Although explored by the Spanish early in the 16th century, initial attempts at colonizing Costa Rica proved unsuccessful due to a combination of factors, including: disease from mosquito-infested swamps, brutal heat, resistance by natives, and pirate raids. It was not until 1563 that a permanent settlement of Cartago was established in the cooler, fertile central highlands. The area remained a colony for some two and a half centuries. In 1821, Costa Rica became one of several Central American provinces that jointly declared their independence from Spain. Two years later it joined the United Provinces of Central America, but this federation disintegrated in 1838, at which time Costa Rica proclaimed its sovereignty and independence. Since the late 19th century, only two brief periods of violence have marred the country's democratic development. Although it still maintains a large agricultural sector, Costa Rica has expanded its economy to include strong technology and tourism industries. The standard of living is relatively high. Land ownership is widespread. In January 2008, Costa Rica assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2008-09 term.

San José - The capital

Museo Oro Precolombino (The Gold Museum)

Under Plaza de la Cultura. Tu-Su 10AM-4:30PM. Entrance fee $9 for foreigners (or $4.5 with a student ID card). The collection consists of 1600 pieces of Pre-Columbian gold work dating from 500 AD to 1500 AD. Information is given on the processing and making of the pieces as well as their social, cultural and religious meanings. At the same place you will also find The Numismatic Museum and The Temporary Exhibition Galleries. There is a nice museum shop and a tourist office at the entrance.

Museo del Jade (The jade museum)

Avenida 5-7, Calle 11-13 bis, INS, now on the 1st floor. Mo-Fr 8:30AM-3PM. Entrance fee 500 Colones.

Museo de los Niños (The children's museum)

Antigua penetenciaría (the old prison). M-F 9:30AM-3:30PM, Sa-Su 10AM-4PM. Entrance fee 600 Colones for adults and 300 for children.

Museo Nacional

Calle 17 Avenida 2. Tu-Su 8:30AM-4:30PM. Entrance fee 2000 Colones. The museum includes a large butterfly garden and a collection of large stone spheres from the Diquis Valley near the Pacific Ocean. The museum building is an old fort last used during the 1948 revolution.

Museo de Arte Costarricense

East end of Sabana Park. This used to be San Jose's main airport terminal back when La Sabana was the airport. Tu-Sa 10:00-16:00, Su 10:00-14:00. Entrance fee $5 (students $3).

Insect Museum at the Universidad de Costa Rica

A very elegant collection of exotic bugs. Only a few dollars, but check the times when they are open.

Museo de arte y diseño contemporáneo (MADC)

Definitely the main institution in Costa Rica dedicated to the broadcasting of contemporary art. Centro Nacional de la Cultura, Antigua Fábrica Nacional de Licores. Avenida 3, calle 15/17. San José, Costa Rica. Tel: (506) 2257 7202 / 2257 9370 Fax: (506) 2257 8702. Info related to current exhibitions, schedules and admission fees can be found at their oficial website www.madc.ac.cr.

Alajuela - location of Juan Santamaría International Airport

The Central Cathedral

Alajuela's Central Cathedral is the very center of the town as is traditional in colonial Spanish urban planning. The church is pretty, but not a spectacular piece of architecture. In front of the cathedral is the central park which is a nice spot for people watching and you may get a glimpse of wildlife such as parrots and a sloth that is an elusive resident.

Iglesia La Agonía

Located five blocks east of the Central Cathedral, this landmark church has an ornate Baroque style, even though it was built in 1941.

Juan Santamaría

Alajuela is the hometown to Juan Santamaría, the Costa Rican National Hero. Around the city you can see the location of his home, although now there is just a small palque and garden as the house in long gone. A block south of the Central Park is the Juan Santamaría park with a statue of the hero and a small collection of 1860s era cannons. A block north of the Central Park is the Juan Santamaría Museum, which shows some era pieces explaining the legacy of Juan Santamaría and the 1856 Campaign against the filibusters invaders, who wanted to take control of Central America.

Poas Volcano

Alajuela is the closest major city to the Poas Volcano National Park. The park is a popular desitnation for both foreign and Costa Rican tourists. Poas allows tourists to see into the crater of an active volcano. You can often smell sulfer from the crater while visting the peak. There are many guided tours offered to the volcano through private tour companies or you can catch a daily "tourist" bus provided by the TUASA bus company. The TUASA bus will take you to the top of the volcano and then return you to Alajuela after several hours.

Cartago - Costa Rica's first capital

Irazu Volcano

Located around 30 km (12 miles) from Cartago downtown is one of the most famous volcanos in Costa Rica. This volcano erupted in 1963 when John F Kennedy was visiting Costa Rica, right now is extinguished.

Orosi Valley

Beautiful landscape. Orosi is a small town about 12 km (8 mi) east of Cartago where you can see one of the first churches built in Costa Rica. Is surrounded by beautiful mountains and coffee plantations. Easily you can find hostels, hotels and restaurants in the area.

Cachi Dam

Cachi Dam Is next to Orosi around 7 km (5 mi) east. A Dam was built in the 70s and the lake is surrounded also by beautiful mountains. Cachi is also a little town where "casa del leñador" or the woodcutter house can be found. It is a place to buy woodcraft made from the coffee roots. Some very good restaurants are located around the lake, the speciality is "Trout"

Turrialba

The second city of the Province. It is located around 40 km (25 mi) east of Cartago downtown. Is the house of the best rafting of Costa Rica. Very good hotels are here (Casa Turire, Pochotel) specially around the lake that was created for a big Dam. The Turrialba volcano is active and you can see it from different places (gases only) Hotel Turrialba Lodge is one that is very close to the volcano. Also in Turrialba you can find the only big archaeological site of Costa Rica, Guayabo.

The Lankaster Botanical Gardens in Paraiso

Just outside of Cartago (7 km east). Home to Central America's largest collection of orchids and epiphytes, Lankaster is a must see.

The Basilica

The Basilica home of "La Virgen de los Angeles"

Tapanti National Park

Dominical - the South Pacific coast's largest city, among incredibly biodiversity and natural beauty

The number one attraction in Dominical is the beach and ocean. There's all the amenities to help you enjoy a safe and exhilarating time. Lifeguards are not a given in Costa Rica yet the Dominical Lifeguard program is world class, including certified lifesavers, jetski, and quad. Fishing and Waterfalls tie for second in area attractions. Ziplines, parasailing, caves, horseback riding, yoga, massage, socializing, and hiking are as well favorites here. Parque Reptilandia [1] has local snakes and frogs as well as a crocodile and a Komodo Dragon for a unique experience. Hacienda Baru [2] has very interesting eco tours including a night venture.

Heredia - Coffee plantations

The Iglesia de la Inmaculada Concepción

Built in 1797, is the focal point.

El Fortín

El Fortín is the last remaining tower of a Spanish fortress and the symbol of Heredia, though it is closed to the public.

The old Post Office

Palacio Municipal, and Argentine School give a glimpse of how the city looked back in its heyday.

Casa de la Culture

Once home of Costa Rican president Alfredo Gonzáles Flores, give periodic rotations of art and music.

To the east, the freestanding facade of a demolished building stands in front of what is apparently a parking lot.

A block south-east of the park is the Iglesia del Carmen.

Liberia - Location of Daniel Oduber International Airport and gateway to the beaches of Guanacaste, such as Samara, Nosara, Carillo

Rincon de la Vieja National Park

Curubande, Liberia, Guanacaste (Liberia, head 5 km north (La Cruz) and turn right for 17 km.),. Lots of volcanic activity, trails, waterfalls, plenty of wild life to see. Admission $10 per person. Closed on Mondays.

Adventure Tours (600 metersabove sea level)

Rincon de la Vieja National park (From Liberia take route #1, 5km north, turn left at the Rincon de la Vieja and Curubande Signal 17 km.),. 8 am to 6 pm. Adventure Tours operates one day tours in Rincon de la Vieja National Park area, from zip lines, to white water tubing, horseback rides, hot springs, volcanic mud springs, hikes to the crater. Transportation from Liberia and the beach area is provided at extra cost. starts at $25.

Simbiosis Spa (600)

Rincon de la Vieja,. Volcanic Mud Springs with Spa service. Pools with volcanic mud water for bathing, mud springs for mud treatment. At Rio Negro Hot springs pools with spring water along side Rio Negro are used for bathing. The temperature of the water ranges from 36ºC to 40ºC. Massage service is offered. Admission to the both Hot Springs and Mud Springs is $25.

Puntarenas - Ferry to Nicoya Peninsula

The number one attraction in Dominical is the beach and ocean. There's all the amenities to help you enjoy a safe and exhilarating time. Lifeguards are not a given in Costa Rica yet the Dominical Lifeguard program is world class, including certified lifesavers, jetski, and quad. Fishing and Waterfalls tie for second in area attractions. Ziplines, parasailing, caves, horseback riding, yoga, massage, socializing, and hiking are as well favorites here. Parque Reptilandia has local snakes and frogs as well as a crocodile and a Komodo Dragon for a unique experience. Hacienda Baru has very interesting eco tours including a night venture.

Corcovado National Park is the main attraction. There are 3 primary ranger stations which serves as the entry point into this park. Tour guides are highly recommended. "Dry Season" is a subjective term. Be prepared to get your shoes soaked and hike through ankle deep mud.

San Pedrillo: Closest entry from Drake Bay. It is accessible by either a 4 hour hike or 1 hour boat ride from Drake Bay. Boats can be arranged with your hotel. The hike comprises of beach and mountain hikes. You will also walk past various eco-resorts. There is a beautiful waterfall with a great swimming hole near this station. Ask the ranger for directions or guide to take you there.

Sirena: 2.5 boat ride or 8-10 mile hike. Please be warned hike from Drake Bay to Sirena ranger station is considered extremely strenuous and difficult. The stretch between San Pedrillo and Sirena is mostly beaches with almost no shade. You can camp at the Sirena Station which has showers and wide decks to sleep to keep you out of the rain. NOTE: Ask Sirena Station for food when you apply for a permit. They can arrange a light meal for you for a nominal fee. Very beautiful hikes around the area and highly recommended.

La Leona: Most Southern ranger station.

Los Patos: Only accessible by 2 hour car ride from Drake Bay. If you are hiking this to the beach, it is almost all decline and will take up to 7-8 hours to the beach. Better approached from Puerto Jimenez or Carate, not Drake Bay unless by plane.

There is also the Cano Island Biological Reserve. The scuba diving can be cloudy but the snorkling is excellent. It is about 1.5 - 2 hour boat ride from Drake Bay.

The little town is off the grid and very quiet, but walking around can make for an interesting afternoon.

Scarlet Mawcaws

This is a prime viewing spot.

Swimming

People swim in the calm waters off Puerto Jimenez and there are some pretty beaches nearby.

Sunset

You can't miss a sunset in Golfo Dulce. try sea kaking.

Dolphins and whales

Golfo Dulce's warm water are the home of dolphins and many humpback whales give birth in here.

Monkeys

In Puerto Jimenez you have the oportunity to see the 4 kinds that live in Costa Rica.