride, off road jeep, kayak. It?s a great destination for families as well as the lone adventurer. Perched between the Caribbean and the Pacific, the coasts are barely 3 hours drive apart ? you can visit them both. Plus there are the Pacific islands. Some are near enough to visit from the coast. Others, like Cocos, demand a long voyage. The diving is spectacular: All the large creatures are here to be seen. There are hard and soft corals but the underwater colour is not special. It?s the huge numbers and variety of fish and mammals that you will long remember. Humpback, sei, pilot, and false killer whales, over five species of dolphin, white tipped reef sharks, bull sharks, giant pacific manta rays, mobula rays, southern sting rays, spotted eagle rays, green sea turtles, snappers, king angels, moorish idols, trumpet fish, scorpion fish, various types of eels, spiny lobster, octopus, huge schools of barracuda, jacks, grunts, and much more. Go now ? it?s wonderful. Costa Rica's weather is influenced by altitude. The Pacific coast is drier while the Atlantic coast has the most rainfall - about 300 days a year. The temperature in San Jose ranges from a high of 24° to 27°C, to a low of 14°C to 16°C. The wet season is from May to October. The hottest months are March and April. Spanish is the official language.
Worldwise Drinking water is safe in all the major towns and cities. Malaria had to a large extent been eradicated, but it has begun to re-appear around Limon and the Caribbean coast. Malaria pills may be advisable for extensive stays in lowland areas. Inoculation for yellow fever is recommended. Costa Rica has one of the best standards of health and hygiene in the region.
