GEOGRAPHY

Along a mountainous formation that extends lengthwise, beginning at the northernmost territory and ending at the country’s southern tip, we find three mountain ranges and nine active volcanoes. Among these, Arenal Volcano stands out, offering singular fireworks at night time; others portray a unique beauty, such as Irazú with its impressive scenery, and Poás, displaying one of the largest craters in the world. An extremely changing landscape tied to a vast forest and microclimate diversity, temperate beaches, rivers with abundant water currents along the three main littorals, and an extensive concentration of natural resources— all characterize Costa Rica.

TERRITORY

Our territorial extension is 51,000 square kilometres. At approximately 75 miles (120Km) between the Pacific and the Atlantic Ocean, at its narrowest end, it borders with Nicaragua to the north and with Panama to the south.

POPULATION

4,300,000 Inhabitants

CLIMATE

It is said there are only two existing seasons in Costa Rica: a rainy season which goes from May through November, and a dry season beginning in December and lasting through the end of April. The average temperature in the Central Valley is 72°F (22°C), while on the coasts and beaches it varies between 70°F and 90°F (21°C and 31°C).

CAPITAL

The capital is the city of San José, with approximately 1 million inhabitants.

GOVERNMENT

Costa Rica has enjoyed one of the oldest and most stable democracies in Latin America since 1948; with the promulgation of a new political constitution, the army was abolished in that year. Its representative form of government is made up of three powers: an Executive, a Legislative and a Judicial. The President is elected by popular vote every four years.

LANGUAGE

Spanish and conversational English— spoken in most tourist centres.

CURRENCY AND LOCAL TAXES

The official currency is the Colón. Traveller's checks, credit cards and dollars are accepted in the majority of tourist and commercial establishments. Some banks, hotels and travel agencies have recently begun taking Euros. The country’s departure tax is US $26.00. The occupation tax is currently 16.4%, while food and beverage taxes amount to 23%, which includes a 10% service tax.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

For those interested in visiting Costa Rica, it is recommended to contact the Costa Rican Embassy or consulate in their residing country, to learn about all of the necessary entry procedures. A current Visa is necessary only if required for a traveller’s residing country, along with a valid passport and a tourist card, which may be acquired at the counter where the ticket is purchased.

PUBLIC SERVICES

Electricity is measured in 110 volts. The Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE), a governmental entity, oversees telecommunications services. A modern telecommunications network encompasses: direct communication to the rest of the world through an automatic telephone system called MIDA, telex service, telegram, faxing, cellular, Internet and data transmission by means of satellites and microwaves. The international long-distance country code is 506; most public phones operate with a pre-paid card, and others take 10 and 20 colons currency.

TRANSPORTATION

International Air Transportation: All air traffic to and from Costa Rica is handled through the Juan Santa Maria International Airport, located 29 minutes from San José, in the city of Alajuela.

Domestic Air Transportation: All flights leave from the International Juan Santa Maria Airport or the Tobías Bolaños Airport. There is a network of internal airports which not only serve important cities, but special interest tourist areas. From the Tobías Bolaños Airport, located to the west of the capital city, private airlines with twin-engine airplanes for five passengers or more, offer charter flights anywhere in the country.

Domestic Bus Service: The country, in general, offers an adequate bus service. The majority are private companies which link San José with the principal provincial towns and cities, seaports and tourist areas. With good-quality vehicles and frequent itineraries, the user can easily travel throughout the country, leaving from different bus terminals. In the main cities and villages nationwide, there are taxicab companies that service the user to the more remote places in the country. Four-wheel drive vehicles are typical for the rural areas.

International Bus Service: Leaving from San José, there is bus service to Central America and Panama. The companies TRACOPA, TICA BUS, TRANSNICA, and PANALINE, have scheduled trips to Panama, Nicaragua and other countries in the area.

Driver Requirements: A foreigner may drive with a current license from his country of origin and his passport, for a period of three months, while his tourist visa is in force.
The warning triangles should be carried at all times by all drivers, and seat belts are also required for drivers and front-seat passengers. The use of helmets for motorcycle conductors is required.

MEDICAL FACILITIES

Hospitals: Any foreigner who is temporarily in the country has the right to receive health attention at hospitals and clinics in case of an emergency, sudden illness or a chronic disease. Costa Rica boasts a modern and renown medical health system, under the administration of the Caja Costarricense del Seguro Social (CCSS).

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS

AIRPORTS

FESTIVE DAYS/HOLIDAYS

WHERE TO GO

San José : Your starting point. The central Valley is the heart of Costa Rica, in it among the green Highlands, ample valleys and the principal cities and provinces of Costa Rica, San José, Alajuela, Cartago and Heredia. The nation’s capital, San José sits at an altitude of 3,770 feet above sea level. It offers a full range of restaurants, shopping malls, varied styles of accommodations, museums and a very active nightlife.

Northern Plains ; Arenal and Monteverde

The northern zone, roughly defined here as the area north of San José and between Guanacaste province on the west and the lowlands of the Caribbean coast on the east, is a naturalist’s dream come true. The best places to go there are : Arenal Volcano and la Fortuna (87 miles – 140 km. NW. of San José), if you’ve never experienced it firsthand, the sight and sound of an active volcano erupting is awesome. Lying at the eastern foot of this natural spectacle is the tiny farming community of La Fortuna. In recent years, this town has become a center for volcano-watchers from around the world. In addition you will relax in the hot spring waters of the hotels around the Volcano. If you love the ecotourism you have to visit Monteverde (103 miles – 167 km. NW. Of San José). There are rain forests and cloud forests, jungle rivers and an unbelievable diversity of birds and other wildlife. There are a lot of things to do and to see, Canopy Tour, Horseback Riding, Bird Watching, Tree Top Walkways, Butterflies Observatory and much more.

The Atlantic Zone : Comprise the Province of Limón, the central city of this province is Limón, with a rich African influence. Driving from San José takes, two and a half hours to get there. It’s paradise for ecotourism green sea turtles lay their eggs each year in Tortuguero. It has good places to have a good time like Cahuita : 124 miles (200km) E of San José; 26 miles (42km) S of Limón. and its famous National Park, a combination of jungle and beach. Puerto Viejo : 34 miles (55km) S of Limón. its has a somewhat livelier atmosphere due to the many surfers who come here from around the world to ride the village’s famous Salsa Brava Wafe. For no surfers, there are also some good swimming beaches on this coast like Cocles and Manzanillo.

North Pacific ; Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula : Most of this region is occupied by the province of Guanacaste. This vast extension holds countless beaches and picturesque towns and villages filled with an important historical and cultural heritage. The city of Liberia : 134 ½ miles (217km) NW of San José. is the capital of Guanacaste Province. Guanacaste is the cradle of costarican folklore. In this region the rainy season starts later and ends earlier here, it is the driest region in the country.

Central Pacific : This region is home to some of the most easily accessible beaches in Costa Rica, They range from Puntarenas (71 miles -115km W of San Jose) to Dominical beach (99 miles – 160km. S of San José). You will find some of Costa Rica’s most popular beaches and National Parks, like Jacó beach (72 miles – 117 km. W of San José) if you want a beach not so far from San José where you can spend a week in the sun, Jacó continues to be the top choice. After Jacó, you will find the most popular place of the pacific coast Manuel Antonio and Quepos Beach (43 miles – 69 km. of Jacó Beach) not other destination in Costa Rica has received more international attention than Manuel Antonio and Quepos, the beaches are idyllic, and its jungles are full of wild life and exotic birds. After those beaches you will find Dominical Beach (26 miles – 42 km. S of Manuel Antonio and Quepos). The beach at Dominical itself has both right and left beach breaks, witch means there are usually plenty of surfers in town, the area is amazing, you will find isolated beaches, and vegetation.

Southern : It is one of the country’s most beautiful and wild areas, you will see primary forest, mountains and isolates beaches, you must to have plenty of time and a desire of adventure if you want to explore this region. Some of the most popular places are : Golfito (209 miles – 337 km. S of San José), a place for sport fishing and botanical gardens. Puerto Jiménez (21 ½ miles – 35 km W of Golfito. Located on the south-eastern of the Osa Peninsula, the primary reason to coming here is the Corcovado National Park, this park is home of the 5% of the biodiversity of the world.

Another good places are Playa Zancudo and Pavones (22 miles – 35 km S of Golfito)

Those beaches are long and flat, and because are protected from the full force of pacific waves, are good for swimming and Pavones is a good option for surfers, on the way you will see the town of Paso Canoas, the border of Panamá (350 km. of San José), it’s a good place for shopping and cheap places to eat.