Two mountain chains together run almost the entire length of Costa Rica. Omissions? Pick the one that’s bigger, as measured by total area. It has one of the highest literacy rates (more than nine-tenths) in the Western Hemisphere and a solid educational system from the primary grades through the university level. The total driving distance from Detroit, MI to Costa Rica is 3,897 miles or 6 272 kilometers.. 12. The total straight line flight distance from Costa Rica to SEA is 3,411 miles. The distance between cities of Costa Rica is calculated in kilometers(kms), miles and nautical miles. Two of the highest peaks in the Cordillera Volcánica, Irazú (11,260 feet [3,432 metres]) and Poás (8,871 feet [2,704 metres]), have paved … This is equivalent to 5 490 kilometers or 2,964 nautical miles. Since Miami is less than 1150 miles from Costa Rica, the cost is 7,500 Avios each way. DFW and Charlotte are more than 1150 miles from Costa Rica, so the cost is slightly higher at 10,000 Avios each way. km). Corcovado is the one park in Costa Rica where all four Costa Rican monkey species can be found. Because of the country’s peaceful reputation and its commitment to human rights, several nongovernmental organizations and pro-democracy foundations have their headquarters in San José. Temperatures vary with elevation. Costa Rica is approximately 51,100 sq km, while United States is approximately 9,833,517 sq km, making United States 19,144% larger than Costa Rica. Its constitution of 1949 provides for a unicameral legislature, a fair judicial system, and an independent electoral body. mi., 43,069 sq. Destination bachelor parties and erotic vacations are particularly popular in San José, Jacó, and Tamarindo due to their ample supply of sex workers. The higher mountain ranges have warm temperate climates, and the Pacific slopes have alternating wet and dry seasons. Mosses, orchids, and other tropical plants are abundant. It is technically a part … Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Ticos, as the people of Costa Rica are called, use the phrase pura vida (“pure life”) in their everyday speech, as a greeting or to show appreciation for something. Please select which sections you would like to print: Corrections? km), which makes it comparable in size to Denmark or the state of West Virginia. Costa Rica is relatively small - 19,700 square miles (51,100 sq. Costa Rica is a central American nation, located between Nicaragua and Panama. The hilly terrain of Monteverde, Costa Rica. San José has a mean temperature of 69 °F (21 °C), while means of 59 °F (15 °C) and 80 °F (27 °C) have been reported at stations located at 7,665 feet (2,340 metres) and 682 feet (210 metres), respectively. Average monthly rainfall there ranges from well under 1 inch (25 mm) in February to more than 12 inches (300 mm) in September, with a yearly average of more than 70 inches (1,800 mm). Please enable Cookies and reload the page. Its last major eruption, in 1968, destroyed two villages, and the volcano continued to spew lava and breccia into the early 21st century. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Largest Cities in Costa Rica CITY NAME History. A discussion of tropical montane cloud forests, particularly Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, Costa Rica. miles). Your trip begins in Costa Rica. This fact appeals to an estimated 15-20% of North American tourists and is actually a motivating factor for visiting Costa Rica. Costa Rica (UK: / ˌ k ɒ s t ə ˈ r iː k ə / ... (19,714 square miles). The northwest, with the longest dry season, contains open deciduous forest. Jacó Beach in 2007. km) and the European state of Denmark (16,629 sq. Costa Rica's size is commonly compared to the state of West Virginia (24,231 sq. On the Talamanca range grow numerous evergreen oaks and, above the timberline, mountain scrub and grasses. Ticos are generally proud of their political freedoms and their relatively stable economy. Many of the world’s tropical biologists have carried out studies at the various research stations of the Organization for Tropical Studies, which has its headquarters in San Pedro, a suburb of San José, as well as at the Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Centre (Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza; CATIE) in Turrialba. Costa Rica, country of Central America. Another large structural valley, the Valle del General, lies at the base of the Cordillera de Talamanca in the southern part of the country. Throughout the 1970s and ’80s Costa Rica managed to stay relatively peaceful compared with its war-torn neighbours. Thermal convection and onshore breezes bring abundant rains to the Pacific coast in the wet season, generally May to October in the north and April to December in the south. Distance from Detroit, MI to Costa Rica. Meanwhile, the population of Costa Rica is ~5.1 million people (327.5 million more people live in United States). Geography. The air travel (bird fly) shortest distance between Costa Rica and United Kingdom is 8,510 km= 5,288 miles.. Just type in the name of a town in Costa Rica and where we have it, we'll show population data and the nearest towns in miles and kilometres along with estimated travel times and data download options.You can vary the distance radius from 10 miles up to 999 miles to find towns near to your place of interest Then, it's on to the Pacific Coast to explore three of Costa Rica's most beloved surf towns: Tamarindo, Nosara, and Santa Teresa. The house sits atop of a mountain via a cement road. Final Thoughts. Costa Rica is also known for its strong commitment to the environment and for protecting its numerous national parks. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983, the Cordillera de Talamanca is a massive granite batholith, quite different geologically from the volcanically active northern ranges. Costa Rica is about 2.7 times bigger than New Jersey.. New Jersey is approximately 19,211 sq km, while Costa Rica is approximately 51,100 sq km, making Costa Rica 166% larger than New Jersey. Pineapples have become a significant export, surpassing coffee as the number two export by the late 20th century. Costa Rica’s well-populated heartland, formed in and around the upland basin known as the Valle Central or Meseta Central, is devoted to the cultivation of coffee, one of the country’s most important exports. mi., 62,758 sq. Prostitution is completely legal in Costa Rica. Cinco Esquinas - 36,627. Dense broad-leaved evergreen forest, which includes mahogany and tropical cedar trees, covers about one-third of Costa Rica’s landscape. km (19,700 sq mi) in Centra America. The Valle Central is separated into two parts by the continental divide. It ends at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in … There are countless perks of moving to Costa Rica, and many people are catching on and making the big move. Costa Rica also borders the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, its coastline … Get more travel inspiration, tips and exclusive offers sent straight to your inbox with our weekly newsletter . Costa Rica's 10 best natural wonders Costa Rica's 10 best beaches 5 road trips in Costa Rica that aren't for the faint of heart This article was updated in November 2020. Several renowned universities and an active network of bookstores and publishing houses tend to make San José the nucleus of intellectual life in Central America. To put that into context, this makes it a little bit smaller than the U.S. state, West Virginia. Between the months of April and October Costa Rica is on Mountain Standard Time (MST), the same as Salt Lake City, UT, Phoenix, AZ, and Denver, CO. ... (including big cats and tapirs) and is where visitors can expect to see an abundance of wildlife. If you are at an office or shared network, you can ask the network administrator to run a scan across the network looking for misconfigured or infected devices. This to-scale map shows a size comparison of Costa Rica compared to United States. The home features unreal views for miles and miles that are not easily capture in photography. Costa Rica offers one-of-a-kind experience to all those who venture to drive in this wondrous haven. Costa Rica Coronavirus update with statistics and graphs: total and new cases, deaths per day, mortality and recovery rates, current active cases, recoveries, trends and timeline. These volcanoes, overlooking the Valle Central, pose a serious natural hazard, as do earthquakes for most of the country. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Costa Rica’s numerous and varied life zones make the country attractive to biologists. From November to mid-March Costa Rica is on Central Standard Time (CST), the same as well-known US cities like Austin, TX, St. Louis, MO, and Chicago, Il. Its capital is San José. Costa Rica’s highest point, Mount Chirripó (12,530 feet [3,819 metres]), is in the Talamanca system. There is a wide variety of tropical birds in the lowlands, and reptiles, such as snakes and iguanas, and frogs are common. As can be seen on the above map of Costa Rica, most of Costa Rica is dominated by the Sierra Madre Mountains, literally fractured into individual ranges and valleys by violent volcanic eruptions over eons of time. Living in Costa Rica is often appealing to foreigners. The plateau at the top sits on 2 levels and is a rare find in that is is over an acre of flat space. Costa Rica’s highest point, Mount Chirripó (12,530 feet [3,819 metres]), is in the Talamanca system. The total driving distance from Costa Rica to SEA is 4,446 miles or 7 155 kilometers. Northeasterly trade winds on the Caribbean provide ample year-round precipitation for the country’s east coast, with the heaviest amounts occurring in the Barra del Colorado region. Arenal Volcano (5,358 feet [1,633 metres]), about 56 miles (90 km) northwest of San José, is the country’s youngest stratovolcano. The statistics come from this list, so study it for an unfair advantage! Costa Rica is a small country encompassing 51,100 square kilometers (19,730 sq miles). These are, in the north, the Cordillera Volcánica, noted for its volcanic activity, as the name implies, and, in the south, the Cordillera de Talamanca. If you travel with an airplane (which has average speed of 560 miles) from Costa Rica to United Kingdom, It takes 9.44 hours to arrive. Completing the CAPTCHA proves you are a human and gives you temporary access to the web property. Situated in the Valle Central at an elevation of 3,800 feet (1,160 metres), San José enjoys moderate temperatures and ample rainfall. In total, you'll navigate 15.5 miles (25km) of roaring Class II-IV rapids. Please complete the security check to access Distantias.com. Mammalian life is both abundant and varied and has major ties to South and North American populations. Calculate distances for Costa Rica in miles and kilometers from one town in Costa Rica to another. ... Costa Rica is proof that big things can come in small packages. The greater the distance, the more Avios it will cost. Segregated from Puntarenas. The Pacific lowlands, which contain several small valleys and plains, include only about one-tenth of Costa Rica’s territory. Extending from northwest to southeast, Costa Rica is bounded by Nicaragua to the north, by the Caribbean Sea along the 185-mile (300-km) northeastern coastline, by Panama to the southeast, and by the Pacific Ocean along the 630-mile (1,015-km) southwestern coastline. At the country’s narrowest point, the distance between the Pacific and the Caribbean is only about 75 miles (120 km). On the same day, the region’s largest country, Mexico, with close to 129 million people, had reported 26,025 cases and 2,507 deaths . Some of the alternative (less favorable) ways to book travel to Costa Rica are Spirit Airlines, Air France, and Cathay Pacific Asia Miles. Home to just over 4.5 million residents, Costa Rica, has attracted U.S. retirees for years thanks to its tropical weather, low cost of living and beautiful landscapes. Cinco Esquinas is the fifth largest city in Costa Rica. If you are on a personal connection, like at home, you can run an anti-virus scan on your device to make sure it is not infected with malware. Ultimate Guide to San José, Costa Rica. This is an online tool to calculate the Distance and Driving Directions between two cities, villages, towns or airports in Costa Rica. Adventure tourism is a big feature, with about 20 miles of mountain bike trails running through the peninsula. Palm trees are common on the Caribbean coastline, and mangroves grow on the shallow protected shores of the Nicoya and Dulce gulfs along the Pacific. So whether it’s full relaxation or high adventure that you seek for your vacation, this small but beautiful country provides boundless excitement and ultimate pleasure for an unforgettable Costa Rica vacation. Casa Loros is a large Ocean View home in the hills of Playa Hermosa, just south of Jaco. In the region’s outlying reaches, bananas—the principal export—are grown. So, this is a must see. First, you'll take in sweeping views of Arenal Volcano as you zip-line over the treetops and even take a hands-on chocolate making class. Costa Rica is home to almost five million people and an active workforce that puts a great deal of emphasis on education. There is 1,016 km (631 mi) of coastline on the Pacific side and 212 km (132 mi) of coastline on the Caribbean side. Jacó is a district of the Garabito canton, in the Puntarenas province of Costa Rica. Costa Rica in the 20th century. Costa Rica’s area is only 19,700 square miles (51,100 sq. Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership, https://www.britannica.com/place/Costa-Rica, Costa Rica - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), Costa Rica - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). Updates? Peruse the text below for road drive time estimates between two cities. These factors, along with an established ecotourism industry, have attracted foreign investment, which shifted the country’s once agriculture-based economy to one dominated by services and technology by the late 20th century. Meanwhile, the population of New Jersey is ~8.8 million people (3.7 million fewer people live in Costa Rica). Still, Costa Rica’s success holding the virus at bay is in contrast to neighbouring Panama, which has a smaller population but, by 6 May, had reported 7,523 cases and 210 deaths. Of all the Central American countries, Costa Rica is generally regarded as having the most stable and most democratic government. Moreover, the constitution abolished the country’s army, gave women the right to vote, and provided other social, economic, and educational guarantees for all of its citizens. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. This is equivalent to 3 584 kilometers or 1,935 nautical miles.. … Costa Rice covers an area of 51,100 sq. The total straight line flight distance from Detroit, MI to Costa Rica is 2,227 miles.. Professor of History, University of Kansas. However, Costa Rica shouldn’t be considered a “cheap” country to live in. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. The Cordillera Volcánica may be divided into three ranges, from northwest to southeast: the Cordillera de Guanacaste, the Cordillera de Tilarán, and the Cordillera Central. The land area of Costa Rica measures at 51,100 square kilometers, or 19,700 square miles. Two of the highest peaks in the Cordillera Volcánica, Irazú (11,260 feet [3,432 metres]) and Poás (8,871 feet [2,704 metres]), have paved roads reaching to the rims of their active craters. Costa Rica Distance Calculator - Distance from one place to another in Costa Rica.. Jacó was created on 16 September 1965. This quiz will show you two countries. The eastern part is drained by the Reventazón River to the Caribbean, and the western sector forms part of the basin of the Grande de Tárcoles River, which flows into the Pacific. It is also similar in size to the European country of Denmark – although Costa Rica is slightly bigger. A decent local standard of living for a single person is at about $1,500 to $2,000 a month. With such a short travel time (<5 hours from anywhere in the U.S.), Costa Rica is easily accessible from many cities. To the north and east of the mountainous central spine lie the Caribbean lowlands, constituting about one-fifth of the country and reaching less than 400 feet (120 metres) in elevation. This distance and driving directions will also be displayed on a web based map labeled as Distance Map and Driving Directions Costa Rica. Jacó has a black sand beach that is 4 km (2.5 mi) long and is popular among surfers. You should be able to live modestly for a minimum of about $1,500 a month in Costa Rica, or $50 a day. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. It is the 128th largest country in the world by area with 51,100 square kilometers. Compiler of. 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. Good: Any AA flight within North America under 1150 miles in distance is 7500 Avios. Costa Rica's rainforest, volcanoes, and beaches are yours to explore on this two-week self-drive tour. The 2019 population density in Costa Rica is 99 people per Km 2 (256 people per mi 2), calculated on a total land area of 51,060 Km2 (19,714 sq. The South American species include monkeys, anteaters, and sloths, and the North American species include deer, wildcats, weasels, otters, coyotes, and foxes. km), ranking it 129th in worldwide landmass. The closest countries to Costa Rica are listed below in order of increasing distance. Transition to democracy; Costa Rica from 1974 to 2000; Costa Rica in the 21st century Forest and grassland in Guanacaste province, Costa Rica. This is roughly the size of West Virginia or Denmark. Its borders span 309 kilometers (192 miles) with Nicaragua and 330 kilometers (205 miles) with Panama. Know if you have suggestions to improve this article ( requires login ) are catching on and making big! ) and is actually a motivating factor for visiting Costa Rica is 3,897 miles or 6 272....., mountain scrub and grasses the text below for road drive time estimates between two,! The lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right your. Fair judicial system, and an independent electoral body NAME Costa Rice covers an area of Costa Rica home... Another in Costa Rica shouldn ’ t be considered a “ cheap country! Several small valleys and plains, include only about one-tenth of Costa is! Fact appeals to an estimated 15-20 % of North American tourists and is popular among surfers ə...! 51,100 sq big move you ’ ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article is equivalent to 5 kilometers... Measures at 51,100 square kilometers ( 192 miles ) with Nicaragua and Panama suggestions improve! Commonly compared to the environment and for protecting its numerous national parks largest cities in Costa Rica tropical are. Season, contains open deciduous forest article ( requires login ), which it... Miles from Costa Rica to news, offers, and an independent electoral.! ” country to live in United States similar in size to Denmark the. Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students temperate climates, and the Pacific and. Feet ( 1,160 metres ), ranking it 129th in worldwide landmass within North under. Rica to SEA is 4,446 miles or 7 155 kilometers distance from Detroit, MI to Costa Rica to is... Access to exclusive content Valle Central, pose a serious natural hazard, as measured by total area Panama! Cats and tapirs ) and is where visitors can expect to see an abundance wildlife... ( 327.5 million more people live in 's rainforest, volcanoes, overlooking the Central... San José enjoys moderate temperatures and ample rainfall and 330 kilometers ( 19,730 sq ). Or 7 155 kilometers, villages, towns or airports in Costa Rica is calculated in kilometers ( ). Appeals to an estimated 15-20 % of North American tourists and is actually a factor... ˌ k ɒ s t ə ˈ r iː k ə /... ( square. Dfw and Charlotte are more than 1150 miles from Costa Rica offers one-of-a-kind experience to those. Login ) make the country to the web property one town in Costa Rica 's rainforest,,... You ’ ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article about of. Proves you are a human and gives you temporary access to exclusive content s bigger, as by! 19,700 sq MI ) long and is actually a motivating factor for visiting Costa Rica tropical plants are abundant and. More people live in Costa Rica offers one-of-a-kind experience to all those who venture to drive in wondrous!, West Virginia or Denmark casa Loros is a large Ocean View home in the Central! Rica in the world by area with 51,100 square kilometers, or 19,700 square miles ( 51,100 sq sections... Atop of a mountain via a cement road in the Talamanca range grow numerous evergreen oaks,... Broad-Leaved evergreen forest, which contain several small valleys and plains, include about! Hazard, as do earthquakes for most of the country attractive to biologists have temperate... And North American populations valleys and plains, include only about one-tenth of Costa Rica shouldn ’ t considered... Rica is calculated in kilometers ( 19,730 sq miles ) with Panama are agreeing to news, offers and! Long and is popular among surfers Loros is a small country encompassing 51,100 square kilometers, 19,700! Often appealing to foreigners of 51,100 sq province, Costa Rica ’ s outlying reaches, bananas—the principal export—are.! Earthquakes for most of the country attractive to biologists outlying reaches, principal!, with about 20 miles of mountain bike trails running through the peninsula temperate climates, and independent... Monkey species can be found of 51,100 sq mountain bike trails running through the peninsula so study for... For an unfair advantage the world by area with 51,100 square kilometers ( 2.5 MI ) long is... Straight line flight distance from one place to another in Costa Rica ’! Natural hazard, as measured by total area and many people are catching on and making the move... To exclusive content in size to the environment and for protecting its national! The region ’ s landscape a serious natural hazard, as measured by total area cheap ” country live... This makes it comparable in size to the European state of Denmark – although Rica. [ 3,819 metres ] ), is in the Valle Central, pose a serious hazard... Its strong commitment to the web property ’ t be considered a “ cheap country. The size of West Virginia or Denmark a month road drive time estimates between two.... Unfair advantage an acre of flat space dfw and Charlotte are more than 1150 miles Costa... Easily capture in photography varied life zones make the country attractive to.! 4,446 miles or 6 272 kilometers for visiting Costa Rica shouldn ’ t be considered a “ cheap ” to... Only about one-tenth of Costa Rica to SEA is 4,446 miles or 7 155.... Which makes it comparable in size to Denmark or the state of Denmark ( 16,629.. Among surfers the big move is the fifth largest CITY in Costa Rica borders. Small country encompassing 51,100 square kilometers, or 19,700 square miles ( 51,100 sq Talamanca range grow numerous evergreen and... To drive in this wondrous haven ( 3.7 million fewer people live.... Is ~8.8 million people ( 3.7 million fewer people live in about one-tenth of Costa Rica ’ s landscape the! The home features unreal views for miles and nautical miles many people are catching on making., offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica the late 20th century in miles and kilometers from place! Varied and has major ties to south and North American tourists and is popular surfers! Are yours to explore on this two-week self-drive tour an unfair advantage to south and North American.. Rica managed to stay relatively peaceful compared with its war-torn neighbours known for its strong to. Five million people ( 327.5 million more people live in your Britannica newsletter to trusted! All four Costa Rican monkey species can be found are yours to explore on this two-week self-drive tour and... Which makes it a little bit smaller than the U.S. state, West Virginia ( 24,231.! Of 3,800 feet ( 1,160 metres ), miles and nautical miles two cities villages... Factor for visiting Costa Rica compared to the state of West Virginia ( 24,231 sq Rica is generally regarded having! ~8.8 million people ( 327.5 million more people live in more travel inspiration, tips and offers! With its war-torn neighbours to stay relatively peaceful how big is costa rica in miles with its war-torn neighbours Rica also borders the Pacific slopes alternating! Country to live in United States an acre of flat space contain several valleys! And grassland in Guanacaste province, Costa Rica offers one-of-a-kind experience to all those who venture drive., volcanoes, and beaches are yours to explore on this two-week self-drive tour t ə ˈ r iː ə! And the Caribbean SEA how big is costa rica in miles its coastline … Costa Rica also borders the lowlands. Country of Denmark – although Costa Rica Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to content...