Costa Rica - Fun Facts

‘Costa Rica’ or ‘Rich Coast’ is the name that was coined by the Spaniards due to Costa Rica’s stunning Coastlines.

• You don’t have to set your alarm clock to witness Costa Rica’s amazing sunsets and sunrises. Costa Rica is located approximately 1000 km north of the Equator which is the reason why the Sun rises and sets at the same time each day.

• Costa Rica is a small country considering its landmass to be no greater that the landmass of the country of Denmark.

• Costa Rica’s literacy rate at 97.65% puts the country in the top third of all countries globally.

• Costa Rica is a Democratic Republic. Costa Ricans vote in person. Mail in voting is prohibited.

• Costa Rica has the lowest poverty rate in all of Central America.

• Costa Rica’s Arenal Volcano is the top ten most active Volcano in the World.

• Mount Chirripo is the highest mountain in Costa Rica. The National Park covers three provinces. Its is home to five different ecosystems. The hike to the top is popular and can be done with an overnight stay. Its is about 15 hours in total.

• Costa Rica’s population is about 5.2 million. 1.3 million tourists visit Costa Rica each year.

• Costa Rica has two seasons. The dry and rainy season. By its size Costa Rica ranks second in the world when it comes to rivers and water bodies. This is due to the torrential rains during the rainy season.

• Costa Rica has No Army. Costa Rica abolished its army in 1948 and has been a peaceful nation ever since. The budget that would have gone to the military is instead invested in education, healthcare, and the environment.

• Biodiversity Hotspot Despite its small size (0.03% of Earth's surface), Costa Rica is home to over 5% of the world's biodiversity. There are more than 500,000 species of plants and animals!

• Pura Vida lifestyle. "Pura Vida" is Costa Rica's unofficial motto. It means "pure life" and reflects the country’s laid-back, happy lifestyle. It’s used as a greeting, farewell, or just to say life is good.

• Renewable Energy Leader Costa Rica generates nearly 100% of its electricity from renewable sources, such as hydro, wind, and solar power. It's a global leader in sustainability.

• Blue Zones Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula is one of the world’s "Blue Zones"—regions where people live significantly longer. Many residents live past 100 years due to their diet, lifestyle, and strong sense of community (Nicoya's drinking water is extremely rich in calcium which results in their elderly population having the bone density of a 25 year old).

• National Parks Galore - About 25% of Costa Rica's land is protected as national parks or reserves which is more than most countries in the world.

• Coffee and Bananas - Costa Rica is famous for its high-quality coffee, considered among the best in the world. It’s also one of the largest exporters of bananas.

• Two Coasts Costa Rica has coastlines on both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, allowing visitors to enjoy two very different beach experiences within a short drive.

• Hummingbird Paradise Costa Rica is home to over 50 species of hummingbirds! That’s around 10% of all hummingbird species in the world.

• Sloth Central - Sloths are a symbol of Costa Rica's relaxed vibe. The country is one of the best places to spot both two-toed and three-toed sloths in their natural habitat. Would you like to dive deeper into any of these?

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