With the launch of Thomson Airways direct flights to Costa Rica from London, the UK’s leading newspaper The Telegraph has published a list of “29 more reasons to make Costa Rica your next holiday destination”.
1. Costa Rica is the world’s happiest country
According to the most recent Happy Planet Index, which aims to measure human well-being and environmental impact, Costa Rica is the most satisfying place in which to live, with an HPI rating of 64 (placing it above Vietnam, Colombia and Belize). Britain, on the other hand, languishes on 47.9.
Does sunny weather make us happy? They must be in Costa Rica
2. Perhaps because it’s got no army
The constitution of this peace-loving nation has forbidden a standing army since 1949 and it is now the home of the United Nations University for Peace.
3. And an impressively high life expectancy
Life expectancy in Costa Rica is an impressive 79 years, higher than all of its Central American neighbours. One region in particular, the Nicoya Peninsula, is known for longevity. Its residents frequently live beyond 100 years of age, with the simple lifestyle – Nicoyans usually make a living farming or on cattle ranches – is said to be responsible.
4. And literacy rate
97.8 per cent to be precise, placing it in the top 40 countries worldwide.
5. It also plans to become carbon neutral by 2021
A noble goal. You can help by staying in one of the country’s numerous eco lodges. (The goal has since been revised. It’s now 2100. See here.)
6. You can sleep in a converted 727
7. It’s coffee is among the best in the world
29 reasons you should visit Costa Rica right nowYou can take his word for it Photo: GETTY
8. Greetings are quirky
Instead of hola (hello), Costa Ricans say “Pura vida” (pure life) or “Que tuanes”, which is of obscure provenance, but may be a corruption of the English “Get-to-our-knees” – in other words, I like you so much I am genuflecting. Costa Ricans also refer to their partners as “media naranja”, or the other half of their orange.
9. You can see sea turtles hatching
Watching the arrival of the Olive Ridley sea turtles on the beaches of the Pacific Coast is one of the greatest experiences to be found in the country.
10. Go white-water rafting at Turrialba
Our Latin America expert, Chris Moss, also recommends this.
11. Surf on the Nicoya peninsula
12. Or explore the Monteverde cloud forest
It is home to many birds, including the country’s largest populations of quetzals – a species once sacred to the Mayans, who considered their feathers more valuable than gold – and more than 500 types of orchid.
The preservation of the cloud forest and its communities is largely due to a group of Quakers (Society of Friends) who left the US in 1951 to start a new life, buying and farming land locally and creating a reserve in 1972 without the usual backing of national or large international bodies. This first reserve spawned many subsequent parks and created a thriving and sustainable destination.
13. Costa Rican women don’t take their husband’s last name
A win for feminism. They keep their maiden name for life.
14. It’s so biodiverse
Costa Rica hosts five per cent of the world’s biodiversity, even though it makes up just 0.03 per cent of the planet. Around a quarter of the country is part of a protected forest or reserve.
15. It’s heaven for volcano lovers
There are more than a dozen volcanoes in Costa Rica, including Arenal, which is 5,358 feet high.
16. It’s the world’s hummingbird capital
With 52 different species.
17. It’s free from Brits
Want to be sure you won’t bump into any other Brits on your next holiday? Or simply looking for bragging rights when it comes to lesser-visited destinations? Then head to Costa Rica. A recent poll found that just 1.4 per cent of Britons have been.
18. Everyone carries a machete
It’s considered the national tool. That’s pretty cool.
19. It’s got some of the world’s best beaches
That’s Drake Bay on the Osa Peninsula.
20. And sloths!
Which may or may not photobomb you.
21. It’s about to become Central America’s low-cost travel capital
VivaCam, a new carrier, backed by the owners of Ryanair, recently announced plans to start operating low-cost flights from San José, the Costa Rican capital, to the rest of Central America, a move that could help to open up the region for budget holidaymakers.
22. You can see these mysterious spheres
There are more than 300 of them on the Diquís Delta, created by an unknown civilization.
23. This amazing bridge
Made from the confiscated equipment of illegal shark hunters, it is located on the island of Cocos.
24. And these cool gardens
In the city of Zarcero.
25. Vic Reeves is a big fan
And we’re big fans of Vic Reeves.
26. So too is Joss Stone
“We took a small plane to Manuel Antonio, one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful national parks,” she said. “It has one of the most stunning beaches I’ve ever seen. We stayed at the Si Como No eco resort, at the heart of the emerald green rainforest, where you’re surrounded by trees and exotic creatures. You could be sitting outside eating your breakfast and see a sloth climbing up a tree. We went whitewater rafting and explored the tropical forest, which was incredible.”
27. And Laura Linney
The film Congo was shot in Costa Rica. Linney recalls: “We got to see places you normally wouldn’t have access to, shooting on top of volcanoes and going deep into the rainforest and over gorges. It was gorgeous.”
28. There’s an amazing zip-wire ride
The world’s best zip line rides.
29. And an impossibly blue river
That’s the Rio Celeste in the Tenorio Volcano National Park.
