Please find as follows general information that will help prepare your trip
Superficies: 51 000 square kilometers (Km2) (nearly more than El Salvador or Belize).
Devised administratively in seven (7) provinces: San José, Heredia, Alajuela, Cartago, Limón, Puntarenas and Guanacaste.
Position: situated in Central America, between Nicaragua and Panama, by the Pacific Ocean at west and the Caribbean Sea at est.
Population: 4, 5 millions of residents
Capital: San José (population: 1, 5 millions of residents)
Temperature and life area: the average temperature is 72F (22 oC) in the Central Valley. The temperature of the coast and the beach fluctuate between 70- 90F (21-32 oC).
In Costa Rica, it exist more than 12 life areas according to the Holdridge scale, producing a variety of microclimates. These wide ranges of microclimates has produced also a plentiful and diversify fauna and flora, convert Costa Rica in one of the greatest place in the world for his biodiversity. For his greenness and his climate, Costa Rica is a country of the eternal spring.
Currency: The official currency of Costa Rica is the Colon, but, the American dollar is accepted in the majority of the boutiques and hotels.
Language: The official language is Spanish. English is fluently spoken.
Religion: The official religion is the Catholicism, which coexist with others religions in a respectful and harmonically ambiance, gracefulness to the liberty of cult.
Economy: It depends principally of the tourist activity, the agriculture and the electronic exportation. They produce, since others countries do the same productions, a more tastefully and refined coffee, until the ostrich meat and the fabulous butterflies culture which brighten up the spirit of thousand of tourists. Furthermore, they develop software programs until the palm tree heart cultures.
Government: Costa Rica is a democratic republic since 1889. The military army was abolished in 1948, year during which it has been decided to invest military money in the education. This society choice has permitted them to be seen by the others countries like a peaceful and educated society (called the Swiss of Central America). The President and the Vice-president are elected by the population for a 4-years attorney, the last election was on February 3, 2002.
Costa Rica has been nominated 12 times for the Nobel Peace Price. In 1989, the President Oscar Arias Sánchez has received this prestigious price for his efforts in the negotiations to put an end to the civil wars in the others countries of Central America.
Top
How to get there?
Traveling in Costa Rica is easy. Situated in the middle of Central America, Costa Rica is deserved by the main airline companies. Only a 2-hour and half from Miami, a 10-hour from Madrid and a 12-hour from Amsterdam. (Including connections)
Costa Rica counts two international airports. The first one, Juan Santamaría, situated at Alajuela at only 15 minutes from San José and the airport Daniel Oduber at Liberia Guanacaste, in the Pacific north area.
If you wish to get more information on the airline transport, visit the following web site: www.alacostarica.com
Top
Traveler’s info
Do you need a Visa?
The Americans and Canadians citizens need to prove their citizenship with a passport valid 6 month after their return date, or a birth certificate notary with an identification card with a picture. They can stay for a length of 90 days without a visa. Those who enter without a passport must get a tourist visit card.
All Europeans need a valid passport, excepted for Greeks. Everyone can stay up to 90 days.
In Central America, only Nicaraguayens need a consular visa to enter Costa Rica. Every others citizens from Central America must show a valid passport. The permit varies between 30 to 90 days.
If your country is not found in those mentioned above, we suggest you to visit the web site of the Direction for the Migration and Foreigners: www.migracion.go.cr
Health: The sanitary installations are well-equipped. Any special vaccination is required to enter in Costa Rica, because every epidemic illness has been suppressed all over the country.
Bank and monetary services: The American dollar can be exchange in every bank or in most of hotels. The Euros only can be exchanged in few banks and are not accepted in the shops and boutiques. Credit cards are accepted everywhere. It is better to anticipate different means of payments (travelers checks, debit card, credit card, American and local currencies).
Departure tax: A departure tax of approximately soon$U.S.is charged at the airport.
Hours: GMT/UTC -6 hours
Top
What to Bring?
| Bathing suit |
First aid kit |
Insect repellant |
Rain jacket |
Sunglasses |
| Binoculars |
Flashlight |
Light-weight pants |
Sandals |
Sweater |
| Camera and film |
Folding umbrella |
Long pants |
Shorts |
Tennis shoes |
| Cap |
Hiking gear |
Map |
Snorkeling gear |
T-shirts |
| Field guides |
Hiking shoes or boots |
Plastic bags |
Sun block |
Warm jacket |
Top
National Parks
Costa Rica has established the national park system to prevent the destruction of the wild life areas. Today, 12% of the country is protected as national parks and 16% as indigene reserve, biological reserve, forest reserve, protected area, wild life refuge and biological corridor. A little bit more than the quarter of the country is protected. The majority of national parks have easy access for the tourists and the ecotourism is an important factor to generate benefice to continue the protection and the conservation of the biodiversity.
National Wild Life Refuge of Bolaños Island (Refugio Nacional de Fauna Silvestre Isla Baleños)
Santa Rosa and Guanacaste National Park (Parque Nacional Santa Rosa y Guanacaste)
Rincón de la Vieja National Park (Parque Nacional Rincón de la Vieja)
National Wild Life Refuge of Caño Negro (Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Caño Negro)
Barra del Colorado National Wild Life Refuge et Tortuguero National Park (Refugio Nacional de Fauna Silvestre Barra del Colorado y Parque Nacional Tortuguero)
Marino Las Baulas de Guanacaste National Park (Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas de Guanacaste)
Lomas Barbudal Biological Reserve (Reserva Biológica Lomas Barbudal)
Palo Verde National Park (Parque Nacional Palo Verde)
Barra Honda National Park (Parque Nacional Barra Honda)
Peñas Blancas Wild Life Refuge (Refugio Silvestre Peñas Blancas)
Volcán Poás National Park (Parque Nacional Volcán Póas)
Braulio Carrillo National Park (Parque Nacional Braulio Carrillo)
Ostional National Wild Life Refuge (Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Ostional)
Coco’s Island National Park (Parque Nacional Isla del Coco)
Absoluta Cabo Blanco Natural Reserve (Reserva Natural Absoluta Cabo Blanco)
Curú National Wild Life Refuge (Refugio Nacional de Fauna Silvestre Curú)
Biological Reserve of Guayabo Islands, negritos y de los Pájaros (Reserva Biológica de las Islas Guayabo, negritos y de los Pájaros)
Caraca Biological Reserve (Reserva Biológica Caraca)
Volcan Irazú National Park (Parque Nacional Volcán Irazú)
Monument National Guayabo (Monumento Nacional Guayabo)
Manuel Antonio National Park (Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio)
Marino Ballena National Park (Parque Nacional Marino Ballena)
International Park La Amistad Costa Rica-Panamá (Parque Internacional la Amistad Costa Rica-Panamá)
Cahuita National Park (Parque Nacional Cahuita)
Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wild Life Refuge (Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Gandoca-Manzanillo)
Caño Island Biological Reserve (Reserva Biológica Isla del Caño)
Corcovado National Park (Parque Nacional Corcovado)
Golfito Wild Life National Park (Parque Nacional de Fauna Silvestre Golfito)
Juan Castro Blanco National Park (Parque Nacional Juan Castro Blanco)
Arenal National Park (Parque Nacional Arenal)
Tapantí National Park (Parque Nacional Tapantí)
Hitoy Cerere Biological Reserve (Reserva Biológica Hitoy Cerere)
La Cangreja National Park (Parque Nacional La Cangreja)
If you wish to get more information about National Parks, visit the following web site: www.sinac.go.cr
Top
Indigenous Communities
Costa Rica has 8 different indigene groups, whom represent only 1% of the population separated on 22 territories. Among those, we can mention the following groups: Ngobe (Guaymí), Brunka, Téribe (Térraba), Bribri, Cabécar, Maléky (Guatuso), Boruca, Chorotega y Huétar.
These communities live in majority in the remote and inhospitable rural areas and at the same time coincide with the greatest biodiversity of Costa Rica.
Top
Wildlife
Costa Rica is considered to be one of the 20 countries with greatest biodiversity in the world. Its geographic position, it’s two coasts and its mountainous system, which provides numerous and varied microclimates, are some of the reasons that explain this natural wealth, both in terms of species and ecosystems.
Here the visitor can find 12.000 species of plants, over 237 species of mammals, almost 200 types of amphibians and 220 species of reptiles inhabit these lands. There are also more than 850 species of birds and 1800 of orchids.
Many tourist activities are sustained in harmony with wild animals. The mountains give shelter to the observation of birds, whose admirers lift their gazes toward the treetops in an attempt to spot their nests. The best places for bird watching are Braulio Carrillo National Park and its surroundings, Monteverde, Talamanca, and the Osa Peninsula .
Between the months of July and October, humpback whales migrate to Costa Rican waters to breed.
The quetzal, is a rare jewel of the bird world, is most easily seen at San Gerardo de Dota Valley.
Every year, from July to September, Tortuguero National Park welcomes the arrival of the Green Sea Turtles that come to lay their eggs at the beach of this National Park.
Palo Verde National Park shelters an important feeding ground for 60 species of resident and migratory water birds and a wintering ground for many Neotropical migrants.
Top
Temperature and Climate
The climate is typically tropical. Temperature remains nearly constant all year with variations related to elevation.
Costa Rica enjoys a spring like weather all year round. The average temperature in the Central Valley is 72 0 F (22 0 C ). The temperature near the coasts and on the beaches ranges between 70 0 to 90 0 F (21 0to 32 0 C ).
There are two distinct seasons. The dry season is during December to April and the “green-season” from May to November. Green season bring daily showers in the afternoons.
Top
Map
Top
Calendar of Events
January |
|
First two weeks of January |
Palmares Festivals: Local food, Carnival, horsemanship, exhibitions, bingo, concerts and more. |
Second week of January in Guanacaste |
Santa Cruz Festivals: These also honor the Black Christ of Esquipulas, and feature native dances and marimba music. |
The second week in January |
Fiestas de Alajuelita: In Honor of the Black Christ of Esquipulas, there are oxcart parades and a pilgrimage to La Cruz de Alajuelita. |
February |
|
Last Week of February |
Puntarenas Carnival: A week of fun in the sun ¡ |
February – March. |
Monteverde Music Festival: The country‘s best musicians play in this remote cloud forest community. |
The last week in February |
Liberia Festival: The best of Guanacaste’s folklore, concerts, and horsemanship, among other things. |
March |
|
The second Sunday of the March |
Day of the Oxcart Driver, in San Antonio de Escazú. Colorful oxcart parade. The local priest blesses the animals and the fields. |
March-April |
Caribbean Music Festival: In Playa Chiquita, south of Puerto Viejo in Limón Province . |
Mid March |
Pilgrimage to Ujarras: Religious procession from the ruins in Cartago to the ruins of the Ujarras Church , near Cachi Dam. |
April |
|
March or April. |
Holy Week: Procession show events around the crucifixion. All business shuts down from Holy Thursday to Easter Sunday. |
April 11 |
Juan Santamaria Day: Costa Rica ’s nation hero is commemorated with parades, concerts, and dances, principally in Alajuela, where Juan Santamaría was born. |
Last week of April and first week of May |
Arts and Crafts Fair, in San Jose . |
April 15 |
Day of San Isidro Labrador : All the towns named after San Isidro , patron saint of farmers, celebrated with fairs, parades and blessing of the animals and crops. |
July |
|
The Saturday closest to July 16. |
The Virgin of the Sea: Decorated fishing boats and sailboats salute the patron saint of Puntarenas, parades, dances, fireworks and more. |
July 25 th |
Annexation of Guanacaste: July 25 th celebrates the Guanacaste´s1824 vote to belong to Costa Rica instead of Nicaragua . Festival in Liberia : Folkloric dances, parades, concerts and bullfights. |
August |
|
August 2 |
The Virgin of Los Angeles : Costa Rica ’s Patron is honored with a nationwide pilgrimage to the Basilica in Cartago to celebrate the miracles of La Negrita (the dark one) as she is called. |
August 15 |
Mother’s Day, a national holiday. |
September |
|
September 15 |
Independence Day: Relay race throughout Central America . Students carry the Torch of Liberty from Guatemala to Costa Rica . Children parade carrying paper lanterns, and strut in marching bands. |
October |
|
October 12 |
Cultures day: The Spanish conquistadores are remembered with protest marches by indigenous people. |
The second week in October |
Carnival in Limon: In the Atlantic port city of Limón . A whole week of elaborately costumed dancers, parades and concerts with Caribbean rhythm. |
November |
|
November 2 |
All Saint’s Day: This is the day of the dead. Families visit the cemeteries to remember their loved ones. |
December |
|
The week of December 8 |
Los Negritos Festival: In the Indigenous town of Boruca in southern Costa Rica . Indigenous rituals combine with Catholicism to honor the virgin of the Immaculate Conception with costumes, drums, flutes and dances. |
December 25 |
Christmas Celebrations |
From December 25-31 |
The People’s Festival. In Zapote: a suburb to the south of San Jose . Amusement park, building, native food, music, fireworks. |
December 26 |
El Tope in San Jose : Horseback parade which finalizes all the equestrian events of the year. |
December 27 |
Carnival: A huge, colorful parade with floats, dancing and music. |
December 31 to January 2 |
Los Diablitos: The Boruca people of Rey Curre in southern Costa Rica enact a battle dance between the native people and the Spanish to the music of drums and flutes. |
Top
Activities & Seasonal nature events in Costa Rica
ACTIVITY |
PLACE |
Jan. |
Feb. |
Mar. |
Apr. |
May. |
Jun. |
Jul. |
Aug. |
Sept. |
Oct. |
Nov. |
Dec. |
TURTLE WATCHING |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Leather back |
Pacific Coast |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tortuguero |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Olive ridley |
Southern Zone |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Green Turtle |
Tortuguero |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
QUETZAL WATCHING |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Monteverde |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
San Gerardo de Dota |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aquatic & Migratory birds |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Caño Negro |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Palo Verde |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
South Caribean |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DIVING |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Golfo de Papagayo |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Islas de Catalina |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Isla del Coco |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Manzanillo, Punta Mona |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DOLPHING WATCHING |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gandoca Manzanillo |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
WHALE WATCHING |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
South Pacific |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DRY FOREST FLOWERING |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
North Pacific |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ORCHID FLOWERING |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
COFFEE HARVESTING |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Top
