Although explored by the Spanish early in the 16th century, initial attempts at colonizing Costa Rica proved unsuccessful due to a combination of factors, including disease from mosquito-infested swamps, brutal heat, resistance by natives, and pirate raids. It was not until 1563 that a permanent settlement of Cartago was established in the cooler, fertile central highlands. The area remained a colony for some two and a half centuries. In 1821, Costa Rica became one of several Central American provinces that jointly declared their independence from Spain. Two years later it joined the United Provinces of Central America, but this federation disintegrated in 1838, at which time Costa Rica proclaimed its sovereignty and independence. Since the late 19th century, only two brief periods of violence have marred the country's democratic development. On 1 December 1948, Costa Rica dissolved its armed forces. Although it still maintains a large agricultural sector, Costa Rica has expanded its economy to include strong technology and tourism industries. The standard of living is relatively high. Land ownership is widespread.

Arenal Volcano is an active stratovolcano in north-western Costa Rica 90 km (56 mi) from San Jose, in the province of Alajuela, canton of San Carlos, and district of La Fortuna. The Arenal is a conical volcano measuring 1,633 metres (5,358 ft) high. It has a crater 140 metres (460 ft) in diameter. Arenal is a young volcano at than 7,500 years old.

Costa Rican cuisine is a blend of Native American, Spanish, African and many cuisines. Dishes such as the traditional tamale and corn-based ones representative of its indigenous inhabitants, and like other Mesoamerican countries. Spaniards introduced new ingredients, spices, and domestic animals from other lands. In the 19th century, the African flavor influenced Caribbean flavors. So, Costa Rican cuisine today is varied. It is a blend of different ethnic groups who had become part of the country's population influencing the country's cuisine.

This is the Lava Lounge Bar and Grill located in Alajuela, Costa Rica. It is located in the center of La Fortuna, Costa Rica and has a "Tico syle" from the owners Scott Alan and Alvaro. The food has a mix of fresh ingredients and tropical spices making it very nice restaurant in the Arenal area.

The Arenal Volcano National Park is popular with birders, because most of the 850 species identified in Costa Rica can be found within the park's borders. This includes one of the country's most elusive and beautiful birds, the endangered resplendent quetzal. Pictured here was a friendly Parrot. I got to feed a Parrot part of an apple during my trip.

Many other animal species live within the park including white-faced capuchin monkeys, jaguar, deer, coati, and snakes like the fer-de-lance and parrot snake. The park also has a variety of plant life, including orchids, heliconias, ferns, laurel, cirri, guayabo de monte, palms, bromeliads, and strangler figs.

The Arenal park lies within the Arenal Huetar Norte Conservation Area, protecting eight of Costa Rica's 12 life zones and 16 protected reserves in the region between the Guanacaste and Tilaran mountain ranges, and including Lake Arenal. It is easily accessed from La Fortuna, Tilaran, or the north shore of Lake Arenal.

Arenal Volcano National Park is a park that is part of the Arenal Huetar Norte Conservation Area. The park encompasses the Arenal Volcano, the most active in the country, which was believed to be dormant until a major eruption in 1968. It neighbors Lake Arenal. Seen in this picture, our tour guide takes us past an ominous "enter at your own risk" sign!

A wood-working craftsman and his stand. This was at Arenal. In general, you can see many more craftsman in developing countries before they have been displaced by mass production and mass manufacturing.

The demographics of Costa Rica is distributed among: 83.6% whites or mestizos, 6.7% mulattoes, 2.4% Native American, and 1.1% black or Afro-Caribbean. In 2011, there were over 104,000 Native American or indigenous inhabitants, representing 2.4% of the population. Most live in reservations among eight ethnic groups: Quitirrisí (Central Valley), Matambú or Chorotega (Guanacaste), Maleku (northern Alajuela), Bribri (southern Atlantic), Cabecar (Cordillera de Talamanca), Guaymi (southern Costa Rica), Boruca (southern Costa Rica) and Terraba (southern Costa Rica).

The volcano was dormant for hundreds of years and exhibited a single crater at its summit, with minor fumaroles activity, covered by dense vegetation. In 1968 it erupted unexpectedly, destroying the small town of Tabacón. Due to the eruption three more craters were created on the western flanks but only one of them still exists today. Arenal's eruption from 1968 to 2010 is the tenth longest duration volcanic eruption on Earth since 1750.[3] Since 2010, Arenal has been dormant

Arenal Volcano is also known as "Pan de Azucar", "Canaste", "Volcan Costa Rica", "Volcan Rio Frio" or "Guatusos Peak". Arenal is one of seven historically active Costa Rican volcanoes along with Poas, Irazu, Miravalles, Orosi, Rincon de la Vieja complex, and Turrialba. It was Costa Rica's most active volcano until 2010, and one of the ten most active volcanoes in the world.

Reserva Ecologica Catarata Rio Fortuna is a Ecological Reserve for the Fortuna river (Rio) Waterfall (Catarata). The Fortuna River waterfall is located in a 210 acre biological reserve of transition premontane tropical wet forest. It is part of the Arenal Volcano National Park and is 520 meters (1706 feet) above sea level. Mountains are the sources of the waters of the Fortuna River.

The Fortuna River Waterfall is 70 meters (229 feet) high waterfall. Visitors walk a path of 530 steps to see the Falls. The Fortuna River Waterfall is a natural area managed by Integral Development Association of La Fortuna (ADIFORT), founded on August 31, 1969.

Restaurante Mimi is a quaint restaurant serving a variety of foods as you can see from the sign.

Coffee was first planted in Costa Rica in 1808. By the 1820s, it surpassed tobacco, sugar, and cacao as a primary export. Coffee production remained Costa Rica's principal source of wealth well into the 20th century, creating a wealthy class of growers, the so-called Coffee Barons. The revenue helped to modernize the Costa Rica. Costa Rica has enjoyed peace and consistent political stability compared to its fellow Latin American nations. Costa Rica had two periods of violence. In 1917–19, General Federico Tinoco Granados ruled as a military dictator until he was overthrown and forced into exile. Then, in 1948, Jose Figueres Ferrer led an armed uprising in the wake of a disputed presidential election. 2,000 died and the 44-day Civil War was the bloodiest event in Costa Rica in the 20th century.

Costa Rica hosts many refugees, mostly from Colombia and Nicaragua. As a result of that and illegal immigration, 10–15% (400,000–600,000) of the Costa Rican population is made up of Nicaraguans. Costa Rica took in refugees fleeing civil wars and dictatorships in the 1970s and 1980s, from Chile and Argentina, and El Salvador who fled from guerrillas and government death squads.

This was a Holiday Festival at Monte Verde, Costa Rica. We were there during the holiday season in december. Notice the person with the red & white holiday cap on the right side of the photo. Costa Rica has a mild and temperate climate. So, we see the people and dancers dressed for mild weather. The music and whirling dancers were entertaining and festive.

Hummingbirds are vibrantly-colored and energetic named for the distinctive sound made by their beating wings. Known locally as colibris, their remarkable size, fearless nature have made these flying jewels a favorite among wildlife lovers. Of the 338 known species, roughly 50 live or breed in Costa Rica’s tropical lowlands and cool cloud forests. Native to New World countries, they are divided into two sub-families. The Trochilinae, or typical hummingbirds, include all of the colorful species. The Phaethornithinae comprise 34 species of hermits. The hummingbird garden in Monteverde Costa Rica is an amazing experience. Hummingbirds hover over to you, look at you and zip away.

Papagayo is located 174 miles northwest of San Jose. Papagayo’s clear, blue waters are ideal for swimming and relaxing. It is on the north Pacific coast of Costa Rica in the province of Guanacaste located in the Golfo de Papagayo, and formed by volcanic activity. The 15 miles (24 km) of coastline contains 31 separate beaches. Peninsula Papagayo is a popular tourist destination. The peninsula has three resorts: the Four Seasons Costa Rica, the Andaz Peninsula Papagayo Resort, and Planet Hollywood Beach Resort Costa Rica.

The Arenal Hanging Bridges are a series of suspension bridges in the Volcan Arenal National Park offering views of Lake Arenal and Volcan Arenal. The bridges form part of a 2 mile self-guided interpretive trail through the rainforest. The Pilon Tree Bridge is one of many suspension bridges in the Park.

The Ristorante La Parada is located in La Fortuna, in the area of Arenal. It is located in Sur del Parque de la Fortuna, San Carlos.