Costa Rica Guide
Costa Rica – country information
| Country name | Costa Rica |
| Official name | Republic of Costa Rica |
| Capital | San Jose |
| Continent | North America |
| Area | 51,100 km2 |
| Population | 4,667,096 (2013) |
| Foundation of a state | 15/9/1821 |
| The highest mountains | Chirripó 3819 m |
| Longest rivers | San Juan-San Carlos 230 km |
| State system | a pluralistic presidential republic with a unicameral parliament |
| The biggest cities | San José 330,000 (agglomeration 1.15 million) (capital), Alajuela 180,000, Cartago 130,000 |
| Official language | Spanish |
| Ethnicity/National Composition | whites 85%, mestizos 8%, blacks and mulattoes 3%, Asians (Chinese) 3%, others 1% |
| Religious affiliation | Roman Catholics 81.5%, others (mostly Protestants) 18.5% |
| Currency | 1 colón © = 100 centimes |
| gross domestic product (GDP) | US$12,545 (2012) |
| Average life expectancy of the population | 77.02 years (2006) |
| Structure of GDP | agriculture, forestry and fishing 17.5%, mining and industry 22.7%, construction 2.8%, services 57% |
Costa Rica – Neighboring States
| State | Capital | Area | Population |
| Nicaragua | Managua | 130,000 km2 | 6,071,045 |
| Panama | City of Panama | 75,517 km2 | 3,405,813 |
Country overview
According to Abbreviationfinder, Costa Rica lies on the Central American isthmus between Nicaragua and Panama and has a significantly longer Pacific coast than the Caribbean.
Costa Rica (rich coast) is one of the smallest states in Central America. It is located in the narrowest part of the isthmus between the continents. Common borders in the north with Nicaragua, in the southeast with Panama. In 1502 it was discovered by Christopher Columbus.
The capital is San Jose. Currency – Colon. Religion – Catholicism. The official language is Spanish. Time is 9 hours behind Moscow time.
Costa Rica is a reserve country (74 reserves). Protected natural areas occupy a quarter of the area here. The climate is subequatorial (January temperature + 23*C, July + 25*C.).
Costa Rica is a small mountainous country located in Central America. Tours to Costa Rica provide an opportunity to admire the bewitching landscapes: majestic volcanoes, picturesque valleys, steep mountain trails, dense green forests.
Here you will meet many exotic flowers and birds. Here is an unusual nature. Costa Rica is an interesting combination of natural features. For example, next to a green meadow you can see amazing volcanic wastelands, and after a couple of kilometers you will stumble upon a savannah scorched by the sun. It looks like a paradise for lovers of such eclectic exotics.
Resorts and attractions in Costa Rica
Relax, enjoy the tranquility and listen to the sound of the sea waves, breathe deeply and freely, this is the land of the sounds of music that nourishes the soul. From the depths of the seas, a piece of land appeared like a deep green bridge, it connected the two American continents. Amazing nature, amazing places. Rain, sun, untouched jungle – the bridge of life between two continents. It is also breathtaking tropical landscapes. This is an ideal place for ecotourism. But do not forget that the rivers here are teeming with crocodiles.
In a small area of Costa Rica, a huge variety of nature is concentrated. Impenetrable tropical forests coexist with endless savannahs. A snow-white sparkling beach and labyrinths of swampy landscape. Caring for nature comes first here. No country in the world has so many national parks. There are 27 of them here, and 28% of the country’s territory is protected by the state.
Costa Rica – a calm and prosperous region with a wonderful climate. Today, coffee, bananas, sugar, ornamental plants and oranges are exported from Costa Rica. The unique nature, the variety of national parks, noisy waterfalls, silver sand beaches, fishing villages, amazing flora and fauna attract many tourists here. The country has unlimited tourism potential and is considered to be one of the most popular and visited international destinations. Not surprisingly, one of the main sources of income for this country is tourism. In addition to all other charms, this state is also surprisingly peaceful – for about 60 years there has not even been an army here.
City San Jose is the capital of Costa Rica. It is located in the very center of the country. San José is surrounded by volcanic chains that rise majestically above its low buildings. The population of the city, together with the suburbs, is 1 million people. Almost half of all the inhabitants of the country live here.
Interesting facts
Experts have compiled a list of the happiest countries. The rating is headed by Costa Rica.
Country data
Location: Central America
Time zone: CET – 7 (during summer time: CET – 8)
Total area: 51,100 km²
Land area: 51,060 km²
Water area: 40 km²
Length of the state border: 661 km
Bordering countries:
Nicaragua: 313 km
Panama: 348 km
Coastline: 1,290 km
Capital: San José
Provinces: 7
Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose
Electric current: 110/220 V / 60 Hz
Telephone code: 00 506 (Source: Allcitycodes)
Highest point: Cerro Chirripo 3,810 m
Population
Population: approx. 4.8 million residents (Countryaah, 2021)
Population growth: 1.2% per year
Population density (residents per km²): 94
Life expectancy: 76 (male), 81 (female)
Official language: Spanish
Religions:
- 76% Roman Catholic
- 14% Protestant
- 10% other
Climate
The tropical to subtropical climate offers a cooling of the temperature only in higher regions.
In the plateaus, the daytime temperature is 16-22 ° C and there are even, pleasant winds.
The middle altitudes are very warm and dry, especially in the first half of the year. Temperatures of 25-35 ° C prevail. In the second half of the year there is a lot of rain, and in some cases very heavy.
At sea level it is very hot all year round, with temperatures above 30 ° C. The humidity is around 80%.
Currency / finance
Currency unit: Costa Rican Colon (CRC)
Classification: 1 Colón = 100 Centimos
ATMs: are occasionally available in large cities. However, many machines do not accept foreign cards.
International credit cards: These are accepted in larger hotels and shops.
Regulations: Foreign and national currencies can be imported and exported in unlimited amounts.
Customs regulations
The following may be carried duty-free:
- 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 500 g tobacco
- 3 liters of alcoholic beverages
- small amounts of perfume
(Information applies to people aged 18 and over)
Tourists and people in transit can bring items of personal use with them duty-free.
The import of meat and sausage products, dairy products, fruit and vegetables of all kinds is not permitted.
Travel advice
An increase in Zika virus infections is currently being observed in the region. The Zika virus is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes.
The Federal Foreign Office recommends that pregnant women refrain from avoidable trips to ZIKA virus outbreak areas, as the risk of early childhood malformations if the woman is infected cannot currently be ruled out.
The theft rate is extremely high, especially in the capital and in the tourist centers. Organized gangs are mostly found near the train stations.
Behavioral advice
Valuables, jewelry and fanny packs should not be worn in public. Do not leave your luggage unattended for a second.
You should not resist a violent attack.
Economy
Costa Rica’s export goods include bananas, coffee, wood, industrial products, textiles and sugar.
The number of tourists has increased steadily in the last few years and promises to be a good source of income for foreign exchange.
Industries: food production, microprocessor technology, textiles, tourism
Natural resources: hydropower
Land use:
- Usable land: 6%
- Grain cultivation: 5%
- Pasture area: 46%
- Forests: 31%
- other: 12%
Plants
For nature lovers, Costa Rica is the ideal travel destination. With many thousands of different plants and over 1,000 tree species, nature is represented in a very diverse way.
Several national parks have been set up to protect them.
Animals
Monkeys, bears, bats, deer, butterflies and pigs are just a few of the many animal species that are very common on land.
There are also over 1,000 different exotic bird species, some Bordering countries are only native here.
The waters around Costa Rica are also very species-rich. Fish and coral species have been able to develop here almost undisturbed in the last few decades.
