We’re sure you know about the misty peaks, dense rainforests, pristine beaches that sparkle like diamonds, thunderous waterfalls, and natural springs; Costa Rica is an exotic tropical paradise. Exciting and thrilling adventures yet also relaxing and refreshing; intriguing Spanish culture yet charming people, Costa Rica’s magic never ends. Costa Rica is so many things but one thing is for sure, you will be spellbound.
While it’s a adventurer’s paradise, all tourists are welcome and should be aware of the following information before making the trip.
Geography. Nestled between the Caribbean and the Pacific Ocean and bordered to the north by Nicaragua and to the south by Panama, Costa Rica is about 51,000 square kilometers. It is a relatively small country about the size of West Virginia USA. An amazing 24.6% of its territory is protected under the status of natural parks, biological reserves and national wildlife sanctuaries.
Climate. Costa Rica enjoys a mild, tropical weather. Temperature in the lowlands averages around 80-90 degrees Fahrenheit, the Central Valley about 72 and below 50 on the mountains at night. The dry season is from December to April. Rainy season occurs from the end of May to November. It brings sunny mornings with late afternoon or evening rain showers. This is the best time to travel to Costa Rica as crowds are few and hotel rates lower.
People. Costa Rican’s are affectionately known as “Ticos”. They belong to eight different cultural groups. They are a friendly people whose commitment to peace, democracy, education and health care are foremost.
Religion. Like all Latin American countries, Costa Rica is predominantly Catholic but other denominations are found throughout the country.
Language. Spanish is the native language but English, French, Italian and German are widely spoken especially in tourist areas.
Economy. Costa Rica’s stable history, competitive investment policies and well-educated workforce have been at the forefront of its thriving economy. Tourism remains to be its most important industry as do its banana, coffee and other agricultural exports.
Government. Costa Rica is a constitutional democratic republic. Elections are held every four years.
Time Zone. Costa Rica is on Central Standard Time Zone, six hours behind Greenwich Mean Time and one hour behind the Eastern Standard Time. Daylight Savings Time is not observed.
Utilities. Tap water is safe to drink however precautions should be taken in more remote areas. Electricity is 110 volts, 60 Hertz.
Communication. Modern telephone, facsimile, telegraph, telex, e-mail and airmail facilities exist for internal and international communities. Cybercafes with internet services can be easily found. Operator assistance for international calls is 116, local information is 113 and long distance is 124. Direct dial service is available to most countries.
Currency. The national currency is the “colon”. Dollars and traveler’s checks can be exchanged only at banks and hotels. Banks open from 9am-3pm from Mondays to Fridays. Some banks are open till 6pm while others operate on Saturdays until noon. Exchange rates fluctuate daily so be sure to check first. Traveler’s checks in US dollars are preferred as other currencies are rarely accepted. Major credit cards are commonly honored in most business establishments but remote businesses require payments in local currency. ATM is available in most cities and towns with bank offices.
Entry Requirements. Citizens of the United States, Canada and some countries in Europe are not required to have a visa and are allowed to stay for a maximum of 90 days with a valid passport. For other nationalities, they can check with the respective embassies in their home country.
Taxes. Passengers departing on international flights have to pay an airport tax of around $26. Hotels include 13% sales tax and 3.39% tax on room charges.
Customs. No custom duties are charged on personal luggages which includes items for personal and professional use as long as they do not appear on commercial quantities.
Tipping. Most restaurants add 10% service charge called “servicio” to the bill. It is also customary to leave a gratuity as personal thanks for good service. Bellboys and housekeepers can receive $0.5 - $2 depending on the service. Taxi drivers do not expect tips but tipping them is greatly appreciated.