Destinations & Cities

Explore Costa Rica's most popular cities, towns, and regions from coast to cloud forest.

Costa Rica: The Ultimate Guide to Central America's Natural Paradise

Costa Rica is a Central American nation celebrated for extraordinary biodiversity, active volcanoes, pristine beaches, and a pioneering commitment to environmental conservation.

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San José Costa Rica: The Capital City Guide

San José is Costa Rica's bustling capital city, offering world-class museums, a thriving food scene, and unparalleled access to day trips across the country.

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Costa Rica Map: Understanding the Country's Regions and Geography

A Costa Rica map reveals one of the most geographically diverse countries in the Americas, with seven provinces, two coastlines, and dramatic elevation changes across just 51,100 square kilometers.

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Costa Rica Time Zone: Everything You Need to Know

Costa Rica operates on Central Standard Time (CST, UTC-6) year-round with no daylight saving time, placing it 1–2 hours behind the US East Coast depending on the season.

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Liberia Costa Rica: The White City and Gateway to Guanacaste

Liberia is the capital of Guanacaste province and Costa Rica's "White City," serving as the gateway to Pacific beaches and the geothermal wonders of Rincón de la Vieja National Park.

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Nosara Costa Rica: The Nicoya Peninsula's Surf and Wellness Capital

Nosara is the Nicoya Peninsula's celebrated surf and wellness hub, famous for consistent beach break waves, world-class yoga retreats, sea turtle nesting, and exceptional wildlife conservation.

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Santa Teresa Costa Rica: Surf Town Life on the Nicoya Peninsula

Santa Teresa is an internationally celebrated surf town on the Nicoya Peninsula's southern tip, renowned for powerful waves, stylish restaurants, yoga culture, and proximity to the pristine Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve.

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Tamarindo Costa Rica: Guanacaste's Most Vibrant Beach Town

Tamarindo is Guanacaste's most vibrant beach town, celebrated for consistent surf, leatherback turtle nesting at adjacent Playa Grande, an excellent restaurant scene, and easy access from Liberia airport.

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Río Celeste Costa Rica: The Magical Blue River of Tenorio Volcano

Río Celeste is Costa Rica's breathtaking turquoise-blue river flowing through Tenorio Volcano National Park, where a natural optical phenomenon produces the river's impossibly vivid color at the confluence of two volcanic tributaries.

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Costa Rica Capital: San José — Heart of the Nation

The capital of Costa Rica is San José, a highland city of 2.1 million in the Valle Central that serves as the nation's political, economic, and cultural hub and the main gateway for international travelers.

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La Fortuna Costa Rica: Adventures at the Foot of Arenal Volcano

La Fortuna is Costa Rica's premier adventure destination, offering hot springs, waterfall hikes, zip-lining, and wildlife watching in the shadow of the iconic Arenal Volcano.

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Quepos Costa Rica: The Port Town at the Heart of the Central Pacific

Quepos is the Central Pacific's working port town and gateway to Manuel Antonio National Park, combining world-class sportfishing, exceptional whale watching, and easy access to one of Costa Rica's most celebrated natural areas.

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Guanacaste Costa Rica: The Sun-Drenched Pacific Province

Guanacaste is Costa Rica's northwestern Pacific province, celebrated for spectacular beaches, dry tropical forest national parks, sabanero cowboy culture, and the most reliable sunshine in the country.

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Monteverde Costa Rica: The World's Most Famous Cloud Forest

Monteverde is Costa Rica's legendary cloud forest destination, a highland community at 1,200–1,800 meters where persistent mist sustains extraordinary biodiversity, world-famous zip-line tours, and the best resplendent quetzal watching in Central America.

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Where Is Costa Rica? Geography, Location, and Regional Context

Costa Rica is a small Central American country located between Nicaragua and Panama, touching both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, approximately 2,650 kilometers south of Miami, Florida.

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Costa Rica Vacations: Everything You Need to Know

Costa Rica vacations combine world-class biodiversity, adventure activities, and stunning beaches across a country that protects nearly 30% of its land in parks and reserves.

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Jacó, Costa Rica: The Central Pacific's Premier Beach Town

Jacó is Costa Rica's most accessible Pacific beach town, just 100 km from San José, offering consistent surf, lively nightlife, and easy access to Carara National Park.

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Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica: Wildlife, Beaches, and National Park Guide

Manuel Antonio combines Costa Rica's most popular national park with golden Pacific beaches, abundant wildlife including endangered squirrel monkeys, and world-class eco-lodges.

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Mapa de Costa Rica: Guía Geográfica de Provincias y Destinos

The map of Costa Rica reveals a small but geographically rich nation with two coastlines, four mountain ranges, seven provinces, and 28 national parks protecting 26% of the territory.

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Capital of Costa Rica: A Complete Guide to San José

San José is the capital of Costa Rica, a city of 1.4 million in the Central Valley featuring world-class museums, a thriving food scene, and the country's main international airport.

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Limón, Costa Rica: The Heart of the Caribbean Coast

Limón is Costa Rica's Caribbean port city, distinguished by its Afro-Caribbean heritage, the celebrated annual Carnival festival, and its role as gateway to Tortuguero and the southern Caribbean coast.

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Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica: Caribbean Culture, Surf, and Jungle

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is Costa Rica's premier Caribbean destination, blending Afro-Caribbean culture, the legendary Salsa Brava surf break, pristine beaches, and access to remarkable wildlife refuges.

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Costa Rica Flights: Complete Guide to Getting There and Around

Costa Rica is served by two international airports — San José (SJO) and Liberia (LIR) — with direct flights from dozens of US cities, plus a domestic network connecting remote destinations by small aircraft.

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Montezuma, Costa Rica: Waterfalls, Beaches, and Bohemian Spirit

Montezuma is a bohemian beach village on Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula, beloved for its triple-tiered waterfall with swimming pools, proximity to Cabo Blanco Reserve, and uncommercialised coastal spirit.

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Nicoya, Costa Rica: The Blue Zone Peninsula of the Pacific

The Nicoya Peninsula is Costa Rica's most diverse Pacific destination, encompassing the world-famous Blue Zone, top surf towns like Tamarindo and Santa Teresa, yoga havens, and colonial Chorotega cultural heritage.

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Riu Costa Rica: Complete Guide to the Guanacaste All-Inclusive Resort

The Riu Palace Costa Rica is a large all-inclusive resort on Playa Matapalo in Guanacaste, offering unlimited dining, drinks, and entertainment just 45 minutes from Liberia International Airport.

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Uvita, Costa Rica: The Whale Tail, Humpbacks, and Southern Pacific Paradise

Uvita is the gateway to Marino Ballena National Park and its famous whale-tail sandbar, offering world-class humpback whale watching, pristine beaches, and a natural waterfall in Costa Rica's Southern Pacific zone.

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Zarcero, Costa Rica: The Cloud Town with the Extraordinary Topiary Garden

Zarcero is a misty highland town in Costa Rica famous for its extraordinary central park of sculpted cypress topiaries, artisan dairy products, and cool mountain scenery just 1.5 hours from San José.

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Costa Rica Population: Demographics, Culture, and People

Costa Rica has a population of approximately 5.2 million, renowned for exceptional life expectancy, universal healthcare, 98% literacy, and the famously optimistic Pura Vida cultural identity.

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Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica: The Most Biodiverse Place on Earth

The Osa Peninsula is Costa Rica's most remote and biodiverse destination, home to Corcovado National Park — described by National Geographic as the most biologically intense place on Earth — with jaguars, tapirs, and four monkey species.

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Pequeno Mundo Costa Rica: The Family Amusement Park in Alajuela

Pequeno Mundo is a beloved family amusement park in Alajuela, Costa Rica, offering rides, shows, and wholesome fun just minutes from the international airport.

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Costa Rica Tours: The Best Experiences Across the Country

Costa Rica tours offer world-class wildlife encounters, adventure activities, and cultural experiences across rainforests, volcanoes, and pristine coastlines.

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Drake Bay Costa Rica: Gateway to the Osa Peninsula's Wildest Shores

Drake Bay is Costa Rica's remote gateway to Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula, offering extraordinary wildlife, humpback whales, and world-class diving.

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Puntarenas Costa Rica: The Historic Pacific Port and Gateway to the Gulf

Puntarenas is Costa Rica's main Pacific port city, serving as the gateway to the Gulf of Nicoya, the Nicoya Peninsula ferry, and Tortuga Island day trips.

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What Is the Capital of Costa Rica? Everything About San Jose

The capital of Costa Rica is San Jose, a dynamic Central Valley city of over 2 million people that serves as the country's political, cultural, and transportation hub.

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Arenal Costa Rica: The Volcano, Hot Springs, and Adventure Capital

Arenal Costa Rica is the country's iconic volcano destination, offering thermal hot springs, zip-lining, wildlife-rich rainforest, and the majestic Arenal Volcano near La Fortuna.

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Las Catalinas Costa Rica: The Pedestrian Beach Town of Guanacaste

Las Catalinas is Costa Rica's unique car-free pedestrian beach town in Guanacaste, combining Mediterranean architecture, 50 km of trails, and Pacific beaches in a thoughtfully planned community.

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Marriott Costa Rica: Complete Guide to Marriott Hotels and Resorts

Marriott operates several top properties in Costa Rica including the JW Marriott Guanacaste beach resort, the Hacienda Belen San Jose hotel, and the Los Suenos sport fishing resort near Jaco.

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Papagayo Costa Rica: Guanacaste's Luxury Resort Peninsula

Papagayo Costa Rica is Guanacaste's premier luxury resort peninsula, known for calm Pacific beaches, the Four Seasons resort, world-class snorkeling, and exceptional dry-season sunshine.

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Costa Rica Cities: A Guide to the Country's Major Urban Centers

Costa Rica's major cities include the capital San Jose, the Guanacaste gateway Liberia, colonial Cartago, university city Heredia, and airport hub Alajuela, each with a distinct character.

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Costa Rica President: Democracy, Government, and Political History

Costa Rica's president leads one of Latin America's oldest democracies, a country that abolished its military in 1948 and redirected that spending into education, healthcare, and environmental conservation.

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Dominical Costa Rica: The South Pacific Surf and Nature Hub

Dominical is Costa Rica's beloved south Pacific surf town, offering powerful beach breaks, nearby whale watching at Marino Ballena National Park, and spectacular jungle waterfalls.

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Dreams Costa Rica: Complete Guide to Dreams Las Mareas Resort

Dreams Las Mareas Costa Rica is a luxury all-inclusive family resort on the Papagayo Peninsula, offering unlimited dining, pools, beach access, and children's programming in Guanacaste.

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Ojochal Costa Rica: The Gourmet Jungle Village of the South Pacific

Ojochal is Costa Rica's celebrated gourmet jungle village on the South Pacific coast, renowned for world-class restaurants amid rainforest, abundant scarlet macaws, and its vibrant international community.

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Secrets Costa Rica: The Adults-Only Papagayo All-Inclusive Resort

Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica is a premium adults-only all-inclusive resort on the Papagayo Peninsula in Guanacaste, offering unlimited luxury dining, calm Pacific beach access, and an ideal setting for couples and honeymooners.

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Costa Rica News: Current Events and Headlines

Costa Rica news covers environmental milestones, stable democratic politics, tourism trends, and economic developments. The Tico Times and La Nación are the leading English and Spanish sources respectively.

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Costa Rica Excursions: Best Tours and Day Trips

Costa Rica excursions range from white-water rafting on the Pacuare River and zip-lining in Monteverde to turtle watching at Tortuguero and guided wildlife walks in Corcovado National Park.

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Rythmia Costa Rica: Luxury Plant Medicine and Wellness Retreat

Rythmia Life Advancement Center is a medically licensed luxury wellness retreat in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, offering ayahuasca ceremonies, yoga, and holistic healing programs in an all-inclusive resort setting.

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Costa Rica Family Vacations: Planning Guide for All Ages

Costa Rica family vacations combine wildlife encounters, volcano visits, beach time, and adventure activities in a compact, safe destination with excellent tourism infrastructure for travelers of all ages.

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Costa Rica Rentals: Complete Guide to Vacation Homes and Cars

Costa Rica rentals include vacation villas, beach houses, jungle bungalows, and long-term apartments, with 4WD car rentals essential for exploring beyond major cities and tourist corridors.

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Visit Costa Rica: Complete Travel Guide

Visit Costa Rica for world-class wildlife, pristine beaches, active volcanoes, and cloud forest adventures in one of the Americas' most stable and eco-conscious destinations, accessible visa-free for up to 90 days.

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Costa Rica in December: Complete Travel Guide

Costa Rica in December offers peak dry season weather on the Pacific coast, Christmas festivities including Las Fiestas de Zapote, and prime wildlife watching for quetzals, leatherback turtles, and humpback whales.

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Costa Rica Government: Democracy, Institutions, and Political Structure

Costa Rica's government is a constitutional democracy established in 1949 that abolished the military, guarantees separation of powers, and maintains one of Latin America's most stable and transparent democratic systems.

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Costa Rica in August: Rainy Season Travel Guide

Costa Rica in August offers lush rainy-season landscapes, peak humpback whale watching, green turtle nesting at Tortuguero, and dramatically lower prices — ideal for wildlife-focused and value-conscious travelers.

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Costa Rica in November: The Shoulder Season Sweet Spot

Costa Rica in November offers a shoulder-season sweet spot with transitioning Pacific dry weather, excellent whale watching and turtle nesting, 25-40% lower prices, and far fewer crowds than peak December-April season.

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Costa Rica Politics: Democracy, Parties, and Political Culture

Costa Rica politics are characterized by one of Latin America's most stable democracies since 1949, multi-party competition, a constitutional prohibition on maintaining a military, and internationally recognized environmental and human rights leadership.

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La Capital de Costa Rica: Guía Completa de San José

San José es la capital de Costa Rica, una ciudad dinámica en el Valle Central que alberga museos precolombinos, el histórico Teatro Nacional, barrios coloniales y una escena gastronómica en pleno auge.

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Costa Rica GDP Per Capita: Economic Overview and Living Standards

Costa Rica's GDP per capita of approximately $13,000–$14,000 USD nominal (or $22,000–$24,000 PPP) reflects an upper-middle-income economy driven by medical device exports, tourism, and business services — the highest in Central America.

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Costa Rica Outfits: What to Wear and Pack for Every Activity

Costa Rica outfits should prioritize quick-dry fabrics, waterproof footwear, and layering for diverse climates — from 34°C Pacific beaches to 15°C Monteverde cloud forests — with neutral tones preferred for wildlife watching.

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Four Seasons Costa Rica: Complete Resort Guide

The Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo is a premier luxury property on Guanacaste's Pacific coast, offering world-class service, a private wildlife reserve, exceptional dining, and a full range of ocean and land activities.

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Costa Rica in April: Your Complete Travel Guide

April is a transitional shoulder season month in Costa Rica with dry Pacific beaches, active wildlife, the Juan Santamaría national holiday, and the major Semana Santa celebration.

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Costa Rica in January: Peak Season Travel Guide

January is Costa Rica's peak tourist season with ideal dry season weather on the Pacific coast, exceptional wildlife viewing, and all outdoor activities operating at full capacity.

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Costa Rica Cruise: Ports, Excursions & Complete Guide

Costa Rica cruise ships dock at Puntarenas on the Pacific coast and Puerto Limón on the Caribbean, offering shore excursions to rainforests, volcanoes, wildlife canals, and tropical beaches.

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Costa Rica Geography: Complete Guide to the Land and Landscape

Costa Rica's geography spans 51,100 km² of tropical land between Nicaragua and Panama, featuring active volcanoes, cloud forests, two coastlines, and one of the world's highest concentrations of protected biodiversity.

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Costa Rica in February: The Best of Dry Season Travel

February is peak dry season in Costa Rica with ideal Pacific coast weather, excellent surf, the start of the quetzal breeding season, and world-class sport fishing for sailfish.

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Costa Rica in March: Late Dry Season Travel Guide

March is the final full month of Costa Rica's Pacific dry season, offering peak quetzal viewing, the last leatherback turtle nesting, world-class surfing, and possible Semana Santa celebrations.

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Costa Rica Military: The Story Behind Abolishing the Armed Forces

Costa Rica abolished its military on December 1, 1948, making it one of the few countries constitutionally prohibited from maintaining a standing army, redirecting defense funds instead to education and healthcare.

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Zancudo Lodge Costa Rica: World-Class Fishing in the South Pacific

Zancudo Lodge on Playa Zancudo is a premier Costa Rica sport fishing destination on the Golfo Dulce, offering exceptional inshore roosterfish, offshore billfish, whale watching, and remote jungle-edge accommodation.

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4x4 Rental Costa Rica: Complete Guide to Off-Road Driving

A 4x4 rental in Costa Rica is essential for reaching most beaches, national parks, and eco-lodges beyond paved highways, with costs typically $100–$200 per day including full insurance coverage.

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Costa Rica Kosher: A Guide to Jewish Travel in Costa Rica

Costa Rica has an active Jewish community of approximately 2,500–3,000 people in San José with kosher restaurant options, a Chabad house, supermarket certified products, and synagogues welcoming to visiting Jewish travelers.

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Costa Rica Ocean Guide: Two Coasts, Two Worlds

Costa Rica's Pacific Ocean coast (1,016 km) and Caribbean Sea coast (212 km) offer two dramatically different marine worlds — from big-wave surfing and billfish to coral reef snorkeling and green sea turtle nesting.

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Costa Rica University: Higher Education Guide for Students and Visitors

Costa Rica's higher education system is anchored by four public autonomous universities — UCR, TEC, UNA, and UNED — with UCR ranking as Central America's top university and the country achieving a 97–98% literacy rate.

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Is Costa Rica a US Territory? Understanding Costa Rican Sovereignty

Costa Rica is not a US territory — it is a fully independent sovereign republic that has governed itself since 1821, with its own constitution, elected government, currency, and foreign policy entirely separate from the United States.

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The Capital of Costa Rica: San José Complete Travel Guide

San José is the capital of Costa Rica, home to the National Theater, world-class pre-Columbian museums, the 1880 Mercado Central, and easy access to volcanoes, coffee farms, and nature within an hour's drive.

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