About Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a small country but, from many points of view, a country which has plenty to offer a visitor, outstanding among which are is friendly, educated people and its rich natural heritage.

The Costa Ricans

Costa Rica is known for its civilized way of life. It is no exaggeration to call the country an oasis of peace. This a fundamental part of the Costa Rican character. Costa Rica is the seat of the University for Peace as well as the Interamerican Court of Human Rights. This fact empathizes the trust placed in the country's political and social stability by the international community. Costa Ricans are characterized by three distinct cultural life styles; that of the peasants and farmers of the Central Valley, of the inhabitants of the plains of Guanacaste and of the Caribbeans of the Province of Limón.

Their ethnic origins are a mixture, being a blend of the native inhabitants of the area (although to a lesser extent than in other Central American countries), of the Spanish colonists and of Afro-Caribbean immigrants which began entering as of the last century. The Costa Rican is both friendly and hospitable, the obvious product of his freedom. Costa Rica is one of the oldest democracies in America, as well as being a free and independent republic. Its inhabitants not only enjoy complete political stability, but also their nation's long standing commitment to democratic freedom. Peace is the most precious possession of Costa Rica's people. The country abolished its army half way through this century, the Rural and Civil Guards being sufficient to protect the citizens. Costa Rica was twice nominated to receive the Nobel Peace Prize and this was awarded, in 1987, to the incumbent President of the Republic, Dr.Oscar Arias. This award was a truly merited recognition of the Costa Rican way of life.

Population & Language

There are approximately 3.6 million(1999) inhabitants whose native language is Spanish. However, other languages such as English, French, German and Italian are frequently spoken and the foreign visitor will find it easy to make himself understood. There are seven provinces which make up the country: San José, Alajuela, Heredia, Puntarenas, Cartago, Guanacaste and Limón. The capital, San José, is in the province of the same name, which is the most densely populated of all the provinces.

According to AACCLA, Association of American Chambers of Commerce in Latin America, Costa Rica's labor force was rated as the most productive and fast learning in Latin America.

According to the United Nation's Human Development Index(HDI) for 1999, Costa Rica has one of the highest ratings for quality of human resources among developing nations.  

Banking & Currency

Both local and international banking services are available at numerous state and private institutions. Banking hours are from 9am to 3pm with continuos service. Evening banking services are often available from 4pm to 6pm. The national currency is the "colon" which has a varying exchange rate against the US dollar. Dollar can be exchanged at any of the National Banking System banks. Most international credit cards are accepted in many establishments throughout the country.

Office Hours
These vary with the company or institution. Most government offices open to the public from 8am until 4 pm while private companies tend to open from 8 AM to 5 PM. Many shops and businesses open from 9 am to 7pm. Other keep a 8am to 6am working day. In the capital there are even supermarkets open right around the clock.

Communications

Telephone System
Costa Rica has one of the most advanced telephone systems is Latin America. International calls can be dialed directly from almost any point in the country. There are public telephones throughout the country, and in the few rural populations where these are not available one can find operator assisted phones.

Postal System
There is a Central Post and Telegraph Office and a network of local post offices, many of which offer modern facsimile services.

Television
Television channels are available in both Spanish and English, as is true with cable television. Some hotels have their own satellite dishes.

Radio
The country has a complete complement of AM and FM broadcast stations.

Press
Costa Rica has 4 daily newspapers and several weekly publications, all in Spanish. There are also a number of weekly and monthly publications in English. Magazines covering a wide range of interesting and useful subjects are also published.

Geography

Location
Located in the Central America isthmus, immediately north of Panamá, with ports in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and 153 highway miles between them.

Our country holds a privileged place in the world, being found in the center of the Central American Isthmus.

On its east lies the Caribbean Sea and to its west, the Pacific Ocean. It is bordered by Nicaragua tothe North and Panama to the South.

Climate
A small tropic country, Costa Rica lies between two oceans. This, combined with its complex mountainous topography, gives rise to a extensive variety of habitants. These range from tropical dry forest and lowland rainforest to páramo, with a corresponding difference in climatic conditions. In general, temperatures vary between 14 and 22 degrees Centigrade in the high Central Valley and between 22 and 28 Centigrade in the lowlands. Temperatures remain relatively stable throughout the year, although some slight changes take place according to whether it is "Summer" (the dry season) or "Winter" (the wet season). Summer usually prevails from December to April and Winter from May to November. These seasons are clearly defined on the Pacific side of the country but are much less noticeable on the Caribbean side where the precipitation is much more evenly distributed throughout the year.

Water Sports

Its beaches, lakes, lagoons, bays and rivers make Costa Rica a real paradise for lovers of water sports. Here one can fish to his heart's content. For fresh water sports the country's world famous rivers (over 80 km are navigable) are enjoyed by kayakers and rafters in search of challenging adventure as well as those who are ready for white water thrills for the first time. Surfers flock to internationally famous Pavones Beach which has the longest waves in the world.

Skin drives enjoy the variety and richness of the flora and fauna along the coastal reefs and headlands, while windsurfers prize the ideal conditions of Lake Arenal. Boating and water skiing are also becoming increasily popular.

Protected Areas

It is for the nature lover and conservationist, however, that Costa Rica has become a true mecca. Because of its natural resource conservation activities, in 1992 Costa Rica was made the world headquarters of the Earth Council.

At the moment, the National Parks Service is responsible for the care conservation of 20 national parks, eight wildlife refuges and one area, declared a national archaecological monument.

At the same time, the Forestry Service is in charge of 26 protected areas, nine forest reserves, seven wildlife sanctuaries and a national forest. These protected areas total 1,077, 308 hectares, 21% of the national territory, which means that Costa Rica has a larger percentage of its total are set aside in parks and preserves than any other country on Earth.

The protection of Costa Rica's natural resources has implications beyond its borders because they encompass an incredible biodiversity, including numerous species on the verge of extinction.

On the whole, access to these areas and facilities are freely available provided the visitor respects the need to protect them. All of this is the reason the country has become one of the most popular destinations for visiting ecologists and biologists.

These protected areas are ideal for hiking and rafting, for watching the birds and other wildlife, for camping and just for enjoying in general, their rivers, beaches, jungles, mountain forests, volcanos as well as their historic and archaecological sites. For its work in the conservation of natural resources, Costa Rica has been awarded numerous distinctions, including the Saint Francis of Assisi prize, the award given in ecology by the Association of United States Travel Agents and the prestigious Smithsonian Institute Award.

Tourist Services

Costa Rica caters to call classes of tourists, offering services to make its visitors stay a most enjoyable experience.

Air Travel
Flights of more than 17 airlines land each day at Juan Santamaría International Airport. Domestic airline services are available between important points within the country. Air taxi and charter aircraft are also easily obtained.

Car Rental
Upon arriving in Costa Rica you can rent a car at any of the agencies at Juan Santamaría International Airport, in San José or in most provincial capitals. Considering the different terrain types and different tourist needs, car rental companies offer late model vehicle including sedans, 4-wheel drive, vans, limousines, etc.

Travel Agencies
A large number of travel agencies offer different tours in order for you to truly enjoy Costa Rica Tourist Board "I.C.T." information office will provide more details on tours, hotels and others services.

Accommodations
In Costa Rica you will find a wide range of hotel services, catering to all taste, styles and budgets. There are large hotels providing full services; swimming pools, restaurants, discotheques and conference rooms-either in the city itself, its outskirts or out in the countryside. Also you may choose from a long list of small, friendly hotels or bed & breakfasts located in beautiful, old converted homes. In addition there is a wide selection of mountain lodges and inns, beach hotels, jungle lodges and cozy cabins. May lodges offer facilities for every type of event, such as conventions, business meetings, etc.

Restaurants
Restaurants in Costa Rica offer the tourist a wide variety of international cuisine and, for those wishing to try Costa Rican cooking, there are manyplaces which serve typical regional dishes.

Crafts And Shopping
Costa Rican craftsmanship is found in a wide variety of goods which reflect the country's typical traditions and features, ranging from replicas of pre-columbian objects, or the traditional Costa Rican cart up to the modern, elegant designs. Wood and clay sculptures, pottery, leather goods, jewelry and wickerwork are also to be found. Articles can be bought in the center of San José and in other places such as Moravia, Sarchí (Alajuela) and Guaitil (Guanacaste).

I.C.T.
The Costa Rican Tourist Board (I.C.T.) is the governing body for all tourist activity in Costa Rica. The main offices are located between 5th and 7th Street and 4th Avenue, and the regional offices at the Juan Santamaría International Airport, in Plaza de la Cultura, in San José; in Peñas Blancas, on the northern border with Nicaragua, in Paso Canoas, on the sourthern border with Panamá, and in the port of Caldera.