Costa Rica

Costa Rica is in a phase of tremendous growth. It is the Hawaii of the 21st Century. With its warm sunny days, clean air and water, unspoiled beaches and its ‘pura vida’ lifestyle, more than ever before, Costa Rica is an alluring destination for vacationers and investors alike. Many come to this lush paradise and find this to be an environment which they wish to call home. They come for Costa Rica’s pura vide lifestyle and tropical atmosphere; they stay for the opportunity to make this dreamland their own

“Pura vida," meaning pure life, is exactly what visitors are drawn to in Costa Rica.

In this small country, covering only 0.03% of the surface of the planet, 6% of the world's biodiversity can be found. There are twelve major life zones that provide a habitat for over 10,000 kinds of flowering plants, 850 bird species, 3,000 butterfly species, and 209 species of mammals. Volcanoes, rainforests, cloud forests, lowland jungles, the Pacific coastline, and tranquil Caribbean beaches stretch across seven provinces. Thirty percent of the land is protected by national and private reserves, which harbor more than five percent of the world's plant and animal species. Costa Rica boasts 20 national parks, 8 biological reserves, and a wealth of other protected areas to enchant those who marvel at the wonders of nature.

The people of Costa Rica, or Ticos as they are called, seem to be well aware that their country is a special place. They are famous for being hospitable, and are quite happy to live up to their reputation. It is common to see Ticos going out of their way to accommodate their visitors; pointing them in the right direction when they get lost, explaining things that might seem foreign to a foreigner, and helping make their stay as enjoyable as possible.

Whatever your pace, there are countless activities to choose from. Whether it’s the active lifestyle of surfing, scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, water-skiing, swimming, tennis, golf, biking, rock climbing, and hiking, or the rare joys of swinging through the trees in one of our canopy tours, discovering virgin rain forests, viewing active volcanoes, exploring our national parks, bird watching, volunteering to help with our endangered leatherback turtle program, sneaking away for a spa retreat or simply enjoying the view –these are all at your doorstep.

The magic combination of sun and beach, the wide variety of tourist activities, the geographical location and climate, and the political and social stability are all characteristics that paint Costa Rica a utopian paradise for vacationers and investors alike.

Government and Politics

The main city in Costa Rica is its capitol, San Jose. More than 70% of Costa Ricans reside in San Jose’s central valley. The population has reached approximately 4 million. The government is a democratic republic. The new president, who begins his term in May of this year, is Oscar Arias, whom was previously awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

The Costa Rican economy had primarily depended on its exports of coffee, bananas, and meat. Today, the economy has shifted and now depends primarily on tourism, agriculture and electronic exports.

The citizens of Costa Rica come first in the eyes of the government. The government dedicates 6% of the national budget strictly to education of its citizens, therefore increasing the national literacy rate to 96% of the total population. Poverty has also been a problem that has been addressed. Throughout the country, the poverty level has been substantially reduced over the past 15 years and a strong social safety net has been put into place to protect its citizens.

Climate

Costa Rica's overall climate can be best described as mild. There are two seasons: dry and rainy. The dry season typically lasts from December through May. During that time it's hot and sunny and there's no rain at all. The rest of the year is considered the rainy season, peaking around October with the most rainfall. Temperatures in the central valley (San Jose) range from 55°F (13°C) to 90°F (32°C) and on the beaches from 75°F (24°C) to 100°F (38°C) year round.

Getting Around

There are many options for travel within Costa Rica. Car rentals are available at the major airports and in other major cities, inter country flights are available on a daily basis, and the bus service is exceptional. Buses run from all the major cities into rural areas throughout the country. Taxis are another option for travel between towns. Always inquire about the price prior to getting in the taxi.

Airports

Costa Rica has two international airports. The principal airport (Juan Santamaria, SJO) is in the capital city of San Jose, located in the center of Costa Rica. San Jose is the perfect hub from which to explore the entire country. There are multiple daily flights within Costa Rica provided by the national airlines carriers: Sansa and with Nature Air, both of which can take you to more remote areas of Costa Rica.

The other airport (Daniel Oduber Quiros, LIR) is near the city of Liberia in the Guanacaste province, 135 miles northwest from San Jose. It is the ideal destination if you plan on staying in Tamarindo, Flamingo, Papagayo, Potrero, Arenal (Monteverde), or any other area in Guanacaste. Today there are over 50 domestic flights from the U.S. into Liberia, including Delta, Continental, and American airlines.

Entry and Exit Requirements

Every person that enters Costa Rica must have a valid passport that cannot expire for 30 days from the time of arrival. This requirement varies from country to country, so check with your embassy or airline for further details.

When leaving, there is an exit tax that must be purchased before checking into your flight of US$26.

Electricity

The voltage throughout the country is 110, the same as in the United States. There are rarely three prong outlets, so you may need to bring an adaptor for two prong outlets.

Conversion Chart

1 acre = 43,560 square feet

1 acre = .4047 hectares (HA)

1 acre = 4,047 square meters

1 foot = 0.3048006 meters

1 hectare = 10,000 square meters

1 hectare = 2.471 acres

1 kilometer = .62 miles

1 meter = 3.280833 feet

1 mile = 5,280 feet

1 mile = 1.60935 kilometers