 Climate:
There are two seasons, the dry season (summer) from December to April, and the rainy season (winter) from May to November. The temperature varies between the mountains and the lowlands.
In the Central Valley temperatures range between 60° F and 79° F. On the coasts the tropical temperatures hover between 70° F and 90°F. The Caribbean coast has high humidity and the Guanacaste region is arid.
Time:
6 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time.
Main Cities:
The country is divided into seven provinces: San José (the capital), Alajuela, Cartago, Heredia, Guanacaste,Puntarenas and Limón.
Population:
About 4 million inhabitants.
Language:
The official language is Spanish. However English is widely spoken. |
Currency:
The official currency is the colón, more widely accepted than dollars. Many businesses accept U.S dollars and currency can be exchanged at banks and hotels. Credit cards are accepted too, but remember to always carry local currency ,specially at smaller businesses.
Education:
Costa Rica has one of the highest literacy rates in Latin America and education is public and free.
Health Care:
Costa Rica has the most efficient and developed medical services in Central America . The medical system has been socialized for nearly 50 years. Public and private clinics and hospitals are found all over the country. And many doctors speak English. The country has one of the lowest infant mortality rates in Latin America and a life expectancy of 76 years for both men and women. It has a very low risk of malaria diseases or any other type of diseases. Vaccination is unnecessary.
Food and water:
Water is safe to drink in most areas of the country. You can buy bottled water in every supermarket. Traveling in Costa Rica is generally safe in terms of health risks. The country’s typical food includes seafood, meats, vegetables, tropical fruits and plates prepared with corn. International cuisine is also available around the country, including Japanese, Egyptian, Arabian, Chinese, Mexican, Italian and many other cuisines. |
What to wear and bring:
Costa Rica has many different climates, geographical variations and weather conditions. It is important to bring basic luggage in order to avoid difficulties. Don´t forget: loose fitting shirts, sweater or jacket for cold weather (specially if you are planning to go to the highlands), bathing suit ,pants, insect repellent, sun screen, hat ,comfortable shoes (hiking shoes are recommended in mountainous regions), binoculars, camera, sun glasses and raincoat.
Take note:
Addresses in Costa Rica are given by using reference points instead of numbered addresses and street names. When looking for restaurants ,malls, parks, churches or other locations, give directions by using distance in meters from notable points, objects or buildings, as well as cardinal points (north, south, east and west). One block is equal to 100 meters, no matter how long it really is! For example,´´ 200 meters north, 100 meters east oh the Plaza de la Cultura´´ means 2 blocks north and one block east of the Plaza de la Cultura.
Remember, this country protects its natural resources with strict laws. It is forbidden to take anything from protected areas, including flora and fauna, or even rocks. Please dispose of garbage in the proper receptacles, and remember that your example will be followed by others.
Entry Requirements:
A valid passport is necessary. Citizens of some countries require visa, so check ahead before traveling.
Opening times:
Banks are open on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m and some are open Saturday morning. Most public museums are close on Monday. Stores are usually open from 10 a.m to 7 p.m.
Transportation:
The most common public transportation is the bus, and service is good and inexpensive. Taxi’s are also widely available and also inexpensive.
Communications:
Good public telephone service is available throughout the country. Most require phone cards, which are sold in many shops. Internet cafés are found everywhere and are generally inexpensive. The postal system is efficient and you can find post offices everywhere. |
