Herradura Bay, Costa Rica

Costa Rica in Central America is a fascinating destination for anyone who loves nature experiences: a long coastline with beautiful beaches and mangroves, large and small islands, lakes and rivers, mountains rising to more than 3,400 meters, untouched forests, and rich wildlife.

A quarter of the country is protected, so it is no surprise that tourism is an important source of income.

Spanish colony

Costa Rica was colonized by Spain in the 16th century and gained independence in 1821 when the country became part of the First Mexican Empire, and then a member of the Federal Republic of Central America in 1823. In 1847 Costa Rica formally declared independence.

After a bloody civil war in 1948, the country became the first in the world to abolish its military, and it has held free and fair elections ever since.

Ecotourism

Costa Rica cultivates bananas, pineapples, coffee, and other crops, but the production of medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, software development, and ecotourism are now the country’s most important industries.

Statsraad Lehmkuhl anchors in Herradura Bay, about an hour’s drive from the international airport in the capital, San José, located inland.

Herradura means horseshoe in Spanish - which is exactly what the bay looks like: a wide curve with dark, fine sand at the innermost part.

The bay is one of the country’s most popular destinations. In Herradura you’ll find hotels, apartments, a golf course, and a marina with boat rentals. But no pier large enough for a 98-meter sailing ship, so Statsraad Lehmkuhl will lie at anchor in the bay.

Two seasons

Costa Rica has a tropical climate, warm all year round, and only two seasons; one wet and one dry.

Over the course of a year, 1,629 mm of rainfall falls, most of it between May and November. The rest of the year sees little rain. The normal maximum temperature in Herradura ranges between 29 and 31 degrees year-round.

Normal maximum temperature in December: 29.9 °C
Normal rainfall in December: 21 mm