COSTA RICA FACTS

Costa Rica is internationally recognized as one of the most popular global destinations for travelers of all types. This is primarily due to it’s abundance of natural beauty, a strong commitment to protect the environment, its lack of active military, which provides an atmosphere of peace and stability, and especially due to its friendly people, affectionately known as ¨Ticos¨. Situated in Central America between the countries of Nicaragua and Panama, Costa Rica boasts an amazing 5% of the World's biodiversity, as it serves as the bridge between the South American and North American land masses. Costa Rica also provides some of the most magnificent parks, beaches, wildlife, active volcanoes, and lush Tropical Rainforests to be found on any continent.

Of all the Central American countries, Costa Rica´s rich history has been primarily influenced by the arrival of Christopher Columbus on September 18, 1502, to what is presently know as the Caribbean port city of ¨Puerto Limon¨. Pre-Columbian indigenous tribes such as the Guaymi, Baruca and Chorotegas, with their unique architecture and pottery were said to have treated the arrival of these foreigners favorably, hosting them for some 17 plus days. During this first visit, the Spaniards noted the beautiful gold adornments of the native tribes, and imagining that their must be many riches in the area, proclaimed this new discovery ¨Costa Rica¨ (Rich Coast). Further Spanish Expeditions followed and the demise of the indigenous tribes began as formal Spanish Colonies were established. Upon further exploration by the Spaniards, the imagined riches of Costa Rica did not materialize, and what little riches were found were quickly plundered, leading to the general loss of Spanish interest and influence over time.

In the year 1821, Central America won its independence from Spain, although Costa Rica was not aware of their new found freedom until almost one month later. The first elected Head of State was Juan Maria Fernandez, who governed from 1824 to 1833. During his reign, coffee, which has been introduced in prior years by the Cubans, began to be exported in small amounts, leading to the eventual major production and principal export of this valuable bean from Costa Rica. Costa Rica’s economy now heavily depends not only on tourism, but also the exportation of coffee, bananas, pineapples, tropical plants and orchids, as well as many high tech industries, such as Intel.

Even more famous than its coffee is Costa Rica’s long history as a democracy since its first open elections in 1889. The formation of the constitution of Costa Rica that still stands strong today was signed into law in 1949. At that time, several important bills were passed allowing women, blacks and citizens over 18 years of age to finally be permitted to vote, presidents were banned from running for successive terms, a neutral electoral tribunal was established to guarantee open and fair elections every 4 years, and as a bold move for this volatile region, Costa Rica eliminated all branches of the armed forces and the military. To this day, Costa Rica continues to enjoy an excellent reputation for its high levels of education, dedication to the environment with more than 27% of the country declared protected parks or zones, its unwavering support of democracy, as well as its continued diplomatic efforts to encourage democracy throughout this formerly unstable region of the world.

Recently declared by the Natural Resources Defense Council as a ¨BioGem of the World¨ for its efforts to protect over 500,000 species of flora and fauna, Costa Rica is the first country to be recognized for this great honor. This coveted award has garnered the respect of more than 400,000 scientists and activists, and guarantees Costa Rica’s future as the ideal destination for travelers interested in both adventure and relaxing forms of eco-tourism.

Traveling Requirements

Visas: Citizens of the United States, Canada, and most western European and Latin American nations do not need visas to enter Costa Rica. A current passport valid for a minimum of 6 months after the first day of your entry is mandatory to enter Costa Rica, and all visitors must have a round-trip ticket to be permitted into the country. You are allowed to drive with your normal driver’s license for a period of 3 months. All visitors should carry copies of their passports while traveling throughout the country (including a copy of the page with your entry stamp), and the originals should be stored in safe places or even better, online for instant access.

Departure

All travelers must pay a departure tax of of USD $26.00. Kiosks are found at both ends of the departure terminal, or you may pay the tax upon entry to the country at special windows. (Watch for signs.)

Time Zones

Costa Rican time remains the same year round, 6 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (UTC/GMT -6 hours).

Stores generally are open Monday through Saturday from 8 or 9 a.m. until 6 or 7 p.m. Some close for lunch any time between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Government offices are open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Banks are open weekdays, usually from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., or noon until 6 p.m., and some are open on Saturdays. Private Banks tend to have more flexible hours.

Culture

Costa Ricans are a fairly mixed group of people. Although the majority of the country’s approximately 4 million inhabitants are descendants of Spanish immigrants, many families originated in other parts of Central America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. In the lowlands, a high percentage of people are "mestizo" -- possessing a mixture of European and Indigenous blood -- whereas the majority of inhabitants along the Caribbean coast are of African lineage, and full-blooded Indians of various tribes inhabit much of the Talamanca Mountain Range.

Costa Ricans are commonly known as "Ticos," because they often use the diminutive form of words to be more courteous or friendly. However, they tend to use "-ico" (example: one moment is "momento" or as they say, "momentico") instead the more common "-ito" ("momentito"). Although "-ico" is a correct form of the diminutive, it is rarely used in other Spanish-speaking countries. Hence, people from other countries started calling Costa Ricans "Ticos." Ticos are famous for being hospitable and are quite happy to live up to this reputation. They are a polite, well-educated, and gregarious people, who are quick with a handshake, smile, and a little joke.

Costa Ricans are well aware that their country is a special place and they go out of their way to accommodate visitors, pointing them in the right direction when they get lost, explaining things that might seem strange to a foreigner, and helping make their stay as enjoyable as possible. It has been said that the Ticos are the nation's greatest asset, and once you've experienced their friendliness and spontaneity you will no doubt agree.

Population

As of July 2010, Costa Rica’s population is 4,576,562.

Religion

Like all Latin American countries, Costa Rica is predominantly Catholic, but churches of other denominations are found throughout the country.

Government

Costa Rica is a progressive society, known for its tolerance and social consciousness, and is one of the oldest democracies in the Americas. Being incredibly far-sighted, the leadership of the late 1940s demilitarized the country, rejecting a standing army in favor of providing for its people the fundamentals of equality, justice, liberty, and freedom. Even before the installation of a democratic constitution and the rejection of a standing military, Costa Rica's leaders historically provided for the health and welfare of the people. Universal health care, agricultural reforms and housing programs were all in effect before the turn of the century, reflecting the country's true heart and serving as a blueprint for other Latin American countries to follow. In 2010, Costa Rica voted in its first female president.

Medical Treatment

For minor illnesses, prescription drugs, and emergency first aid, pharmacies are generally very competent. You should, however, bring any medication you usually take at home along with a copy of the prescription. Anything more serious can be treated at local private health centers or in the social security hospitals.

According to the World Health Organization, Costa Rica has one of the best health care systems in the world. Evidence of this is the country's infant mortality rate, which is continually dropping while life expectancy increases.

Excellent facilities are available for the emerging “Medical Tourism” market. The National Social Security System operates several hospitals throughout the country. This system, established to provide universal medical services, is close to reaching its goal. This same institution also provides worker disability, maternity, and senior citizen benefits. Many diseases common to third world countries have been successfully treated and prevented and some are almost eradicated, such as malaria, yellow fever, leprosy, and tuberculosis. Costa Rica's state-of-the-art facilities, the availability of technical equipment, and the high level of medical expertise have allowed the country to successfully offer heart and liver transplants, cosmetic surgery, and modern dental interventions.

Weather

Referred to by its residents as the "Land of Eternal Spring," Costa Rica's mild climate is the envy of many northern visitors. Although often mistakenly referred to as summer, Costa Rica's dry season runs from December to April, and a rainy or "green" season runs from May to November. Being located near the equator, seasonal changes in Costa Rica are not as dramatic as they are in countries on more extreme latitudes. Visitors should beware that transitional months can often bring surprises and the rainy season is not necessarily always wet. July invariably brings a temporary abatement to the afternoon rains and, in general, mornings are sunny and clear. Because of the varied topography, Costa Rica has a wide range of microclimates with temperatures descending as altitudes rise. As in any tropical location, weather conditions can change suddenly, so it is best to always be prepared for a little rain.

During the dry season, San Jose and other Central Valley towns enjoy a fresh and breezy climate requiring a jacket or sweater in the evenings, while Guanacaste's arid interior can get extremely hot during the day. Rain can occur throughout the year in high mountainous areas, rainforest locales, and above all in the Caribbean lowlands where downpours can last for several days or break into brilliant sunshine after a couple of hours. The Manuel Antonio ranges from 70-95 degrees Fahrenheit year round.

Currency

Local currency is the colon (colones in plural). Coins range from 5c to 500c, and paper money from 1000c to 20,000c. The colon is floated against the U.S. dollar, which is the currency worth bringing and is widely accepted throughout the country. Many establishments will not accept $100 bills due to currency fraud, so bring smaller denominations. Dollars and travelers' checks can be exchanged for local currency at banks using your passport. Many banks have an ATM for foreign or local currency, but should you choose to go to the bank, go early to avoid lines. Euros are not commonly accepted in Costa Rica.

Credit cards are accepted in many tourist establishments, car rental and tour agencies, and most, but not all hotels and restaurants. VISA is the most popular credit card, with MasterCard and American Express widely accepted also.