Costa Rica Fun Facts
- The official language of Costa Rica is Spanish
- The country’s currency is the Costa Rican colón
- Costa Rica shares a border with both Panama and Nicaragua
- There are over 500,000 animal species in Costa Rica and almost 9000 species of birds (more than the USA and Canada combined!)
- The national animal of Costa Rica is the sloth
- Costa Rica covers only 0.03% of the Earth’s surface, yet contains an impressive 5% of the world’s biodiversity
- Over 25% of the country is set aside as National Parks
- Explorer Christopher Columbus first visited what is now Costa Rica in 1502
- Costa Rica means ‘rich coast’, which suitably describes the country’s stunning scenery
- The country boasts over 300 beaches
- Mount Chirripó is Costa Rica’s tallest mountain
- Costa Rica is home to six active volcanoes
- The Guaria Morada is Costa Rica’s national flower
- It is considered one of the happiest countries in the world
- The country’s motto is Pura Vida, which directly translates to ‘pure life’ and conveys a sense of life being good
- Most major radio stations play the Costa Rican national anthem every morning at 7am
- Small, traditional restaurants are called sodas
- Football and basketball are Costa Rica’s most popular sports
- The national dish of Costa Rica is gallo pinto (stir-fried rice and beans)
- Locals in Costa Rica are nicknamed ticos
