General Information
Costa Rica at a Glance…
Geography & Population
Costa Rica is located north of the Equator between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. It is bounded by Panama to the south and Nicaragua to the north.
The country has an area of 51,110 square kilometers (19,735 square miles) and is divided into 7 provinces: San Jose , Limon, Heredia, Alajuela, Puntarenas, Cartago and Guanacaste with a total population of 4.1 million.
The capital city is San Jose . The official language is Spanish, but English is widely understood by most of the population.
Topography & Climate
Costa Rica has about 755 miles of coastline, which means plenty of beaches, most of them on the Pacific side, where two peninsulas – Nicoya to the north and the smaller Osa to the south – add to its contours.
There are four major mountain ranges, all of which are volcanic in origin. The Talamanca Range is the country's highest, rising to 12,220 feet at Chirripo. The Central Valley is set between the Talamanca and Central Mountain Ranges at an altitude of almost 4,000 feet above sea level.
Costa Rica has a tropical climate, with two seasons: the rainy/green season or “winter” (May through November) and dry season or “summer” (from December through April). Tourists should bring a light raincoat in the rainy season. In the Central Valley the temperature varies at around 18 C to 24 C (65F to 78F) all year round
It is much drier in the Pacific region, especially in the Flamingo area (Guanacaste) which has the more sunny days in the year than other areas. The average temperature on the Pacific Coast runs from 26 C to 32 C (78 F to 98F).
History & Government
During his fourth voyage, Columbus landed in Costa Rica's Atlantic Coast where the local Indians he met were richly adorned with gold jewellery, giving rise to the country's name “Rich Coast”.
Today it is a peaceful country (the army was abolished in 1949) and elections are held every 4 years. The President cannot run for re-election. The government is made up following institutions:
- Executive Power: President of the Republic and his cabinet.
- Legislative Power: Parliament elected by popular vote and responsible for drawing up the laws.
- Judicial Powers: Formed by the Supreme Court consisting of four Courts. This judicial system often overrides even presidential or legislative decisions.
Communications & Transport
The telephone system is very efficient, offering direct dial access to most countries via satellite. Dial 116 for an international operator, 124 for international information, or 911 for emergencies.
Cellular phones are used mostly through the central valley and have limited access in rural areas. One should note that acquiring a cell phone has an extensively long waiting period. Public telephones are found throughout the country and most work with “Chip Cards”.
Internet is accessible throughout the country. Many small towns have Internet café's with reasonable prices.
All major towns and cities have post offices; Cable & Satellite connections are available in most hotels. In addition to 4 daily local Spanish newspapers, there is a weekly English newspaper: The Tico Times.
Costa Rica has a decent network of paved highways and also extensive secondary roads although not always in passable conditions. The country has a large fleet of taxis, (easily identified by their red color) as well as an excellent public bus service. Charter aircraft can also reach most of the main tourist areas.
Airlines Serving Costa Rica
More than a dozen different airlines land daily at both of Costa Rica's international airports. “Juan Santa Maria” is located just outside of Alajuela and 15 miles from San Jose. Liberia's International Airport “Daniel Oduber” is located in Guanacaste and is perfect for those looking to avoid flying into and out of San Jose. Liberia's airport is less than a one hours drive from Costa Rica's most exclusive and prime beaches.
Domestic & charter airlines are also used quite extensively internally and externally with very reasonable prices. Consult you travel agent. |
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Driving In Costa Rica
There are many rental car companies offering a variety of vehicles: compact cars, four-wheel drive, vans, limousine service, etc. Please note that 90% of the vehicles are standard (non-automatic). A tourist may drive in Costa Rica with their foreign license. Speed limits should be strictly observed as Costa Rica has a vigilant traffic police.
Health & Medical
Costa Rica offers probably the best medical facilities in Central America. There are over 130 private and public hospitals and clinics. Many foreigners come to Costa Rica for medical and dental services and especially for plastic surgery, which is much cheaper than in the U.S.
The public water system provides good quality water, which is safe to drink, but bottled water is readily available and very inexpensive.
Economy, Currency & Banking
Costa Rica has long been an agricultural nation. Coffee is the country's most important crop, followed by bananas, cattle, rice and flowers. During the last ten years, however, tourism has played an increasingly important role and is now one of the top foreign currency earners.
The official currency is the Colon, which comes in coins of 5, 10, 20, 25, 50, 100 & 500 and in bills of 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, & 10000 Colones. Dollars or traveler's checks can be exchanged at any bank or hotel. International credit cards are accepted in most establishments throughout the country (Visa, Master Card, American Express, etc.). Non – U.S. currency is, however, difficult and expensive to change.
Holidays
January 1; New Years Day, March 19; St. Joseph's Day, March/April; Easter Week (three days), April 11; Anniversary Battle of Rivas, May 1; Labor Day, Mid-June; Corpus Christi, June 29; St. Peter & St. Paul, July 25; Anniversary Annexation of Guanacaste Province, August 2; Virgin of the Angels, August 15; Mother's Day, September 15; Independence Day, October 12; Columbus Day, December 8; Immaculate Conception, December 25; Christmas Day.
Hotels, Restaurants & Entertainment
Costa Rica has a wide variety of first class hotels and excellent restaurants with local as well as international cuisine. In addition to sales tax (13%), a service charge of 10% is added to the bill; and therefore, additional tipping is not required, although an extra 5% is customary when service has been good.
San Jose offers plenty of night spots with live music, night-clubs, casinos, quiet bars, discotheques, movies, malls, concerts, etc. Most beach destinations have one or two local bars or nightspots which cater to tourists.
In the case of Flamingo, the most popular water hole is the Monkey Bar at the Flamingo Marina Resort; and then later on in the evening Amberes Bar, Restaurant, Casino & Disco becomes the main place to hangout.
Principal Tourist Attractions
Unparalleled beauty, scenic mountains, charming villages, friendly people and spectacular beaches, Costa Rica also boasts several accessible volcanoes, an impressive array of national parks and biological reserves, world class sport fishing, and white water rafting. Some local landmarks include the must see National Theatre, the Gold Museum and the National Museum.
Entry Requirements
U.S. and Canadian citizens, as well as citizens of most European and Latin American countries do not need visas for a stay of less than 30 days (in some cases 90 days). A valid passport is the only document required to enter the country. However, U.S. Citizens over 18 years old may enter with a valid I.D. such as a driver's license.
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