What is Costa Rica?
COSTA RICA
General information
​Costa Rica is a small country located in Central America with an area of 51,100 km2. But, don't get carried away by its size, it is an unparalleled destination for visitors.
It is a country with great tourism potential that is valued as one of the most visited international destinations.
Its main economy is based on agriculture, however, one of its main sources of income is tourism.
It is a country without an army since December 1, 1949.
Clothing
For almost the entire country you can wear clothing for hot weather. Only in very high places, such as some volcanoes and mountain lodges, is a sweater or cold clothing recommended.
Costa Rica experiences various types of weather conditions based on the area or region of the country.
With so many variations in elevation, its proximity to the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east, on any given day it could be hot and dry on the coast and at the same time rainy and cold inland.
Although it is true that rains are not common during the month of April, being a tropical country, they can occur in the afternoon.
It is recommended to bring the following items for your trip:
Rain coat or jacket
Tennis shoes or hiking boots
Mosquito repellent
Solar protection
Swimsuit
Sweater or jacket for the cold depending on the places to visit
At least one pair of comfortable, quick-drying pants.
The most important thing, a good travel attitude, you will be in the tropics, in minutes, the weather can change, increasing the adventure.
Biodiversity
​Costa Rica is considered one of the 20 countries with the greatest biodiversity in the world.
Although the country is small and covers only 0.03% of the planet's surface, similar to West Virginia, due to its isthmic position, it represented a biological and cultural bridge that allowed the encounter of forest and animal species, with more than 500,000 species that are found. They are supposed to be found in this small territory.
Of these 500,000, just over 300,000 are insects. It has the privilege of being the habitat of 5% of the existing biodiversity in the world.
25.58% of its territory is protected under various forms of conservation such as ecotourism and research areas.
Cuisine
​The country is purely agricultural and has a very varied cuisine including meats, seafood, and very good fish, such as red snapper, sea bass and trout. Vegetables such as potatoes, yucca, chayote, and many tropical fruits such as bananas, papaya, mangoes.
They have a typical meal in which the carne pot, potato hash with chorizo, chifrijo, and Tico tamales stand out (very different from the Mexican ones, by the way).
It is very easy to be satisfied in quality and quantity in the many restaurants of different categories in the country.
Geographic Position
​Costa Rica is located in Central America, joining North and South America, and between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. It limits to the north with Nicaragua and to the south with Panama.
Its geographical coordinates are: 08” 02”26” and 11”13” 12” north of Ecuador, 82” 33” 48” west of Greenwich.
Due to its position, it is called a tropical country, with a warm climate predominating; very pleasant both in the dry season that extends from December to April, and in the rainy season, which includes the months of May to November.
In the latter, rain is usually expected in the afternoons, while the mornings are sunny. However, many different microclimates can be found throughout the country, resulting in light rain in many areas.
It has a long coastline on both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, as well as a large number of rivers that attract kayakers and whitewater specialists from all over the world.
The country consists of seven provinces (San José, its capital; Alajuela, Cartago, Heredia, Puntarenas, Guanacaste and Limón), 82 cantons and 484 districts, and its size is 51,100 square kilometers.
It is a democratic, free and independent Republic; The majority of the population professes the Catholic religion, there is freedom of worship, and its currency as well as its official language are the colon and the Spanish language, respectively.
Distances to consider:
246 km by land from Puntarenas to Limón.
534 km by land from Peñas Blancas (border with Nicaragua) to Paso Canoas (border with Panama).
Highest point: Cerro Chirripó with 3819 meters above sea level.
Highest volcano: Irazú Volcano.
Largest volcanic crater: Poás Volcano Crater. It has a diameter of 1320 m with a depth of 300 m.
​Education and Health
​Despite its size and being in development, Costa Rica has managed to place itself among the countries that have high human development in Latin America.
It is the country in Latin America that has the highest life expectancy at birth, 77.75 years of age; Likewise, one of the countries with the lowest mortality: 10.82%.
Costa Rica has distinguished itself for its investment efforts in public education, eliminating the costs of supporting an army, and investing them in education, a decree respected by different governments over the years.
An important aspect of Costa Rican cultural heritage, its love for peace and democracy. The Ticos try to highlight that their nation is the exception in Latin America, since politics has long been dominated by the democratic system and not by dictators.
In the country there are about 6,147 schools and colleges and more than 50 universities.
It is also an excellent setting for investments and the establishment of important international companies, thanks to the recognized academic level of its population, the good standard of modern services and its socio-political stability.
Population and culture
The wealth of Costa Rica also lies in the cultural diversity of our people.
Throughout our history, the indigenous population of pre-Hispanic origin has been joined by waves of immigrants who settled in the country, making it their home.
Populations of European origin, mainly Spanish, people of African and Asian descent, as well as people from various parts of the American continent, have interacted with each other, enriching their cultural heritage through mixing, enriching the cultural diversity of our people.
There are also several ethnic-national groups and immigrant colonies that claim their particular cultural heritage, such as Afro-descendants, Chinese, Hebrews, Lebanese, Italians, etc.
As well as the Indian towns Bribri, Cabécar, Maleku, Teribe, Boruca, Ngöbe, Huetar and Chorotega.
The "tico"
The number one slogan is "Pura Vida" and it is the most common greeting in Costa Rica.
You hear people say it from the moment they arrive in the country, as a greeting, as a question, as an exclamation. Literally "pura vida", it means that everything is fine.
Ticos, as Costa Ricans are also known, are famous for being hospitable people and they like to maintain that reputation. They are polite and hardworking, they like to give people a smile and shake hands.
Ticos know how to be special hosts, and generally gladly accept to help visitors who are lost, of course, you have to listen to Utico giving references and directions.... they even converse with a very own Spanish language, sometimes turning out to be, "the worse the cures the disease" by making your stay as picturesque as possible. It is said that Ticos are this nation's best asset, and once you have experienced their friendliness and spontaneity, you will have no doubt about it and it is not surprising if they invite you for a cup of coffee at home.