You may have chosen the area, but narrowing it down is the hardest part.
Settling on a destination to travel to is always one of the hardest things about going on vacation because there is so much to see and not enough time, money or annual leave to see it all. It gets more difficult once you choose a region - in this case, Central America - Because how are you supposed to choose a country? Especially when those countries Costa Rica And the Guatemala.
There are about a million ways you can compare these two amazing destinations, but to save you time reading, we just decided to rate each country's landscapes, animals, and cuisine in the hopes that choosing between the two would become a little easier.
If it doesn't, you can always flip a coin.
Natural views
While Costa Rica's landscape includes golden beaches that you'll want to spend hours lying on and mystical rainforests full of exotic wildlife that you're eager to seek out, it's its group of 66 active, dormant volcanoes that set this country apart from Central America. Neighbour.
The most famous of Costa Rica's supervolcanoes is Arenal, standing at an impressive 1,670 metres, but it was soon followed by one of the world's largest active volcanoes, Volcano Boas, with its crater lakes and sulfur emissions, and the moody Rincon de la Vega. volcano.
But where there are volcanoes, there are usually hot springs, and if hiking in mountains filled with hot lava isn't really your thing, a soak in a naturally warm mineral pool is guaranteed.
Get close to Arenal Volcano on our classic Costa Rica tour
Did you know that the name "Guatemala" comes from the Nahuatl language, which means "land of trees"? Or has the country earned the title of "Land of Eternal Spring"? If you answered “no” to both of these questions, we wouldn’t blame you but once you traverse the diverse terrain of this extraordinary mysterious land, you will understand just how naturally endowed this country really is.
Featuring mountainous regions, lowland environments, steamy rainforests, jungles, magical jungles, and mangrove-fringed coastlines, Guatemala is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. Add Tajumulco Volcano, Monterrico Nature Reserve, and Semuc Champey (a natural tiered pool system) to your sightseeing list if you want to take a breather.
Experience Guatemala on Mayan landscapes
the animals
Costa Rica is known for a lot of things including its friendly people, delicious traditional food, diverse landscapes and of course, the amazing wildlife. Boasting a whopping 500,000 native animals from sleeping sloths to crocodiles that rival the size of small cars, Costa Rica's exotic and diverse wildlife will undoubtedly amaze you (in the best way).
You can even take to the water to continue your animal-spotting adventures while enjoying the country with its own set of beautiful bays and beaches filled with captivating coral reef systems and marine life. If you want to go snorkeling or snorkeling, try exploring Tortuguero National Park, Corcovado, or Manuel Antonio.
Related: Tips for watching turtles in Costa Rica
While there are plenty of animals to see in Guatemala including around 250 species of mammals and 200 species of reptiles and amphibians, this vibrant country is best known for its nearly 800 bird species to look out for during your adventure in Central America. Hint: You should definitely pack a pair of binoculars.
Whether you want to watch the keel-billed toucan travel home in the rainforest in groups, listen to the sounds of the Guatemalan screech owl, or admire the gleaming emerald, red, and white of the quetzal (Guatemala's national bird), this diverse, beautiful country is an animal lover's dream.
Related: Guatemala in one week
dishes
There's nothing better after a long day of exploring than sitting down to a hot and delicious meal - especially if that meal is a plate of traditional Costa Rican food. Inspired by its neighbors in South America and the Caribbean, Costa Rica is known for its healthy and fresh taste, with most dishes including coconut milk, meat, and a variety of spices.
Whether you're chowing down on some sopa negra (black bean soup), munching on patacon (fried green plantains), or devouring a bowl of rondon (seafood soup), Costa Rican food will keep you coming back for seconds...and then threes.
Join our costa rica experience
Guatemala may have some of the best food in all of Central America, and while that's a big call to action, when the country is recognized as the birthplace of chocolate, we think it's the place to go. Based on Mayan cuisine with Spanish influences, Guatemalan food is guaranteed to explode from the local markets and leap at you off the menus at casual cafes and fancy restaurants.
From popular street snacks like chile rellenos (peppers stuffed with pork and vegetables) to pebian (a spiced stew of meat and vegetables), your taste buds will be craving the sweet and savory flavors of Guatemala long after you've returned home.
Set off on our Guatemala for adventure
The verdict
This may be a bit of a displacement, but we really can't say which country you should travel to first. Costa Rica has landscapes that you and your cameras alike will love, but Guatemala has cuisine that you will crave for weeks after you come home.
So why not do both at the same time? Our initiation Central America Journey to get the best of both worlds (adding a bit of Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua along the way) or pop into Real tour from Guatemala to Costa Rica To list experiences you will never forget.
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