Discover Costa Rica

The symmetrical, cone-shaped volcano shapes the landscape around La Fortuna and is surrounded by lush rainforest. Natural hot springs at the foot of the volcano invite relaxation after hikes and zip-line adventures.

White dream beaches meet dense rainforest here, teeming with sloths, capuchin monkeys and colorful toucans. The compact, easily accessible park ranks among the most species-rich and popular nature reserves in the entire country.

Mountain forests perpetually wrapped in clouds are home to extraordinary biodiversity, including the rare quetzal bird. Hanging bridges and zip lines through the canopy offer unique perspectives on this fragile ecosystem.

Costa Rica is considered a pioneer of sustainable tourism and covers much of its energy needs from renewable sources. The life philosophy "Pura Vida" (pure life) shapes the relaxed, nature-connected everyday life of the Ticos.

Direct flights to San José usually involve a stopover in Madrid, with a total travel time from Zurich of around 13 to 14 hours. From there, the main destinations are conveniently reached by rental car.

Spanish is Costa Rica's official language. However, very good English is often spoken in tourist areas, hotels and national parks, making trip planning easier.

December to April, the dry season, is considered the most popular travel time with the most sunshine and lowest risk of rain. The rainy season from May to November brings lush green landscapes, but more frequent afternoon showers.

Costa Rica is one of the pricier destinations in Central America, due to political stability and well-developed tourism infrastructure, but overall it usually remains cheaper than a comparable trip through Western Europe.