About Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a small country located in Central America is ranked as one of the most visited international destinations. Life in Costa Rica can be described by the unofficial country motto, "Pura Vida", meaning "Pure Life". Pura Vida can be heard before the click of glasses, the first bite of a meal or the final handshake of an agreement and epitomizes the unflustered calm of Costa Rican life.
Although the country is small, Costa Rica proudly holds 6% of the existing biodiversity in the world. Roughly 25% of the country consists of biological reserves and national parks.
Costa Ricans enjoy the highest quality of life in all of Latin America, a result of the governments commitment to social welfare and the education of the domestic population. In 1949 the government decided to abolish its armed forces and divert the armies funding to its health care system and education. The education system is free for all, and is the major contributor to the country's 96% literacy rate.
Costa Rica has attracted many foreigners to take up residence within its borders. There are currently over 100,000 Americans living in Costa Rica and approximately 25,000 Canadians.
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Official Language
The official language is Spanish.
The second language is English for a large portion of the population.
Offical Currency
Colon is the official currency of Costa Rica.
National Flower
Purple Orchid
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National Tree
Guanacaste Tree
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National Bird
Yigüirro (Clay Colored Robin)
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National Emblem
Emblem for Costa Rica
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National Symbol of Labour
Their colorful Ox Carts
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Religion
The main religion in Costa Rica is Roman Catholic. Freedom of religious choice is respected.
Costa Rica is divided into seven provinces, these are: San José, Alajuela, Heredia, Cartago, Puntarenas, Guanacaste, and Limon. Each province is subdivided into regions and these are subdivided into districts.
The country has as a marine territory known as Coco's Island. It is a world-renowned natural reserve, located 548 kilometers from Cabo Blanco in the Pacific Ocean comprised of 2,400 hectares of land and 73,100 hectares of sea.
Water Passages
The most important water passages in the country which serve the purpose for everyday transportation as well as a route for tourists are:
• The Tortuguero Canals and Barra del Colorado, on the Northern Caribbean
• The Sarapiqui River, on the Northern zone
• The Matina River, on the central Caribbean
• Part of the San Juan River, on the border with Nicaragua
• The Cold River, the Caño Negro Lagoons, and Los Chiles on the Northern zone
• The Sierpe River, on the Southern zone
• The Tempisque River, on the Gulf of Nicoya
Other rivers of great importance are:
• On the Caribbean: Pacuare, Reventazon, Caribbean Chrripo, Estrella, and Sixaola
• On the Pacific: Bebedero, Grande de Tarcoles, Coto, Chirripo, and Parrita
Airports
The main airport is the Juan Santamaria International Airport, located in Alajuela. This airport is only twenty minutes away from San José.
Other important airports are:
• The Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport, located in Liberia, Guanacaste.
• The Tobias Bolaños Airport located in Pavas, San José, for local as well as international flights.
There are also landing fields for local flights situated in different parts of the country such as: Limon, Tortuguero, La Fortuna, Tamarindo, Samara, Tambor, Quepos, Palmar North, Golfito, and San Vito.
Highways and Roads
The whole country is adequately connected by internal infrastructure. The main artery is the Interamerican Highway, which connects the two borders from Peñas Blancas all the way to Paso Canoas. The Cerro de la Muerte (Death Mountain) region has the road with the highest elevation in the country with an altitude higher than 3,200 meters above sea level.
Electrical Service
Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE). Ninety seven percent of the national territory has electrical service. The voltage in residential areas is 110v.
Office Hours
Government sector: From 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday. National Banks: From 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday. Some banks offer their services after regular hours until 7:00 p.m. and others that are located in some shopping centers are open on Saturdays.
Private Sector
From 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday. Commerce in general, opens Saturdays and Sundays up to mid-day.
National Holidays
• January 1st: New Years Day
• April 11th: Juan Santamaria Day, National Hero
• Holy Thursday and Good Friday: Religious activities
• May 1st: International Labor Day
• August 15th: Mothers Day
• September 15th: Independence Day
• December 25th: Christmas Day
Other Holidays
• July 25th: Annexation of Guanacaste Day
• August 2nd: Virgin of the Angels Day
• October 12th: Christopher Columbus Day
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