... Costa Rica General Information ...
by Infocostarica Staff
Within Costa Rica’s 51,200 square kilometers
there is a wider variety of species of birds than in all of Europe
or North America. With a relatively small population of roughly
three and a half million inhabitants, Costa Rica also boasts of
one of the oldest and more consolidated democracies in Latin America.
In 1869, primary education for both sexes was declared obligatory
and free of cost, defrayed by the State. In 1882 the death sentence
was abolished. In the 1949 the armed forces were abolished and
in 1983 Perpetual Neutrality was proclaimed. Prestigious international
human rights organizations have their headquarters in Costa Rica.
Because of this, and of its lush 1500 kilometers of tropical sun-bathed
beaches and the wild diversity of flora and fauna to be found
in its wide array of microclimates (most present in one or more
of its National Parks), Costa Rica has justifiably earned its
reputation of paradise regained.
Climate
Costa Rica's microclimates vary from the barren cold volcanic
tundra to the exotic cloud forest, from the deep dense jungle
of Talamanca to the tropical dry forests of Guanacaste, from quiet
gold-hued beaches where the Baulas Tortoises build their nests
to the winding Tortuguero Canals where the crocodile is king.
Even so, Costa Rica's overall climate can be best described as
mild. Being located within the tropics, seasonal changes in Costa
Rica are not as dramatic as they are in countries on other latitudes.
There is a 'dry" season (equivalent to summer and spring)
during which temperatures hover pleasantly in the high 60’s
to low 70’s (20 –23 degrees C), which goes from December
to May, and a "wet" season from June to November during
which mornings are usually sunny and showers might be expected
in the afternoon. On areas near the coasts, temperatures may be
as much as ten degrees higher, where as at Chirripó Peak,
the highest mountain in Costa Rica (3800 meters), temperatures
may drop down to the freezing point. Tourists should bring light
clothes: a jacket and a raincoat is all the protection you'll
need unless you plan to go hiking in the higher mountains.
Time
Costa Rica is six hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), which
is equivalent to Central Time in North America. There is no daylight
saving time.
Language
Costa Rica's official language is Spanish. On the Caribbean Coast
a small minority of Jamaican descendants speak a local version
of English, and most Costa Ricans can understand and speak a bit
of English. Quite recently all public schools made mandatory the
learning of a second language.
Religion
As in the rest of Latin America, Roman Catholicism is Costa Rica’s
main religion, but there is a very wide margin of tolerance and
the constitutional freedom of creed is always respected. Costa
Rica’s religions by percentage of practicing members: Roman
Catholic 76.3%, Evangelical 13.7%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.3%, other
Protestant 0.7%, other 4.8%, none 3.2%.
Legal System
Costa
Rica is a civil law country which means that the organization
of the legal system is derived from the French Napoleonic Code
as opposed to English common law. The Government of Costa Rica
has 4 branches: The Judicial, Executive - President and cabinet
ministers, Legislative - Elected members and Electoral Tribunal
- takes over police and all government functions dealing with
elections before each election. Members are usually unpaid volunteers
who are judges. This is to ensure all elections are completely
democratic and free.
Currency
The national currency is the colon and dollars are easily exchanged
at all banks, other foreign currency can be exchanged through
private agencies. All mayor credit cards as well as travelers
checks are widely accepted. The colon exchanges at 460 per dollar
(as of March 2005) and can be expected to increment by 0,17 on
average per day.
Electricity
The standard in Costa Rica is the same as in the United States:
110 volts AC (60 cycles). However, three-pronged outlets can be
scarce, so it's helpful to bring along an adapter.
Business
Hours
Most banks
are open Monday through Friday from 9am to 3:30pm, although many
have begun to offer extended hours. Offices are open Monday through
Friday from 8am to 5pm (many close for 1 hr. at lunch). Stores
are generally open Monday through Saturday from 9am to 6pm (many
close for 1 hr. at lunch).
Communications
There are postal and telegraph offices in cities and villages
throughout the country. The Central Post Office is located in
San José on Second Street between Avenues 1 and 3, and
is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays
from 7 a.m. to 12 noon. Radiográfica Costarricense is located
on Fifth Avenue between Streets 1 and 3. This company provides
telex, fax, international data transmission, and many other services
(including Internet access). The country code for Costa Rica is
506, and there is no area code inside the country.
Transportation
International
Air Transportation: Most air traffic to and from Costa Rica is
handled through the Juan Santamaría Airport, located 29
minutes from San José, in the city of Alajuela.
Domestic
Air Transportation: All flights leave from the International Juan
Santamaría Airport or the Tobías Bolaños
Airport. There is a network of internal airports which not only
serve important cities, but special interest tourist areas. Among
the most important are: Liberia, Palmar Sur, Tamarindo, Barra
del Colorado, Limón, Quepos, Golfito, Coto 47, etc. From
the Tobías Bolaños Airport, located to the west
of the capital city, private airlines offer flights to most areas
of the country.
Domestic
Bus Service: The country, in general, offers adequate bus service.
The majority are private companies which link San José
with the principal provincial towns and cities, seaports and tourist
areas. With good-quality vehicles and frequent itineraries, the
user can easily travel by bus throughout the country. In the main
cities and villages nationwide, there are taxicab companies that
service the user to the more remote places in the country. Four-wheel
drive vehicles are typical for the rural areas.
International
Bus Service: Leaving from San José, there is bus service
to Central America and Panama. The companies: TICA BUS, SIRC A
and TRACOPA have scheduled trips to Panama, Nicaragua and other
countries.
Automobile Circulation: Costa Rica has a good highway network,
the majority of which, for tourist use, is paved. In most places
there are adequate traffic signs. In the major highways there
are toll booths (San José-San Ramón, San José-Guápiles,
San José-Cartago, San José-Ciudad Colón).
Throughout the country there are many gas stations, some of which
offer round-the-clock service. Costa Rica does not have self-service
gas stations.
Driver Requirements: A foreigner may drive with a current license
from his country of origin and his passport, during the three
months that his tourist visa is valid. Warning triangles should
be carried at all times by all drivers, and seat belts are also
required for drivers and front-seat passengers. The use of helmets
for motorcycle conductors is required.
Embassies
Click here
for a complete list of foreign embassies and consulates.
Entry/Exit
Requirements
With a valid passport and round trip or continuing ticket, citizens
of the United States of America, Canada, Germany, Spain and Italy
can travel to Costa Rica for a 90-day stay without a consular
visa. To stay legally beyond the period granted, travelers will
need to submit an application for an extension to the Office of
Temporary Permits in the Costa Rican Department of Immigration.
Tourist visas are usually not extended except under special circumstances,
such as academic, employment, or medical grounds, and extension
requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. There is a departure
tax for short-term visitors. Tourists who stay over ninety days
without receiving a formal extension can expect to pay a higher
departure tax at the airport or land border, and may experience
some delay at the airport. Persons who have overstayed previously
may be denied entry to Costa Rica.
Vaccinations
As of this time, Costa Rica does not require visitors to have
any particular vaccinations, although you should make sure that
all your normal vaccinations are up to date.
Medical Facilities
& Services
Any foreigner
who is temporarily in the country has the right to receive health
attention at hospitals and clinics in case of an emergency, sudden
illness or a chronic disease. Costa Rica boasts a modern and renown
medical health system, under the administration of the Caja Costarricense
de Seguro Social (CCSS)…more information
Emergencies
Costa
Rica has a 911 system for reporting emergencies. Crimes that are
no longer in progress should be reported in person at the nearest
police station. In the event of a traffic accident, vehicles must
be left where they are, and not moved out of the way. Both the
Tránsito (Traffic Police) and the Insurance Investigator
must make accident reports before the vehicles are moved. Although
sometimes slow to respond after notification, these officials
will come to the accident scene.
Emergency telephone numbers:
Emergencies
. . . . . . .911 (Metropolitan area)
Fire Department
and
Rescue Units. . . . . . .118
Traffic Police.
. . . . .222-9330/ 222-9245
Police Department
. . . .117
Rural Police
Department .127
Red Cross
. . . . . . . .128
Airports
Juan Santamaría
International Airport Phone: 441-0744.
Limón International Airport . Phone: 758-1379
Tobías
Bolaños International Airport. Phone: 232-2820
Daniel Oduber
Quiros International
Airport (Liberia, Guanacaste) . Phone: 666-0695
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