Daylife

Costa Rica | PLACE

 

Costa Rica (literally 'rich coast'), officially the Republic of Costa Rica (Spanish: Costa Rica or República de Costa Rica, IPA: [re'puβlika ðe 'kosta 'rika]), is a country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the south-southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. Costa Rica was the first country in the world to constitutionally abolish its army.

Read the full background at Wikipedia

Photos 

This NOAA satellite image taken Sunday, March 21, 2010 at 1:45 p.m. EDT shows a trail of clouds extending from the Southeastern US highlighting a cold front. Numerous showers and lines of thunderstorms develop near this front as it extends down to the Yucatan Peninsula and inland along the Southern Mexico Gulf. To the south, a few isolated showers develop in the western Caribbean, along the coastal areas of Panama and Costa Rica and across the inland areas of Nicaragua and eastern Honduras. The rest of the Caribbean remains under tranquil weather conditions due to anticyclonic flow.

This NOAA satellite image taken Sunday, March 21, 2010 at 1:45 p.m. EDT shows a trail of clouds extending from the Southeastern US highlighting a cold front. Numerous showers and lines of thunderstorms develop near this front as it extends down to the Yucatan Peninsula and inland along the Southern Mexico Gulf. To the south, a few isolated showers develop in the western Caribbean, along the coastal areas of Panama and Costa Rica and across the inland areas of Nicaragua and eastern Honduras. The rest of the Caribbean remains under tranquil weather conditions due to anticyclonic flow.

AP 

Mobile medical unit donated by Dole and Spar to the Lions Club in Costa Rica.

Mobile medical unit donated by Dole and Spar to the Lions Club in Costa Rica.

Business Wire 

In this undated photo courtesy of Decca Records, Costa Rica's singer Debi Nova poses for a photo in an unknown location. Nova's debut album "Luna Nueva," produced by Gustavo Santaolalla, will be released on May 18 by Decca Records.

In this undated photo courtesy of Decca Records, Costa Rica's singer Debi Nova poses for a photo in an unknown location. Nova's debut album "Luna Nueva," produced by Gustavo Santaolalla, will be released on May 18 by Decca Records.

Decca Records 

Costa Rica's President-elect Laura Chinchilla speaks during an interview with the Associated Press in San Jose, Monday, March 15, 2010. Chinchilla will be the fifth Latin American woman to serve as president when she takes office in May.

Costa Rica's President-elect Laura Chinchilla speaks during an interview with the Associated Press in San Jose, Monday, March 15, 2010. Chinchilla will be the fifth Latin American woman to serve as president when she takes office in May.

AP 

Costa Rica's President-elect Laura Chinchilla speaks during an interview with the Associated Press in San Jose, Monday, March 15, 2010. Chinchilla will be the fifth Latin American woman to serve as president when she takes office in May.

Costa Rica's President-elect Laura Chinchilla speaks during an interview with the Associated Press in San Jose, Monday, March 15, 2010. Chinchilla will be the fifth Latin American woman to serve as president when she takes office in May.

AP 

This NOAA satellite image taken Sunday, March 14, 2010 at 12:45 PM EST shows a trail of broken clouds highlighting a cold front that extends through the Windward Passage. The front then becomes stationary as it continues to Costa Rica. Areas of scattered showers develop along these front, while anticyclonic flow produces quieter weather activity elsewhere.

This NOAA satellite image taken Sunday, March 14, 2010 at 12:45 PM EST shows a trail of broken clouds highlighting a cold front that extends through the Windward Passage. The front then becomes stationary as it continues to Costa Rica. Areas of scattered showers develop along these front, while anticyclonic flow produces quieter weather activity elsewhere.

AP 

Bershawn Jackson from the US, Britain's Richard Buck, Costa Rica's Nery Brenes and Austria's Clemens Zeller, from left, compete during their Men's 400m heat at the 13th IAAF World Indoor Championships in Friday, March 12, 2010 in Doha, Qatar.

Bershawn Jackson from the US, Britain's Richard Buck, Costa Rica's Nery Brenes and Austria's Clemens Zeller, from left, compete during their Men's 400m heat at the 13th IAAF World Indoor Championships in Friday, March 12, 2010 in Doha, Qatar.

AP 

(L-R) Costa Rica's Nery Brenes, Great Britain's Richard Buck, Bershawn Jackson of the US and Austria's Clemenes Zeller compete in the men's first round 400m race at the 2010 IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships at the Aspire Dome in the Qatari capital Doha on March 12, 2010.

(L-R) Costa Rica's Nery Brenes, Great Britain's Richard Buck, Bershawn Jackson of the US and Austria's Clemenes Zeller compete in the men's first round 400m race at the 2010 IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships at the Aspire Dome in the Qatari capital Doha on March 12, 2010.

AFP 

(FromL) Costa Rica's Nery Brenes, Austria's Clemens Zeller and Great Britain Richard Buck compete in the men's first round 400m Heat 3 race at the 2010 IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships at the Aspire Dome in the Qatari capital Doha on March 12, 2010.

(FromL) Costa Rica's Nery Brenes, Austria's Clemens Zeller and Great Britain Richard Buck compete in the men's first round 400m Heat 3 race at the 2010 IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships at the Aspire Dome in the Qatari capital Doha on March 12, 2010.

AFP 

(FromL) Costa Rica's Nery Brenes, US Bershawn Jackson, Great Britain Richard Buck and Austria's Clemens Zeller  compete in the men's first round 400m Heat 3 race at the 2010 IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships at the Aspire Dome in the Qatari capital Doha on March 12, 2010.

(FromL) Costa Rica's Nery Brenes, US Bershawn Jackson, Great Britain Richard Buck and Austria's Clemens Zeller compete in the men's first round 400m Heat 3 race at the 2010 IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships at the Aspire Dome in the Qatari capital Doha on March 12, 2010.

AFP 

Strawberry poison arrow frog on leaf in Costa Rica. (C) Edwin Giesbers/naturepl.com.

Strawberry poison arrow frog on leaf in Costa Rica. (C) Edwin Giesbers/naturepl.com.

BBC 

Costa Rica's Puntarenas F.C. defender Mario Viquez embraces Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Chris Birchall, who scored the only goal of the game, after playing their international friendly soccer match, Wednesday, March 10, 2010, in Fullerton, Calif.

Costa Rica's Puntarenas F.C. defender Mario Viquez embraces Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Chris Birchall, who scored the only goal of the game, after playing their international friendly soccer match, Wednesday, March 10, 2010, in Fullerton, Calif.

FR170211 AP 

Los Angeles Galaxy forward Edson Buddle congratulates midfielder Chris Birchall for scoring a goal against Costa Rica's Puntarenas F.C. in the second half during their international friendly soccer match, Wednesday, March 10, 2010, in Fullerton, Calif.

Los Angeles Galaxy forward Edson Buddle congratulates midfielder Chris Birchall for scoring a goal against Costa Rica's Puntarenas F.C. in the second half during their international friendly soccer match, Wednesday, March 10, 2010, in Fullerton, Calif.

FR170211 AP 

Costa Rica's Puntarenas F.C. defender Pedro Leal kicks the ball away from Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Juninho of Brazil in the second half during their international friendly soccer match, Wednesday, March 10, 2010, in Fullerton, Calif.

Costa Rica's Puntarenas F.C. defender Pedro Leal kicks the ball away from Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Juninho of Brazil in the second half during their international friendly soccer match, Wednesday, March 10, 2010, in Fullerton, Calif.

FR170211 AP 

Puntarenas of Costa Rica midfielder Ricardo Garcia battles Los Angeles Galaxy defenseman Alex Cazumba for the ball in the first half during an international friendly soccer match, Wednesday, March 10, 2010, in Fullerton, Calif.

Puntarenas of Costa Rica midfielder Ricardo Garcia battles Los Angeles Galaxy defenseman Alex Cazumba for the ball in the first half during an international friendly soccer match, Wednesday, March 10, 2010, in Fullerton, Calif.

FR170211 AP 

Puntarenas of Costa Rica midfielder Ricardo Garcia and Los Angeles Galaxy defenseman Alex Cazumba vie for the ball in the first half during an international friendly soccer match, Wednesday, March 10, 2010, in Fullerton, Calif.

Puntarenas of Costa Rica midfielder Ricardo Garcia and Los Angeles Galaxy defenseman Alex Cazumba vie for the ball in the first half during an international friendly soccer match, Wednesday, March 10, 2010, in Fullerton, Calif.

FR170211 AP 

Puntarenas of Costa Rica forward Joshua Diaz goes up for the ball with Los Angeles Galaxy defenseman Omar Gonzalez in the half during an international friendly soccer match Wednesday, March 10, 2010, in Fullerton, Calif.

Puntarenas of Costa Rica forward Joshua Diaz goes up for the ball with Los Angeles Galaxy defenseman Omar Gonzalez in the half during an international friendly soccer match Wednesday, March 10, 2010, in Fullerton, Calif.

FR170211 AP 

From left to right: Dominican Republic's President Lionel Fernandez, Hondura's President Porfirio Lobo, Costa Rica's President Oscar Arias, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Belize's Prime Minister Dean Barrow, El Salvador's President Mauricio Funes and Panama's Minister of Finance Alberto Ballarini pose for an official picture at the presidential palace in Guatemala City, Friday, March 5, 2010. Clinton is on a one-day official visit to Guatemala.

From left to right: Dominican Republic's President Lionel Fernandez, Hondura's President Porfirio Lobo, Costa Rica's President Oscar Arias, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Belize's Prime Minister Dean Barrow, El Salvador's President Mauricio Funes and Panama's Minister of Finance Alberto Ballarini pose for an official picture at the presidential palace in Guatemala City, Friday, March 5, 2010. Clinton is on a one-day official visit to Guatemala.

AP 

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, center, laughs next to Costa Rica's President Oscar Arias, left, and Guatemala's President Alvaro Colom while waiting to have an official photo taken at the presidential palace in Guatemala City, Friday, March 5, 2010. Clinton is on a one-day official visit to Guatemala.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, center, laughs next to Costa Rica's President Oscar Arias, left, and Guatemala's President Alvaro Colom while waiting to have an official photo taken at the presidential palace in Guatemala City, Friday, March 5, 2010. Clinton is on a one-day official visit to Guatemala.

AP 

From left, Dominican Republic President Leonel Fernandez, Honduran President Porfirio Lobo Sosa, Costa Rica's President Oscar Arias, US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Guatemala's President Alvaro Colom, Belize Prime Minister Dean Oliver Barrow, El Salvador's President Carlos Mauricio Funes and Alberto Vallarino Minister of Economy and Finance of Panama during a group photo at the National Palace of Culture  in Guatemala City, Guatemala, Friday, March 5, 2010.

From left, Dominican Republic President Leonel Fernandez, Honduran President Porfirio Lobo Sosa, Costa Rica's President Oscar Arias, US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Guatemala's President Alvaro Colom, Belize Prime Minister Dean Oliver Barrow, El Salvador's President Carlos Mauricio Funes and Alberto Vallarino Minister of Economy and Finance of Panama during a group photo at the National Palace of Culture in Guatemala City, Guatemala, Friday, March 5, 2010.

AP 

This NOAA satellite image taken Sunday, March 21, 2010 at 1:45 p.m. EDT shows a trail of clouds extending from the Southeastern US highlighting a cold front. Numerous showers and lines of thunderstorms develop near this front as it extends down to the Yucatan Peninsula and inland along the Southern Mexico Gulf. To the south, a few isolated showers develop in the western Caribbean, along the coastal areas of Panama and Costa Rica and across the inland areas of Nicaragua and eastern Honduras. The rest of the Caribbean remains under tranquil weather conditions due to anticyclonic flow.

This NOAA satellite image taken Sunday, March 21, 2010 at 1:45 p.m. EDT shows a trail of clouds extending from the Southeastern US highlighting a cold front. Numerous showers and lines of thunderstorms develop near this front as it extends down to the Yucatan Peninsula and inland along the Southern Mexico Gulf. To the south, a few isolated showers develop in the western Caribbean, along the coastal areas of Panama and Costa Rica and across the inland areas of Nicaragua and eastern Honduras. The rest of the Caribbean remains under tranquil weather conditions due to anticyclonic flow.

AP 

Mobile medical unit donated by Dole and Spar to the Lions Club in Costa Rica.

Mobile medical unit donated by Dole and Spar to the Lions Club in Costa Rica.

Business Wire 

In this undated photo courtesy of Decca Records, Costa Rica's singer Debi Nova poses for a photo in an unknown location. Nova's debut album "Luna Nueva," produced by Gustavo Santaolalla, will be released on May 18 by Decca Records.

In this undated photo courtesy of Decca Records, Costa Rica's singer Debi Nova poses for a photo in an unknown location. Nova's debut album "Luna Nueva," produced by Gustavo Santaolalla, will be released on May 18 by Decca Records.

Decca Records 

Costa Rica's President-elect Laura Chinchilla speaks during an interview with the Associated Press in San Jose, Monday, March 15, 2010. Chinchilla will be the fifth Latin American woman to serve as president when she takes office in May.

Costa Rica's President-elect Laura Chinchilla speaks during an interview with the Associated Press in San Jose, Monday, March 15, 2010. Chinchilla will be the fifth Latin American woman to serve as president when she takes office in May.

AP 

Costa Rica's President-elect Laura Chinchilla speaks during an interview with the Associated Press in San Jose, Monday, March 15, 2010. Chinchilla will be the fifth Latin American woman to serve as president when she takes office in May.

Costa Rica's President-elect Laura Chinchilla speaks during an interview with the Associated Press in San Jose, Monday, March 15, 2010. Chinchilla will be the fifth Latin American woman to serve as president when she takes office in May.

AP 

Launch Gallery   of  

On TV Now

View All

As of 2:55PM EST »