General Information
Costa Rica is small in size and only has an area of roughly 51,100 square kilometers (31,682 square miles) Even so, it is internationally famous and recognized for the diversity and density of its natural resources and for the fable kindness of its inhabitants. These facts set it apart as an especially attractive destination for foreign tourists who, not incidentally, make far more than a million visits a year.
Costa Rican culture is in many ways a reflection of its racial diversity. 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.
The clime
Costa Rica’s year round climate is pleasant with naturally occurring breezes cooling down most of the coastal areas. Temperatures in the highlands and the mountains are warm by day and brisk at night giving an “eternal spring” feeling. The average annual temperatures range from 31.7°C (89°F) on the coast to 16.7°C (62°F) inland. The rainy, or green, season lasts from May to December with noticeably drier days during the rest of the year.
The people
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 saves by not having a military is invested in improving the standard of living for Costa Ricans, which has fostered the social harmony that makes it such a pleasant country to visit.
The Tico 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 descendants 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 people are mestizo — that is 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 tribes. The Tico Ticos, as Costa Ricans are commonly known, are famous for being hospitable, and are quite happy to live up to their reputation. |
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They are a polite, well educated and gregarious people, who are quick with a handshake and a smile. They 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 foreign to a foreigner, and helping make their stay as enjoyable as possible.
It has been said the Ticos are their nation’s greatest asset, and once you’ve experienced their friendliness and spontaneity, you’ll no doubt agree.
Transportation
It’s easy to get around 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 José they are required to use meters for most trips.
The standard charge for a taxi ride between the international airport and downtown San José 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.
The goverment
Costa Rica’s system of government is very similar to that of the United States of America. There are three branches of government: Executive, which consists of the president, two vice presidents and cabinet; 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 and the president can’t run for reelection.
The two main parties are the National Liberation Party (PLN) and the United Social Christian Party (PUSC).
Education and Health
The Costa Rican government has long dedicated a significant portion of its national budget to education and other social services; 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.
Travelers are more likely to encounter more 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.
| Costa Rica’s socialized medical system has been extremely successful at keeping the diseases that plague most tropical countries. Through a system of education and preventive medicine, Costa Ricans enjoy a life expectancy comparable to that of North Americans. Such health standards is one of the reasons that visitors feel so comfortable in Costa Rica.
If you do happen to need medical attention, first rate care is available at any of Costa Rica’s public hospitals and private clinics. You can even pay with your credit card at private clinics in San José. Medical care is actually surprisingly inexpensive, which has spurred a minor but growing trend of medical tourism. |
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Foreigners who require medical treatment not covered by insurance in their respective countries often head to Costa Rica for treatment, where the cost is less than half of what they would pay at home. A growing number of high quality cosmetic surgery specialists regularly treat foreign patients.
When traveling to Costa Rica or any other destination, make sure to always have on hand a list of emergency telephone numbers, and always inquire about the health system and any other useful information related to your health and safety.
In case of emergency, dial 911 from any telephone in the central valley (San José, Cartago, Heredia, Alajuela). while this service is not fully operative in the provinces of Guanacaste, Limón and Puntarenas, dialing it will redirect your call to the nearest hospital or police station.
The service offers a bilingual operator 24 hours a day.
Business and Economy
There is an ample selection of state owned and privately held banks in San Jose, and throughout the country. The official currency of Costa Rica is the colon, however US dollars are widely accepted.
US dollars and traveler’s checks can be changed in banks and hotels. Most major credit cards are widely accepted, and cash advances can be obtained at banks around the country and a variety of places throughout San Jose.
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 bank and its 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.
You don’t have to drive very far in Costa Rica — past the coffee, pastures, bananas and other crops — to realize that agriculture is the basis of its economy.
Coffee has historically been the country’s most important crop, and Costa Rica continues to produce some of the finest coffee in the world. However in recent years less traditional crops have been playing an increasingly important economic role. Bananas are the second most important export crop, with vast plantations covering parts of the Caribbean lowlands, there is also significant land dedicated to the cultivation of pineapples, sugar, oranges, rice, hardwoods and ornamental plants, as well as raising cattle for beef and dairy products.
Though agriculture remains the basis of the national economy, tourism has earned more than any single export crop during the last few years, and the tourism industry continues to grow providing new employment opportunities, and stimulating the conservation of our complex biodiversity.
Holidays
Though government offices and most banks close on national holidays, this causes little inconvenience to travelers, since money and traveler’s checks can be changed at most hotels.
| We recommend that you do not change money on the street. There are days when hardly anything will be open, such as Christmas, New Year and often a couple of days preceding, and during Holy Week from Wednesday to Easter Sunday.
Some holidays can be attractive for travelers, such as the last week of the year, when there are parades and many other activities in San Jose and throughout the country. On July 25 every year (the annexation of the province of Guanacaste), the main towns in this northwest province are overflowing with revelry and folklore. |
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Carnival, which is celebrated in the Caribbean port of Limon during the week of October 12, is another colorful affair.
Entry Requirements in Costa Rica
Citizens holding valid passports from the following countries are permitted to stay in Costa Rica for 90 days without a visa:
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Argentina
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Austria
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Belgium
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Brazil
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Canada
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Denmark
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Finland
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France and dependencies
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Germany
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Greece
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Holland and dependencies
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Hungary
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Israel
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Italy
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Japan
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Liechtenstein
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Luxembourg
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Norway
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Panama
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Paraguay
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Poland
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Portugal
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Puerto Rico
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Romania
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South Korea
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Spain
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Sweden
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Switzerland
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Trinidad & Tobago
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United Kingdom
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United States of America
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Uruguay
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Citizens holding valid passports from the following countries are allowed to stay in Costa Rica for 30 days without a visa, though once in the country, they can apply for an extension (Prórroga de Turismo) from the Immigration office (Migración), which allows them to stay a total of 90 days:
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Antigua & Barbuda
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Australia
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Bahamas
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Bahrain
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Barbados
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Belize
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Bolivia
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Bulgaria
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Chile
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Colombia
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Czech
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Republic Dominica
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El Salvador
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Grenada
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Guatemala
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Guyana
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Honduras
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Iceland
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Ireland
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Jamaica
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Kenya
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Kuwait
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Mexico
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New Zealand
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Oman
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Philippines
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Qatar
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Russia
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San Cristobal/Nevis
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St. Lucia
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St. Vincent
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San Marino
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Saudi Arabia
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Singapore
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Slovakia
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South Africa
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Surinam
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Taiwan
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Turkey
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United Arab Emirates
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The Vatican
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Venezuela
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Citizens of all countries not listed above must obtain a visa from a Costa Rican embassy or consulate before arrival.
