Costa Rica Travel Information

The basic facts

• Official name: Republic of Costa Rica
• Capital city: San Jose
• Provinces: San Jose, Cartago, Alajuela, Limon, Puntarenas, Guanacaste and Heredia.
• Location: It is located in the Central American Isthmus. Central America is the link between South America and North America, and constitutes a natural and biological bridge of flora and fauna. The waters of the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean bathe Costa Rica in the West and the East, respectively.
• Extension: 51.100 square kilometers.
• Time Zone: GMT-6
• Coast Line: 800 miles including the Atlantic and the Pacific.
• Population: 3.9 million inhabitants: white (87,6%), mestizo (7%), black and mulato (3%), Chinese (1,9%), amerindian (0,5%). Costa Ricans are normally known as "Ticos".
• Political System: Democratic. The country is characterized by its idiosyncrasy, its peaceful environment—a country without an army; the army was abolished in 1949 by President Jose Figueres Ferrer.
• Language: The official language is Spanish. Many inhabitants speak English. There are also some indigenous languages like bribrí, cabécar, guayní and maleku.
• Educational System: There is public and private instruction. The literacy rate reaches 96%. The labor force is highly trained.
• Religion: Catholic, but there is freedom of creed.
• People: They are always kind, joyful, willing to help and characterized by their hospitality.
• Seasons: There are two basic seasons; the rainy season (May to November), and the dry season (December to April).
• Average Temperature: Central Zone 23 ºC, Pacific Zone 27 ºC and Atlantic Zone 25ºC
• Ecotourism: Variety is the term that better defines Costa Rica. You will find and enjoy from high mountains, active volcanoes, ardent beaches, rain forest, cloud forest, national parks, protected areas, and micro-climates, to a great variety of exotic animals (birds, reptiles, mammals, butterflies, insects and many more) and a huge range of flora in any type of environment.