Before coming to Costa Rica, you may not know much about the geographical locations of the country. Costa Rica's territorial division includes 7 provinces (San Jose, Alajuela, Heredia, Puntarenas, Guanacaste, Cartago and Limon) and they are all very different in their own way.

San Jose: The most densely populated province and home to the capital, it is located in the center of the country surrounded by the impressive mountains of the Central Mountain Range. It includes national parks, forest reserves and fertile lands with an abundance of coffee plantations.

Alajuela: One of the most extensive provinces and known as "The Land of Mangoes". Its uneven topography includes rainforests, diverse plains and is home to the 2 most active volcanoes in Costa Rica: Poas and Arenal. The whole province has an enviable natural richness.

Heredia: The smallest province of the country and home to the beautiful town of Heredia, also called "The City of Flowers". It has the Braulio National Park with the Sarapiqui River running through it. It is full of wildlife and very popular with bird watchers especially those on the search for the infamous Quetzal bird. Many commuters live in Heredia to escape the hustle and bustle of San Jose.

Puntarenas: This is the largest province of Costa Rica that stretches down the Costa Rican Pacific coast. It offers beautiful beaches, natural reserves and areas of national importance. Corcovado and Manuel Antonio National Parks are both in this province providing habitats to some endangered species such as the spider monkey.

Guanacaste: Renowned as the driest region in Costa Rica, Guanacaste is well known for its warmth and the sun, which is exactly what visitors find along its coastline, with an abundance of hotels, cabins, and restaurants. Some are luxury ones, others more modest, but they all guarantee that guests have the perfect option for each budget. It is undoubtedly a natural world waiting to be explored.

Cartago: Its mountain system is made-up of two mountain ranges: The Central and The Talamanca mountain range, also with the highest point in Costa Rica, Cerro Chirripo (3,600 meters above sea level). It is a land rich in colonial art and traditions. The main attraction has to be the Irazu volcano that has 5 craters and remains active, attracting thousands of tourists every year.

Limon: The Caribbean province is a natural paradise, formed by a combination of dense jungles, imposing mountains, and heavenly beaches. Perhaps the most vivacious part to the north of the province is the Toruguero National Park, an expanse of protected land that is home to most of Costa Rica's nesting turtles. The province has a unique culture in the country, a way of life that may be fully appreciated during the traditional carnivals held each year, an experience of rhythms and euphoric, captivating colors.

The Osa Peninsula: Located on the very southern most point of Costa Rica, the Osa Peninsula is one of the most bio diverse areas in the world. Holding some 6% of the worlds bio diversity in an area smaller than wales, this really is the place for nature lovers!!

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