The fact that more than one million tourists visit Costa Rica each year does not happen by chance.
Our country, located in Central America, is an isthmus, covering only 0.03% of the surface of our planet, Costa Rica has approximately 6% of the world's biodiversity.


Rugged highlands are found throughout most of the country, ranging from approximately 1,000 to 2,000 meters (3,000 to 6,000 feet above sea level). The Guanacaste, Central and Talamanca are the main mountain ranges extending the entire length of the country.

There are several active volcanoes (Arenal, Irazú, Rincón de la Vieja and Turrialba) and the country’s highest mountain (Chirripo Hill) with a height of 3,819 m/12,530 ft. The country has a relatively long coastline in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, as well as a number of rivers and streams that attract specialist kayakers and rafters from all over the world.

The Ticos, as Costa Ricans are commonly known, are famous for their hospitality, and are quite happy to live up to their reputation. They are well-educated and hard working people, who are quick with a handshake and a smile. They are well aware of the special land they have, and most likely they will help foreigners when they get lost, even explaining things that might seem bizarre to foreigners, and making their stay as enjoyable as possible.

 The country has a literacy rate and average life expectancy that are much closer to those of Western European nations than most Latin American countries. Costa Rica has had a socialized medical system for nearly half a century, and while schools and clinics are found throughout the country, the Central Valley has several public universities and dozens of private universities.


Costa Rican culture is in many ways a reflection of its racial diversity. The predominant influence has long been European, which is reflected in everything from the official language -- Spanish -- to the architecture of the country’s churches and other historic buildings.

An important aspect of Costa Rica’s cultural legacy is their love for peace and democracy
They take pride in having more than one hundred years of democratic tradition, and almost half a century without an army.

There is an ample selection of state owned and privately held banks in San José, and throughout the country. The official currency of Costa Rica is the colón, however US dollars are widely accepted.

On the other hand, the Province of Heredia, where Hotel La Riviera is located includes a portion of the Central Valley and the Central Volcanic Mountain range, but the majority of its territory lies in the northern lowlands, south of Nicaragua. The geographical variation contained within this province (the smallest of the 7 provinces) gives it as wide a range of climatic conditions as any of the provinces, from warm and humid lowlands, to cool and damp highlands, to the mild but seasonally wet and dry Central Valley.