Costa Rica is sometimes referred to as the Switzerland of Central America because of its comfortable lifestyle, peaceful democracy and overwhelming natural beauty. But is this merely the depiction on a postcard or does it have relevance for today's Tico (Costa Rican)？
Early in the 20th century, this view could rightly be called an optimistic caricature. At best, Costa Rica was an occasional democracy with widespread poverty and no discernible environmental protection policy.In the second half of the century, however, sustained economic growth created a viable middle class, a generous social welfare state and one of the world's most progressive environmental movements.
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On the Road

Costa Rica Highlights
Destination
Costa Rica
Getting Started
Itineraries
The Culture
Food & Drink
Environment
Adventure Travel
San Jose
History
Orientation
Information
Dangers & Annoyances
Sights
Activities
Walking Tour
Courses
San Jose for Children
Quirky San Jose
Tours
Festivals & Events
Sleeping
Eating
Drinking
Entertainment
Shopping
Getting There & Away
Getting Around
AROUND SAN JOSE
Los Yoses & San Pedro
Escazu
Central Valley &
Highlands
ALAJUELA & THE NORTH
OF THE VALLEY
Alajuela
Butterfly Farm
West to Atenas
Northwest to Sarchi
Palmares
San Ram6n
Los Angeles Cloud Forest
Reserve
Zarcero
Parque Nacional Juan
Castro Blanco
Parque Nacional
Volcan Poas
Los Jardines de la
Catarata la Paz
HEREDIA AREA
Heredia
Barva
Parque Nacional Braulio
Carrillo
Rainforest Aerial Tram
Moravia
CARTAGO AREA
Cartago
Parque Nacional Volcan
Irazu
Valle de Orosi
TURRIALBA AREA
Turrialba
Monumento Nacional
Arqueol6gico Guayabo
Parque Nacional Volcan
Turrialba
Northwestern
Costa Rica
INTERAMERICANA NORTE
Refugio National de Fauna
Silvestre Peffas Blancas &
Around
Costa de Pajaros
Juntas
Monteverde & Santa Elena
Reserva Biol6gica Bosque
Nuboso Monteverde

Wildlife Guide
Reserva Santa Elena
Ecolodge San Luis &
Research Station
Puente La Amistad
Canas
Volcan Tenorio Area
Volcan Miravalles Area
Bagaces
Parque Nacional
Palo Verde
Reserva Biologica Lomas
de Barbudal
Liberia
Parque Nacional Rincon
de la Vieja
Parque Nacional Santa
Rosa
Refugio Nacional de Vida
Silvestre Bahia Junquillal
Parque Nacional
Guanacaste
La Cruz
Bahia Salinas
ARENAL ROUTE
Ciudad Quesada
(San Carlos)
La Fortuna & Around
Parque Nacional
Volcan Arenal
El Castillo
Laguna de Arenal Area
Tiaran
Peninsula de
Nicoya
NORTHERN PENINSULA
Playa del Coco
Playa Hermosa
Playa Ocotal
Beaches South of Playa
Ocotal
Playa Grande
Parque Nacional Marino
Las Baulas de Guanacaste
Playa Tamarindo
Playas Avellanas & Negra
Playa Junquillal
Santa Cruz
CENTRAL PENINSULA
Nicoya
Parque Nacional Diria
Parque Nacional Barra
Honda
Puente La Amistad
Nosara Area
Refugio Nacional de
Fauna Silvestre Ostional
Playa Samara
Playa Carrillo
Islita Area
Playas San Miguel &
Coyote
SOUTHEASTERN
PENINSULA
Playa Naranjo
Islands near Bahia
Gigante
Paquera
Refugio Nacional de
Vida Silvestre Cur6
Playas Pochote & Tambor
Cobano
Montezuma
Mal Pais& Santa Teresa
Cabuya
Reserva Natural Absoluta
Cabo Blanco
Central Pacific
Coast
PUNTARENAS TO
QUEPOS
Puntarenas
Around Puntarenas
Turu Ba Ri Tropical Park
& Around
Parque Nacional Carara
Tarcoles & Around
Playa Herradura
Jaco
Playa Hermosa
Playa Esterillos
Parrita
Rainmaker Aerial Walkway
QUEPOS & MANUEL
ANTONIO
Quepos
Quepos to Manuel
Antonio
Manuel Antonio Village
Parque Nacional Manuel
Antonio
QUEPOS TO UVITA
Rafiki Safari Lodge
Matapalo
Hacienda Bar6 National
Wildlife Refuge
Dominical
Escaleras
Uvita
Parque Nacional Marino
Ballena
Southern
Costa Rica
THE ROAD TO CHIRRIPO
Santa Maria & Valle
de Dota
San Gerardo de Dota
Parque Nacional Los
Quetzales
Cerro de la Muerte
San Isidro de El General
San Gerardo de Rivas
PARQUE NACIONAL
CHIRRIPO
Orientation
Information
Wildlife-Watching
Hiking
Tours
Sleeping & Eating
Getting There & Around
THE ROAD TO LA
AMISTAD
Buenos Aires
Reserva Biologica Dorika
Reserva Indigena Boruca
Palmar
Nelly
Paso Canoas
Wilson Botanical Garden
San Vito
PARQUE INTERNACIONAL
LA AMISTAD
Orientation & Information
Activities
Sleeping & Eating
Getting There & Away
Peninsula de 0sa
& Golfo Dulce
TO CORCOVADO VIA
BAHIA DRAKE
Sierpe
Humedal Nacional
T~rraba-Sierpe
Bahia Drake
Bahia Drake to
Corcovado
Reserva BiolGgica Isla
del Cano
TO CORCOVADO VIA
PUERTO JIMENEZ
Reserva Eorestal Golfo
Dulce
Puerto Jimenez
Cabo Matapalo
Carate
PARQUE NACIONAL
CORCOVADO
History
Orientation & Information

Green Costa Rica
Activities
Tours
Sleeping & Eating
Getting There & Away
GOLFO DULCE
Golfito
Parque Nacional Piedras
Blancas
Playas San Josecito,
Nicuesa & Cativo
Zancudo
Pavones
Parque Nacional Isla
del Cocos
Caribbean Coast
THE ATLANTIC SLOPE
Guapiles & Around
Cariari
Guacimo
Siquirres
Puerto Lim6n
Around Puerto Limon
NORTHERN CARIBBEAN
Parismina
Parque Nacional
Tortuguero
Tortuguero Village
Barra del Colorado
SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN
Reserva Biologica
Hitoy-Cerere
Cahuita
Parque Nacional Cahuita
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Puerto Viejo to
Manzanillo
Manzanillo
Refugio Nacional de Vida
Silvestre Gandoca-
Manzanillo
Bribri
Sixaola
Northern
Lowlands
HIGHWAY 126 TO SAN
MIGUEL
Vara Blanca & Around
SAN MIGUEL TO LOS
CHILES
Venecia & Around
Boca Tapada Area
Muelle de San Carlos
San Rafael de
Guatuso Area
Upala
Refugio Nacional de Vida
Silvestre Cano Negro
Los Chiles
SAN MIGUEL TO PUERTO
VlEJO DE SARAPIQUf
La Virgen
La Virgen to Puerto
Viejo de Sarapiqui
Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui
& Around
SOUTH OF PUERTO
VlEJO DE SARAPIQUi
Estaci6n Biol6gica
La Selva
Sueno Azul Resort
Heliconia Island
Rata Avis
Oirectory
Transportation
Health
Language
Glossary
The Authors
Behind the Scenes
Index
GreenDex
World Time Zones
Map Legend