Costa Rica's national territory of 51,100 square kilometers (19,700 square miles)
makes it slightly smaller than West Virginia, or about 1/4 larger than Switzerland.
But unlike those landlocked places, Costa Rica has some 755 miles of coastline on
two oceans, which means countless beaches, coral reefs and other marine wonders.
Like them, Costa Rica is a mountainous country, though most of its peaks are of
volcanic origin. Those volcanoes and mountain ranges together form an inter-continental
divide that runs northwest to southeast through the middle of the country, and which
divides it into Pacific and Caribbean slopes.
Climate
As you would expect from a country famous for its rainforests, Costa Rica has no
shortage of heat and humidity, but the climate is actually more varied than you
might expect. The country basically has two seasons: green, which runs from May
to December, and dry, from December to May. Thought the dry months coincide with
the peak of the tourism season, most people who visit Costa Rica during the green
season also enjoy plenty of sunshine. A typical green-season day is sunny all morning,
clouding up around noon, with downpours in the afternoon. And during the wettest
months in the rest of the country -- September and October -- the Caribbean coast
actually receives very little rain.
People
Ticos, as Costa Ricans are commonly known, are a fairly mixed bunch. Though the
majority of the country's 3.3 million inhabitants are the descendents of Spanish
immigrants, many families originated from other parts of Europe, Asia, Africa and,
of course, Central America. You may be surprised by the number of fair-skinned people
you'll see in the country, especially in the Central Valley. In the lowlands, more
of the people are mestizo -- the of mixture of European and Indigenous blood --
whereas the majority along the Caribbean coast are of African lineage, and much
of the Talamanca Mountain Range is inhabited by full-blooded Indians of various
ethnicities.
Government
Costa Rica's system of government is very similar to that of the United States of
America. There are three branches of government: the Executive, which consists of
the president, two vice presidents and advisors, the Legislative Assembly, with
57 individually elected deputies, and the Judicial Branch, which consists of civil,
criminal, appellate and constitutional courts. The President and members of the
Legislative Assembly are elected for four-year terms.
The main political parties are the National Liberation Party (PLN) and the United
Social Christian Party (PUSC).
Economy
You don't have to drive very far in Costa Rica -- past the coffee, pastures, bananas
and other crops -- to deduce that agriculture is an important part of its economy.
Coffee has historically been the country's most important crop, and Costa Rica continues
to produce some of the best coffee in the world, but in recent years less traditional
crops have been playing an increasingly important economic role. The banana is the
second most important export crop, with vast plantations covering parts of the Caribbean
lowlands, but there is also significant land dedicated to to such things as pineapples,
sugar, oranges, rice, cattle, hardwoods and ornamental plants. Though agriculture
remains an important part of the national economy, the tourism industry continues
to grow, providing new employment opportunities, and stimulating the conservation
of the biodiversity that foreigners want to see.
Health and Education
The Costa Rican government has long dedicated a significant portion of the national
budget to the minds and bodies of its citizens; a policy that has resulted in a
healthy and educated populace. The country has a literacy rate and average life
expectancy that are much closer to those of Western European nations than most Latin
American countries. Costa Rica has had a socialized medical system for nearly half
a century, and while schools and clinics are found throughout the country, the Central
Valley has several public universities and dozens of private universities.
What this means for travelers is that they will be dealing with educated people,
and don't have to worry about most of the diseases they would expect to encounter
in a tropical country.
Tap water is safe to drink in most of the country, but bottled beverages are recommended
in rural areas. For those few travelers that do become sick or injured while in
Costa Rica, there are hospitals and private clinics in San Jose that offer a level
of care comparable to what they would expect at home, and for considerably less
money.
Communications
Costa Rica has one of the most advanced telecommunications systems in Latin America,
with telephones and fax machines all over the country, and an increasing number
of businesses on line. To call or fax Costa Rica, dial the country code 506 before
the number. There is also reliable mail service in the country, and an ample selection
of courier services in San Jose. Most large hotels in the San Jose area have cable
television, which has US and European stations. Newspapers and magazines from North
America and several European nations are sold in many shops and hotels in and around
the capital.
Transportation
It's easy to get around in Costa Rica, and if you stick with public transport, traveling
within the country can be quite inexpensive. There is bus service to just about
every town and city, and buses that serve main tourist destinations are of high
quality. Taxis are also plentiful and inexpensive, and in San Jose they are required
to use meters for most trips. The standard charge for a taxi between the international
airport and downtown San Jose is $10 US. The quickest way to get around is to fly,
and several domestic airlines offer daily flights to most of the popular tourist
destinations. There are also plenty of car rental agencies, most of which rent four-wheel-drive
vehicles.
Culture
Costa Rican culture is in many ways a reflection of its racial mix. The predominant
influence has long been European, which is reflected in everything from the official
language -- Spanish -- to the architecture of the country's churches and other historic
buildings. The indigenous influence is less apparent, but can be found in everything
from the tortillas that are served with a typical Costa Rican meal to the handmade
ceramics sold at roadside stands. A more recent cultural influence is that of the
United States, which can be noted in everything from the movie selection at San
Jose's theaters to the fast food chains that line the capital's streets.
An important aspect of Costa Rica's cultural heritage is their love of peace and
democracy. Ticos like to point out that their nation is the exception in Latin America,
where military dictatorships long dominated politics. They can boast of having more
than one hundred years of democratic tradition, and almost half a century without
an army. The army was abolished in 1948, and the money the country saved by not
having a military has been invested in improving the standard of living for Costa
Ricans, which has fostered the social harmony that makes it such a nice country
to visit.
Banks and Money
There is an ample selection of state and private banks in San Jose, and at least
one major bank in every large town.
The official currency of Costa Rica is the colon, but US dollars are accepted in
most hotels and restaurants. US dollars and traveler's checks can be changed in
banks and hotels. Major credit cards are widely accepted, and cash advances can
be obtained in San Jose.
Holidays
Though government offices and most banks close on for national holidays, this causes
no inconvenience to travelers, since they can change money or travelers checks in
their hotel. Do not change money on the street. There are, however, days when hardly
anything will be open, such as Christmas, New Year and often two or three days preceding
it, and during Holy Week from Wednesday to Easter Sunday.
Some holidays can be attractive for travelers, such as the week between the days
following Christmas, when there are parades in San Jose. During the week of the
Annexation of Guanacaste, July 25, the main towns in the northwest province of Guanacaste
are overflowing with revelry and folklore. Carnival, which is celebrated in the
Caribbean port of Limon during the week of October 12, is another colorful affair.
Business Hours
Government offices are generally open from 8 am to 4 pm, while banks close anytime
between 3:00 and 6:00 pm, according to the branch. Most shops are open from 9:00
am to 6:00 pm, while some open at 8:00 am and others close at 7:00 pm; most grocery
stores close at 8:00 pm. Some shops also close for lunch, between noon and 1:00
or 2:00 pm.
Electricity and Drinking Water
The electric current is 110 volts AC, the same as in the United States, so European
visitors need adapters for their electrical devices. Tap water is safe to drink
in most of the country, but bottled beverages are recommended in rural areas, or
for those with sensitive stomachs.
Celebrities
When we say that Costa Rica's greatest asset is its people, we are talking about
the product of a nation that made education, democracy and freedom its priorities
long ago. Though it is a small country, Costa Rica has given the world many outstanding
individuals. The following are a few of our more famous citizens:
President Oscar Arias brought Costa Rica's dedication to peace and democracy into
the global limelight in 1987, when he began to promote the peaceful resolution of
the conflicts that shook neighboring Central American countries. His Peace Plan
began a process that ended Central America's armed conflicts, and led to democratic
governments replacing the military dictatorships that once dominated the region.
It also resulted in Arias winning the 1987 Nobel Peace Prize.
Sisters Silvia and Claudia Poll, two Olympic swimmers, are definitely Costa Rica's
most famous athletes. In 1988, Silvia won a silver medal in the 200 meter freestyle
at the Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea. Her sister Claudia out did her four
years later at the Atlanta Olympics, when she won the gold medal in the same event.
Despite his humble beginnings, Franklyn Chan never stopped reaching for the stars,
and his dedication to scholarship and physical fitness paid off. Chan is currently
a former NASA astronaut who has flown various space shuttle missions.
The above profile is in part courtesy of the Costa Rica Tourist Board.
If you are concerned about the safety of a loved one when you visit Costa Rica,
the option to
buy
timeshares can eliminate your worries and decrease the cost of yearly accommodations
in this exotic country. Almost all Costa Rica timeshare resorts, particularly those
affiliated with
RCI, the leading timeshare exchange company, provide a variety of services designed
to put you at ease. Many resorts feature 24-hour security, private beaches or pools
with trained lifeguards, locked safes to protect valuables, and even gated entry
to the resort complex, so you can rest assured that you are safe and sound.
Services
Costa Rica Real Estate - Features real estate-related
information including purchase process, legal issues, and property prices.
Real Estate in Costa Rica - Features properties
for sale in Costa Rica.
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Last update: 12:30 PT, Friday, June 26, 2009
