Costa Rica

Costa Rica is Central America 's jewel. It's an oasis of calm among its turbulent neighbors and an ecotourism heaven, making it one of the best places to experience the tropics with minimal impact. It's also mostly coastline, which means great surfing, beaches galore and a climate built for laziness.

Full country name: Republic of Costa Rica
Area: 51,100 sq km
Population: 3.8 million
People: 96% Spanish descent, 2% African descent, 1% indigenous Indians, 1% Chinese
Language: English, Spanish; Castilian
Religion: 85% Roman Catholic, 14% Protestant
Government: Democracy
Head of State: President Abel Pacheco de la Espriella

GDP: US$16.6 billion
GDP per capita: US$4,300
Annual Growth: 1%
Inflation: 11.6%
Major Industries: Tourism, electronics, coffee, bananas, sugar, food processing, textiles and clothing, construction materials, fertilizer, plastic products.
Major Trading Partners: USA , Germany , Italy , Japan , Guatemala , Mexico

Facts for the Traveler

Visas: Visa requirements for Costa Rica change rapidly so check with your consulate before leaving. Currently citizens of the USA, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Israel, Japan, Panama, Romania, South Korea, Uruguay, the UK, France and most other Western European countries do not need a visa for a 90-day stay. Citizens of Australia , Ireland , Iceland , Mexico , New Zealand , Russia , South Africa , Vatican City and most of Eastern Europe and Latin America can stay 30 days without a visa. If you do need a visa, it will cost approximately US$20 from a Costa Rican consulate.
Health risks: Dengue Fever, Malaria, Cholera (There is a low risk of cholera), Hepatitis
Time: GMT/UTC -6
Dialling Code: 506
Electricity: 110V ,60Hz
Weights & measures: Metric

When to Go

As far as climate goes, the late-December to mid-April dry season is the most pleasant. But of course, this is when everyone else goes to Costa Rica , so prices are up and hotels are full. Although some roads are impassable in the wet season, it's still worthwhile to visit at this time, and things are much quieter. April, May and mid-October to mid-December should give you the best of both worlds.

Events

The country just about closes down during Easter week, and the week between Christmas and New Year's Day tends to be an unofficial holiday, especially in San José . Various towns celebrate their own saints' days and other significant dates. San José 's day ( Saint Joseph's Day ) is March 19, while Virgin of Los Angeles Day (the patron saint of Costa Rica ) is August 2. Juan Santamaria's Day on April 11 celebrates the national hero who helped see off William Walker in 1856, and Columbus Day on October 12, as elsewhere in the Americas, is a national holiday.

Money & Costs

Currency: Costa Rican colón

Meals

• Budget: US$5-10
• Mid-range: US$10-20
• High: US$25+

Lodging

• Budget: US$5-15
• Mid-range: US$20-30
• High: US$50+

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