Destinations List

Costa Rica

About Costa Rica

Costa Rica literally means "Rich Coast," officially the Republic of Costa Rica. In Spanish, República de Costa Rica, is a country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Caribbean Sea to the east, and Ecuador to the south of Cocos Island. It has a population of around 5 million inhabitants, of whom nearly a quarter live in the metropolitan area of the capital and largest city, San José.

Costa Rica is very famous for its nature and biodiversity which represents around 5% of the world's biodiversity, designating the country as one of the most beautiful destinations for nature tourism.  From rain forests, cloud forests and tropical dry forests to a large agricultural sector including coffee, bananas, pineapple, sugar, beef and dairy, Costa Rica has much to offer and experience. The country has two seasons - the dry season and the rainy season. The "summer" or dry season goes from December to April and "winter" or rainy season goes from May to November. However, temperatures stay tropical and warm year round. 

Many beautiful and exotic animals can be seen in Costa Rica, such as the sloth, monkeys, iguanas, crocodiles, and various stunning birds. You can find many beautiful beaches to spend the day relaxing or learning how to surf, or go on an adventure and hike to a waterfall or volcano. Although it is a small country, don’t expect a quick journey anywhere due to the winding mountain roads through the jungle. While the coasts are full of beautiful beaches for swimming and surfing, the inland is mountainous and perfect for hiking and nature lovers.

According to Taylor (2016 IFYE), "Costa Rica is known as the happiest place on earth. After living here and meeting the people, I can say - without a doubt - it's the happiest place I've been.

"Pura Vida, which translates to "pure life," is the saying to know while in Costa Rica. The locals use it to say everything: goodbye, hello, good, thank you, and you're welcome. Life is simple and happy; stress and worries are pushed to the side. The people here truly enjoy life."

Agriculture 
Agricultural land: 34.7% 
Arable land 3.8%: permanent crops 7.2%; permanent pasture 23.7% 
Forest: 60.1% 

What to Expect: 
As an IFYE in Costa Rica, you will first arrive in San Jose and spend a couple of days there before moving in with your host family. The culture is very welcoming, with Costa Ricans (Ticos) known for being warm and treating visitors like family. It's helpful to have a little Spanish knowledge, but you can get by and learn more while you are there. Be aware of "Hora Tico" or "Tico Time," which means people are laid back and might be a little late. The local diet is rich in rice, beans, plantains, fresh fruit, meat, and fish. You should also be prepared for a different way of life, as some homes may not have hot water or Wi-Fi. The overall experience is meant to be one of personal growth and immersion, and you will likely leave with a new extended family. 

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