No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomePic of the DayPic of the Day: Costa Rica's Isla Nublar (aka Cocos Island)

Pic of the Day: Costa Rica’s Isla Nublar (aka Cocos Island)

Isla Nublar, the setting for much of the “Jurassic Park” series, is unfortunately not a real Costa Rican island.

Cocos Island, though, is very much real. Located some 350 miles from Costa Rica’s mainland, it’s widely believed to be the inspiration for Isla Nublar.

Costa Rica’s has a love-hate relationship with “Jurassic Park.” While you won’t see dinosaurs at Cocos Island, you can come face-to-face with killer whales and tiger sharks there. A lesser version of the adventure tourism advertised in “Jurassic Park” is what brings many tourists to Costa Rica.

But “Jurassic Park” wasn’t filmed in Costa Rica. And who can forget the iconic scene claiming to show San José, but depicting it as a small town by the beach?

Read more on Costa Rica’s love-hate relationship with Jurassic Park. 

Costa Rica’s love-hate relationship with ‘Jurassic Park’

Trending Now

Costa Rica Rescues Orphaned Manatee Calf in Tortuguero

A young female manatee washed up alone on a beach in Tortuguero National Park early on January 5, sparking a coordinated effort by local...

Protesters Rally Outside U.S. Embassy in San José Against Venezuela Intervention

Protesters gathered outside the U.S. Embassy in San José on Saturday afternoon to voice opposition to recent American military actions in Venezuela. The demonstration...

Jimmy Fallon’s Papagayo Getaway Boosts Costa Rica Luxury Tourism

Comedian and late-night host Jimmy Fallon wrapped up 2025 with a family trip to Costa Rica, choosing the Papagayo Peninsula for a mix of...

New York Times Spotlights Costa Rica’s Osa as Top 2026 Travel Pick

The Osa Peninsula has landed on The New York Times' annual list of 52 places to visit in 2026, ranking fourth overall. This recognition...

Crocodiles Share Waves with Surfers at Costa Rica’s Popular Breaks

Surfers in Costa Rica know the excitement of riding the perfect Pacific swell, but at certain beaches, they share the water with an unexpected...

El Salvador’s Bukele to Break Ground on Costa Rica’s Mega-Prison

President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador plans to arrive in Costa Rica next week for an official visit focused on the country's new high-security...
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica