Costa Rica General information

Government
Costa Rica is a peaceful and democratic country with elections being held every four years. The country has not had a standing army since 1948.

Population
5,500,000 of which over 50% live in the Central Valley.

Language
Spanish is the native language, but other languages such as English, French, Italian, and German are widely spoken especially in the tourist areas.

Time Zone
Costa Rica is on Central Standard Time and Daylight Savings Time is not observed.

National Parks, Reserves and Protected areas
Roughly 20% of Costa Rica's territory is constituted as National Park or Reserves, including two parks declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. This means most National Parks and Reserves are easily accessible from anywhere in the country, making Costa Rica an ideal destination if you want to be immersed in totally natural settings.

Climate
Almost ideal year-round, the climate is a moderate 72 degrees in the highlands, while the lowlands and coastal areas range from the low 70's to the high 90's. Evenings in San Jose are free of humid heat, and beaches are cooled by ocean breezes. Rainy season occurs from the end of May to November, with the heaviest rainfall in October. The Atlantic or Caribbean side is driest from February through April, with a short "summer" in June and July, and the wettest months from November through January. However, you should be prepared for rain at any time during the year in this part of the country. The Pacific side and central parts of the country are driest from January through March.

Topography
Costa Rica is bordered to the North by Nicaragua and to the South by Panama and has both a Pacific and Atlantic Coast. A series of volcanic chains (cordilleras) run from the Nicaraguan border in the Northwest to the Panamanian border in the Southeast, splitting the country in two. In the center of these ranges is a high-altitude plain (Central Valley), with coastal lowlands on either side. Over half the population lives on this plain, which has fertile volcanic soils. The Caribbean coast is 132 miles long while the Pacific coast is 635 miles long.

Entry and exit requirements
All visitors are required to present passports valid for at least ninety days in order to enter Costa Rica. In addition, guests 17 years of age or younger may be required to show additional documentation when traveling with a single parent.

Currency, banking, credit cards
The Costa Rican monetary unit is the Colon and the current exchange rate is around 575 colones to $1.00 U.S. but can fluctuate without notice. Most businesses will accept major credit cards (Visa, Master Card, and American Express) but it is important to inform your credit card company or bank before leaving home that you will be visiting Costa Rica. There are also numerous ATM's around the country that work on (Cirrus, Star, and Plus) systems so don't forget your PIN.

Electricity
Standard current is 110 volts, 60 Hertz.

Telecommunications
Wifi service is widespread and efficient and there are more telephones per capita than in any other Latin American country.

Health
Public health facilities in Costa Rica compare favorably with that of many developed countries and are numerous and dependable. Many English-speaking doctors and dentists practice in San Jose.

Water
Yes, you can drink the water! It is pure and suitable for drinking throughout most of the country.

Food
Due to its' geographical location and climate, Costa Rica has a wealth of fruits and vegetables that, when combined with the interplay of native and European ingredients and culture, translate into a unique Costa Rican flavor.
The basic staples of the Costa Rican diet are rice, beans, and tortillas, which consist primarily of corn. The ingredients used by Costa Rican cooks include simple native foods, such as chayotes, avocados, and the ever-present corn. "Tico" fare is neither spicy nor, in many respects, unfamiliar. Breakfast typically features a delicious mixture of rice and black beans known as "gallo pinto" which may be accompanied by eggs, corn tortillas and sour cream. Calorie counters may prefer a tropical fruit plate of papaya, watermelon, pineapple, banana, and in season mango or cantaloupe. "Casados" popular at midday, are huge plates of white rice, beans, fried plantains, salad, cheese, diced vegetables, and your choice of meat, chicken or fish. Hearty soups are a favorite for dinner and of course Costa Rica produces some of the finest coffee in the world.

Transportation
There are a large number of affordable taxis, domestic airlines, and ground shuttle companies that service all of the tourist areas and UBER is also widespread. Hertz, Alamo, Europcar are some of the many rental car companies that offer service in Costa Rica, and an international driver's permit is not necessary. A valid driver’s license from your home country will suffice.

Sales tax
Costa Rica has a nationwide 13% sales tax and there is a 10% service charge added to all restaurant bills.

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