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Isla Chira is a Pacific Costa Rican island at the upper end of the Gulf of Nicoya that contains the most intact biodiversity of tropical dry forest flora in the entire country, if not all of Central America.
The majority of the island's population is made up of three villages and the approximately 3,000 residents mostly inhabit Isla Chira's northern edge. The main economic activities of those living on the island are fishing, farming and working on the salt pans. The entire island spans approximately 30 miles in circumference.
From the city of Puntarenas, a boat travels from the fish market to Isla Chira daily, while travelers who want to visit the island themselves have the opportunity to rent transportation in the communities of San Pablo or Pajaros. The island is just a 15-minute boat ride away from the Costa Rican mainland.
In addition, a number of efforts have been made to promote tourism on Isla Chira, particularly through featuring the island's natural resources and breathtaking landscape, such as the Rio Tempisque and the mangrove swamps.
The island also welcomes tourists with its several restaurants, hardware and convenience stores, as well as its relative lack of crime, pollution and traffic jams. As such, travelers who want to experience Costa Rica in its purest form will undoubtedly enjoy a trip to the island, where nature is the major priority. Bicycling, horseback riding and hiking are all popular recreational activities for visitors to the island.
Tourists should also make a point to visit some of the island's surrounding beaches, mountains and green spaces that remain relatively unexplored. The mangrove swamps and salt pans add to the island's impressive diversity of ecological systems, increasing the number of plants and animals that can be discovered.
The island sanctuary on Chira Island is another popular spot for tourists. Located at the top of one of the island's mountains with breathtaking views of the entire island, the sanctuary is a perfect escape for travelers looking to venture off the beaten bath and get away from the busy city life.
One tradition that lucky visitors can take part in occurs on New Year's Eve, when everyone on the island gathers to wait for the sunrise to begin the new year. This tradition dates all the way back to the original Chorotega Indians, one of Costa Rica's oldest indigenous populations.
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