What to Expect

CLIMATE

Two recognized seasons; commonly called the Dry Season (December to April) and the Green Season (May to November). The dry season truly is without rain and the Green Season brings the countryside alive like springtime in temperate climates. To use a comparison, green season rainfall is less than Florida.

• Temperatures in Costa Rica remain nearly constant in coastal areas all year round. Any variations are primarily related to altitude.

• Low lands temperatures average between 80 and 90 degrees; Central Valley temperatures average around 72 degrees. Temperatures in the mountains drop into the 50s and below.

• San José temperatures can be hot during the day, but usually cool off to sweater weather in the evening.

• The coastal waters are an almost constant 78 degrees on both coasts.

The Green Season typically brings daily afternoon rains to the country. You can almost set your watch by the rains afternoon arrival. Usually like clockwork the rain arrive between 2PM and 4PM. The Atlantic coast has no well-defined dry season, with a more temperate Caribbean like climate. The Pacific coast, the Guanacaste area, is the driest and hottest. 292 days of documented recorded average yearly sunshine with a dry countryside most of the year. Temperatures in Costa Rica remain constant in coastal areas( 79-88 degrees F) all year round. Any variations are primarily related to altitude. Low lands temperatures average between 80 and 90 degrees; Central Valley temperatures averages around 72 degrees. Temperatures in themountains drop into the 50s and below. San José temperatures can be hot during the day, but usually cool off to sweater or light jacket weather in the evening. The coastal waters are an almost constant 78 degrees on both coasts.

COMMUNICATIONS
The modern telephone system provides direct-dial service to all countries. It ranks among the best in Central and South America. 80% of the population has easy access to telephone services. There are seven daily newspapers (one belonging to the State), 119 radio stations, 102 are commercial and 17 belong to public service institutions. Twelve color TV local broadcasting stations. Various cable and subscription TV services provide programming. Satellite TV like Direct TV services are also available. The postal system is very efficient and includes the central office in San José and branches in all area of the country.


CULTURE

There are 31 museums located throughout the country, preserving all aspects of Costa Rican heritage and culture, 14 theaters, plus numerous art galleries. The country's National Theater celebrated its 100th anniversary in October, 1997 and continues to host the finest performances from around the world. Costa Rica has 3 national symphony orchestras and choral groups. Sixty movie theaters provide entertainment in all corners of the country.


Modern shopping malls are everywhere and very fine dining, discos and night clubs are in abundance. Not shortage of great shopping, dining, and nightlife in Costa Rica!




ECONOMY
Costa Rica is an agricultural country by tradition but over the years tourism has become the leading industry and income generator for the country. Tourism is today the top economic sector and revenue earner. Recent government statistics show that tourism business in Costa Rica has grown by an incredible 72% over the last four years, an annual increase of 18% in 2004. Especially considering the events of 09/11, this growth in tourism for Costa Rica reflects a new reality of traveling to secure and peaceful countries in the Americas.

Tourism is a major national source of income, exceeding US$ 1.45 billion dollars in 2004, making it the second largest industry in Costa Rica. The Costa Rica Tourism Board is reporting near 100% hotel occupancy for the peak season of 2005, and market analysis showed overflow statistics for 2006, and today tourism has rasen approximately 27% since 2006. The system of State and private banks is stable and modern. It includes most all contemporary services like credit cards, automatic teller machines and computerized banking. The Official currency is the colon. The Costa Rican Central Bank issues all currency in the country and regulates the exchange rate of the colon. The rate is currently controlled is exchanging at 500 colones to one US dollar with little or no variation (2008).

EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
A State-funded, compulsory system of education was established in 1869. The State system includes learning institutions at all levels. The State currently spends about 27% of the national budget on education. Seventy percent of secondary education is provided by public schools. There are 3,879 educational centers educating more than 780,000 students, including 60,000 university level students. 96% of the population has at least basic reading and writing skills.

ENTRY & EXIT
US and Canadian citizens, as well as citizens of most European and Latin American countries do not need visas for a stay of less than 90 days. A passport is however required. It is advisable to confirm any tourist or migratory policies with your local Costa Rican Consulate to confirm any changes in policy. Leaving Costa Rica tourists pay a departure tax of approximately US$26 ( 2008 ) at the airport at check in. Get to the airport 2 hours before departure time.

GEOGRAPHY
Located on the isthmus between North and South America, Costa Rica is situated between 8 and 11 degrees North Latitude and is bordered to the north by Nicaragua and to the south by Panama. On the western seaboard by the Pacific Ocean and on its the eastern seaboard by the Caribbean Sea. Costa Rica has a total land area of 19,730 square miles (almost the size of West Virginia). 288 miles maximum length north to south and 161 miles maximum width along its northern border and 74 miles minimum width along southern border. There are 631 miles of Pacific ocean coastline and 132 miles of Atlantic ocean coastline. There are 4 major mountain ranges running roughly northwest to southeast, all of volcanic origin. The Highest peak is Cerro Chirrip at 12,536 feet. Over two hundred volcanoes have been identified with approximately a dozen classified as active.

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
Costa Rica is a Democracy similar to the United States. There are three branches of government: 1. Executive- president and two vice presidents, plus advisors. 2. Legislative- 57 deputies. 3. Judicial- 17 magistrates on the Supreme Court; plus the lower courts. President and deputies are elected by popular vote to a four-year term. As of 2003 re election privileges have been implemented in principal but not formally approved Magistrates are appointed by the Legislature for an eight-year term. Elections Tribunal is an independent organization to oversee elections.

HEALTH SERVICES
The social security system was established in 1941 and provides health related services to over 80% of the population. Approximately 10% of the national budget is used for public health matters. There are over 30 hospitals and 116 clinics providing a total of over 7,000 beds in a network of public and private institutions. The life expectancy is between 72 and 77 years. The public water system provides good quality water around all major cities and the coastal areas. Although most all prescription medications are available here, as a security measure you should pack sufficient quantities of any prescription drugs you require.

HISTORY
The Spanish first came to Costa Rica in the 16th century, after Christopher Columbus landed on the Atlantic coast in 1502. CR gained independence from Spain on September 15, 1821. The Pacto de Concordia, the first constitution, was adopted. This led to the celebration of the first elections in December of 1821.The direct vote was established in 1913 and secret balloting began in 1925. A declaration of absolute independence as a sovereign State was issued in 1848. After a brief civil war in 1948, a new constitution was initiated on November 7, 1949. The constitution of 1949, still in effect today, included the prohibition of a standing army. The current President Oscar Arias won the Nobel Peace prize during his first presidency (1986-1990) The Switzerland of the Americas.


BIODIVERSITY
A bio-geographical land bridge between the North and South American continents. Scientists claim that Costa Rica has, for its size, more species of animals than any other terrestrial habitat in the world. There are twelve distinctive life zones harboring an abundant variety of floral and faunal life. Over 10,000 species of higher plants (4% of the earth's total) have been identified to date. As for fauna, consider: there are over 200 species of mammals, including six species of wild cat, 160 species of amphibians, over 200 of reptiles, 1000 of butterflies, and 850 species of birds (more birds than in the entire North American continent). Dedication to the preservation of its natural treasure has led to the governmental protection, through the National Parks and Forestry Services, of nearly 3 million acres (28% of the national territory), in 74 protection areas throughout the country. Several dozen private preservation areas and protection zones encompass thousands of additional acres.

HOLIDAYS
These are the official State holidays in Costa Rica. Other occasions are celebrated with parties and carnivals or family get-togethers--the festejo that each town has to honor its patron saint; various produce fairs; arts and crafts festivals. Costa Ricans can always find a reason for a good party! December 25 - Christmas January 1 - New Year's Day April 11 Juan Santa Maria Day May 1 International Day of the Worker July 25 - Annexation of Guanacaste August 2 - Virgin of Los Angeles (Costa Rica's Patron) August 12 - Mother's Day September 15 Independence day October 12 Day of the cultures (Columbus Day) Easter - The week before Easter Sunday is an unofficial vacation time. Much of the country shuts down. Thursday and Friday, only the essential services function; even some public bus routes cease operation.


THE PEOPLE

Ticos as the Costa Ricans are amicably referred to, are famous for being friendly, down to earth and helpful. There are a little more than 4 million people with over half residing in the Central Valley around the metropolitan San José area. Costa Ricans are mainly of European descent, mostly Spanish. However, you are likely to see any nationality you can name as Costa Rica has drawn immigrants from all corners of the globe.

POTPOURRI
Costa Rica is on the same time as the US Central Standard time zone; Daylight Savings Time is NOT observed. Official language is Spanish, but many Ticos speak at least a little English. Money can be exchanged in any hotel and many tourist spots accept US dollars. It is not recommended to change money on the street. Money can, of course, be exchanged at the banks. There continues to be a local fear of counterfeit US$100 bills. Best advice is to bring twenties or smaller, or travelers checks. Most Banks close at 3 o'clock.  Most hotels and tourist oriented businesses accept major credit cards and US Dollars. There is a 13% sales tax on all purchases.  There is an additional 3% tourism tax on hotel room bills. Restaurants add a 10% gratuity to the check, along with the sales tax.


TOURIST SERVICES

More than 1,000 tourist spots can be visited without difficulty. Over 600 of those are natural sites that draw more than half of the tourists visiting Costa Rica. 124,000 Costa Rican families are involved with tourism.

The official promotion and regulating agency for tourism is the Costa Rica Tourist Board (ICT). Instituto Costarricense de Turismo.  
Scores of tour agencies provide an abundance of packaged and specialized tours to all corners of the country.


All types of activities exist for the tourists, world class sport  fishing, white-water rafting scuba diving; nature hikes, camping, birding, horseback riding; Golf tennis.




TRANSPORTATION
There is an excellent system of public buses connect San José with the rest of the country. Plenty of taxis provide individual access to any part of the country as well. Rental car agencies offer a variety of types of vehicles for individual, group, or off-road excursions. Domestic airlines (Sansa and Nature Air) connect much of the country through regularly scheduled daily flights. Private charter plains can also be hired as well as Helicopters. The international airport provides connections to the world through two Costa Rican airlines and over thirty foreign air carriers which provide regularly scheduled service, and others that provide charter services.

UTILITIES
A modern system of hydroelectric generating plants provides abundant electricity. Electrical service is the same as in the US: 120V, 60Hz and use the same type of wall plug. Water supplies are chlorinated and the quality is controlled by the State. Water is safe to drink in all cities. Telecommunications are modern with internet, fiber optics(newly implemented in southern pacific coastal areas), and GSM technology is available throughout the country.