Costa Rica

General Information

COUNTRY NAME: Conventional long form, Republica de Costa Rica / Republic of Costa Rica,  Short form, Costa Rica.

SIZE: 51,060 square kms (19,714 square miles)

POPULATION: 4 million, (source: World Bank).

CAPITAL CITY: San Jose, estimated population : 1,200,000

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION: 7 provinces: San Jose (capital of the country), Cartago, Heredia, Alajuela,  Guanacaste, Puntarenas and Limon.

LOCAL TIME DIFFERENCE: GMT minus 6 hours.

LANGUAGES SPOKEN: Spanish is the official language, although English is widely spoken in the business community and at most tourist destinations. English is spoken around Puerto Limon as part of the culture.

RELIGION: Majority Roman Catholic, then Evangelical; Methodist; Baptist; Episcopalian; Jewish and others. The Catholic Faith is the official religion, although the right to practice other religions is guaranteed.

ETHNIC : The 98 % is white or "meztizos" (racially mixed), except in Limon province on the Caribbean coast, where an estimated 70,000 blacks and 5,000 Indigenous people live. The Northern Guanacaste province also has a sizeable Indigenous population.

National Bird: Yigüirro (Turdus grayi)

National Flower: Guaria Morada (Cattleya skinneri)

National Tree: Guanacaste (Enterolobium cyclocarpum)

Borders: North Nicaragua, Northeast Caribbean Sea, Southeast Panama, Southwest  Pacific Ocean

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m -- highest point: Cerro Chirripo 3,810 m

• Executive Branch: The President of the Republic, elected openly every four years to only one term in office. There two Vice Presidents. A Presidential Cabinet, made up of 22 State Ministers, is active in economic, social productive and cultural areas.
• Legislative Branch: This is a single chambered congress, with 57 popularly elected delegates, which is responsible for passing laws.
• Judicial Branch: Made up of the Supreme Court, consisting of four tribunals, and including high courts, local courts and civil justices in various jurisdictions.

Costa Rica's Constitution also established a completely independent body within the Republic, The Supreme Court of Elections. This court is responsible for the organization, operation and supervision of the national elections, which take place every four years.

Their ethnic origins are a mixture, being a blend of the native inhabitants of the area (although to a lesser extent than in other Central American countries), of the Spanish colonists and of Afro-Caribbean immigrants which began entering as of the last century. The Costa Rican is both friendly and hospitable, the obvious product of his freedom. Costa Rica is one of the oldest democracies in America, as well as being a free and independent republic. Its inhabitants not only enjoy complete political stability, but also their nation's long standing commitment to democratic freedom. Peace is the most precious possession of Costa Rica's people. The country abolished its army half way through this century, the Rural and Civil Guards being sufficient to protect the citizens. Costa Rica was twice nominated to receive the Nobel Peace Prize and this was awarded, in 1987, to the incumbent President of the Republic, Dr. Oscar Arias. This award was a truly merited recognition of the Costa Rican way of life.

The social impact of this democratic tradition is easily seen. In 1869 a compulsory public education system was established, one that involves public institutions at all levels. In this, the government supplies the necessary funds for medical and educational programs; both services having achieved outstanding successes. Due to the educational efforts, 93% of the adult population is literate. Medical services, especially in the area of preventive medicine, has reached high levels of achievement in both rural and urban areas. Life expectancy is between 72 and 75 years of age, an excellent average for Latin America.

Ports and harbors: Caldera, Golfito, Moin, Puerto Limon, Puerto Quepos, Puntarenas

Highways:  A good network of paved roads and highways allow easy travel throughout the country. These also connect us with other Central American countries. Naturally, there is also an extensive web of secondary roads. total: 35,597 km -- paved: 6,051 km -- unpaved: 29,546 km (1997 est.)

Airport: Both car and eight person minibuses are available for hire at the airport for transport to hotels. Fare to downtown San Jose is approximately US$17.00. In addition, most big hotels have a minibus service to and from the airport.

Taxis: Within San Jose: can be hailed or ordered by telephone; have white number plates. 

The country has a large fleet of taxis, easily identified by their red color. In rural areas, the taxis are often 4-wheel drive vehicles in order to give easy access to farming zones.

Orange colored taxis provide service to and from the Juan Santamaria International Airport.

Car Rental: Look at this link where you can find a very good prices and a wonderful service. A valid national drivers license is good for the duration of a tourist visa.

Busses: Costa Rica has an extensive, relatively efficient and cheap bus system serving the metropolitan area and most of the country. There are buses from the two airports in San Jose to the center.

Air: Flights of more than 17 airlines land each day at Juan Santamaria International Airport. Domestic airline services are available between important points within the country SANSA and Nature Air are the domestic carriers with regular flights from San Jose to prime tourist destination.  A number of smaller airlines provide domestic charter flights as well. There are over 200 small airfields throughout the country.

Click here to see our hotel list page (include hotel on the Osa Peninsula)

No vaccinations are required to enter Costa Rica as epidemic diseases have been all but eradicated throughout the country. Infectious hepatitis, a serious problem throughout Central America, is reported only rarely in Costa Rica.

Drinking water is safe in all the major towns and cities; in other parts of the country it should be boiled first, but you can buy bottled water all around the country to be sure.

Costa Rica has one of the best standards of health and hygiene in the region.

Costa Rica is well known for providing world-class healthcare and beauty services. The experience is enhanced by relaxing accommodations during your stay.

Costa Rica has long been renown for it's plastic surgery. World-class clinics and doctors will provide you with the finest treatments. Packages include relaxing stays in natural locations.

If you want inexpensive high-quality dental care, Costa Rica is the place to go. Patients from abroad have benefited for years from the unparalleled value of the sophisticated dental clinics.

If you need more details about our beautiful Costa Rica, fell free to contact us.

We are the key to visit the southern pacific of Costa Rica and we will provide you with the best contact for other tourist areas.

Aventuras Tropicales Golfo Dulce