Informations about Costa Rica
Language-Spanish is the official language of Costa Rica. Generally tourist services have employees who speak English
Area-51.100 sq km
Location-Costa Rica is bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the south, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east. The converging land and water makes this region a great bottleneck, which is rich in ecological diversity.
Climate-Temperature approximately 27º C
Electricity-110V, 60 Hz
Geographical Division-Costa Rica has seven governmental divisions Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limón, Puntarenas and the Capital San Jose.
Credit Cards-Most international credit cards, (Visa/Master Card/American Express/Diners Club), are accepted.The larger cities and tourist destinations of Costa Rica provide 24/7 Automated Teller Machines (ATM).
Currency & Exchange Rate-The national currency of Costa Rica is the Colon.
Tipping-Usually restaurants include a 10% service charge to the receipt. Taxi drivers generally do not need tips, but if you are satisfied with the service, everybody will appreciate a tip.
Departure Tax-US$ 26.00
Visa-Generally the tourist Visa is for 90 days but ask to your consulate just in case of special requirements.
Suggested clothing and accessories-Pants, shorts, T-shirts, hiking shoes, socks, bathing suit, sandals, waterproof, sunscreen, sunglasses, travel dictionary, light-weight hat, day pack, light rain jacket, flashlight, insect repellent, casual attire for evenings, binoculars, camera and film.
History-When Christopher Columbus made his 4th and final journey to the new world he discovered Costa Rica. Costa Rica was first colonized by Spain in 1561 and gained independence in 1821. During the colonial period, Costa Rica was a tough and unpopular place to reside with few easily exploited resources and lack of labour force. The Spanish were much more interested in living in Peru or Mexico, where vast amounts of silver and gold were being obtained by hundred thousands of slaves. In 1824, Juan Mora Fernandez was elected to become the first head of state. He made land reforms at the same time as an elite class of powerful coffee barons was growing. Soon after the 1948 revolution, the military was abolished and a new constitution was adopted. In 1987 the Costa Rican president Oscar Arias Sanchez gained world recognition as he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
People-Costa Rica has approximately 4 million people and an estimated annual growth rate of about 2%. Most of the population is of European / Spanish descent, more than any other Central American country. Most of the Native Americans fled or died after the Spanish settlers arrived. The country is now approximately 96% Mestizos'(mixed Spanish and native American) and a small black community of Jamaican origin. Additionally, there are also about 1% of North Americans, Europeans and Chinese that have decided to settle down in the country, attracted to the Costa Rican lifestyle and culture.
Education-Costa Rica spends about 20% of the annual budget on education to maintain a 95% literacy rate, (Highest in Latin America). Elementary school is free and obligatory. Approximately 70% of secondary education is provided by public high schools, the other 30% by accredited private schools. The University of Costa Rica in San Jose was founded in 1843, with an enrolment of 29,000 and increasing yearly. Many national and international universities offer a variety of degrees in different majors. There are also schools that offer a North American or European education from pre-kinder through high school.
Tourist Areas
Arenal Volcano-The Arenal Volcano National Park is part of the Arenal Conservation Area. The Arenal volcano was dormant from roughly 1500 AD until July 29, 1968. When it erupted it triggered massive lava flows destroying two entire villages, while maintaining its almost perfect conical shape. Now almost everyday, visitors can feel the ground tremble and see the ash and red glowing lava flowing down its slopes. The Arenal conservation area protects most of the Tilaran mountain range. This “picture perfect” range is home for one half of the land dwelling vertebrates (Birds, Mammals, Reptiles and Amphibians) that are indigenous to Costa Rica.
Corcovado-The 54,539-hectare Corcovado National Park has with its staggering biological diversity attracts world wide ecologists interested in studying the complex rainforest. This park is considered unique, with miles of solitary beaches and rain forests it is known as the best remaining Pacific Coastal Rainforest in Central America. Many important species are protected here, for example the beautiful scarlet macaw, tapirs, wild cats, crocodiles, peccaries, giant anteaters, monkeys, sloth and the rare harpy eagle. Almost 400 species of birds, 140 mammals and over 500 species of trees are registered in the area.
Monteverde-One of the popular tourist destinations in Costa Rica is Monteverde. Famous for its cloud forest reserve, Beautiful quetzals and bellbirds. "Monteverde" (Spanish for “Green Mountains”) is a community in Puntarenas, which was founded by North American Quakers in 1951. Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve was established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1972, with the help of international organizations. Over 2,000 plant species are native to the area, as well as over 400 bird and 100 mammal species.
Papagayo Gulf-The beautiful warm-water beaches in the Papagayo Gulf will make your visit an unforgettable experience. This area of Guanacaste, on the Nicoya Peninsula has some of best beaches in the gulf, including the friendly Panama Beach at Culebra Bay, which is one of the area's best spots for swimming, the quieter Hermosa Beach, the best scuba diving at El Coco Beach, which has more nightlife than most beaches along the peninsula, and the small and quiet Ocotal Beach.
Manuel Antonio & Quepos-Manuel Antonio National Park is also one of the most popular due to the combination of sun, lovely forest-backed tropical beaches and impressive rocky headlands with ocean and island views. A well-kept trail allows visitors to experience the unspoiled primary forest growing along the high tide mark. A bird watchers paradise with over 350 species of birds reported in the park and the surrounding area.
Southern Caribbean-Surrounded by a lush jungle and marine wilderness captures the Southern Caribbean atmosphere of Costa Rica. Within an accessible and relatively small area you can visit the Cahuita National Park, Scuba dive or snorkel to see the famous live coral reef and marine species. The Gandoca-Manzanillo Biological Reserve tropical rain forest has an abundance of vegetation, which is ideal for ecological tourism. The Southern Caribbean has an impressive cultural diversity where the black community, indigenous communities and Europeans enjoy a very relaxed lifestyle. In this friendly and easy-going environment you can buy indigenous Bribri handicrafts, eat delicious Italian food, listen to reggae and calypso music or chat with old-timers.
Tambor Beach-Tambor beach is located in Bahia Ballena (Whale Bay). The largest bay on the southern peninsula coastline. Engulfed by waterfalls, woodland and parks makes this beach ideal for families, couples or single travellers seeking a relaxed, private vacation. The beach is safe for swimming and at times whales are spotted in the bay.
Flamingo Beach & Conchal Beach-The clear waters and calm sea make this ideal for a famous destination due to its stunning beauty. Conchal Beach got its name because of the wealth of seashells (“conchas”) that pile up along the shores. The clear water makes these favourite beaches great for swimming and snorkelling. The breathtaking Flamingo Beach is located about 4 km north of Brasilito.
Tortuguero-Tortuguero National Park is the most important breeding ground for the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) in the western half of the Caribbean. There is nowhere else in the world where the green turtles arrive in such numbers and so regularly every year. Tortuguero, means "the land of many turtles", explains how this area arrived at its name. This peaceful park tucked away in the lush rain forest with an impressive natural network of scenic navigable lakes and canals has a coast line of 19,211 hectares plus around 52,000 hectares of marine area. With an annual rainfall of 6,000mm, makes it one of the wettest areas of the country. Although the beaches are sizable they are not suitable for swimming, the surf is very rough and there are strong currents. The national park offers great opportunities for observing wildlife such as three species of monkeys, sloth, anteaters, kinkajous, manatees, peccaries, tapirs, lizards, caimans, crocodiles, snakes, frogs and toads. Approximately 400 bird species, 400 species of trees and at least 2,200 species of other plants have been recorded. The only town in the area is Tortuguero.
Guanacaste-Northern Pacific-Tamarindo Beach is the most beautiful 2K beach in Costa Rica. Most of the area contains all six of the different types of mangroves that exist in Costa Rica, White, Tea, Red Buttonwood, as well as 2 species of Black mangroves. This is an ideal habitat for bird species including caimans and crocodiles. Nearby towns and beaches are Avellana Beach, Grande Beach, Huacas, Matapalo, Salinas and Villarreal.
Jaco Beach-Central Pacific-The Central Pacific area comprises the area from Puntarenas (100,000 inhabitants) to Quepos. To the south are Doña Ana Beach, Mata Limon Beach, Tarcoles Beach, the white sand beach of Punta Leona, Herradura Beach, which is home to a marina, Luxury hotel, Condominium complex and the popular Jaco Beach that is only two hours from San José. This is the place where you will have your fun and adventures fulfilled. At the mouth of the river is the Carara biological reserve, Approximately 50 km southeast of Puntarenas by road. It has 4,700 hectares and is the northern most tropical wet forest on the Pacific coast, located in the transition zone to the tropical dry forest further north. Some of the animals that can be seen here include scarlet macaws, iguanas, trogons, toucans, monkeys, squirrels, sloth and agoutis.
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