You could have chosen the area however narrowing it down is the trickiest half.
Settling on a vacation spot to journey to is at all times one of many hardest components about occurring a vacation as a result of there’s a lot world to see and never sufficient time, cash, or annual go away to see all of it. It will get even more durable when you’ve chosen a area – on this case, Central America – as a result of how are you supposed to choose a rustic? Especially when these nations are Costa Rica and Guatemala.
There are about 1,000,000 methods you can evaluate these two spectacular locations however, to save lots of you the time studying, we’ve determined to solely weigh up every nation’s landscapes, animals, and delicacies within the hope that deciding between the 2 will get a bit of simpler.
If it doesn’t, you possibly can at all times flip a coin.
Landscapes
While the landscapes of Costa Rica embrace golden seashores you need to spend hours mendacity out on and mystical rainforests filled with unique wildlife you’re itching to seek for, its assortment of 66 energetic and dormant volcanoes is what units this nation other than its Central American neighbours.
The hottest of Costa Rica’s volcanic giants is Arenal, standing at a powerful 1,670 metres excessive, however that’s rapidly adopted by one of many world’s largest energetic volcanoes, Poas Volcano, with its crater lakes and sulfuric emissions, and the temperamental Rincon de la Vieja Volcano.
But the place there are volcanoes, there’s normally sizzling springs, and if mountain climbing up mountains stuffed with boiling sizzling lava isn’t actually your factor, we assure soaking in a naturally heat mineral pool will likely be.
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Did you recognize that the title “Guatemala” comes from the Nahuatl language that means “land of the trees”? Or that the nation has earnt the nickname “the land of the eternal spring”? If you answered “no” to each of these questions then we wouldn’t blame you however when you’ve traversed the various terrains of this extraordinary mystical land, you’ll perceive simply how naturally gifted this nation actually is.
Featuring mountainous areas, lowland environments, steamy and cloudy rainforests, magical woodlands, and coastlines filled with mangroves, Guatemala is without doubt one of the most bio-diverse nations on the earth. Add the Tajumulco Volcano, Monterrico Nature Reserve, and semuc champey (tiered pure pool system) to your sightseeing listing if you wish to have your breath taken away.
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Animals
Costa Rica is thought for loads of issues together with its pleasant individuals, tasty conventional meals, various geographical panorama, and naturally, its fascinating wildlife. Boasting a large 500,000 native animals from sleepy sloths to crocodiles that rival the scale of small vehicles, the unique and various wildlife of Costa Rica will undoubtedly blow your thoughts (in one of the best ways).
You may even take to the water to proceed your animal recognizing adventures with the nation having fun with its personal assortment of lovely bays and seashores filled with charming reef techniques and marine life. If you need to get your scuba dive or snorkel on, attempt exploring Tortuguero National Park, Corcovado, or Manuel Antonio.
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While there are many animals to identify in Guatemala together with round 250 mammal species and 200 reptile and amphibian species, this vigorous nation is finest identified for its chook species with about 800 to seek for throughout your Central American journey. Hint: it’s best to undoubtedly pack a pair of binoculars.
Whether you need to catch sight of a keel-billed toucan because it travels its rainforest dwelling in packs, hear out for the sounds of a Guatemalan screech owl, or marvel on the sensible emeralds, reds, and whites of the quetzal (Guatemala’s nationwide chook), this fantastically various nation is an animal lovers dream.
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Cuisine
There’s nothing higher after a protracted day spent exploring than sitting all the way down to a sizzling, tasty meal – particularly if that meal is a plate of conventional Costa Rican meals. Drawing inspiration from its South American and Caribbean neighbours, Costa Rican delicacies is thought for its healthful and contemporary style with most dishes together with coconut milk, meat, and quite a lot of spices.
Whether you’re slurping up some sopa negra (black bean soup), munching on patacones (deep-fried inexperienced plantains), or devouring a bowl of rondon (seafood chowder), Costa Rican meals can have you coming again for seconds…after which thirds.
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Guatemala may simply have among the finest meals in all of Central America and whereas that’s an enormous name to make, when the nation is recognised as being the birthplace of chocolate, we reckon it’s the proper one. Based on Mayan delicacies with Spanish influences, the meals in Guatemala is assured to burst from native markets and leap out at you from inside menus at informal cafes and fancier eating places.
From widespread road snacks resembling chiles rellenos (peppers filled with pork and greens) to pepian (a spiced stew of meat and greens), your tastebuds will likely be craving the candy and savoury tastes of Guatemala lengthy after you get dwelling.
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The verdict
This could be a little bit of a cop-out, however we genuinely can’t determine which nation it’s best to journey to first. Costa Rica has the landscapes each you and your digital camera will love however Guatemala has the delicacies you’ll be yearning for weeks after you get dwelling.
So, why not do each on the identical time? Embark on our Central American Journey to get the very best of each worlds (including a bit of little bit of Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua alongside the way in which) or set out on our Real Guatemala to Costa Rica tour for bucket listing experiences you’ll always remember.