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The Happiest Country on Earth!

Costa Rica & Jaco Overview

Costa Rica is a small nation (smaller than West Virginia) located in Central America bordering Nicaragua to the North and Panama to the South. The small country also boarders with the Caribbean Sea to the east and Pacific Ocean to the West. Don´t let such a small territory fool you, Costa Rica boasts and impressive variety of microclimates, beaches, National Parks, volcanoes, wildlife diversity and activities for all.

Costa Rica also has great reputation and is known worldwide as a very peaceful nation having one of the oldest and best democratic systems as well as for abolishing its Army in 1949 to create better education and healthcare.

Villa Caletas hotel is located in the Central Pacific Region, near Puntarenas Costa Rica, and only 1 hour away from San Jose and the Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO); this region known for its beautiful pacific beaches, colorful wildlife, dense rainforest and its many National Parks and Wildlife Reserves.

For those interested in shopping, restaurants and nightlife, the nearby tourist town of Jacó and Herradura lay a short 5 -10 minute drive to the south.

For more information on Costa Rica travel you may visit: www.visitcostarica.com

A little bit of History of Garabito County:

The discovery of the territory now known as Garabito, dates from 1522, when in command of Don Gil González Dávila, expeditions were conducted in the area. They found that by then it was occupied by the kingdom of indigenous Huetar, they were living in a coastal settlement, from the river Tarcoles up to Herradura.
At the beginning of the Conquest, the Huetar had Garabito as principal chief , which at the time was very powerful, both by the extent of his dominions within and outside the Central Valley ,as in the resistance offered to the Spanish conquest. Garabito was judged and sentence to death but they failed to perform as the Cacique continue hiding and even sometimes attacking Spanish, however the Cacique was losing strength and support with the passing of the years. During the governorship of Anguciana Alonso, Garabito returned to the Coyoche Valley, where he was finally captured, taken to the presence of Spanish authority and subject to return to spend his last years there.

By the 1920’s, Jaco was still a mountain inhabited by a few families, all dedicated to agriculture and trade. By 1972, an Executive order receives Jaco as a Town. 1978 the opening of the coastal road communication. Jaco has now become a primary tourist destination and is very involved in sustainable tourism.

Interesting facts over the country that might help you during your trip to Costa Rica:

1) Costa Ricans refer to themselves as Ticos (males) or Ticas (females).
2) The Guanacaste is Costa Rica´s national tree and the clay-colored thrush is the national bird. The national flower is the guaria morada, an orchid.
3) Costa Rica has a population of 4.5 million and a life expectancy of almost 77 years, one of the highest in the world.
4) There are 800 miles of coastline in Costa Rica between the Pacific and Caribbean coasts.
5) Costa Rica is divided into seven provinces: San Jose, Alajuela, Heredia, Cartago, Guanacaste, Puntarenas and Limon.
6) There are more than 121 volcanic formations in Costa Rica, and seven of them are active. Poas Volcano has the second widest crater in the world (nearly one mile in diameter), and Arenal Volcano is one of the ten most active volcanoes in the world.
7) Chirripo Mountain is the highest point in Costa Rica at 12,500 feet. The country´s lowest point is 790 feet below sea level in the caves of Barra Honda National Park.
8) Irazu is the tallest volcano in Costa Rica at 11,259 feet.
9) Costa Rica hosts more than 5% of the world’s biodiversity even though its landmass only takes up .03% of the planet´s surface. There are more than:130 species of freshwater fish – 160 species of amphibians – 208 species of mammals – 220 species of reptiles – 850 species of birds – 1,000 species of butterflies – 1,200 varieties of orchids – 9,000 species of plants – 34,000 species of insects and still counting.
10) More than 25% of Costa Rica’s land is dedicated to national parks, reserves and wildlife refuges.There are more than 100 different protected areas to visit.
11) For most of Costa Rica, the dry season runs from December through April. During these months,the Pacific coast and most of the Central Valley receive little rain, or the odd afternoon shower. May through mid-November is considered the rainy season, when days are marked by sunny mornings and late afternoon thunderstorms. The Caribbean coast, Monteverde and Arenal areas are exceptions to this rule, and have no distinct dry season.
12) The Tempisque River Bridge (known locally as El Puente de Amistad) that connects the mainland to the Nicoya Peninsula was a gift from Taiwan.

VILLA CALETAS HOTEL
VILLA CALETAS HOTEL