Costa Rica is one of the most popular destinations for travelers worldwide, especially backpackers and ecotourists. It is between Nicaragua and Panama on the Pacific coast, sharing its land borders with both countries. UNESCO made it a world heritage site in 1982 for its rich biodiversity and cultural riches, which include tropical forests, volcanoes, white-sand beaches, and lush rainforests.
Meanwhile, Colombia’s rich history and culture will take your breath away. Colonial cities such as Cartagena are now home to museums and monuments that show off rich history. The coastal areas offer breathtaking scenery and beaches perfect for sunbathing, swimming, or relaxing on the sand with drinks. Prices in Colombia are also more affordable compared to Costa Rica.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a small country in Central America, bordered to the north by Nicaragua and to the south by Panama. It offers something for everyone. You can enjoy the thrill of white water rafting or relax at a resort in the jungle, surrounded by wildlife. You can also explore cloud forests, hike through volcanoes, and raft on rivers. There are many national parks where you can hike through lush rainforests and spot exotic animals.
Additionally, Costa Rica is one of the safest countries in Central America. It offers many adventure activities and tours suitable for people of all ages and skill levels. You can walk around at night without worrying.
What Makes Costa Rica Unique
White-Sand Beaches
Costa Rica has many beautiful beaches that you can visit during your trip to this country. These beaches include Playa del Coco, Playa Hermosa, Playa Grande, and Tamarindo Beach. If you want to go snorkeling or scuba diving, Playa Cocles is the place for you. This beach has coral reefs and hundreds of marine species, including dolphins and whales.
There are several different types of diving that you can do, including cave diving and even wreck dives. If you want to snorkel or scuba dive in Costa Rica, it will cost about 100 to 200 USD (65,000 to 13,0000 CRC) per day for a dive master and equipment rental.
Culturally Rich
Costa Rica is one of the most culturally rich countries in the world. It has been a melting pot for many ethnic groups, from indigenous natives to Europeans and Africans. Latin American culture is known for its love for music, dance, and art.
Costa Rica is home to many traditional celebrations and festivals. The country’s most famous celebration is the Dia de Los Muertos festival or Day of the Dead. This holiday takes place on November 2nd; spirits are believed to return to earth for one night during the Day of the Dead festival. People will decorate their homes with marigolds and other flowers to offer to their loved ones who have passed away. They leave food and beverages on altars to honor those who have died and celebrate with parties full of music, dancing, and drinking.
Volcano Hiking
There are many volcanoes to hike in Costa Rica, and the most popular are Arenal and Rincón de la Vieja. At Arenal, you’ll find plenty of trails to choose from, and you can even get up close and personal with one of the live volcanoes on tour with a local guide. If you want to get away from the crowds, Rincón de la Vieja is the better option.
The cost of volcano hiking in Costa Rica is $150 for a full day; this includes transportation, equipment, entrance fees, and food. If you want a more remote area with fewer people, you can expect to pay around 200 to 250 USD (130,000 to 160,000 CRC) for a full day.
Preserved Cloud Forests
The cloud forests of Costa Rica are among the most diverse and biologically rich in the world. There are over 200 species of trees, more than 500 varieties of orchids, and more than 800 species of birds. They are also home to many endangered species.
Monteverde Cloud Forest is one of the rainforests in Costa Rica, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and home to some of the most threatened animals, such as the Golden Lion Tamarin and the Resplendent quetzal.
Other cloud forests include Los Angeles Cloud Forest, La Paz Waterfall Gardens, and Bajos del Toro Cloud Forest. The guides in the cloud forests will give you a tour and educate you about the fauna and flora found in the area.
A tour in Costa Rica’s Monteverde Cloud Forest costs about 100 USD (65,000 CRC) per person, including accommodations and all meals.
Colombia
Colombia is a diverse country with many different cultures and traditions, including indigenous communities like the Wayuu and Kogi tribes. It has experienced several civil wars and revolutions but has always maintained its cultural identity. The country’s colonial past significantly influenced it. Colombia is an incredible mixture of modernity, tradition, and culture.
Additionally, Colombia’s natural beauty is as striking as its cultural diversity. The country boasts some of the best beaches in South America, as well as impressive mountain ranges.
Colombia also has national parks that offer the opportunity to see a lot of wildlife and enjoy activities like hiking, biking, or kayaking. The main attraction of national parks is the variety of flora and fauna. In some parks, you can stay overnight and find plants and animals you have never seen.
What Makes Colombia Unique
Amazon Rainforest
The Colombian Amazon is one of the most biodiverse places on earth, with over 3,000 species of plants and animals found nowhere else. It also contains an estimated 20 percent of the planet’s plant species. Colombia’s Amazon rainforest is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its cultural and economic importance to indigenous groups and Colombians.
There are two types of tours for the Amazon rainforest. Amazon Tour Leticia offers canopy tours and other services. The guides wear safety gear and navigate the jungle while teaching tourists about the rainforest. The tour lasts about three hours and takes place at night when no other tours are operating. The tour costs around 40 to 50 USD (180,000 to 220,000 COP).
Another option is a boat tour through the Amazon River with Aqua Expeditions or other operators. They offer both day and overnight boat tours with different amenities. The tour is great for seeing birds, monkeys, and other wildlife while sailing along the river in an expedition vessel. The cost for a boat tour is around 3000 to 4000 USD (14,000,000 to 18,000,000 COP).
Innovative Educational Sites
Museums are an essential part of Colombian culture. There are many museums in Colombia, and each one is different.
The Colombian Museum of Modern Art has a collection that includes works by Pablo Escobar, Diego Rivera, and Frida Kahlo. While the Museo Botero Museum focuses on the works of the famed Colombian painter Fernando Botero. Lastly, the Museo del Oro, or The Museum of Gold, showcases gold artifacts from pre-Colombian times to the present day.
Museums also offer educational opportunities for children. It lets children take part in activities provided by the museums. The entry cost is around 5 USD to 10 USD (23000 to 45000 COP), depending on the museum you plan to visit.
The Andes Mountains
The Andes Mountains are a chain of mountains that stretch from the East coast to the West coast of South America. They are part of the Andean Range, and the highest peak in this range is Aconcagua, which is in Argentina and Chile. The two countries share the same range, but their borders do not meet each other.
The average cost of a tour of the Andes Mountains depends on how far you want to travel and what type of activity you want. If you’re only looking for a day trip, it should only cost around 100 USD (65000 CRC) per person or less. If you want to go on longer trips, expect prices to increase depending on how long your journey lasts and where you want to go.
National Parks
Colombia’s National Parks are some of South America’s most beautiful places. The country has 25 national parks covering over 4 million acres (16187 sq km) of land. These parks offer hiking trails, camping grounds, and horseback riding.
Parque Nacional Natural Puracé is one of the biggest national parks in the country, and it offers superb attractions such as waterfalls, rivers, and lakes. The park also includes some volcanic mountains covered with plants and trees.
Another park is Utría National Natural Park. It has many activities like hiking, bird-watching, fauna or flora observation, or relaxing at one of its beaches or rivers. You can even go diving here.
A typical day trip costs around 10 USD (44,000 COP) per person. The price varies depending on what kind of activity you want and how many people want to join. If you stay at a specific lodge or hotel, you can expect to pay more than staying in tents at a campsite or hostel.
Should I Go to Costa Rica or Colombia?
There are a lot of differences between the two countries, but they also share similarities. It’s up to you which country to visit, depending on what you are looking for in your visit.
Costa Rica will be the best choice if you want to relax on beaches and enjoy the outdoors. And it’s also home to a large variety of wildlife.
The country has a wide range of landscapes, including forests and volcanoes, perfect for volcano hiking and cloud forest tours. You can do all these activities and more without worrying since it’s the safest country in Central America.
On the other hand, Colombia is a diverse country with tropical beaches in the west, snow-capped mountains in the Andes region, and jungle in the east. It’s also an emerging destination for tourists, who are there to enjoy its colonial cities, exotic nature, and rich culture. It has several World Heritage Sites like The Old City of Cartagena and San Agustin Archaeological Park.
FAQ
Is Costa Rica Safer Than Colombia?
According to the latest data gathered on both countries, Costa Rica is one of the safest countries in Latin America and has a low crime rate. Safety and crime, Costa Rica is safer than Colombia. The homicide rate in Costa Rica is only 5 per 100,000 people, while Colombia has one of the highest rates in the world, with 26 homicides per 100,000 people.
Is Colombia or Costa Rica Cheaper?
Colombia has more affordable prices compared to Costa Rica. It may be better if you’re on a budget since you can get by on less than 20 USD (12 CRC or 80 COP) per day.
Additionally, Colombia has lower prices for food, hotels, and transportation. The cost of living in Colombia is about half of what it is in Costa Rica. But if you’re looking for more luxurious accommodations, Costa Rica may be the better choice.
Colombia or Costa Rica for Bachelor Party?
Colombia is the perfect destination for your bachelor party. There are countless things to do, cities to explore, and people to meet in Colombia.
You can enjoy the beautiful beaches of Cartagena, Medellin, or Santa Marta. You and your friends can even visit one of the many theme parks in Bogota or Cali. You can also go on a safari through the jungle or take a boat trip on Lake Guatavita to make your bachelor party memorable.
Is Costa Rica Part of Colombia?
Costa Rica and Colombia are two different countries that have a common border. Costa Rica is in Central America, while Colombia is in South America.
They were both part of the Spanish Empire from 1492 until 1821. 1821 was when Mexico gained its independence from Spain. Colombia gained independence in 1819, and Costa Rica won its freedom in 1821.
Is Colombia Near Costa Rica?
The two countries are neighbors, with Colombia to the north of Costa Rica. But, travelers will have to go through Panama to get from one country to the other by land. You can fly between countries or take a boat across the Panama Canal.
How Far Is Costa Rica From Colombia?
The distance from Colombia to Costa Rica is about 2,903 miles (4,788 kilometers). These two countries are both on the same continent, but they are far apart. Costa Rica is in Central America, and Colombia is in South America.
How to Get From Colombia to Costa Rica
There are multiple ways to get to Costa Rica from Colombia. You can drive, take multiple buses, or ride a boat, but the best option would be to book a flight. Flights are frequent and affordable, and plenty of budget airlines fly into the country.
Costa Rica’s most popular international airport is in San Jose, but there are flights from other cities, including Los Angeles and New York. The country’s second-largest airport, Liberia Airport (LIR), is in the capital city of San Jose and has direct connections to multiple airlines.
It’s best to book your flight online before you arrive at the airport so that you don’t experience any inconveniences during your arrival.
Can You Fly From Costa Rica to Colombia?
Flying from Costa Rica to Colombia is the best choice since driving and taking a boat would take too much time. There are direct flights from major cities in both countries, so getting from Colombia to Costa Rica is easy and convenient.
Costa Rica to Colombia Flight
You can fly to Colombia by going to Costa Rica’s Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJC). From there, you may land at one of two main airports in Colombia – El Dorado International Airport (BOG) and Simon Bolivar International Airport (CUC).
That is the best way to get from Colombia to Costa Rica. You can fly from Medellín or Bogotá, the two largest cities in Colombia, to San José. The flight takes about four hours and can cost between 200 to 300 USD (2300 to 3500 CRC or 16000 to 24000 COP) per person.
How Long Is the Flight From Costa Rica to Colombia?
A flight from Costa Rica to Colombia takes around three to four hours. Most airlines offer direct flights from and to both cities, and the flight duration depends on the route taken and the airline.
Costa Rica to Colombia by Train
You can catch a train from Costa Rica to Panama and then another one on the way to Colombia. The route will take you through Central America, South America, and Colombia.
Costa Rica to Colombia by Boat
There are a few different ways to make the journey from Costa Rica to Colombia by boat. The most common route is from Puerto Limon, Costa Rica, to Cartagena, Colombia. This trip can last up to 12 hours, depending on which ferry company you choose.
Smaller boats will take you directly from one port to another, but these aren’t available daily and are more expensive than taking the ferry.
Can You Drive From Costa Rica to Colombia?
It is possible to drive from Costa Rica to Colombia. The distance is about 1,000 miles (1,600 km), and the road goes through Panama. No border controls exist between Costa Rica and Panama, so you can drive across the country without stopping.
To travel from Costa Rica to Colombia, you must go through Panama City first. This will add another 500 miles (800 km) to your journey, depending on how many stops you make along the way.
How Long Is the Drive From Costa Rica to Colombia?
A long drive from Costa Rica to Colombia would take approximately a day and a half, depending on where you start.
The drive from San Jose to Cartagena takes about 16 hours. The road is excellent, but it does get narrow at times. If possible, you will want to avoid driving at night, as there are no streetlights along the way.
Costa Rica to Colombia by Bus
Several companies offer bus service between San Jose and Bogota, but they don’t have direct routes and often need you to make transfers. The travel time will depend on how many stops are in your itinerary.
Entering Costa Rica From Colombia
Visa requirements for entering Costa Rica from Colombia are simple. You must have a valid passport and a tourist visa for some nationalities. Also, all visitors must have a return ticket or onward ticket.
If you plan on staying more than 90 days, you’ll need a visa at an embassy or consulate outside the country. Additionally, all visitors must have proof of adequate financial means to support their stay in Costa Rica.
Lastly, if you are traveling with children under 18, you need an original or certified copy of their birth certificate and other documents.
Colombia to Costa Rica Visa
Colombia and Costa Rica share a border, making it easy to travel between the two countries. If you’re planning on visiting Costa Rica from Colombia, you must have a valid passport and visa.
But please keep in mind that the visa requirements for Costa Rica differ from those of other countries. It is important to double-check these requirements before applying.
