Jacó Beach aerial view

Jacó is a coastal city, in the county of Garabito in Costa Rica’s Puntarenas province. Located in the Central Pacific Region, on the pacific coast of Costa Rica.

Jacó is approximately one hour by car from San José and Costa Rica’s primary International Airport (SJO).

Jaco Beach has become the most developed and and visited vacation destinations in all of Costa Rica. Manuel Antonio National Park is located just one hour South of Jaco. Jaco has a population of apx. 10,000 residents.

Diseases such as malaria, yellow fever and dengue fever are nonexistent, or extremely rare and no shots or vaccinations are necessary when traveling to Costa Rica.

Climate

As Jacó lies on the seashore, climate is humid. Temperature is 85-90 degrees F during the day and 75-80 degrees at night. This temperature is virtually the same year round. The “rainy season” is September and October and then it becomes gradually less rainy throughout the rest of the year. The dry season begins in January.

Tourist Locations in the Vicinity

Jacó Beach Costa Rica.

Jacó lies between several mountains, and is neighbored by the beaches of Herradura Bay to the North, and Playa Hermosa to the South.

At about 15 miles north of Jacó, lies the Carara National Park, recognized for its exuberant wildlife and dense rain forest. Carara is home to one of the largest remaining populations of wild Scarlet Macaw in the country.

Jacó’s natural beauty and close proximity to San Jose and the International airport(SJO) attracts many international and local tourists. Jacó also hosts the largest selection of hotels, vacation rental condos and homes, tours and excursions, as well as over 75, restaurants, several beach bars, nightclubs and discos, and three casinos.

Costa Rican coat of arms prior to 1998 addition of "smoking" volcanoes

The official coat of arms of the Republic of Costa Rica was designed in 1848, with modifications in 1906, 1964, and most recently the 1998 addition of smoke to distinguish three volcanoes (“Se dibujaron los volcanes humeantes para diferenciarlos.”

As officially described, the coat of arms represent: three volcanoes (one for each of the three mountain ranges in the country) and an extensive valley between two oceans (Pacific Ocean and Caribbean) with a merchant ship in each one (representing the maritime history of the country).

In the horizon a rising sun. All surrounded by a golden frame representing the golden bead (coffee). Two palms close the arms joined by a white ribbon with the leyend “Republica de Costa Rica” in gold.

An arch of seven stars represent the provinces of the republic. The arms are crowned by a blue ribbon with the legend “America Central”.

Pre-1821 Colony of Spanish Empire

Before 1821, Costa Rica was part of the Spanish Empire and did not have a local coat of arms. The arms of the reigning monarch were used instead.

The only city that had a local coat of arms was the City of Cartago, awarded by King Phillip II in 1565.

After the independence from Spain in 1821, Costa Rica briefly joined the Mexican Empire, so from 1822 to 1823 the Costa Rican arms were those of the Mexican Empire.

Coat of Arms of the Federal Republic of Central America from 1823 to November, 1824

Coat of Arms of the Federal Republic of Central America from November 1824 to November 1840

Federal and State Arms

Coat of Arms of the State of Costa Rica within the Federal Republic of Central America from Nov 2, 1824 to Nov 15, 1840.

In March 1824, when Costa Rica joined the United Provinces of Central America arms promulgated by the new republic’s constitution became the arms of the State of Costa Rica.

This coat of arms consists of a triangle, in which five volcanoes rise out of the sea symbolizing the five member states of the United Provinces; above the volcanoes is a shining red Phrygian cap and a rainbow.

This coat of arms with small changes is still used by the national coat of arms of El Salvador and Nicaragua.

On November 2, 1824 Costa Rica adopted its first coat of arms as a state within the federation which showed the right side of a naked male’s chest and extended arm surrounded by a circle of green mountains and the legend free state of Costa Rica.

Arms of an Independent States

Coat of arms of the independent State of Costa Rica from April 1840 to April, 1842

In 1840 after Costa Rica’s withdrawal from the federation a new coat of arms was adopted, the first for Costa Rica as a sovereign and independent state.

It consisted of an eight-pointed shining star in a blue field surrounded by a yellow circle with the leyend State of Costa Rica.

This coat of arms was suppressed in 1842 by Francisco Morazán during his failed bid to reunite the Federal Republic of Central America. The 1824 arms where used during this period.

Coat of Arms of the Republic

The basis of the current National Coat of Arms of Costa Rica was adopted September 29, 1848 during the presidency of Dr Jose Maria Castro Madriz together with the new flag. Both designs are attributed to Pacifica Fernandez, wife of Mr Castro Madriz.

Design of the 1848 coat of arms which was featured in the first Costa Rican postal stamp issued in 1863

These arms were significantly modified by law number 18 of November 27, 1906 which eliminated the military symbols, national flags and horn of plenty contained in the 1848 design.

In 1964 two stars were added to the original five in order to complete seven, which by then was the number of provinces of the country. In 1848, when the original design was adopted the current provinces of Puntarenas and Limon had not reached that status.

On May 5, 1998, by Executive Decree No. 26853-SP, the coat of arms was given its current form, including the smoking volcanoes. Before this date, the three mountains did not show smoke coming out of their tops.

Flag of Costa Rica

The official flag of the Republic of Costa Rica is based on a design created in 1848.

The state/national flag, also used as the military ensign, includes the coat of arms of Costa Rica. The civil ensign, commonly used as an unofficial national flag, omits the coat of arms.

Variant flag of Costa Rica

The flag was officially adopted on November 27, 1906, including a slight modification to the placement and design of the entrenched coat of arms.

The flag was updated to reflect concurrent modifications to the national coat of arms in 1964 and 1998.

Flags Prior to 1848

During most of its colonial period, Costa Rica was the southernmost province of the Captaincy General of Guatemala, which was nominally part of the Viceroyalty of New Spain (i.e., Mexico), but which in practice operated as a largely autonomous entity within the Spanish Empire. As such, the land of present Costa Rica was covered by the various flags of the Spanish and Mexican Empires until 1823.

Costa Rica was part of the Federal Republic of Central America (originally known as the “United Provinces of Central America”), a sovereign state in Central America, which consisted of the territories of the former Captaincy General of Guatemala. A republican democracy, it existed from July 1823 to 1841.

During this period, Costa Rica used the flag of the United Provinces of Central America, augmented by variations specific to State of Costa Rica within the United Provinces of Central America (a blue and white striped United Provinces flag, with the Costa Rican State Seal added).

When the Federal Republic of Central America unofficially dissolved by 1841, Costa Rica made a further modification to its variation of the United Provinces of Central America flag.

Flags Since 1848

Independence Day in Costa Rica – Flags

The blue, white and red horizontal design was created in 1848 by Pacífica Fernández, wife of then president José María Castro Madriz. Fernández was inspired by France’s 1848 Revolution, and the creation of the French Second Republic. The new design to the Costa Rican flag adopted the colors of the French tricolor.

The blue color stands for the sky, opportunities, idealism and perseverance. The white color stands for peace, wisdom and happiness. The red color stands for the blood spilt by martyrs in defense of the country, as well as the warmth and generosity of the people. The stripes are in the ratio 1:1:2:1:1.

The coat of arms of Costa Rica was also revised in 1848 and placed in the center of the flag. In 1906, when the coat of arms was modified, the updat was placed in a white disk on the flag’s red stripe, and later on an oval, set toward the hoist.

The coat of arms depicts the isthmus between the Pacific ocean and the Caribbean Sea, with 3 volcanoes. The 7 stars stand for the 7 provinces of Costa Rica. The Spanish name of the country is scrolled on a white banner, Republica de Costa Rica (Republic of Costa Rica), and the Central American union is recognized in the blue upper scroll, America Central, recalling the former United Provinces of Central America.

The flag of Costa Rica is similar to the flag of Thailand, which was adopted 11 years later. It also resembles the flag of North Korea which was adopted almost 42 years later in 1948.

Historical Flags

September, 1821 – June 6, 1823

June 6, 1823 – March 4, 1824

March 4 – November 2, 1824

November 2 – November 22, 1824

November 22, 1824 – November 15, 1840

April 21, 1840 – April 20, 1842

September, 1842 – November 12, 1848

November 12, 1848 – November 27, 1906

A beach in the Guanacaste Province

Guanacaste is a province of Costa Rica located in the northwestern part of the country, along the coast of the Pacific Ocean.

To the north it borders Nicaragua. To the east is the Alajuela Province, and to the southeast is the Puntarenas Province. It is the most sparsely populated of all the provinces of Costa Rica. The province covers an area of 10,141 km2 (3,915 sq mi) and as of 2000, had a population of 264,238.

Guanacaste’s capital is Liberia. Other important cities include Cañas and Nicoya.

Etymology

The province is named for the guanacaste tree, also known as the ear pod tree which is the national tree of Costa Rica.

History

Map locator for Guanacaste Province

Before the Spanish arrived, ths territory was inhabited by Chorotega Indians from the town of Zapati, Nacaome, Paro, Cangel, Nicopasaya, Pocosí, Diriá, Papagayo, Namiapí and Orosi. The Corobicies lived on the eastern shore of the Gulf of Nicoya and the Nahuas or Aztecan in the zone of Bagaces.

The first church was built out of straw in Nicoya in the 17th Century.

In the 18th Century some neighbors of Rivas established their houses and cattle farms in the northern part of the Nicoya Peninsula at crossroads that connected the towns of Bagaces, Nicoy and Rivas. The place was baptized after a famous Guanacaste tree that grows in the neighborhood.

Part of the Nicaraguan territory prior to independence from Spain, but in 1824-25 the territory of Guanacaste was annexed to Costa Rica. The inhabitants decided by their own will to be part of Costa Rica. The 25th of July 1824 the town people of Nicoya and Santa Cruz decided to join Costa Rica. In 1836 the town of Guanacaste was declared capital of Guanacaste province. In 1854 the town of Guanacaste was renamed Liberia.

Geography

The province is bounded on the east by a group of green-swathed volcanoes forming the Cordillera de Guanacaste and the Cordillera de Tilaran.

The rivers that tumble out of these steep mountains flow down to rolling flatlands, forming a vast alluvial plain drained by the Rio Tempisque, which empties through swampy wetlands into de Golfo de Nicoya. The Rio Tempisque defines one side of the horsehead-shaped Peninsula de Nicoya enclosing the gulf to the west.

The province is heavily forested in parts.

Climate

Guanacaste’s climate and culture are unique among Costa Rican provinces. The province experiences little rain and consistent heat from November to April. Tourists seek out this dry heat during the North American winter to enjoy the breathtaking Guanacastecan beaches. Irrigation of the agricultural land is necessary during the long dry season.

From May to October, the climate is similar to that of San José, consisting of showers daily and moderate temperatures. Guanacaste is, however, considerably warmer than provinces residing in higher elevations.

Demography

Most of the population descends from a mix of Chorotega natives and Spaniards. As in Nicaragua and elsewhere in Costa Rica, Usted is the form of address used by Guanacastecans upon initial meetings, but once they have established a friendship, they switch to the vos verb-form.

The Chorotega culture and the Spanish culture have successfully integrated; among the main cultural elements are their music, literature (folklore), musical instruments, bullfighting, and religious events.

Economy

Typical Costa Rican ox-drawn carts carry wood during an annual festival in Nicoya, Guanacaste

The province has an economic and cultural heritage based on beef cattle ranching. Most of the area is covered by small patches of forest, scattered trees and large pastures of coarse grasses where Brahman cattle and related breeds graze.

Historically, the main source of income of Guanacaste was cattle ranching. Cattle ranching is declining in Guanacaste due to an international drop in the demand for beef. Many pastures are naturally reverting back to dry forest or are being converted to tree plantations.

The other agricultural products of relative importance in the province are sugar cane and cotton, and since the late 1980s, with the creation of a large-scale irrigation program (the water comes from Lake Arenal after passing through several power generating stations), rice has become a prominent crop.

Today tourism has emerged as the new and growing activity in the local economy. The combination of beautiful beaches like Playa Tamarindo and the sun-drenched dry season that coincides with the winter months in northern latitudes have made tourism the most lucrative revenue.

A lot of tourist are also attracted by the abundance of natural beauty. The Province has no less than seven national parks like Santa Rosa, Guanacaste and Rincon de la Vieja National Park.

Political divisions

Guanacaste is subdivided into eleven cantons. The cantons (with their capitals in parentheses) are:

• Abangares (Las Juntas)
• Bagaces (Bagaces)
• Cañas (Cañas)
• Carrillo (Filadelfia)
• Hojancha (Hojancha)
• La Cruz (La Cruz)
• Liberia (Liberia)
• Nandayure (Carmona)
• Nicoya (Nicoya)
• Santa Cruz (Santa Cruz)
• Tilarán (Tilarán)

A major portion of the peninsula of Nicoya is now under the jurisdiction of the province of Puntarenas. This may change in the future, as there is constant debate over the remapping of the area.

Entrance to Monteverde cloud forest Park

The Reserva Biológica Bosque Nuboso Monteverde (the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve) is a Costa Rican reserve located along the Cordillera de Tilarán mountain range within the Puntarenas and Alajuela provinces.

Named after the nearby town of Monteverde and founded in 1972, the Preserve consists of over 10,500 hectares of tropical rainforest, the reserve is visited by roughly 70,000 visitors a year. The Preserve consists of 6 ecological zones, 90% of which are virgin forest.

An extremely high biodiversity, consisting of over 2,500 plant species (including the most orchid species in a single place), 100 species of mammals, 400 bird species, 120 reptilian and amphibian species, and thousands of insects, has drawn scientists and tourists since.

History

The 1950s, First Farmers in the Area Arrive

In 1951, several dozen Quakers (from 11 families) from Alabama seeking to live as farmers moved to and purchased land in Costa Rica. This was primarily to avoid the Korean War draft, an obligation which contradicted Quaker pacifist ideology.

They chose Costa Rica because it had just abolished its armies just three years ago. It was the Quakers who named the place Monteverde (“Green Mountain”), for the year-round green plants.

The 1960s, Biologists Take Note

Biologists began to take note of Monteverde in the 1960s. Despite the lack of infrastructure and shelter with which to conduct scientific research, these original biologists not only have been continuously documenting, but continue to live in, Monteverde.

In 1968, Dr. Joseph Tosi, who worked for the Tropical Science Center, a foundation for tropical conservation, accompanied Dr. Leslie Holdridge on a journey to Monteverde. The visit was part of a study of the northern region of Costa Rica, requested by the government’s National Planning Office. There, they met Mr. Hubert Mendenhall, leader of the Quaker community at the time, who took them to see the primary forests that surrounded the community.

At the end of their visit, Holdridge and Tosi recommended to the Quaker community that the native forests be preserved as much as possible in order to protect their water sources and, given the strong winds that swept though the area, to use the forests as windbreakers to protect their fields and homes.

The 1970s, Conservation Efforts Mount

Suspension bridge in the reserve

The years went by, and in 1972 a young graduate student, George Powell, visited the Tropical Science Center in San José. He lived in Monteverde while doing doctoral research on the birds of the area, and he found that the fauna and habitats were ideal for research purposes.

Amazed by the extraordinary biological richness of the cloud forests, including the habitat of the endemic golden toad, and alarmed by the depredation caused by hunters and land squatters, Powell received a promise from the Guacimal Land Company that they would donate 328 hectares of land, if he could form or find a civic association that would sponsor him in taking over the property. George used his personal funds to buy out several of the squatters, hoping to establish a small biological preserve in the region.

At the time, there were few national parks in Costa Rica, and the TSC had a program to create private preserves for research and biological education, where each preserve would represent a different ecological area of the country. Immediately, the TSC became interested in Powell’s offer and started the process that led to the acquisition of the 328 hectares in April 1973. The cost of the farm was a symbolic 1 colón (less than US $1).

Along with Powell, Costa Rican biologist Adelaida Chaverri and wildlife specialist Christopher Vaughn promoted the establishment of this private preserve, at the time a less-than-popular idea. In fact, Adelaida Chaverri became one of the sponsors, along with Dr. Joseph Tosi and other TSC members, of what is today the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve. They provided continuity to the interest expressed by Dr. George Powell when he obtained the donation of the first piece of land for the Preserve.

In 1975, 431 visitors came to the budding preserve, most of them scientists and bird watchers. Two years later, there still was no lodging available for visitors to the community, but Mrs. Wood, a local Quaker, started a small bed-and-breakfast in her own home, where occasional visitors would stay overnight.

The 1980s, First Days of Tourism

The number of foreign visitors increased from 2,700 in 1980 to more than 40,000 in 1991. The preserve increased in size during these years, but its best-known endemic species, the Golden Toad, as well as 40% of Monteverde’s amphibian population became extinct, possibly due to global climate change. Gradual species loss occurs as a result of forest fragmentation.

The 1990s through Today

Presently the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve is visited by more than 70,000 people each year, who are eager to get to know the biodiversity found within.

Biology

Flora

Epiphytes, which make up 29% of the flora with 878 species, are the richest life form among species of flora in Monteverde. The Monteverde region is also known as the site with the largest number of orchids in the world. The total number of known species surpasses 500, and of these, 34 species discovered in the Preserve are new to science.

Fauna

Herpetofauna of the area is worth noting, with 161 species of amphibians and reptiles. Monteverde is known worldwide as the habitat of the golden toad (Bufo periglenes), a species that disappeared in 1989.
91 (21%) of Monteverde’s bird species are long distance migratory birds, which reproduce in North America and pass through Monteverde during their migration or spend the winter in the area.

Monteverde's Golden Toad

Three of these species, the “elanio tijereta” (Elanoides forficatus), the “piratic flycatcher” (Legatus leucopahius), and the “vireo cabecigris” (Vireo flavoviridis), reproduce in Monteverde and migrate to South America during their non-reproductive phase.

The resplendent quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno) moves seasonally from high elevation nesting sites to lower elevations on both sides of the Continental Divide. The beginning of the migration of the bell bird (Procnias tricarunculata) is similar to that of the quetzal, with reproduction occurring close to the Continental Divide, from March to June, and followed by a post-reproductive move downhill on the Pacific slope during the months of August and September.

The majority of the bird species in Monteverde are primarily insectivores, given that the plants in the region offer a wide variety of fruit. The epiphytes are important resources both for frugivores and insectivores in Monteverde. On a global scale, the cloud forests of Monteverde are home to ten species of birds that are considered to be endangered by the organization Birdlife International, due to their very restricted habitat worldwide.

The mammals of Monteverde include representatives from both North and South America as endemic species. The mammalian fauna of the region includes six species of marsupials, three muskrats, at least 58 bats, three primates, seven edentates, two rabbits, one ground hog, three species of squirrels, one species of spiny mouse, at least 15 species of long-tailed rats and mice (family Muridae); one species of porcupine, one species of agouti, one paca, two canids, five mustelids, four procyonids, six felines, two species of wild pigs, two species of deer, and one tapir.

Facilities

Currently, the Preserve has buses running twice a day from Monteverde, a lodge that hosts 47 up to visitors, a small restaurant, a gift shop, and the Monteverde Nature Center information center and butterfly gardens.