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About Costa Rica |
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Area
50,895 square kilometers | Capital
San Jose (pop. 300,000) | Population
4.5 million | Language
Spanish | Location Central
American between Nicaragua and Panama (between 8 and 11 degrees
north of the equator) | Currency Colon (Floats frequently, currently $1 US = about 392) in notes of 5,000, 1,000, 500, 100 and 50 |
Religion
More than 90 percent of Costa Ricans are Roman
Catholic. |
 The area now known as Costa Rica was originally inhabited by four major indigenous tribes: the Caribs on the east coast and the Borucas, Chibchas, and Diquis in the southwest. Only a few hundred thousand strong to begin with, none of these peoples lasted long after Christopher Columbus arrived in 1502. Some fled, while many others perished from the deadly smallpox brought by the Spaniards. The golden bands that the Caribs wore in their noses and ears would inspire the Spaniard Gil Gonzalez Davila to name the country Costa Rica, or Rich Coast.
Today, only 1 percent of Costa's Rica's 4.5 million people are of indigenous heritage. An overwhelming 98 percent of the country is white - those of Spanish descent call themselves Ticos - and 70,000 residents are descended from the slaves the Spaniards brought from Africa. The country is known for good relations among races.
Central America gained independence from Spain on September 15, 1821. The question of whether Costa Rica should join newly independent Mexico or join a new confederation of Central American states resulted in a bitter quarrel between leaders in San Jose and their counterparts in Cartago and Heredia. A brief civil war in 1823 was won by San Jose, and Costa Rica joined the confederation.
An era of peaceful democracy in Costa Rica began in 1899 and continued through today with only two lapses: in 1917-19, Federico Tinoco ruled as a dictator, and, in 1948, Jose Figueres led an armed uprising in the wake of a disputed presidential election, resulting in a 44-day civil war that was the bloodiest event in 20th century Costa Rican history. However, the victorious junta drafted a constitution guaranteeing free elections with universal suffrage and the abolition of the army. Figueres became a national hero, winning the first election under the new constitution in 1953. Since then, Costa Rica has held 11 presidential elections, the latest in 2002, and this peaceful nation is frequently known as the "Switzerland of Central America."
For more Costa Rica statistics, political, economic and demographic information, visit www.cia.gov/factbook.
Getting around and practical info
Transportation
Local buses connect most all areas in Costa Rica and are quite cheap, costing around 300-1,000 colones, depending on the distance traveled. However, these can be crowded and lack air conditioning. For longer trips or inter-country travel, companies like Tica Bus and Nica Bus (serving Nicaragua) offer climate controlled coaches with air conditioning and rest rooms for around $10-$20 each way (US dollars). Car rental agencies can be found in larger cities; however, many travelers prefer public transportation over this option due to rough road conditions in the countryside and chaotic traffic in urban areas.
Many towns are small enough that getting around on foot is easy. Taxis are plentiful in most towns and also quite inexpensive, even for traveling between towns. In San José, the taxis have meters called marías, but these might not be used, particularly for foreigners who don't speak Spanish. Outside San José, taxis don't have meters and so fares are agreed upon in advance; bargaining is acceptable.
Holidays
The country closes down during Easter week, and the week between Christmas and New Year's Day tends to be an unofficial holiday, especially in San José. Various towns celebrate their own saints' days and other significant dates. San José's day (Saint Joseph's Day) is March 19, while Virgin of Los Angeles Day (the patron saint of Costa Rica) is August 2. Juan Santamaria's Day on April 11 celebrates the national hero who helped see off William Walker in 1856, and Columbus Day on October 12, as elsewhere in the Americas, is a national holiday.
Weather
Costa Rica has two seasons, the dry season from late September through May and the rainy season from May through September. During the latter, the rain usually falls in short, powerful bursts in the later afternoon, sometimes rendering roads in the rural regions as temporarily impassable. Generous amounts of sunscreen and water are recommended here year round, as the Guanacaste province is one of the warmer in the country. Daytime temperatures often reach the mid to upper 90s Fahrenheit (around 35 degrees Celcius). However, early sunsets, around 6:30 p.m. due to the tropical latitude, and occasional winds, at times quite gusty, break the heat.
Passports
Citizens of all nations are required to have at least a passport to enter Costa Rica. Passports should be valid for at least six months beyond the dates of your trip. When you arrive, your passport will be stamped. During your stay, the law requires that you carry your passport or tourist card at all times. A photocopy of the pages bearing your photo, passport number, and entry stamp will suffice when walking around town, but the passport needs to be readily available.
Visas
Visa requirements for Costa Rica change rapidly so check with your consulate before leaving. Currently citizens of the USA, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Israel, Japan, Panama, Romania, South Korea, Uruguay, the UK, France and most other Western European countries do not need a visa for a 90-day stay. Citizens of Australia, Ireland, Iceland, India, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia, South Africa, Vatican City and most of Eastern Europe and Latin America can stay 30 days without a visa. If you do need a visa, it will cost approximately US$20 from a Costa Rican consulate.
Miscellaneous
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Meals:
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Budget - $5-$10
mid-range - $10-$20
top-end - $25 up (US dollars)
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Lodging:
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Budget - $5-$15
mid-range $20-$30
top-end $50 and up (US dollars)
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Time:
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GMT/UTC minus 6 hours
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Electricity:
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110V, 60 Hz
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Weights & measures:
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Metric
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Health risks:
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Dengue fever, malaria, low risk of cholera and hepatitis
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Things to see, things to do...
Guanacaste/National Parks The Costa Rica government has been concentrating on its parks and wildlife for well over forty years now, and the dedication has payed off in the quality and quantity of biological reserves and well-preserved eco-systems. Many of these are found in the Guanacaste province. (Visit http://www.costaricadiscover.com/maps/parks.htm for a map of national parks throughout Costa Rica.)
Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal, has at its centre the perfectly conical (and iconical) 1633m (5356ft) Volcán Arenal. Sometimes there is a spectacular display of lava and incandescent rocks flying through the air; at other times, the volcano gently glows in the dark.
Santa Rosa National Park - Santa Rosa is a mosaic of some 10 different habitats and protects the largest remaining stand of tropical dry forest as well as more than 250 species of birds, 115 species of mammals, 100 species of amphibians and reptiles and over 10,000 species of insects.
Rincon de la Vieja - Named after the active Rincon de la Vieja Volcano (1895m), this park features several peaks, of which the Santa Maria Volcano is the highest (1916m). Numerous cones, craters and lagoons in the summit area can be visited on horseback and foot.
Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge - This 9969 hectare refuge is known for its wide variety of waterfowl, a crocodile colony and endangered mammals species, including jaguars, cougars, tapirs, ocelots and tayras.
Northwest Pacific coast - Nicoya Peninsula
 This area on the northwestern Pacific coast is difficult to traverse because of the lack of paved roads; however, it's well worth the effort because it contains some of the country's best and most remote beaches.
Playa del Coco is the most accessible beach on the peninsula, in an attractive setting and with a small village, which has some nightlife.
Good surfing and windsurfing can be found at Playa Tamarindo, also known for its cosmopolitan atmosphere and nightlife.
One of the safest and prettiest beaches in the country is Playa Sámara
Montezuma, near the tip of the peninsula, is a lovely, laid-back paradise for tired, young gringos.
There are also some small and rarely visited coastal wildlife reserves and parks. Parque Nacional Marino las Baulas de Guanacaste, just north of Tamarindo, includes Playa Grande, an important nesting site for the baula (leatherback turtle) - the world's largest turtle, which can weigh over 500kg (1105lb). Wildlife teems in the coastal Refugio Nacional de Fauna Silvestre Ostional, midway between Sámara and Paraíso. The main attraction is the annual nesting of the olive ridley sea turtle, but you'll also find iguanas, howler monkeys, coatimundis and flocks of numerous birds. Caving fans head for Parque Nacional Barra Honda, northeast of Nicoya, which protects some of Costa Rica's most interesting caves.
Caribbean Coast
The Caribbean has more cultural diversity than the Pacific coast. Half of this coastal area is protected by national parks and wildlife refuges, which has slowed development and the building of access roads, making it an especially verdant place to get away from it all.
The main city is Puerto Limón, which has a tropical park teeming with flowers and sloths.
Parque Nacional Tortuguero is the most important Caribbean breeding ground of the green sea turtle and has plenty of birds, monkeys and lizards.
The Creole beach paradise of Cahuita has a nearby national park with attractive beaches, coral reef and coastal rain forest.
Bribri culture can be experienced in the surfing mecca of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. Handicrafts, reggae, home stays and cultural tours make Puerto Viejo an especially interesting destination.
San José
 The cosmopolitan capital of Costa Rica is the transportation hub of the country, so most visitors spend at least a few days in the city. It has a more North American feel to it than many Latin American capitals, with department stores, shopping malls and fast-food chains. It also has a fine climate, some great restaurants, colorful markets and several excellent museums, including:
Museo Nacional, which has displays of Costa Rican archaeology, colonial furniture, costumes and religious art
Museo del Oro Precolombino, which houses a dazzling collection of pre-Columbian gold pieces
Museo de Jade, with the world's largest collection of American jade sculptures.
Nicaragua
After years of war and violence, Costa Rica's northern neighbor is now politically stable and rebuilding itself, a process in which tourism plays an important role. Visitors around the world flock to the Pacific Lowlands of Nicaragua to enjoy the country's beauty, history, culture and warm hospitality, not to mention its extremely low prices - for example, a one-night stay at a hostel in Granada's high-end historic district ran less than $2 a night. Sights near the border include:
Granada - Founded in 1534 on the shore of Lake Nicaragua and under the shadow of Volcan Mombacho, Granada offers a breathtaking display of Spanish Colonial architecture, as well as a cosmopolitan selection of restaurants, shops and night spots.
Lake Nicaragua - One hundred miles long and 20 miles wide, this beautiful lake is the largest freshwater body of water in Central America, as well as the only one with freshwater sharks.
San Juan del Sur - This seaside resort town is known by day for its picaresque beach and excellent sea fishing and after dark for its abundant and vibrant nightlife.
Panama
Though best known for its canal, Panama, Costa Rica's neighbor to the south, offers much more to the tourist, including:
Natural beauty - Panama is one of the most biologically diverse areas in the world, thanks to its connection to two continents. The country has 936 species of birds, more than the United States and Canada combined, as well as 125 animal species found only in Panama.
Historical charm, urban sophistication - In the nation's capital, Panama City, modern, Miami-style buildings blend with 17th century Spanish colonial architecture. Nearby attractions include the famous canal and Isla Toboga, the "Island of Flowers."
Cultural diversity - Panama's people and culture also reflect the country's international connections, with a mixture of Latin, European, Caribbean black, Chinese and indigenous Indian populations. Small but active Jewish, Arab and Hindu communities also contribute to the diversity of the region.
Activities
Costa Rica offers a smorgasbord of outdoor activities for both the Gen-X adrenaline junkie and the more sedate stop-and-smell-the-roses type rambler.
Pavones on the Pacific Coast reportedly has some of the best surfing in Central America
Windsurfers should check out out the artificial Laguna de Arenal, near the spectacular volcano.
Snorkeling and diving possibilities abound at the Reserva Biologica Isla del Caño, 20km (12mi) west of Bahía Drake, off the northern part of the Península de Nicoya and in the Parque Nacional Isla del Coco - an isolated island 500km (310mi) southwest of Costa Rica in the eastern Pacific.
Rappeling - Monteverde is the best place for "zip-lining" - zipping across the top of the jungle canopy on flying foxes.
Abundant hiking opportunities can be found in all of Costa Rica's national parks (Visit http://www.costaricadiscover.com/maps/parks.htm for a comprehensive map)
Horse riding also is available just about everywhere.
Bird watchers will find much to see at La Selva, Parque Nacional Tapantí, Parque Nacional Palo Verde, Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Caño Negro or the area around Tortuguero.
At Parque Nacional Tortuguero, turtle watchers can visit nesting sites and watch the turtles lay their eggs.
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