Costa Rica Information
In this page I have gathered first-hand Costa Rica information. Geography of Costa Rica Costa Rica Information - The country is divided by a backbone of volcanoes and mountains, an extension of the Andes-Sierra Madre chain which runs along the western side of the Americas. Costa Rica has four distinct cordilleras or mountain ranges - Guanacaste and Tilaran in the north, Central and Talamanca in the south. Costa Rica is part of the Pacific "Rim of Fire" and has seven of the isthmus's 42 active volcanoes plus dozens of dormant or extinct cones. Earth tremors and small quakes shake the country from time to time. The last major quake hit on April 22, 1991. Centered on the Caribbean side southeast of San Jose, it measured 7.4 on the Richter scale. The country's highest point is Mt. Chirripo (3,797 meters). The capital, San Jose, and the neighbouring major cities of Alajuela and Heredie lies in the middle of the Meseta Central (Central Valley). Almost two-thirds of the nation's population live in this small, fertile valley. The Pacific coastal plain is much narrower than its Caribbean counterpart. Both coasts are lined with white and black sand beaches. Costa Rica's Climate Costa Rica Information - Costa Rica is a tropical country which contains several distinct climatic zones. There is no winter or summer as such and most regions have a rainy season from May to November and a dry season from December to April. Annual rainfall averages 100 inches nationwide with some mountainous regions getting as much as 25 feet on exposed eastern slopes. Temperature is more a matter of elevation than location with a mean of around 72 degrees in the Central Valley, 82 degrees on the Atlantic coast and 89 degrees on the Pacific coast. Costa Rica's Government Costa Rica Information - Costa Rica is a democratic republic. Under the 1949 constitution, all citizens are guaranteed equality before the law, the right to own property, the right of petititon and assembly, freedom of speech and the right of habeas corpus. The constitution also divides the government into independent executive, legislative and judicial branches. The executive branch is composed of the president, two vice presidents and a cabinet. The legislature is the National Assembly, composed of 57 members (diputados) elected by proportional representation. National elections are held every four years, on the first Sunday of February. Under a constitutional amendment enacted in 1969, a president may serve only one four-year term during his lifetime. Diputados also are elected for four years and may serve a second term four years after the first ends. The largest political party is the National Liberation Party (PLN). Its main rival is the more conservative Social Christian Unity Party. Health Issues Costa Rica Information - You are unlikely to encounter any serious diseases in Costa Rica. Sanitary standards are high and the health system is excellent. During the past two wet seasons there have been several outbreaks of the mosquito-borne disease dengue but so far there have been no reported cases of the more serious haemorrhaging dengue. 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. Several private hospitals in San Jose offer emergency medical services to foreigners are reasonable prices: Clinica Biblica (avenida 14, calles central & 1, tel. 223-6422) also has a 24-hour pharmacy. Costa Rica's Social Security system (the Caja) offers a medical insurance assistance program for foreigners needing emergency medical assistance. The coverage can be bought at travel agencies, language schools or through tour companies. Language Costa Rica Information - The most widely spoken language in Costa Rica is Spanish (97% of the population); although there are other native languages used mostly within the indigenous reserves. Many businesses, in and around San Jose, and resorts throughout the country have employees who also speak English. Currency Costa Rica currency is the Colon. It was named after Christopher Columbus, known as Cristobal Colon in Spanish and was introduced as the official currency in 1896, replacing the money used in Costa Rica before known as: the peso. The correct plural pronunciation is colones, but English-speakers often refer to them as colons instead. Credit Cards Automated Teller Machines (ATM's) can be easily found in most populated areas of Costa Rica. Most international credit cards are accepted throughout the country: Visa, Master Card and American Express. Electricity All plug sockets are American two-pin style, so visitors wishing to use appliances with UK or continental plugs will need to bring adaptors and ensure that equipment is suited to 110 volts AC. Tipping Most restaurants will include a 10% service charge at the bill. Taxi drivers generally do not receive a tip. If you are satisfied with the service you receive, hotel maids, tour guides and drivers would appreciate a tip. Currency The national currency is the colon (plural 'clones'), but US dollars are widely used. Generally, visitors will use dollars to pay for large amounts (e.g. accommodation) and colones for smaller amounts (e.g. taxis), but it is possible to pay for most things in either currency. Colones are not available outside Costa Rica, so it is best to arrive with dollars and get some colones at an ATM (cajero automatico). You can withdraw cash using debit cards with international symbols, although not all banks accept these. Major credit cards are generally accepted at hotels and restaurants (Visa and MasterCards most widely). Religion More than 75% of Costa Ricans are practicing Catholics and approximately 14% are evangelical Christians. Other religions include: Jehovah's Witnesses 1.3%, Protestant 0.7%, other 4.8%, and none 3.2%. Legal System Costa Rica Information - 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. Under Napoleonic Law, you are presumed guilty and must prove your innocence, whereas in the U.S., Canada and the United Kingdom, you are presumed innocent and the government must prove you guilty. Our advice: don't do anything illegal and the legal system differences won't matter. Communications Costa Rica Information - Send and receive your letters and packages with confidence in Costa Rica. Postal branches are located in nearly every city and town. The Central Post Office is located in San Jose 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 7a.m. to noon. The country code for Costa Rica is 506, and there is no area code inside the country. All calls within Costa Rica are considered local calls. Note: Effective March 20, 2008, all land line phone numbers must have a 2 dialled first, and all cell phone numbers are preceded by 8. Costa Rica is a technologically advanced country, and you’ll find Internet cafes on almost every city corner. Most cafes charge 400-600 colones per hour (roughly 75 cents to $1.20). Before you go looking for a cafe, keep in mind that your hotel or hostel might offer free or discounted Internet access. In addition, many hotels now offer free wireless Internet in their lobby and rooms. Business Hours The majority of banks are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., although some now offer extended hours. Business offices are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (many close for one hour at lunch), and most stores are open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 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 Transito (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: (all phone numbers within Costa Rica are considered local calls) Emergencies . . . . . . .911 (Metropolitan area) Fire Department & Rescue Units. . . . . . .118 Traffic Police. . . . . ..2222-9330/ 2222-9245 Police Department . . . .117 Rural Police Department ...127 Red Cross . . . . . . . .128 Airports - Costa Rica information Juan Santamaria International Airport Tel: 2441-0744 Limon Airport Tel: 2758-1379 Tobias Bolanos International Airport Tel: 2232-2820 Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport: (Liberia, Guanacaste) Tel: 2666-0695 Arriving and departing Juan Santamaria (SJO), located just outside San Jose, is Costa Rica’s main international airport. Many air travellers arrive from or via the USA, although there are a few direct flights from Canada (Toronto) and Europe, notably Madrid. There are also daily flights from Mexico City and several other Central and South American cities. There are no direct flights from the UK, Australia or New Zealand. The following national carriers serve Costa Rica: American Airlines Tel: 506 257 1266. www.aa.com Air Canada Tel: 514 393 3333 (in Canada). www.aircanada.ca America West Tel: 480 693 6718 (in the USA). www.amaricawest.com Continental Tel: 506 296 4911. www.continental.com COPA Tel: 506 222 6640. www.copaair.com Cubana de Aviacion Tel: 506 221 7625 / 5881. www.cubana.cu Delta Tel: 506 256 7909. www.delta.com Grupo TACA Tel: 506 296 0909. www.taca.com Iberia Tel: 506 257 8266. www.iberia.com KLM Tel: 506 220 4111. www.klm.com Lacsa see Group TASCA Martinair Tel: 31 20 60 11 767 (in the Netherlands). www.martinair.com Mexicana Tel: 506 295 6969. www.maxicana.com SAM / Avianca Tel: 506 233 3066. www.avianca.com United Airlines Tel: 506 220 4844. www.united.com US Airways Tel: 800 011 0793 / 4114. www.usairways.com Transportation - Costa Rica information International Flights: Most air traffic to and from Costa Rica is handled through the Juan Santamaria International Airport, located 30 minutes from San Jose, in the city of Alajuela. For more northern locations, visitors can opt to fly into Liberia's Daniel Oduber International Airport, located in the heart of northern Guanacaste Province. Domestic Flights: There are two domestic airlines serving Costa Rica, Nature Air and Sansa. Nature Air is based at the Tobias Bolanos Airport in Pavas, four miles west of San Jose, about 20 minutes from Alajuela. Sansa flights depart from the Juan Santamaria International Airport 11 miles northwest of San Jose. Both airlines offer adventure passes for unlimited numbers of flights for one or two weeks to any of their 17 plus destinations in Costa Rica. Visitors can also charter planes for private groups. A network of internal airports serve popular tourist areas including: Liberia,Tamarindo, Barra del Colorado, Tortuguero, Limon, Quepos, Golfito, and Arenal. Domestic Bus Service: Costa Rica has one of the best public transportation systems in Latin America, consisting almost exclusively of bus travel. Local city buses will take you almost anywhere within city limits, and intercity buses are inexpensive, comfortable and widely available. In addition to being a very inexpensive and comfortable way to travel, taking the bus leaves the tricky, potholed driving responsibilities to someone who is much more accustomed to Costa Rica's road conditions. And while the bus driver manoeuvres mountain roads and bumper-to-bumper traffic, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy Costa Rica's beautiful scenery. International Bus Service: TICA BUS, TRANS NICA, SIRCA and TRACOPA offer round trip service to Panama, Nicaragua and other Central American countries from San Jose. Automobiles: Costa Rica has a good highway network, the majority of which is paved. In most places there are adequate traffic signs. There are toll booths on the major highways (San Jose-San Ramon, San Jose-Guapiles, San Jose-Cartago, San Jose-Ciudad Colon). Tolls run from 75 to 275 colones (about 25 to 75 cents). Full-service gas stations are scattered throughout the country, some open 24-hours a day. Driver Requirements: A tourist 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. Motorcyclists are required to use helmets. Entry / Exit Requirements With a valid passport and round trip or onward 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, travellers will need to submit an application for an extension to the Office of Temporary Permits in the Costa Rican Department of Immigration. Normally, tourist visas are not extended except under special circumstances, such as academic, employment, or medical grounds, and extension requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. On the way out of Costa Rica, you'll have to pay a $26 exit tax, payable with cash or credit card at the international airport. If you're travelling with an underage child without his/her second parent, you will need extensive paperwork to be allowed out of the country. Don't come without it. 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 of your normal vaccinations are up to date. Medical Facilities & Services - Costa Rica information 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 has a modern medical system, under the administration of the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS). The Central Market The Central Market is probable a known place by all Costa Rica and many of the foreigners that visit the country. This market together with the church, the headquarters, the plaza and the theatre are the most representative places where the history of the old San Jose. San Jose was called La Boca del Monte by their ancestors. La Boca del Monte was the main entrance for the central part of the country and a place where the old farmers lived together with the families. The Central Market is more than a common sale place. It is a congregation place and privileged in which city life passes day by day. They all think that the country is wonderful and people are friendly. However represent all the layers of Costa Rica, living together in a warm, movable space, full of surprises, and according to many thoughts, all Costa Ricans are eternal. Founded in 1882, it was next to the old National Palace, seat of the Presidency and the Legislative Assembly. It has been remodelled several times through the years, but it still has kept its labyrinth-structure where one may enter and loose itself inside. The Central Market has several doors that flow out into main streets and avenues that are the environment of the capital city, so it makes it easier to loose yourself. For an assiduous visitor and foreigners that live in Costa Rica became regulars, the Central Market mirrors are a perfect way of life in Costa Rican, that you can clearly see it in this market. First of all in this famous place the native food restaurants are very important, steaming and delicious. The food here goes from a huge pot into your mouth. The secret is that all food is made with old recipes that the ingenuity of cooks turns into new recipes day by day. This is because of the seasoning and the ingredients selections. It is important to mention that each time people cook use inventiveness and creativeness. Tourists and public employees from the surrounding area say that this is fast food and cheap. Travellers from provinces who visit the Central Market in order to taste delicacies as legendary Lolo Mora´s ice cream, tamales and chocolate from Soda Tapia. Both restaurants have more than 50 years serving. All of their menus have been varied so that we can see them as cosmopolitan places nowadays, without losing the native taste of the seasoning and the Costa Rican style of the “casado” (national plate with rice, beans, salad, meat, chicken or fish, cheese and tortillas)or “gallo pinto”(rice with beans) with a good glass of “agua dulce”.(water with special national sugar candy) The Central Market is warm and everyone feels submerged in the tenderness of daily life. In the Central Market you are looked upon as a person; in a world that outside seems to us inhuman. You can smell the aroma of the delicious tortillas, made by charming girls, with a bit of fresh cheese to give them the definite flavor of an exquisite delicacy, only seen in Costa Rica. For those who like and love tidbits there are guava marmalade, figs in syrup mangoes, special desserts: rice and milk, sugary bananas and the delicious fried plantains which have been a part of the traditional food for almost a century in the whole country, obviously in some regions more than in others. The Central market has its own life. From dawn till sunset it has a bustle that attracts more than twenty thousand people, all of them looking for things to buy, window shopping or just visiting to greet friends, which is a Costa Rican custom that is known as social gathering. Fifty years ago, you could see such important figures as former president of the Republic, taking care of the flower shops. There was also the current president of the Supreme Court who still visits the place. The Central Market of San Jose is proud of its history. Many of the shops have been selling the same things for almost a century, from sophisticated imported spices and porcelains to the modern plastic items that show the kitsch that taste of the shoppers. Specially important are the shops that sell medicinal plants, you can find magic herbs to fight of all illnesses, from gastric cancer to migraine, so say the convincing salesmen and people who have taste them. Traditional botany, a mirror of the popular culture, is an important part of the market and has produced specialist in plants. The “yerberos” come from different parts of the country are an important part of the people that you find there and the only ones who really know what are you looking for. The Central Market of San Jose would not be complete without the flowers shops that offer many kinds, you can find shops that offer from the most humble and wild ones to the most beautiful ones that are product of the mix of foreign seeds and the national climate. The flowers give a special touch as well as whirlwind of visitors with their delicate odours and attractive colours. For the good smoker, the Central Market also has several shops that offer national tobacco, the habanos, as well as the finest tobaccos imported form Europe and the Caribbean. In the lively space of the Central Market you can approach the diverse social classes, native and imported products, the wealth of our natural resources as the usage of a popular language, where you can see the idiosyncrasies and expressiveness of the Costa Rican thorough the years. As a gathering place to search for communications it is unchangeable, together with its personalities and shops where visitors arrive to talk, discuss national affairs and to set the world in order in a particularly expressive phrase of the national language heard everywhere.Worked in the Central Market of San Jose is a part of the lineage of many citizens who are proud of their labour. Untouched by time, respected by everybody, included every respectable tourists guide, the space created by Costa Rican history is always the same and always different.It is a symbol and a reality of the daily life of a modern Costa Rica, a life you can feel and live, enjoying the admirable heritage of a civil period that is a heritage of our ancestors, farmers and simple peasants that build the democracy of which we are so proud. Return from Costa Rica Information to Home Page
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