July’s Festival of Maíz: Corn Gets Its Crown

July’s Festival of Maíz: Corn Gets Its Crown

What is the Festival of Maíz in Costa Rica? The Festival of Maíz is Costa Rica’s annual celebration of corn, the sacred grain that has fed generations and shaped culture across the country. Every July, rural towns come alive with the smells of masa, the rhythms of...

The Secret Life of Mamón Chino: From Farm to Fingers

The Secret Life of Mamón Chino: From Farm to Fingers

f you've ever driven through Costa Rica in July or August, chances are you've spotted roadside vendors standing behind huge piles of spiky red fruit. Maybe you bought a plastic bag of them, bit into the soft flesh, and smiled at the burst of tart-sweet flavour. That’s...

Seasonal Sips: July’s Best Tropical Cocktails

Seasonal Sips: July’s Best Tropical Cocktails

Local bartenders share drink recipes that balance sun, humidity, and beachside bliss. What makes a perfect July cocktail in the tropics? A great July cocktail should be cooling, fruity, and easy to sip under the sun. The best drinks in Costa Rica during this time...

Mini Summer, Mega Activity: Wildlife You’re More Likely to See

Mini Summer, Mega Activity: Wildlife You’re More Likely to See

From howler monkeys to toucans, the dry break draws out more than just tourists. What is Costa Rica’s “mini summer”? Mini summer, or "veranillo de San Juan", is a brief dry spell that usually occurs between late June and mid-July, interrupting the otherwise rainy...

Sleeping Giants and Fiery Beasts: Costa Rica’s Volcanic Soul

Sleeping Giants and Fiery Beasts: Costa Rica’s Volcanic Soul

Introduction to Costa Rica’s Volcanic Landscape The Land of Fire Costa Rica’s beauty is more than skin deep. Underneath its rainforests, cloud forests, and pristine coastlines lies a turbulent geological engine. With over 60 volcanoes, including five currently...

Green Gold: Costa Rica’s Growing Botanical Product Export Market

Green Gold: Costa Rica’s Growing Botanical Product Export Market

Why guanabana, noni, and moringa are in demand—and how Costa Rica is cashing in What’s driving the global demand for Costa Rica’s tropical botanicals? Costa Rica’s rich biodiversity and clean image are fuelling global demand for its natural health products. Across...

Costa Rica’s Undercover Volcanoes: Tenorio, Miravalles, and Barva

Costa Rica’s Undercover Volcanoes: Tenorio, Miravalles, and Barva

Costa Rica is famous for its volcanic beauty, but most travelers only ever hear about Arenal, Rincon de la Viaja, or Poás. Hidden behind the fame of these popular giants lie lesser-known treasures—Tenorio, Miravalles, and Barva—volcanoes that are just as stunning,...

Poás Volcano Costa Rica: Where Beauty Boils Beneath the Surface

Poás Volcano Costa Rica: Where Beauty Boils Beneath the Surface

Poás Volcano: Costa Rica’s Fiery Crown Jewel Poás Volcano isn’t just another mountain—it's one of Costa Rica’s most photogenic and dangerous natural attractions. Rising 2,708 meters above sea level in the Central Valley, this active stratovolcano boasts one of the...