GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT COSTA RICA
Area: 51.1000 km2
Limits: Panama to the Southeast, Nicaragua to the North, the Atlantic Ocean to the West, and the Pacific Ocean to the East
Capital: San José
Other major cities: Alajuela, Cartago, Heredia, Liberia, Limón, and Puntarenas
Population: approximately 4.159.758 inhabitants
Time zone: EST -1 and GMT – 6. Costa Rica is on Central Standard Time
Maximum length: 464 km from the Sapoa River to Punta Burica
Minimum length: 119 km from Tuba to Boca del Colorado
Maximum width: 259 km from Cabo Santa Elena to the mouth of the Colorado River
Highest mountain: Cerro Chirripó, 3820 meters over sea level
Widest crater: Poas Volcano, one of the greatest craters of the world, 1.5 km of diameter
National flower: Guaria Morada (Guarianthe skinneri)
National tree: Guanacaste (Enterolobium cychocarpurri)
National bird: Yigüirro (Tardus grayil)
Climate: Tropical with two seasons, dry from December to April and rainy from May to November. The average temperature is 72º F (22º C)
National Parks: Costa Rica protects approximately a 25% of its territory through national parks, biological reserves and private reserves.
Language: the official language is Spanish, but many people speak some English
Money: the Costa Rican currency is the colon which fluctuates daily against the dollar, and can be exchanged at banks and change booths, never in the streets. American dollars and major credit cards are acceptable almost everywhere. For current information on the exchange rate, please visit: www.bccr.fi.cr
Education: the Constitution of Costa Rica requires 6% of its gross domestic product be invested in education which is free and obligatory.
Religion: our Constitution gives us freedom of cult, but Catholicism is the dominant religion.
Main income: high technology, tourism, coffee, banana, flowers and other agricultural products.
Electricity: the voltage in Costa Rica is 110, and you will need to bring a voltage adapter if bringing appliances for 220.
Cellular phone: you must contact your telephone company in advance for the requirements to use your cellular phone in Costa Rica.
International calls: you can make international calls from almost any telephone in Costa Rica. You can dial directly using the correct country codes, through the operator (# 116), or by using the services of MCI or AT&T. If calling Costa Rica from another country, dial 506 as the country code.
Health: Costa Rica is one of the safest countries as far as health is concerned, and it has excellent medical care and well-qualified professionals. The water is pure and safe in most of the country, and no vaccinations are required to enter Costa Rica; however, it is your election if you prefer to get vaccination for precaution.
Safety: although Costa Rica used to have a low crime rate, it has increased in recent years, and tourists should be cautious at all time.
Entry requirements: all visitors require a passport valid for at least 6 months to enter Costa Rica. Citizens from the United States, Canada, and most of the European countries do not need a visa. If you need further information regarding proper documentation and other migratory requirements, please contact the Costa Rican Consulate or Embassy in your country or visit the following websites:
Departure requirements: there is a $26.00 departure tax which can be paid in colones, dollars or VISA card at the airport the day of departure or in advance at two different banks: Banco de Costa Rica or Banco Crédito Agrícola de Cartago.
Souvenirs: tourists will not leave Costa Rica with empty hands because they can choose from a great variety of Costa Rican souvenirs: delicious coffee and chocolate, beautiful wooden hand-made products like oxcarts and rocking chairs, hammocks, jewelry, pottery, hand-painted art, leather products, T-shirts and many others.
