Where 4% of the world’s plants and animals reside, you’ll find one of the world’s few blue zones, and “pura vida” is the way of life…
With about a quarter of its land protected as parks, reserves, and wildlife refuges, Costa Rica is brimming with life. There are about 1,900 species of trees, 9,000 flowering plants, and 800 ferns. There is also an abundance of animal species, with birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles coming in at over 1,500 species (and that's not even counting the insects).
Livelihood extends well beyond the plants and animals of Costa Rica to the humans that live there as well. The laid-back “pura vida” lifestyle is evident. The locals are friendly, family-centered, and spend much of their time among nature, which likely contributes to Costa Rica’s designation as an incredibly happy country, as well as its home to a “blue zone”—one of the few places in the world where people live the longest.
In 1948, Costa Rica dissolved its army, vowing to use the money for education and social security. Now, with education free and mandatory, Costa Rica boasts a 98% literacy rate (for reference, the US has a 79% literacy rate). More recently, the Costa Rican government committed to green energy. In 2021, 98% of its energy came from renewable resources, such as hydroelectric and solar.
As if this all isn’t reason enough to make a beeline for the Central American country, you can also trek through rainforests, zipline on volcanoes, and relax on the beaches that dot its diverse coastline—electric sunsets included.
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The land of pura vida
You can’t go to Costa Rica without hearing ”pura vida.” Translating to “pure life,” the phrase embodies the spirit of happiness, gratitude, and positivity. You may hear it as a greeting when you enter your hotel: “Pura vida, amigo!” It’s also used as a feeling: “Your note made me feel pura vida.” And it’s used as an adjective: “That new song is pura vida (totally awesome).” It’s also printed on souvenirs, serving as a happy reminder of your trip long after you’ve left.
Clearly, pura vida is doing something right, as Costa Rica consistently ranks at the top of indexes measuring the overall happiness of countries around the world. It previously ranked at the top of the
Happy Planet Index (HPI)—which measured life satisfaction, life expectancy, and ecological footprint—four years running. (For reference, the US ranks #102 on the HPI.) More recently, it ranked #6 in the
World Happiness Report.
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A kingdom for animals
Costa Rica is home to 4% of all species on Earth, with 500,000 different plants and animals. Sloths—the national animal—are plentiful in the rainforest, yet occasionally elusive due to their camouflage. Howler monkeys are easier to find—you can hear them from miles away, as they’re one of the loudest animals in the world (as loud as fireworks, ambulances, and live rock concerts).
With bright-red feathers and a long tail, scarlet macaws are dazzling, especially when you see them soar in flocks of up to 30. While their population is declining due to habitat destruction, you still have a good chance of seeing them in the national parks. There are also toucans, tree frogs, snakes, sea turtles, and tons of other animals to be observed.
Your best chance of spotting animals in the wild is to hire a guide certified by the national tourism board. They usually congregate at the national park entrances. Your hotel will readily recommend its favorites. Guides can pick you up from your accommodations or meet you there, crafting a tour to meet your needs, whether that’s through a park, private refuge, or even by boat. Just be specific with what you’re hoping to see so that your guide can keep an eye out.
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Beach treats and soda eats
While Costa Rica is not necessarily known for its local cuisine, the sea and fertile land provide an abundance of fruits, vegetables, and seafood that can be prepared fresh in tasty, refreshing ways. Treats can be found on the street—or sometimes even on the beach. If you’re strolling in the sand and hear, “Pipa!” head directly to the vendor, who’ll slice the top off a coconut and pop a straw in for fresh coconut water. You can also find green, fresh-from-the-tree mango in season March through June, which is sold in plastic baggies with salt and lime.
Ceviche is served in most restaurants. It’s fresh fish, usually sea bass or mahi mahi, “cooked” in citrus juice so that the acid of the juice denatures the fish in a way similar to heat, and mixed with red bell pepper, onion, and cilantro, and then served with chips. For breakfast, Costa Rican sodas—small, local restaurants found in each town or pueblo—serve gallo pinto, a delicious combination of beans and rice that pairs perfectly with eggs.
Read more
- Playa Hermosa, Tamarindo, and other hot beach towns for surfers (or the surf-curious)
- Lakes, hot springs, and other ways to experience the volcanoes here
- How to get a taste of Costa Rica’s blue zone
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SJO flight price history
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$331 Average Going deal
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$650 Normal ticket price
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Interested in a trip to Costa Rica?
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With local expert:
Rachel White
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Rachel Cherry White is a writer who chased the sun to Costa Rica with her family of six to experience pura vida endlessly. You can see her work in Fodor’s Guide to Costa Rica, on
mother.ly, and other publications.
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