10 Fun Facts about Costa Rica You'll Love
By Naomi
I find Costa Rica amazing! For such a tiny country, there's a lot packed into it, from its resplendent wildlife, gorgeous beaches, lush rainforests, picturesque mountains, sweet people, and more. There's beauty everywhere you look. I always enjoy learning something new and interesting about Costa Rica, so here are a few fun facts about Costa Rica you'll love.
You can drink the water. When people talk about Costa Rica, many think we're on an island or Costa Rica is a third-world country. Not at all. We're pretty advanced down here. There's pure, clean drinking water in all the cities and surrounding areas. So, you can take that water purifier out of your suitcase, order ice in your drinks, and brush your teeth with tap water with no problems. It's nice not worrying about the drinking water on vacation. Save space in your luggage for souvenirs.
The national dish of Costa Rica is "Gallo Pinto," literally meaning, "Spotted Rooster." This is normally a breakfast dish of rice and beans (usually black beans) stir-fried together in a pan. Gallo Pinto is served with your choice of scrambled or fried eggs, and a slice of local white cheese or sour cream. Some places add a piece of toast and give meat options like bacon or sausage. While on vacation here, ask your concierge where to try the best Gallo Pinto. You can also have your concierge book a private chef for you and your family to enjoy local and international cuisine. There's nothing like waking up to the smell of fresh brewed Costa Rican coffee and a big plate of mouthwatering Gallo Pinto to start your day off right. It's delicious.
The national animal is the White-Tailed Deer. I know, right! Probably not what you were expecting. I was surprised myself to learn it's a White-Tailed Deer. You'll find it on the 1000 colon bill. I thought it was a Howler Monkey or another primate. We're lucky at the Discovery Beach House because the White-Tailed Deer can be found nearby in Manuel Antonio National Park. You'll melt when you see its sweet innocent face, perked ears listening intently. and white fluffy tail bobbing.
Costa Rica is GREEN. It isn't just green with lush tropical rainforests, it's environmentally-friendly green. Ticos know the natural beauty of Costa Rica is one of its biggest assets. They produce a whopping 90% of their electricity using renewable energy. They're also proactive and have banned the use of many single-use plastic items, which is great for the wildlife and environment. The Discovery Beach House is part of the solution and has clearly marked recycle bins for easy disposal.
Costa Rica has five active volcanoes. Costa Rica was dramatically forged from fiery volcanoes. Although there are no active volcanoes in Manuel Antonio, there are several near San Jose: Irazu, Turrialba, Poas, and Rincon de la Vieja. If you're exploring other parts of Costa Rica, each of these volcanoes has a dazzling national park worth a visit. Plenty of dormant volcanoes pepper the landscape throughout Costa Rica.
You can watch the sunrise on the Caribbean and see the sunset over the Pacific that night. Pretty cool huh? You'd need to rent a car to do this. You could watch the sublime sunrise on the East coast then jump in your car and drive over to the West coast in time to have a cocktail and watch an unforgettably vibrant sunset. It's a gorgeous drive with vivid landscapes to fill your senses with wonder. The drive takes about six to nine hours depending on where you go on the West coast.
Costa Rica holds 5% of the world's biodiversity. Costa Rica has only about 0.03% of the earth's surface. However, it packs a whopping 5% of its biodiversity into a teensy-weensy area. We enjoy oodles of wildlife right in our beachfront backyard at the Discovery Beach House. Sip on a delicious freshly brewed cup of coffee, take in the warm morning sun, and voilà, a troop of Capuchin monkeys show up to play around the pool. The baby monkeys are the cutest, most adorable creatures on the planet when they wrestle or play leap frog. They'll mesmerize you. I'm always delighted and grateful when a troop traipses by. I'm sure you'll love the monkey show too.
Costa Rica has no military. They abolished the army December 1, 1948. Seventy years later, they have no regrets regarding the decision. I think this is a great reflection on the Costa Rican people. They're peace-loving, non-confrontational, and choose to live a stress-free lifestyle. This leads to the next fun fact about Costa Rica.
Costa Rica has one of the top five "Blue Zones" in the world. Blue Zones are special. They are areas of the world where people commonly live well into their 100's. Researchers believe part of the reason they live so long is a healthy diet, positive social interactions with both family and community, and overall life satisfaction. Notice they didn't mention what type of car they drive or job they have. Here, a simple, happy life has more value than material things. The Nicoya Peninsula is Costa Rica's Blue Zone.
Costa Rica is the happiest country on earth according to several polls. I think the previous three Costa Rica fun facts help with the overall happiness Costa Ricans share. I know I'm my happiest here in this tropical paradise. For me, there are too many reasons to list why Costa Rica is the happiest country in the world but one more worth mentioning is the ready smile on a Tico's face. I miss it when I travel. Costa Rica isn't a rich country by any means; however, its people find value in a happy, family-centered lifestyle. To them a rich life has a more grounded and enduring meaning.
By now I bet you can't wait for your vacation at the Discovery Beach House. I know you'll love learning new things about this beautiful little place on your visit. It really has so much to offer in such a small package.
We look forward to your vacation with us. If you haven't read my other articles, please check them out here. Please follow us on Instagram @discoverybeachouse. For more information or to check our availability, visit our website at Discovery Beach House. Watch our YouTube Channel for more information on Manuel Antonio, the best spot to vacation in Costa Rica.
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