Despite its diminutive size, Costa Rica is a study in contrasts and contradictions, and nowhere else in the world are so many types of habitats squeezed into such a tiny area.
Despite its diminutive size Costa Rica is a study in contrasts and contradictions. On one coast it fronts scenic Pacific shores, while only 119km away lies the Caribbean coast, with a range of bubbling volcanoes and tumbling streams in between.
A diversity of ecosystems
The Pacific coastline is infinitely varied as it twists and turns around gulfs, peninsulas and numerous small coves. Rugged, rocky headlands alternate with classic white-and-black-sand beaches dotted with swaying palm trees.
Related article: Top 10 natural beauties of Costa Rica
Monotonous in comparison, the Caribbean coastline runs straight along a low, flat plain that is inundated with brackish lagoons and waterlogged forests. Plants grow right to the water’s edge along coastal sloughs, creating walls of vegetation.
The mountainous spine of Costa Rica is a land of a chilled peaks clad in impenetrable cloud forests. In the midst of the highlands is the Central Valley, a fertile plain and dense population centre that contains four of the country’s five largest cities.
A diversity of wildlife
Nowhere else in the world are so many types of habitats squeezed into such a tiny area. In terms of number of species per 10,000 sq km, Costa Rica tops the list of countries at 615 species, compared to the United States with a mere 104.
The large number of species in Costa Rica is due to the relatively recent appearance of the country. Roughly three million years ago Costa Rica rose from the ocean, and formed a land bridge between North and South America.
As species from these two vast biological provinces started to mingle, the number of species essentially ‘doubled’ in the area where Costa Rica now sits. In more recent decades, the establishment of national parks and private reserves has helped to protect this biodiversity.
Driving the open road
Renting a car is a wonderful way of travelling from coast to coast, especially if your time in the country is limited. The freedom and flexibility of having your own wheels allows you to break free from the shackles of infrequent public transportation.
The roads vary considerably, from double-lane paved highways to single-track dirt-and-mud affairs. Add to the mix rocky landslides, sudden flooding, patches of fog and herds of cattle, any and all of which necessitate the importance of defensive driving.
But if you came to Costa Rica looking for adventure, fear not as the open road never fails to disappoint. Narrow, winding mountain passes climb high into the clouds, while backcountry jungle tracks test the limits of your navigation skills.
Classic itineraries
For days on end of sun, surf and sand, cruise along the central Pacific coast for back-to-back beach towns dedicated to the pursuit of hedonism. Further south in the Osa Peninsula, you will find Costa Rica’s most pristine and rugged wilderness.
Heading east into the highlands provides opportunities to scale soaring mountains, trek through humid rain forests and soak your cares away in remote hot springs. For an urban dash of humanity, the cities of the Central Valley are rich cultural hotspots.
Spanish gives way to English, and Latin beats change to Caribbean rhythms as you reach the other side of Costa Rica. While slow and steady travel has its merits, devoted road warriors can swim in both the Pacific and the Caribbean in a single day.
Practicalities
International flights arrive at Aeropuerto Internacional Juan Santamaría, just northwest of San José, in the city of Alajuela. Aeropuerto Internacional Daniel Oduber Quirós in Liberia also receives flights from the US and Canada.
Car-rental agencies can be found in San José and Liberia, in addition to popular tourist destinations on the Pacific coast. Invest in a 4×4 with high clearance, especially in the rainy season when driving through rivers is a matter of course.
The article ‘Costa Rica: Coast to coast’ was published in partnership with Lonely Planet.