Fun Facts

2) The national bird is the clay-colored robin (Turdus grayi), and the Guanacaste (Enterolobium cyclocarpum) is the national tree. The national flower is the "Guaria Morada" (Cattleya skinneri), an orchid.  The national flag is red, white and blue as seen pictured to the left.

3) Costa Rica has a population of 4.1 million and a life expectancy of almost 77 years - one of the highest in the world.

4) There are 801 miles (1290 km) of coastline in Costa Rica .

5) Costa Rica is divided into seven provinces: San Jose, Alajuela, Heredia, Cartago, Guanacaste, Puntarenas and Limon.

6) There are more than 121 volcanic formations in Costa Rica, and seven of them are active.  Poas Volcano has the second widest crater in the world (nearly one mile in diameter), and Arenal Volcano is one of the ten most active volcanoes in the world.

7) Chirripo Mountain is the highest point in Costa Rica at 12,500 feet (3,810 meters ). The country's lowest point is 790 feet below sea level in the caves of Barra Honda National Park.

8) Irazu is the tallest volcano in Costa Rica at 11,259 feet (3,432 meters).

9) Costa Rica hosts more than 5% of the world’s biodiversity even though its landmass only takes up .03% of the planet's surface. There are more than:

•    130 species of freshwater fish
•    160 species of amphibians
•    208 species of mammals
•    220 species of reptiles
•    850 species of birds
•    1,000 species of butterflies
•    1,200 varieties of orchids
•    9,000 species of plants
•    34,000 species of insects
•    AND still counting as new species are discovered every day

10) More than 25% of Costa Rica’s land is dedicated to national parks, reserves and wildlife refuges. There are more than 100 different protected areas to visit.

11) A “soda” is a small, informal restaurant that serves traditional meals like chicken, rice, beans and salad for $2- $3 a plate.

12)  A “pulperia” is a neighborhood store that sells essential foodstuffs like canned goods, eggs, milk, bread and some produce.

13) For most of Costa Rica, the dry season runs from the middle of November through mid-April. During these months, the Pacific Coast and most of the Central Valley receive little rain, or the odd afternoon shower. May through mid-November is considered the rainy season, when days are marked by sunny mornings and late afternoon thunderstorms.

The Caribbean Coast and Northern Region (Monteverde, Arenal and Sarapiqui areas) are exceptions to this rule, and have no distinct dry season.

14) The Tempisque River Bridge that connects the mainland to the Nicoya Peninsula was a gift from Taiwan.

15) Costa Rica's official language is Spanish, though a large number of its citizens are at least moderately bilingual. English, due to its status as the international language of tourists, is the most common second language in Costa Rica.

Read more about Costa Rican Slang & Idioms