The Costa Ricans have many reasons to be proud of this small Central American country (only 51,100 square kilometers). Even though Costa Rica’s territory represents only 0.03% of the world’s landmass, this little piece of earth is home to 4% of the flora and fauna on the planet. For this reason, Costa Rica is noted for being one of the countries with the most biodiversity in the world. Twenty-five percent of Costa Rican territory is under protection, such as National Parks, Biological Reserves, Private Reserves and National Wildlife Refuges.

The home of almost four million Costa Ricans (who call themselves ticos and ticas), is one of the few countries in the world which has chosen to live, for more than fifty years, without an army. Despite the poverty that holds many neighboring countries in its grasp, Costa Rica has built an oasis of relative well-being. For example, 96 percent of the population can read and write, and the nationalized health care system has managed to keep infant mortality at very low levels.

For these reasons, Costa Ricans feel pride. Whether they speak Spanish, Bribri, or Mekatelyu, whether they travel by horse or by car, ticos know that they have two invaluable treasures: the natural beauty of their country and their sociopolitical system, which is the envy of many other countries.

GEOGRAPHY 

What catches the eye of the tourist is that in Costa Rica’s horizon there is always a mountain framing the picture. And there is a very good reason for that; mountains always show up in the picture in our geography. There is a mountain range that runs through the heart of the entire country, from northeast to southeast. 

Volcanic mountain ranges (like Guanacaste and Central) are separated by deep valleys and other mountains. The Talamanca mountain range, which crosses over the southern region of the country, penetrates deep into the northern part of Panama; this is where the tallest peak in the country is located. 

GEOGRAPHICAL DATA

Location: Middle America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama
Area: total: 51,100 sq. km
Water: 440 square kilometers.
Highest peak: Cerro Chirripó: 3,810 m

POPULATION

Costa Rica has a population of 3,824,593 inhabitants (according to the 2000 census), distributed in the seven provinces which make up the country: San Jose, Alajuela, Heredia, Cartago, Guanacaste, Puntarenas and Limon. The capitol is located in the province of San Jose, which is the most populous of all.  

LANGUAGE

Spanish is the official language, however some regions have their own languages—in Limon, a Creole English called Mekatelyu is spoken, along with other indigenous languages like Brbri and Cabecar. In other regions, indigenous groups like the Gnabe or Guaymi, as well as the Boruca, have also preserved their own languages.  

RELIGION
Catholicism is the official religion, but freedom of worship is guaranteed to all.  

CLIMATE

Costa Rica is a tropical country located between two oceans--the Pacific and the Atlantic—with a complex geography which makes for varied climatic conditions and a variety of life zones ranging from tropical dry forest to high altitude moors. Generally the temperature varies between 14 and 32 degrees Centigrade (50 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit) depending on your altitude.  

Even though there are not definite seasons and the climate in each region is relatively stable during the year, there are slight climatic changes depending on if it is the “summer” (the dry season) or “winter” (the rainy or “green” season). The dry season is usually from December to April, and the green season is from May to November. The Atlantic coast is an exception, with the driest weather in March and April and again in September and October.   

TIME
GMT/UTC minus  6 hours 

PUBLIC SERVICES

In Costa Rica, public services are accessible in almost every region of the country. Some of the principal services are: 

Electricity: 110 volts.

Water: drinkable almost everywhere in the country. 

Telephones: A network of public telephones covers the country, and if you can’t find one, you will find a managed phone, where you can call and pay the administrator for the time you talk.

Banking: Banks are open from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The official currency is the colon. You can change dollars at any bank in the national banking system. You must bring your passport to exchange money. Credit cards are accepted only in the cities or at popular tourist attractions. Whatever your nationality, it is recommended that you bring US dollars. You should not change dollars on the street.  

Internet: RACSA offers internet and e-mail access. There are many internet cafes in towns and cities and at the most popular tourist destinations.

Taxies: The official taxies are red with a yellow triangle on the door. They have marias (meters).  

HEALTH & MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

Costa Rica’s socialized medical system has been successful at keeping the diseases that plague most tropical countries in check, through a system of education and preventive medicine.    If you happen to need medical attention, first rate care is available at any of Costa Rica’s public hospitals and private clinics in San José.   

COMMERCE HOURS 

General commerce: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 
Shopping centers: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. 
State banks: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
Private banks: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
Office hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

COSTA RICAN CUISINE! 

The contrasts in Costa Rica are found not only in biodiversity, but also in our native dishes. For example, in Limon, on the Atlantic Coast, the food is characterized by use of the oil and coconut milk in the most traditional recipes. Corn is the prime ingredient used in making the most popular dishes in the northern region of Costa Rica, which are appealing to the rest of the country too. A great variety of picadillos would delight anyone’s taste buds.  Ceviche and other seafood are very popular in the Pacific region, and casados and gallo pinto are never in short supply at sodas all over the country. Soditas are small diners or very simple restaurants, often with wooden tables and chairs and red-checked tablecloths, where you are attended by the owner.  

Central Valley 

This region offers everything there is to discover in the country: famous national parks, plenty of flora and fauna, the perfect conditions to practice adventure sports and all kinds of history, culture and nature tours. 

Four provinces- Cartago, Heredia, Alajuela and San José – converge in the Central Valley, full of little towns, each with its own characteristic feel, meant for exploring. At the centre of it all is the bustling city of San José, Costa Rica ´s business and government centre. San José is just large enough to have fine restaurants, nightclubs, excellent hotels and cultural activities of all kinds

In Costa Rica, Central Valley doesn’t translate into dull city action, on the contrary, it’s close to everything there is to come across in the country: from world famous national parks vibrant with flora and fauna, and hundreds of interesting species, to the perfect setting to go in adventure trips or leisure activities, to all sorts of history, culture and nature tours. 

This city also sports a network of museum exhibits the Gold, Jade Museum, featuring nine impressive displays of Costarican culture heritage. with an altitude of just over 2900 above sea level. The eternal spring-like climate ideal for strolling around the city’s many attractions or basing your stay here and visiting the rest of county on day trips.

San Jose is the seat of most government services; however, the provincial capitals Alajuela, Heredia and Cartago offer a variety of quality commercial and tourism services. 

This part of the country has a magical, almost mystical appeal for travelers in search of the perfect beach in strong contact with nature. 

The Pacific Coast runs over 500 miles from its northernmost tip to the border with Panamá. The whole coast is made up of spectacular beaches, some isolated, some not so isolated. Nevertheless, you’ll always find somewhere to lay down your beach towel and start recharging your solar batteries 

The mid pacific or central pacific zone features a multitude of  beaches, sea side villages in land picturesque towns dot the country side between the mountains of the central valley and the pacific coast.

The region’s main attractions are it’s many beaches along the coast and protected wilderness area with, in some cases are two hours from San Jose. Nature areas include wildlife refuges, national parks and biological preserves. The mid pacific attracts thousand of visitors and as a result there are many sporting events, cultural and leisure activities.

The mid pacific is a nucleus with adventure sports such as surfing, kayaking and river rafting nature oriented activities including bird watching  trekking along nature trails and many natural habitats. 

South Pacific 

Stretching along the Pacific coast from Dominical in the north to Punta Burica to the southern end of the country, this region includes many natural attractions of the Talamancan mountain range. The stunning biodiversity, natural beauty of the southern pacific zone contains several wildernesses of great natural and tourism importance. The region offers a variety of activities that include hiking up Mount Chirripo, Costa Rican’s tallest mountain; horse back riding rafting diving, bird watching and nature tours.

Two very important protected areas are located in this region defined by The National Geographic  magazine as “The Most Biologically Intense Place On The Planet” and La Amistad Natural Park, a joint effort of Costa Rica and Panama recognize by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. 

GUANACASTE 

The Destination:Guanacaste, is the most popular destination for those looking for the sun, unspoiled beaches, and adventure. Recently opened as a tourist destination offers refined accommodations, great weather, and the pleasant Costa Rican hospitality. The name of the province derives its name from the first civilization that lived in this area, the Aztecs, and means –tree of the ears- as the produce of these giant trees has a shape similar to a human ear.  

The People:The Guanacastecos, descendants of the Chorotegan Indians and early Spanish settlers, started many of the traditions that are now referred to as typically Costa Rican, and a strong folkloric character pervades the region. As you travel through the region, watch for traditional costumes, folk dancing, music, and recipes handed down from colonial times. 

North Guanacaste has two main tourist centres that are Liberia (central of stopover distribution, scale and excursion) and Santa Cruz, and three other tourist centres: El Coco, Tamarindo and Flamingo. The landscape of the coast is exceptional. There are beaches of white sands and a peaceful sea qualified by intense blue, especially the ones located inside Papagayo’s Gulf (Nacascolo, Virador, Iguanita and Panama). It is one of the regions of greater development, based on hotels of high investment with potentiality of direct demand. Source: Costa Rica Tourism Bureau  

The Seasons:Guanacaste stretches endlessly towards the horizon. During the Dry Season –from November to May- most of the wild areas and farms are covered by wild savanna grasses that float over the land, like lakes of gold. During the Green Season -from June to October- the land itself appears to be alive with thick, green tropical forest growth, there is sun every morning with some short showers in the afternoons. For the seasonal activities of windsurfing and turtle watching, you have to come during Dry Season, for most other activities such as bird watching, diving, fishing or plain relaxing, you can join us at almost any time of year. 

ARENAL, MONTEVERDE & SARAPIQUI

Beyond the immensity of nature If nature enthral you, this region offers reserves, forests, relaxation, adventure and action!  

ARENAL VOLCANO
Arenal Volcano, the most attractive active volcanoes in Costa Rica, is located in the San Carlos plain of central Alajuela province, one of Costa Rica’s most agriculturally productive zones.  Ciudad Quesada, the main city in San Carlos is a midpoint for trips north to Volcán Arenal, , Ecotermales thermal waters,, Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, and the Venado Caves. 

Some of the main attractions in this area are: 

SARAPIQUÍ 
The country’s premier eco-lodges call this nature paradise home.  The virgin rainforest makes contrast with the rustic country roads that wind through lowland hills.  You’ll also enjoy the family farms, banana and pineapple plantations as far as the eye can see. 

MONTEVERDE 
A major destination for nature lovers, Monteverde is a very unique community and a magical biological reserve.  Many rare species, including the quetzal, and the three-wattled bellbird live in this land of greenery.  The cloud forest stretches from the lush ferns and mosses that cover the ground to the dark canopy formed by the tallest trees.  Vines and web like moss hang down and swing slowly in the breeze.  A group of Quakers mostly from the United States founded the colony of Monteverde 40 years ago, choosing Costa Rica for its peace and tolerance. Monteverde is just below the cloud forest, far from tropical heat.  Today, the people raise dairy cattle and goats on the steep slopes above the village of Santa Elena. 

This zone is ideal for smaller groups, given that the majority of hotels lodges and camps are small, intimate and set in lush tropical gardens or forests.