Costa Rica

Region

Central America

Area

51,100 km² (19,730 sq miles).

Population

4.1 million (CIA estimate 2004).

Population density

80.8 per km².

Capital

San José. Population: 346,799 (official estimate 2006) (Province of San José: 1.4 million).

Government

Republic. Gained independence from Spain in 1821.

Geography

Costa Rica, lying between Nicaragua and Panama, is a complete coast-to-coast segment of the Central American isthmus. Its width ranges from 119km to 282km (74 to 176 miles). A low thin line of hills that rises between Lake Nicaragua and the Pacific Ocean in Nicaragua broadens as it enters northern Costa Rica, eventually forming the high, rugged, mountains of volcanic origin in the Pacific Northwest and the centre of Costa Rica.

The southern half of the country is dominated by mountains of tectonic origin; the highest peak is Chirripó Grande, which reaches 3,820m (12,530ft). More than half the population live on the Meseta Central, a plateau with an equitable climate. It is the setting for the country's capital, San José. There are lowlands on both coastlines, mainly swampy on the Caribbean coast, with savannah and dry forest on the Pacific Northwest merging into mangrove and rainforest southward. Rivers cut through the mountains, flowing down to both the Caribbean and the Pacific.

Language

Spanish is the official language. English is widely spoken. Some French, German and Italian is also spoken.

Religion

Almost entirely Christian, with Roman Catholic majority.

Time

GMT - 6.

Social Conventions

Handshaking is common although is typically limp, and formal titular address is important. Christian names are preceded by Señor for a man and Señora for a woman, but Don is used to address a highly respected man and Doña for a female equivalent. Normal courtesies should be observed when visiting someone's home and gifts are appreciated as a token of thanks, especially if invited for a meal. For most occasions casual wear is acceptable, but beachwear should be confined to the beach.

Electricity

110 volts AC, 60Hz. Two-pin plugs are standard.

Head of State

President Oscar Arias Sanchez since 2006.

Recent History

Nobel Peace Prize winner Oscar Arias Sanchez won the presidential elections held in February 2006 after campaigning to overturn a ban on individuals serving two presidential terms. The election on 5 February became Costa Rica's hardest-fought vote in the last four decades. Mr Arias is committed to taking Costa Rica into a controversial free trade pact with the United States but has maintained the nation's traditional pacifist stance as an outspoken opponent of the Iraq war, while also committing more government funds to education.

Climate

In the Central Valley, where the main centres of population are located, the average temperature is 22°C (72°F) and the region enjoys a spring-like climate year round. In the coastal areas, the temperature is much hotter and humid, while the Pacific Northwest can be extremely hot and dry.

The rainy season starts in May and finishes in November, although there are distinct regional variations. The warm dry season is December to May, though temperature differences between summer and winter are slight.

Required Clothing

Lightweight cottons and linens most of the year, warmer clothes for cooler evenings. Waterproofing is necessary during the rainy season. Loose-fitting clothing is best. Wear neutral browns and greens for birding and wildlife viewing.

Hotels

There is an excellent range of reasonably priced hotel accommodation. Most proprietors speak English. San José has many hotels, from the extravagant to smaller, family-run hotels in the less fashionable districts, and several well-run hostels with dorms. There are several good chain-run hotels out of town near the airport. Wilderness lodges are found throughout the country, and most coastal areas have options from luxury hotels to surfers camps. Cheap cabinas are available everywhere. Larger hotels have swimming pools and other leisure facilities.

The majority have their own restaurants, which are generally good and reasonably priced. Several of the best boutique hotels in the country promote themselves through the Small Distinctive Hotels of Costa Rica (see Accommodation Information). Hotel tariffs are likely to alter at any time. A 16.39% government and tourism tax is added to hotel prices.

Grading: Hotels are graded from A to D according to price range. The A-grade category accounts for 20% of all hotels and costs from the equivalent of US$70-150. About 20% of hotels are in the B-range and cost US$50-70. C-grade hotels cost US$30-50 and D-range hotels, about 30%, cost US$10-30. Some hotels feature a leaf and a number to show that they strive to uphold the ICTs tourism guidelines established in the Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST) program.

Camping / Caravanning

Facilities for recreational vehicles and campers exist at Belén Trailer Park, at San Antonio de Belén, 8km (5 miles) from San José. Most, but not all, national parks allow camping at designated sites. Many wilderness lodges operate as tent-camps, some quite luxurious. Pitching a tent outside designated sites is not recommended due to the risk of robbery or wild animal encounters.

GDP

US$21.4 billion (2006).

Main exports

Fruits and vegetables, coffee and electronic components.

Main imports

Petroleum products, chemical products and alcoholic beverages.

Main trade partners

USA, China, EU and Central America.

Economy

Electronics represent 27% of Costa Ricas export revenues while 22% of export earnings are derived from agriculture (most importantly coffee, bananas and meat, but also melons, pineapple, sugar and cocoa). Staple crops are also grown for domestic consumption. Manufacturing industry consists of food processing, micro-processors and electronics, textiles, chemicals and plastics and is steadily expanding with government encouragement.

New industries include aluminium production, following the discovery of a large bauxite deposit. Oil imports and hydroelectricity meet the bulk of the countrys energy needs. Tourism dominates the service sector and is the most important source of foreign exchange earnings.

Annual growth in 2006 was 7.9%, with inflation at 12.1% and unemployment 6.6%. Costa Rica receives some international aid through international bodies, such as the IMF and the Inter-American Development Bank, and from the USA, which is Costa Ricas main trade partner.

Costa Rica is also a member of the Central American Common Market and awaits ratification of membership in the US Central American Free Trade Agreement.

Business Etiquette

Customs tend to be conservative. Advance appointments and courtesy are appreciated, although Costa Ricans are rarely punctual. It is preferable to have some knowledge of Spanish, although many locals speak English. Best months for business visits are November and December; avoid the last week of September, which is the end of the financial year.

Office Hours

Mon-Fri 0800-1700.

Currency

Costa Rican Colón (CRC; symbol ?) = 100 céntimos.

Notes are in denominations of ?10,000, 5,000, 2,000 and 1,000.

Coins are in denominations of ?100, 50, 25, 20, 10 and 5.

US Dollars are also widely accepted.

Currency Exchange

Available at banks and bureaux de change. Some hotels may also change money.

Credit / Debit Cars

Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are all accepted; American Express slightly less so. Many banks will only process MasterCard for cash credits. Cash may be the only form of payment in smaller towns and rural areas. ATMs usually accept foreign cards.

Travelers Cheques

Although travellers can avoid additional exchange rate charges by taking traveller's cheques in US Dollars, fewer and fewer businesses in Costa Rica are willing to accept them.

Banking Hours

Mon-Fri 0800/0900-1500/1800.

Exchange Rates

Date Jan 2009

£1.00 = ¢803.06

$1.00 = ¢550.22

€1.00 = ¢749.21

Duty Free

The following goods may be imported into Costa Rica without incurring customs duty:

400 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 500g tobacco.

3l of alcoholic beverages (people aged over 18 only).

A reasonable quantity of perfume for personal use.

Prohibited Exports

Firearms are not permitted.

Shopping

Special purchases include wood and leather rocking chairs (which dismantle for export), as well as a range of local crafts available in major cities and towns. Local markets are also well worth visiting. Prices are slightly higher than in other Latin American countries. Best buys are wooden items, carved masks, ceramics, gold pre-Columbian replica jewellery and leather handicrafts.

Shopping hours

Mon-Sat 0900-1800/1900. There may be variations between areas.

Food and Drink

Restaurants in towns and cities serve a variety of foods including Chinese, French, Italian, Mexican and North American. Food usually ranges from satisfactory to sublime. In San José, options range from expensive and exemplary gourmet restaurants to cheap sodas (small, simple restaurants) serving local food, including set lunches called casados at bargain prices.

National specialties

Casado (a fixed daily lunch, usually featuring rice, beans, stewed chicken or beef, fried plantain, salad and cabbage).

Olla de carne (soup of beef, plantain, corn, yuca and chayote).

Sopa negra (black beans with a poached egg).

Picadillo (meat and vegetable stew).

Bocas (savoury snacks served at bars or before main meals in restaurants).

National drinks

There are many types of cold drinks made from fresh fruit, milk or cereal flour, for example:

Cebada (fermented barley; an indigenous beverage).

Pinolillo (corn and cocoa).

Horchata (liquid corn meal or ground rice with cinnamon).

Batidos (fresh fruit shakes made with either milk or water blended with ice).

Pipas (fresh coconut water served in the husk).

Local lager-style beers such as Imperial are a perfect cure for hot days.

Coffee is good, but many local restaurants serve lesser-quality domestic brand coffee.

Nightlife

San José especially has many nightclubs, venues with folk music and dance, theatres and cinemas. Elsewhere nightlife is mostly restricted to tourist resorts by the beach.

Health

Diphtheria - Sometimes;

Hepatitis A - Yes;

Malaria - Sometimes;

Rabies - Sometimes;

Tetanus - Yes;

Typhoid - Yes;

Yellow Fever - No

Health Care

Health insurance is recommended. Reliable medical services are available. Standards of health and hygiene are among the best in Latin America, although public facilities may not come up to par with developed countries.

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2009-December 2010 period.

2009

1 Jan New Year's Day;

10-13 Apr Easter;

11 Apr Juan Santamaría's Day;

1 May Labour Day;

25 Jul Guanacaste Annexation;

2 Aug Virgin of Los Angeles, Feast of Patroness of Costa Rica*;

15 Aug Mothers' Day and Assumption;

15 Sep Independence Day;

12 Oct Dia de la Raza (Columbus Day)*;

25 Dec Christmas Day.

2010

1 Jan New Year's Day;

2-5 Apr Easter;

10 Apr Juan Santamaría's Day;

1 May Labour Day;

25 Jul Guanacaste Annexation;

2 Aug Virgin of Los Angeles, Feast of Patroness of Costa Rica*;

15 Aug Mothers' Day and Assumption;

15 Sep Independence Day;

11 Oct Dia de la Raza (Columbus Day)*;

25 Dec Christmas Day. * Not legally binding.

Note: Most businesses close for the whole of Holy Week and between Christmas and New Year.

Things to Do

Relax in San José's numerous parks (website: www.sinaccr.net), including Parque Nacional, Parque Central and Parque Morazán. Avoid them at night, however. Tree-shaded Parque Nacional is the most interesting for its national monument, various busts and statues.

Seek out a quetzal, the Holy Grail of Costa Rica's tropical birds, and considered the most beautiful bird in the Neotropics. Most people head to Monteverde Biological Cloud Preserve, one of the best places in the country to see them.

Be thrilled by a white-water raft trip. Two of the country's best rivers for rafting are the Reventazón (class III) and Pacuare (class IV). The best times to go are from May to November.

Whizz across the waters of Lake Arenal, one of the world's top windsurfing spots. Situated at 5,580ft (1,700m) above sea level, the lake offers its best windsurfing between April and December.

Be Tarzan for a day. Harness up and swing through the rainforest on a canopying ecotour, enjoying the up-close view of tree-dwelling wildlife including monkeys and birds. Tours are available in several locations, including Rincón de la Vieja national park.

Wrestle a marlin in the Pacific coast, which offers excellent sport fishing from Gulf of Papagayo to Golfito. Sailfish, marlin, tuna and wahoo are among the catches. The Tortuguero Canals and the area around Barra del Colorado offer world-class battles with tarpon.

Trek to the summit of Cerro Chirripó. It is easily done with advance reservations through the national park office. All you need is stamina and the proper hiking gear. After a night in a lodge near the summit, trekkers are up before dawn to reach the summit before the clouds.

Drive to the summit of smouldering Poás volcano, which has the country's only dwarf cloud-forest. You can also drive to the top of Irazú volcano, offering fantastic views over the Caribbean and Pacific on clear days. Both national parks have hiking trails, although be sure to stick to official trails and keep away from the crater edge.

Cruise aboard the Calypso catamaran to Isla Tortuga (website: www.calypsocruises.com). This day-long excursion makes for a relaxing and enjoyable day from Puntarenas. This gorgeous island is rimmed with palm-shaded white sands shelving into turquoise waters, good for snorkelling. Watersports are offered, and a traditional beach barbecue rounds out the day.

Things to See

Discover a mixture of traditional and modern Spanish architecture in the capital San José. Places of interest include the Teatro Nacional (website: www.teatronacional.go.cr), the Legislative Assembly building and the Catedral Metropolitana. The National Museum (website: www.museocostarica.go.cr) and the Museum of Pre-Columbian Gold (website: www.museosdelbancocentral.org) are also worth a visit.

Explore the cities around San José. The nearby town of Cartagowas founded in 1563 as the first capital; although earthquakes destroyed most historic buildings, the Basilica is an astonishing architectural gem. Excursions can be made from here to the beautiful valley of Orosi, with its colonial church - the oldest in Costa Rica.

Admire Arenal volcano as it erupts in a spectacular show of pyrotechnics. It has been particularly active over the past few years. Although the lava is difficult to see by day, at night on cloudless nights it can be seen running and tumbling down the flanks.

Wander the historic centre of Liberia, which is home to the most typical colonial-era architecture in the nation. Most important buildings are concentrated along and around Calle Real, one block east of the main plaza.

Learn something about Costa Rica's neglected contemporary indigenous cultures at the Centro Neotrópico Sapapiquí (website: www.sarapiquis.org), in the Northern Lowlands. This superb museums honours the various tribes and exhibits examples of their pottery, bows and arrows, clothing and other artefacts, and shows a fascinating video.

Witness marine turtles laying their eggs in soft sands along both Caribbean and Pacific shores. Strict rules are enforced when viewing hawksbill, green, loggerhead, Ridley and leatherback turtles, which lay at predictable times of year. Tortuguero National Park is one of the best places.

View wildlife at Zoo Ave (website: www.zooave.org) before seeking the creatures in the wild. This superb site exhibits most of the critters and birds you're likely to find, plus most of those that you're not likely to see, such as jaguars, tapirs and snakes.

Explore Tortuguero National Parkby boat to admire the rainforest. The various levels of soaring forest ecosystem are easily identified from the canals, and a guide can explain the ecology of each level and the various common species, including sloths and monkeys.

Travel Advice

Most visits to Costa Rica are trouble-free but you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate international terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners. Incidents of violent crime, some targeted at tourists, are on the increase. The rainy season in Costa Rica normally runs from May to November, coinciding with the hurricane season in the Caribbean.

Passport note

(a) Nationals listed above must obtain an exit visa from the Immigration Department in San José at least three weeks before leaving Costa Rica. Those who stay for less than 30 days are exempt if in possession of a disembarkation card.

Passports

Passport valid for at least 30 days after arrival or for the length of stay, whichever is greater.

Visas

Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except: (a) 1. nationals of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, UK and USA for stays of over 90 days;

(b) 2. Nationals of Bulgaria and Ireland for stays of over 30 days.

Note

Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses). The immigration authorities are strict about detaining foreigners who are undocumented or tourists who have overstayed.

Telephone

Country code: 506. There are no area codes.

Mobil Mobile Phones

Roaming agreements exist with some countries. Handsets can be hired, although this can be difficult and time-consuming (website: www.ice.go.cr). Costa Rica employs both GSM and TDMA systems. The state telephone company ICE has a monopoly on service, which is available throughout much of the nation except remote mountain regions.

Internet

There are Internet cafes throughout the country, and most tourist hotels also provide facilities.

Media

Costa Rica has nine major newspapers, several private and public TV stations, and a busy FM radio scene. Cable TV is widely available. Costa Rica enjoys near total freedom of media, although the major dailies are considered to be conservative.

Post

Airmail letters to Western Europe usually take between at least 10 days; those to North America take at least one week.

Press

Daily newspapers printed in Spanish include Al Día, Diario Extra, El Heraldo, La Nacion, La Prensa Libre and La República.

The Tico Times is a weekly newspaper published in English.

Radio

Radio Reloj is a popular national radio.

Radio Columbia and Radio Monumental are news and talk stations.

Radio Eco is a news station.

Radio Faro del Caribe is a religious station.

Radio Uno and Radio Dos are commercial stations.

Radio Universidad plays classical music.

Radio Rock is the only English-speaking station and has news and rock music.

Getting around by Air

SANSA (website: www.flysansa.com) operates services between San José and provincial towns and tourist resorts, including Tortuguero, Tamarindo, Quepos and Golfito. A bus is provided from the airline offices in San José to the airport. SANSAs main rival is Nature Air (website: www.natureair.net), which is considered to have more reliable service and has identical routes. Both use a variety of aircraft carrying up to 35 passengers. A number of companies also provide internal charter flights using small planes.

Road

Traffic drives on the right. The standard of the roads ranged from generally very good in the highlands to abysmal in many rural regions. Potholes are frequent, many roads remain unpaved, and during wet season landslides are common. There are 35,583km (22,110 miles) of all-weather highways including 663km (412 miles) of the Inter-American Highway and highways linking San José with the other principal towns.

Bus

There are regular and inexpensive services to most towns using modern air-conditioned, but buses are often crowded so pre-booking is advisable. Numerous bus companies compete. Interbus(tel: 283 5573; website: www.interbusonline.com) and Grayline Fantasy Bus (tel: 220 1226; website: www.graylinecostarica.com) operate scheduled services connecting key tourist destinations with each other and with San José.

Car hire

Major international car hire companies as well as local firms have offices in San José.

Regulations

A speed limit of 88kph (55mph) is enforced on most highways. However, Costa Ricans are notoriously dangerous drivers who pay little heed to speed limits and traffic regulations. Use of seat belts is mandatory.

Documentation

Drivers must have a national licence or International Driving Permit. You must be 25 years of age to rent from most car rental agencies.

Journey Times

The following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from San José to other major cities/towns.

Getting there by Air

The national airline is Grupo Taca (TA) (website: www.taca.com), a consortium of five national Central American airlines. Air Passes: The Visit Central America Pass,available from Grupo Taca,is an economical way to travel to Costa Rica from the USA and from Costa Rica to other Central American countries.

Departure tax

US$26, payable if staying more than 24 hours.

Main airports

Juan Santamaría (SJO) (website: www.alterra.co.cr)is outside Alajuela, 23km (14 miles) northwest of San José.
To/from the airport: Coaches depart regularly; return pickups stop at various hotels. Buses depart to the city every 15 minutes (journey time - 20 minutes). Some hotels have shuttle services to the airport; these are 24 hours and free of charge. Taxis are also available to the city (journey time - 15 minutes).
Facilities: ATM, bank, restaurants, shops and duty-free stores.

Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR) is 8 km (5 miles) west of Liberia.
To/from the airport: Regular buses serve the airport, connecting Liberia with Playas del Coco and other beach resorts. Rental cars are available.
Facilities: ATM, bank and restaurant.

Getting there by Road

The Inter-American Highway runs through Costa Rica from La Cruz on the Nicaraguan border through San José to Paso Canoas on the Panamanian border.