- About Costa Rica

Geography

A very small, but cozy country, (51,000 Square Kilometers/31,875 Square Miles) Costa Rica is positioned between 8 and 11 degrees North Latitude, at the narrowest part of the isthmus connecting North and South America.

You will find Costa Rica situated between Nicaragua and Panama, the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. It is a natural bridge for migrations from North and South, and harbors many transient species, as well as an abundance of endemic flora and fauna.

Highlands and coastlines are beautiful and abundant. The Guanacaste, Central, and Talamanca Mountain Ranges are three of the most important sierras extending throughout Costa Rica. Several active volcanoes include: the Arenal, Irazú, Rincón de la Vieja and Poás volcanoes. The country´s highest mountain, Chirripó Hill, is 3,819 ms., or 12,530 ft.

The country´s lengthy coastline extends along the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Countless rivers and streams provide a challenging attraction for specialist kayakers and rafters from all over the world.
You can enjoy a trek through the pristine cloud forest environment of world known Monteverde, or drive up to the rim of a volcano´s crater and witness its splendour.

Plentiful, idyllic, fine-sand beaches are plentiful, with easy access in the area of Guanacaste, Puntarenas or the Caribbean. This is a perfect combination for travelers, who like exploring and living new experiences in the same journey.

Climate

Costa Rica is located in the inter-tropical region, and the reason why it enjoys spring-like weather year round. It has two seasons during the year:  a Golden Season between December and April and the Green Season between May and November. The average temperature in the Central Valley is 72° F (22° C), and near the coasts it ranges from 70° to 90° F (21° to 32° C).

The abundance of microclimates has generated more than 14 ecosystems, according to the scale of Holdridge, and has brought forth flora and fauna that range among the richest on the planet.  A wide variety of flora and fauna (5.4% of the planet´s plant and animal species), beautiful landscapes, and an ever-changing climate will delight traveller´s senses in this everlasting-spring country.
Travelers will be exposed to a wide variety of flora and fauna, landscapes and everchanging climate.

Economy

At the beginning of 1980s, Costa Rica initiated a process of promotion of exports, insertion in the international markets, reform of the state and elimination of distortions that were preventing our country from competing with the rest of the world as part of a set of initiatives that gave birth to the new development model, which main target was the insertion of the country in the international economy.
 
During the last years, Costa Rica has specialized in the attraction of high technology companies intensive in human capital; as a result, many important companies have established here:  Dole, Firestone, Baxter and the most outstanding case of success, Intel.  There are also business centers such as Procter and Gamble, Western Union, Hewlett Packard, Sykes.

Before the economical restructuring process initiated in the early 1980s, the Costa Rican economy was depending basically on a few export products: banana, coffee, sugar and meat, which now represent only 12.5% of total exports.

At present, Costa Rica has a diversified exportable offer, where non-traditional products represent 87% of total exports.  There are more than 1.700 exporting companies that sell more than 3.500 products in 132 markets.
 
Non-traditional agricultural export products have shown a fast development during the last decade; among them palm, orange, roots and tubercles (yucca, yam, tiquizque, malanga), ginger, pineapple, and ornamental plants.  
 
Coffee was historically the country´s most important crop, and Costa Rica continues to produce some of the finest quality coffee in the world. Bananas continue to be one of the most important export produce that is grown on vast plantations in the Caribbean lowlands.
 
Tourism has generated more than any single export crop and the tourism industry, approximately US$1.5 billion, continues to grow providing new employment opportunities and stimulating the conservation of our complex biodiversity. We could say that Costa Rica´s basically stable economy depends on tourism, agriculture, and the manufacturing sector (textiles, paper, electric/electronic, metal-mechanics, plastic, food).

Costa Rica´s army was abolished in 1948, and the money the country saves by not having armed forces is invested in improving the standard of living, which has fostered the social harmony that makes it such a pleasant country to visit.

Education

In Costa Rica, education is public and free. Its government has long dedicated a significant portion of the national budget to enhance the minds and bodies of its citizens, a policy that has fostered a healthy and knowledgeable population. The country has a literacy rate, and an average life expectancy, that are much closer to those of Western European nations than most Latin American countries. Costa Rica has had a socialized health system for nearly half a century; while schools, universities, and medical centers are strategically located throughout the country.
What this means for travelers is that they will be dealing with well-educated people.

Heritage & Culture

Costa Rican culture is, in many ways, a reflection of its racial mix. 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 tortillas,  served with a typical Costa Rican meal, to the handmade ceramics sold at roadside stands.

Costa Rica has more than one hundred years of democratic tradition, and half a century without an army. Costa Rica is a Central American success story. Since the late 19th century, only two brief periods of violence have marred its democratic development. Spain colonized this territory more than five hundred years ago, and for that reason most of the population is still Catholic (around 90%). The other 10% is divided between Adventists, Baptists and Jewish.

Its people

In Costa Rica, there are more than 4,000,000 people including immigrants from Nicaragua, Cuba, Colombia, North America, Europe and China. Almost half of the population lives in the Central Valley.

One element is absolutely certain: Costa Rica´s most important asset is her people. Kind and hospitable, Ticos, as Costa Ricans are commonly known, set themselves apart when it comes to assisting travellers. Whether its helping you with complicated road directions, or helping you find a good place to eat, Ticos will go out of their way to assist any visitor.

Polite, and well educated, Ticos are quick to greet you with a smile. Once you´ve experienced their friendliness and spontaneity, you´ll no doubt agree.

Political System

Costa Rica is a democratically elected republic. Its system of government is very similar to that of the United States of America or other democratic country. There are three branches of government: the Executive, which consists of the president, two vice presidents and ministers or secretaries of state; the Legislative Assembly, or Congress, with 57 individually elected members; and the Judicial Branch which consists of civil, criminal, appellate and constitutional courts. The President and members of the Legislative Assembly are elected for a four-year period.
Presidential re-election is possible and the suffrage age is 18.

Health & Medical Facilities

You do not have to worry neither about most of the diseases that anyone may expect to encounter in a tropical country nor about a vaccination card (not necessary to enter the country).

Costa Rica has an impressive network of public healthcare facilities including 29 hospitals, 92 clinics, and 839 local primary care medical consultation offices (EBAIS). The system, known as the ´Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social´, or simply ´Caja´, offers universal public healthcare coverage for all Costa Rican workers and their families.

Medical facilities in Costa Rica feature the same sophisticated tests, equipment and procedures found in other developed countries, and are available at considerably lower costs. Should one of our guests require medical services, while in Costa Rica, there are hospitals and private clinics in major cities to provide the highest standards of professional care and treatment. The concierges at large hotels will, in all likelihood, be able to provide an in-house doctor. If an emergency arises, always call 911.

In addition, there are pharmacies providing 24-hour service in main cities.