The happiest country in the world
Costa Rica is a unitary constitutional republic in Central America. Most of its territory lies on the Central American isthmus, surrounded by the Caribbean Sea, the Pacific Ocean, Nicaragua and Panama. Its neutrality and vision of society have earned it the nickname of the Switzerland of Central America. Occupied by Amerindians since prehistoric times, Costa Rica was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1502 and became a Spanish colony between the 16th and 19th centuries. The country gained independence in 1821 and declared itself a neutral country in 1848, becoming the first country to officially abolish its army. Today, Costa Rica has become a model for the development of education, health and environmental protection, and is considered the most egalitarian country in Central America. According to various rankings, Costa Rica is also the happiest country in the world.
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Costa Rica
Itinerary : Tampa, Limon, Panama Canal, Grand Cayman, Tampa
1 other departures
Legend
9 d
Inside Stateroom
Tampa
1/16/2027
from
US$ 983
Other departures:
13 Mar 2027
Itinerary : Puerta Caldera, Quepos, Golfito, Coiba, Gulf of Chiriquí Marine Park (Panama), Isla de tortuga, Puerta Caldera
1 other departures
Star Clipper
8 d
Inside Stateroom
Puerta Caldera
1/2/2027
from
US$ 2,815
Other departures:
26 Dec 2026
Itinerary : Puerta Caldera, Coiba, Gulf of Chiriquí Marine Park (Panama), Golfito, Quepos, Isla de tortuga, Puerta Caldera
1 other departures
Star Clipper
8 d
Inside Stateroom
Puerta Caldera
1/29/2028
from
US$ 2,952
Other departures:
05 Feb 2028
Itinerary : Colon - Panama, Panama Canal, Puntarenas, Puerto Vallarta, Los Angeles
Serenade of the Seas
11 d
Inside Stateroom
Colon - Panama
4/25/2026
from
US$ 761
Itinerary : Balboa, Pearl Islands, Isla Iguana, Coiba, Golfito, Quepos, Isla de tortuga, Puerta Caldera
Star Clipper
8 d
Inside Stateroom
Balboa
12/19/2026
from
US$ 2,892
Itinerary : Puerta Caldera, Isla de tortuga, Quepos, Golfito, Gulf of Chiriquí Marine Park (Panama), Isla Iguana, Pearl Islands, Balboa
Star Clipper
8 d
Inside Stateroom
Puerta Caldera
1/9/2027
from
US$ 2,892
The capital of Costa Rica, San José is home to a third of the country's population and is its economic heart. Here you can discover the late 19th-century National Theater, with its Carrara marble and Venetian chandeliers, as well as the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, with its anthropomorphic and zoomorphic amulets. The city also boasts a national museum with a fine pre-Columbian hall, a jade museum and the Metalica building designed by Baltard in 1890. The central market is also a great place to pick up souvenirs from your trip.
In the old town, the Pueblo Antigua recreates life in Costa Rica in the 1900s. Moving deeper into the country, you can discover the Poas volcano, whose crater is filled with an acid lake. Nearby, you can visit the Doko Estate coffee plantation, or admire the La Paz Waterfall Gardens, a tropical garden with beautiful waterfalls. Later, the Arenal volcano rises proudly in front of you, surrounded by its national park. From the Arenal Observatory Lodge, you can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding region.
If you enjoy volcano tourism, head for Rincon de la Vieja National Park. Here you can see an active crater, geysers, hot springs and pools of burning mud. A number of signposted hiking trails are accessible, some offering unique views of the Pacific Ocean. If you'd like to soak up the local flora, head for Monteverde and Santa Elena, to admire some important nature reserves. Don't miss the Reserva biologica bosque Nubesco with its beautiful orchid garden. On the Pacific coast, Manuel Antonio National Park offers mangrove walks and dream beaches. Also popular for its coastline, the village of Montezuma will surprise you with its Zen atmosphere inspired by hippie philosophy. A paradise for yoga, relaxation and ecotourism, the village is a true relaxation paradise. The Tortuguero Park is a favorite attraction for tourists visiting the country, offering the chance to see turtles laying their eggs. This natural paradise is particularly appealing for its black sand beaches, accessible via water channels. Off the coast of Costa Rica, more than 500 kilometers away, head for Isla del Coco. This protected volcanic island is ideal for scuba diving and snorkelling.
Costa Rica has a tropical climate, with two distinct seasons: a wet season between May and November, and a dry season between December and April. The weather varies, however, depending on the territory you visit, and the best times to visit are between December and April, and particularly between February and March for the Atlantic and Caribbean coasts. In the center of the country, regardless of the period chosen, the region enjoys eternal spring, with temperatures hovering around 20°C all year round, while the Caribbean coast experiences very humid, hot weather between December and April. It's worth noting that the dry season is the busiest time for tourists in Costa Rica, bringing large crowds to the country's tourist sites.
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