Costa Rica is quickly becoming a favorite destination for travelers. It has much to offer the traveler with its rich Latin American culture and the beautiful welcoming smiles of its nearly 4 million people. If you are looking for a warm friendly culture, Costa Rica is the place for you.

Ticos, as Costa Ricans are known, are a friendly, hard working people that take pride in their country and the fact that they have not had an army for more than 50 years. Unlike most of its neighbors, Costa Rica has not undergone a civil war, nor has there been any major military attack in modern history.

As a traveler you can see the Ticos’ appreciation for their country in the way they have preserved it. Over 28% of Costa Rica has been set aside as a national park or private reserve. Part of the preservation is due to the fact that Costa Ricans are very well-educated with a literacy rate over 96%.

With tourism being one of Costa Rica’s main sources of revenue, the industry has grown to meet the needs of the many travelers. A network of private tourist class shuttle/bus transportation has popped up in recent years, as well as some amazing resorts that cater specifically to Costa Rica{s thriving eco-tourism. In addition, most towns have potable water and electricity, and cell phones are becoming increasingly popular.

Given all this, Costa Rica boasts some of the most beautiful tropical beaches and exotic rainforests in Central America and the world. It is a land of active volcanoes and windswept mountaintops. Although it is a small country, many tropical habitats are found within the country, and they are protected by the best developed conservation program in Latin America.

With both Pacific and Caribbean coasts, there’s no shortage of beaches in Costa Rica. Some have been developed for tourism while others are isolated and rarely visited. For a relaxing seaside vacation, you can stay in a luxurious hotel or you can camp on a remote beach. Wherever you stay, you’re likely to find a preserved area within driving distance and monkeys in the trees.

Active volcanoes are surely one of the most dramatic natural sights, and few visitors to Costa Rica can resist the opportunity to peer into the crater of a smoking giant. Whether you want to take a guided bus tour to a volcanic summit or hike up through the rainforest and camp out amid a landscape of boiling mud pools and steaming vents, the information you need is within this tourism portal.

Apart from hiking and camping in rainforests, mountains, and on beaches, you can surf some of the best waves in Central America and raft some of the most thrilling whitewater in the tropics. Pristine rivers tumble down the lower slopes of the mountains, and the riverbanks are clothed with curtains of rainforest – a truly unique rafting experience. The rivers and lakes offer a beautiful setting for fishing, and ocean sport fishing is definitely world class.

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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 to petition and assemble, freedom of speech and the right of habeas corpus. The constitution also divides the government into independent executive, legislative and judicial branches.

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Citizens of the United States, Canada, and Panama may enter Costa Rica without a visa. The time allotted to be in the country as a tourist for citizens of those countries is 90 days. If you want to stay longer, you can ask for an extension in the Immigration Department in Costa Rica or leave the country for 72 hours and enter again. You are required to carry your passport or tourist card with you at all times. If you are stopped by officials, a photocopy of your photo, passport number and entry stamp will usually suffice.

Travelers arriving in Costa Rica can bring in 500 cigarettes or 500 grams of tobacco and three liters of wine or spirits.

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The Costa Rican currency is the colón. It floats daily against the dollar and can be exchanged at banks and change booths. American dollars and major credit cards are accepted almost everywhere, except in small business establishments or hotels and restaurants in remote locations. Travelers’ checks are not exchanged as favorably as cash. If you pay by credit card, a small surcharge is sometimes added. ATMs are available in most cities and towns with bank offices.

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The population of Costa Rica is now approximately 4,000,000 people, which includes 40,000 natives who belong to eight different cultural groups. The official language is Spanish, but many of the people speak some English, a required course in all schools. Costa Ricans are affectionately known as Ticos, and you would be hard pressed to find a more friendly and welcoming culture.

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San José, population one million, is the capital and cultural heart of Costa Rica. Other major cities (by population) are: Alajuela, Cartago, Heredia, Liberia, Limón and Puntarenas.

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To enter the country you now must have a valid passport. Some countries now require your passport to be valid for at least 6 more months in order to leave your country and go to Costa Rica. Check with you embassy and/or airline.

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No shots are required, but we always suggest having a Hepatitis A shot as a precaution. The water in the major cities of Costa Rica is safe, and most hotels and restaurants offer purified tap water. You might prefer to drink bottled water (agua purificada) or seltzer (agua mineral) to be sure. Costa Rica has excellent, low-cost medical care and well-qualified practitioners. Many North Americans come to Costa Rica for cosmetic surgery or dental work.

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Rental cars are an expensive but a good way to see Costa Rica outside of San José. You should buy all the insurance offered – and then some. Drivers in Costa Rica are known for taking many liberties with traditional driving laws, and, for a non-confrontational people, are very aggressive behind the wheel. Combine that with unpredictable road conditions and there can be “awkward” moments. Drive very cautiously. During the rainy season, make sure that you rent a vehicle with four wheel drive. For group transportation or private transfers, buses are a good alternative and very reasonably priced. Adobe Rent-A-Car offers chauffeur services.

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Costa Rica is located in Central America with Nicaragua bordering to the north and Panama to the south. On the East coast is the Caribbean Sea and to the west is the Pacific Ocean. Costa Rica is situated very near the equator at just 8 degrees latitude.

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Costa Rica's year round climate is pleasant with naturally occurring breezes cooling down most of the coastal areas. Temperatures in the highlands and the mountains are warm by day and brisk at night, giving an "eternal spring" feeling. The average annual temperatures range from 31.7°C (89°F) on the coast to 16.7°C (62°F) inland. The rainy, or green, season lasts from approximately May to December with noticeably drier days during the rest of the year.

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Costa Rica has long been a destination of choice for birding enthusiasts, biology scholars, and nature lovers of all types. Nearly all of the National Parks in Costa Rica are home to an incredible variety of wildlife. Manuel Antonio National Park is famous for its semi-tame monkeys. You can also see fantastic jungle creatures on the Osa Peninsula, in Tortuguero, and in other more remote areas. If you love wildlife, be sure to take a guided tour of one of Costa Rica's national parks. The tour guides at the parks are usually very knowledgeable and can point out things you may not notice otherwise. Scarlet macaws, marine turtles, hummingbirds, sloths, leaf-cuter ants, quetzals, toads, frogs, monkeys, crocodiles, toucans, bats, and iguanas are among the most seen and sought-after animals. The list of animals one can see here seems endless. Costa Rica is considered to be one of the most biologically intense places on earth, particularly the Osa Peninsula. Due to Costa Rica’s unique position at the continental divide there is a plethora of exotic creatures, flowers and trees. We recommend you purchase a guidebook for more information on what you can find in each region.

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YES! Health care in Costa Rica is excellent and there are several ultra-modern hospitals with English speaking Doctors (some are North Americans) in the greater San José area. For emergency assistance in Costa Rica, dial 911.

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