Costa Rica - General
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Introduction
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If you ever dreamed
of a vacation in a country that offers miles and miles of pristine
beaches with gorgeous sunsets, active volcanoes with volcanic
hot springs, lush jungles with an astonishing biodiversity and,
to top it all, a climate that is like no other, Costa Rica might
be the country that you dreamed off.
Small and welcoming, Costa Rica has something for every taste;
you can come for a week to one of the many beach towns Costa
Rica offers (Tamarindo, Jaco, Manuel Antonio to name a few)
and just bake in the sun, turning from side to side when it
gets too hot, or go inland and explore Costa Rica’s Volcanoes,
Rivers and the National Parks.
Costa Rica has a variety of National Parks representing a
multitude of unique Ecosystems, Costa Rica is famous around
the world for its Sport Fishing, and Costa Rica is a Surfer’s
Paradise. Beach, Adventure and Nature, these are the words
that describe best Costa Rica, and the country provides endless
amounts of Pure Fun, Pure Life, Pura Vida!
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Costa Rica Location |
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Costa Rica is a small country
placed in Central America with a surface of 51.100 km2. Costa
Rica’s relatively small size is from many points of
view a great advantage and makes Costa Rica a relatively comfortable
to travel, one of the sayings here in Costa Rica is that you
can in one day see the Pacific Ocean, visit a Volcano in the
Northern plains and arrive to the Caribbean Ocean at night.
Costa Rica has a diversity of flora and fauna like very few
places in the world have and climate is typical for the Inter-tropical
zone. Costa Rica for its geographical location is a biological
and cultural bridge (As a part of Central America) that unites
the cultures of the North and South of the American Continent.
As for Costa Rica’s geological formation the country
is a part of the relatively new American Continent.
Due to Costa Rica’s geographical location, the country
is exposed during almost the whole year to winds coming from
the East, the Caribbean Ocean, bringing moisture that later
on forms the clouds and bring the rain that so characterizes
Costa Rica.
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Costa
Rica Population and Language |
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Costa Rica has an approximate
population of 4.000.000 inhabitants whose mother tongue is
Spanish. In addition, other languages as English, French,
German and Italian are spoken in many places by foreign business
owners and multilingual guides. Costa Rica’s population
is distributed in seven provinces that divide the country:
San Jose, Alajuela, Heredia, Carthage, Guanacaste, Puntarenas
and Lemon. The capital is in the province of San Jose, which
is also the most populated province in Costa Rica. |
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Costa Rica Religion |
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The Catholicism is the official religion
in Costa Rica, but the freedom of worship is guaranteed. |
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Costa Rica Churches |
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Almost all of the Costa Ricans
practice the Christian faith, in the Catholic Church. Almost
all of the biggest and most famous houses of god are in the
bigger San Jose Metropolitan. In San Jose you will find San
Isidro's Church of Tonsured which was built according to Gothic
style, located just few kilometers from San Jose, the Basilica
of Our Lady of the Angels (Province of Cartago). Costa Rica
preserved a few temples constructed in the colonial epoch
such as the temples in Orosi, Quircot, Nicoya and Heredia.
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Costa Rica Climate |
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Costa Rica is a tropical country
placed between two oceans and with a complex geography that
originates varied climatic conditions. Many ecosystems exist
in Costa Rica, from the tropical dry forest up to the moorland
and lush dense jungle vegetation. In Costa Rica the temperatures
ranges between the 20 and 30 centigrade grades, though in
Costa Rica there are no climatic definite stations and the
climate of every region is kept relatively stable during the
whole year. The two main seasons in Costa Rica are the "summer
season (dry period)” and “winter season”
or “Dry Season” and “Green Season”.
It is usual for the summer period to be from December until
April and that of winter period from May to November.
Remember – unless you are in the mountains – IT
NEVER GETS COLD HERE – Winter is called winter only
because it rains a lot…
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Costa
Rica’s Government |
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A Democratic Republic, Costa Rica
political system is divided into three centers:
1. Executive power: President of the Republic,
chosen by means of direct elections, every four years, cannot
be re-elected. Two Vice-presidents, A Presidential Office
composed by 18 Ministers of State, who assume portfolios in
economic matters, social matters, productive matters and cultural
matters.
2. Legislature: integrated by 57 deputies (responsible representatives
for legislating Costa Rica’s laws).
3. Judicial power: it is formed by a Supreme
Court, which consists of four chambers.
They are arranged by the Political Constitution of Costa Rica,
the Supreme Court of Elections, with independence of the Power
of the Republic.
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Costa
Rica Electrical Energy |
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About 80% of Costa Rica’s energy
supply comes from water energy, systems of damns and rivers
that generate the power supply for Costa Rica. This is a remarkable
achievement and a proof for the nature and conservative orientation
of this country. 110 volts.
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Costa Rica
Water |
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Water in Costa Rica is pure and drinkable
in most parts of Costa Rica. It is recommended to ask the locals
before drinking tap water or just go on the safe side and by
bottled water available everywhere.
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Costa
Rica Telephony |
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Costa Rica is one of the most efficient
in Latin America. International Calls are accessible from most
locations in the country. Costa Rica has an efficient network
of public phones accessible all over the country for the use
of locals and visitors.
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Costa Rica
Postal system |
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Costa Rica has a national network
of Offices, Central Office of Post office of Costa Rica.
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Costa Rica
Highways |
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The roads in Costa Rica are not always
easy to navigate, and many of them are poorly maintained, this
is partially due to heavy rainfall and the movement of land
during small and larger earthquakes that frequent the region.
Costa Rica is famous for the potholes in its asphalt roads,
and many times rivers overflow so passage is difficult or even
impossible (Mainly in the region of South Guanacaste and South
Central Pacific.
When driving in Costa Rica always make sure that you know
where you are trying to reach, what is a head and what are
the road conditions, consult with the locals and drive slow.
We have been driving around Costa Rica for 4 years and we
can testify that it is possible and even fun, as the scenery
is gorgeous, just like driving on a Jungle Safari.
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Costa Rica Public transportation |
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Public transportation in Costa Rica
is almost always available anywhere in the country, not always
punctual but usually reasonable. With a system of public busses
and red colored taxis the country provides easy access to all.
Public busses are the chipset option with ticket prices that
are usually less than 5$ per direction (even on transportation
services that takes 6 hours), next are the red taxis and many
private companies that provide comfortable rides to nearly every
“worth a visit” destination in Costa Rica.
learn more about Shuttle
Services and Domestic Flights
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Costa Rica
Banking |
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Costa Rica has many country owned
banks and a few private held banks. Banks and Automated Cash
Machines can be found in every major destination in Costa Rica.
Bank’s schedule is usually Monday to Friday between 8:30
am to 3:00 pm (Some banks are opened until later hours). Most
banks allow for international banking services by means of the
International Banking System. The official currency in Costa
Rica is the "Colon" and the exchange rate in relation
to the American dollar fluctuates greatly. It is possible to
change dollars in any bank. International credit cards and traveler’s
checks are accepted in the majority of business establishments.
In many touristy towns you can easily pay with Dollars instead
of having to exchange money to Colones.
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Costa Rica
Office schedules |
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Costa Rica office schedule changes
according to the type of company and institution. The majority
of the governmental offices attend the public from 8:00 a.m.
to 4:00 p.m. Private companies; from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Shops and commercial businesses are opened from 9:00 a.m. to
7:00 p.m.
In San Jose Metropolitan area there are super markets that are
open 24 hours a day.
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Hotel Reservation
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Do
not hesitate to call us, it will be a pleasure serving
you!
Tel:+1.866.465.6202
/ +506.643.1500
Fax: +506.643.1356
During office
hours
Costa Rica
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