Study Abroad in Costa Rica
Known as the Switzerland of Central America, Costa Rica has an abundance of natural beauty and is populated by a friendly, well-educated people. Costa Rica has obtained the highest standard of living in Central America by embracing democracy and disbanding its army. This small country is a paradise for nature lovers with national parks, jungles, volcanoes, beaches, and more water per square mile than any other country in the world, excluding New Zealand. However, the small pre-Columbian indigenous population was wiped out by diseases brought to the new world by the conquistadors.
Irazu Volcano National Park The top of this 11,000 feet volcano provides a spectacular view. Sometimes it is possible to see both the Pacific and the Caribbean coasts.
Poas Volcano National Park Located about 1 hour northwest of San Jose, the crater of this 9,000 feet active volcano still smokes and bubbles. Around the volcano in the national park is a cloud forest with an abundance of birds, especially hummingbirds.
Sarchi Near Poas lies the handicrafts capital of Costa Rica, Sarchi. Many souvenirs made from local hardwoods are produced and on sale in this village. Sarchi is famous for the carreta factories where hand painted oxcarts are still made.
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve The privately owned reserve is located 4 hours west of San Jose. The reserve boasts a magnificent variety of wildlife, with over 400 species of birds, over 100 species of mammals and more than 2,500 varieties of plants.
Manuel Antonio National Park This popular parks tropical rainforest stretches to lovely Pacific beaches. It is one of the best areas to view migrating marine birds.
Tortuguero National Park This is the most important nesting ground for the green sea turtle in the western Caribbean. A fabulous place to see dozens of turtles lay eggs, turtle eggs hatching and turtles sunning themselves.
