 General Information
The People, Climate and Culture
Frequently Asked Questions
Cross Cultural Tips
Reading List
Geography
Costa Rica is bounded to the north by Nicaragua
and to the south by Panama. Costa Rica is about
the size of West Virginia with 20,000 square miles.
It is one of the most complex and diverse countries
on the planet.
People
Costa Ricans are known as "Ticos." They are extremely hospitable and proud of the beauty their country has
to offer. By continually protecting wild areas and wildlife, they have embraced ecotourism as no other
country has and have improved their infrastructure for tourism.
Language
Spanish, but English is widely spoken.
Climate
Costa Rica has two seasons; the Dry Season from December-April and the Green Season from May-November.
The Green Season brings late afternoon or evening showers and fewer crowds.
Currency
The currency of Costa Rica is the Colon. U.S. dollars and major credit cards such as Visa, MasterCard and American Express are widely accepted. It is common for some establishments to add a surcharge of 7-8% to the credit card purchases. U.S. dollars can be exchanged at banks, international airports and most hotels. Many smaller establishments only accept cash, so please bring small denominations. ATM's are becoming more
popular but will not be found in many of the remote regions covered on your trip. The airport bank may cash
only $50 worth of Costa Rican currency back into U.S. dollars for departing travelers.
Government
Costa Rica is a democratic republic. Costa Rica's seven provinces include Alajuela, Cartago, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, Guanacaste and San Jose, its capital. Each is ruled by a governor appointed by the president.
Time Zone
Costa Rica is Greenwich Mean Time minus six hours. This means that San Jose is one hour behind New York
and 2 hours ahead of California.
Economy
Tourism remains the most important foreign exchange source as do bananas, pineapples, coffee and other agricultural exports. Costa Ricans enjoy one of the highest standards of living in the Americas due to their socialized health care and public education.
Entry Requirements
All U.S. citizens including children require passports to enter Costa Rica. U.S. passports must be valid at least
6 months or longer beyond the dates of your trip. We recommend that you carry a photocopy of the passport
and leave the original in a safe place while traveling about.
Immunizations
None are required for travel to Costa Rica. If you have specific health concerns, you should speak to your personal physician before traveling.
Utilities
Tap water is potable in most of the country, however, we recommend using bottled water in rural areas.
Electricity
120 volts; two prong flat and round plugs.
Taxes
The international departure tax when leaving Costa Rica is $26 per person, payable in U.S. currency or local currency (not Traveler’s Checks). Hotels include a 13% sales and a 3% tourism tax on room charges.
Tipping
Tips are not required and are completely subjective. Restaurant bills include a 10% gratuity but you can leave
an extra tip for good service.
Safety
Costa Rica is considered a very safe country but any crime that does exist tends to be opportunistic. As in
any large city, travelers should exercise caution concerning street mugging and pick pocketing. Leave
valuables such as jewelry, money, passport and airline tickets locked in the hotel safe. Carry a reasonable
amount of spending money in a money belt or hidden pocket.
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