Tag: Costa Rica

Celebrating Cultural Heritage: Costa Rica Repatriates Archaeological Treasures

Beyond the many natural wonders that bless Costa Rica, the country is also an important historical site for many indigenous groups and their rich cultures. Many of the artifacts from these pre-Columbian communities have been discovered over time in archaeological research but given the colonial nature of 20th Century expeditions, plenty of these treasures were exported to museums and collections in the United States and Europe. 

Just recently, Costa Rica has welcomed back a trove of 395 archaeological artifacts, safeguarded in diplomatic premises across Los Angeles, Miami, and Washington DC. These items journeyed back home, marking a significant moment in the country’s cultural restoration efforts in recent years. 

Among the returned artifacts are pre-Columbian relics crafted from stone and ceramic. One of the most notable is a remarkable stone sphere measuring approximately 65 centimeters in diameter, alongside metates, jade stones, polychromatic vessels, human and animal figurines, and stone tools. Some of these pieces had been held in diplomatic offices for up to a decade. While most were willingly surrendered, others were confiscated by US authorities and subsequently handed over to Costa Rica through diplomatic channels.

The repatriation endeavor was made possible through collaborative efforts between the Parque Metropolitano La Libertad Foundation and the National Museum of Costa Rica, as well as economic backing from the Cultural Agreements Fund of the United States Embassy. All came together under the banner of the project titled “Management and Dissemination of Pre-Columbian Assets Safeguarded in Costa Rican Diplomatic Premises in the United States.”

Costa Rica’s commitment to reclaiming its cultural heritage extends beyond this recent example. Since 1986, the country has repatriated a total of 3,560 archaeological artifacts from various countries across the Americas and Europe.The significance of this repatriation comes from giving back a part of the nation’s heritage and identity to its people, so they can freely access it and learn more about it. It’s the legacy of Costa Rica’s ancestors, an inheritance that can now be admired and studied by Costa Ricans.

This repatriation enriches Costa Rica’s cultural landscape and underscores the importance of international cooperation in preserving and honoring the world’s cultural heritage. It serves as a reminder of the enduring value of these artifacts, not only as relics of the past but also as bridges connecting us to our shared human history. As these treasures find their way back to where they belong, they inspire awe and admiration while igniting a renewed appreciation for the diverse tapestry of human civilization, and exalt the country’s placing as a cultural destination. 

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Guanacaste strengthens its Canadian connectivity

The cold winter months at the end and beginning of the year are Costa Rica’s high season given the natural disposition to seek warmer climates. Animal migration is guided by that, and historically, retirees tend to do the same. In the case of Costa Rica, this is also the stretch of the year when there’s virtually no rain, making it perfect to visit all the wonderful natural landscapes and enjoy the incredible outdoor activities that established the country as a world-class destination. 

It’s no surprise then that Canadian tourism is one of Costa Rica’s main visitation markets, particularly considering their famously harsh winters. In a strategic move to cater to the burgeoning demand and broaden travel horizons for that demographic, Guanacaste International Airport has extended operations on the route from Montreal, Canada.

Commencing on May 2, the year-round availability of this route, operated by Air Transat, beckons travelers to explore the wonders of Costa Rica. The route, marked by two flights per week on Thursdays and Sundays, boasts Air Transat’s A321 aircraft with 198 seats. Departing from Montreal’s Trudeau International Airport at 07:30 am and landing in Guanacaste at 11:30 am, the schedule is tailored to optimize the passenger experience, offering ample time to savor the beauty of the region.

Previously limited to the winter season from November to April, this extension reflects a thoughtful response to the evolving travel landscape and the desire for increased flexibility among Canadian wanderers. Guanacaste International Airport’s commitment to fortifying connectivity and propelling tourism growth in the region stands manifest in this strategic decision, as it has done throughout 2023 and 2024 with each one of its scheduling and expansion decisions. 

In 2023, Costa Rica saw 242,970 Canadian tourists visit the country. On average they graced the country with a stay of 14.8 nights. Their enthusiasm contributed to an estimated average expenditure of $106 per day, exalting the economic significance of their visitation, and the strategic reasoning behind the expanded routes. 

Tourists favoring the Guanacaste region can revel in a plethora of activities, from basking in the sun on pristine beaches to indulging in outdoor escapades, exploring volcanoes and hot springs, and savoring the rich tapestry of local cuisine in the iconic Blue Zone. As the news echoes across the traveler’s sphere, and Costa Rica continues its placement as one of the definitive tropical destinations, Guanacaste International Airport adapts to fulfill the growing demands that come with it. Now it’s as easy as ever to start your seamless journey to the heart of Costa Rica’s natural wonders.

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British readers name Costa Rica the world’s best emerging destination

The annual Times and Sunday Times Travel Awards poll all the newspapers’ readership to select their favorite vacation settings.

From all of the world’s destinations, 270,000 people agree that Costa Rica is the best the planet has to offer. At least these were the results of the ninth edition of the Times and Sunday Times Travel Awards, where the small Central American nation was selected as the best emerging destination.

The 270,000 votes received were all from readers of the iconic British newspaper, and it included 12 categories and 120 different destinations. The rationale behind Costa Rica’s placing was the country’s well-documented commitment to sustainability, its myriad of potential outdoor activities, and the evergreen allure of the “pura vida” lifestyle. From its impressive collection of volcanoes and expansive rainforest ranges, to the most stunning tropical beaches and bustling biodiversity, Costa Rica really is its own world of wonders. The sheer diversity within the country’s relatively small area offers tourists a compact gateway towards unlimited adventure and relaxation.

The magazine readers also recommended some of the country’s best destinations, where national parks like Manuel Antonio, Corcovado and Tortuguero were all featured, as well as the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife refuge and the impressive setting that is Playa Conchal.

It comes as no surprise that so many British people favor Costa Rica’s enthralling natural beauty, since the United Kingdom is the country that sends most tourists to Costa Rica from all of those beyond the Atlantic, a number that will surely increase after such glowing recommendations

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There’s no better time to visit Costa Rica than during the World Cup!

The ticos’ qualification means an extra enticement for those who arrive in the country during november and december of 2022. 

As the final whistle blew to finalize the game between Costa Rica’s football national team and New Zealand’s, the whole Central American nation felt a powerful roar of happiness and excitement. Once again, the ticos will be a part of soccer’s biggest tournament, qualifying to the edition of the World Cup that’ll be played in Qatar from November 21st to December 18th. 

Naturally, this fills the hearts of most Costa Rican citizens with joy and pride, as their soccer team has steadily become a constant fixture in the tournament ever since the early 2000s. But qualifying to a World Cup also means a huge boost for a country’s economy and social life. Restaurants see important rises in attendance while the games are on, usually promoting thematic offerings linked with the tournament, while retailers see a huge increase in TV and audio equipment sales; everybody wants to experience the thrills of the World Cup in the best way possible! 

As in most Latin American countries, soccer in Costa Rica is lived intensely, and in recent years the ticos’ celebrations have been well-documented internationally. Since the national team’s improbable success at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where they advanced to the quarter finals until eventually losing in penalties to the Netherlands, congregations around San Pedro’s La Fuente de la Hispanidad have been a given whenever the Costa Rican squad reaches an important landmark. 

If you’re thinking of traveling to Costa Rica during winter in the northern hemisphere, you might also get the unforgivable experience of seeing a country fully synced to a sporting event, and the moving displays of passion that come from it. 

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The US Travel Alert for Costa Rica goes back to a pre-pandemic level

The country’s stabilization in terms of Covid-19 means more tourism is soon to be expected from the country’s biggest market. 

The initial waves of the Covid-19 pandemic shook by storm the tourism and services industry. In the blink of an eye, staying inside and avoiding travel became a sanitary need, and the whole world was put on hold for a couple of months. With a better grasp of how the virus behaves, and the widespread accessibility of tools for its detection and avoidance, most industries have slowly come back to where they once were, and in some cases, the new trends that came with the pandemic actually helped establish a more effervescent growth. 

Such is the case for travel in Costa Rica, which with the advent of digital nomads and the newfound excitement for international travel has come back with historic numbers. Just recently, The U.S. Department of State has brought even more good news for the service industry. 

During the worst part of the Covid-19 pandemic, this governmental organ instated a travel advisory of level 4 alert for most countries where the virus was running rampant. That meant the highest degree of caution was recommended, and travel was not encouraged. For many years, the United States has represented the most important market for tourism in Costa Rica, and even if things were stabilizing in recent months, that level of prevention meant a hiccup for an economy seeking reactivation after some harsh years. But things are changing for the better. 

The U.S. Department of State has just reinstated Costa Rica’s level to 2 out of 4, meaning it’s now back to the level the country was before the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. In addition to data for the first quarter of the year that was disclosed by the tourism sector, in which nearly 80% of the visitation numbers from pre-pandemic times were achieved, things look encouraging for Costa Rica’s main economic activity. 

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Costa Rica reclaims its throne as Central America’s concert hotspot

During the 2010s Costa Rica became Central America’s hotspot for international shows. Its well-recorded sociopolitical stability, cultural affinity to US culture, and status as one of the globe’s main sustainability ambassadors, made the country the best suited destination to represent the region in the biggest pop stars’ world tours. It all started with hard rock luminaries Iron Maiden and Metallica, but soon Gen-X favorites like Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters and Green Day followed suit, and by the mid-decade classic rock legends like Elton John, Paul McCartney and Roger Waters,  and young effervescent stars like Bruno Mars, Ariana Grande and Ed Sheeran, where all part of Costa Rica’s healthy roster of year-long mega-spectacles. 

Naturally, all that stopped in 2020 with the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic and its heavy toll on the concert industry. Slowly but steadily, local venues began to open again, and by March the concert agenda finally started to get crowded once again. Just in these first couple weeks of 2022 big name artists like Bad Bunny, Coldplay, Ex-One Direction Louis Tomlinson and Karol G have all confirmed dates, and the expectation is for many more to be announced in the coming months.

Costa Rica’s modern Estadio Nacional is one of Central America’s best concert venues.

One of the main advantages Costa Rica has in the booking department is how easy the pitch is to lure international stars. Coldplay, the band that’ll kickstart the country’s comeback as Central America’s concert hotspot, decided to open their tour here, and that gave them extra time to relax and explore many of the nation’s breathtaking natural attractions. The reason that this iconic British band decided on such a small nation to start off their world tour isn’t just a random occurrence either, as the country’s renewable electric network and 99% clean renewable energy percentage mirrored Coldplay’s well-documented environmental activism. 

It was reported that lead singer Chris Martin arrived a whopping full two-weeks before the concert dates, giving himself plenty of time to immerse himself in Costa Rica’s many allures, and that has been the case before with other world-class stars who take the opportunity to sneak for a quick beach getaway or mountain adventure. Some, like Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and Enrique Iglesias (who have both played multiple times in the country) even go a step further, and end up buying property for their tropical hideaway after a long tour. 

If you’re a passionate music lover who also has a penchant for tropical lifestyle, you might want to follow the steps of the artists and begin planning your concert escapade around a nice, relaxing vacation. 

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