Costa Rica is an small country with an area of roughly of 31,682 square miles. It is internationally famous and recognized for the diversity and density of its natural resources and for the
warm and kindness of its people. These facts set it apart as an especially attractive destination for foreign tourists who, not incidentally, make far more
than a million visits a year.
Costa Rican culture is in many ways a reflection of its racial diversity. The predominant influence has long been European, which is reflected in everything from the official language -- Spanish
-- to the architecture of the country's churches and other historic buildings. The indigenous influence is less apparent, but can be found in everything from
the tortillas that are served with a typical Costa Rican meal to the handmade ceramics sold at roadside stands.
Medical Facilities and Health Information
Medical care in San Jose is adequate, but may be more limited in areas outside of San Jose. Travelers may also find most prescription and over-the-counter medications
available in San Jose. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services, and U.S. medical insurance is not always valid
outside the United States. A list of local doctors and medical facilities can be found at the website of the U.S. Embassy in San Jose, at http://usembassy.or.cr.
An ambulance may be summoned by calling 911. The best-equipped ambulances are called “unidad avanzada.”
Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC’s internet site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health
Organization’s (WHO) website at http://www.who.int/en. Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith.
Medical Insurance
The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will
cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. Please see our information on medical
insurance overseas.
The Climate of Costa Rica
Costa Rica's year round climate is pleasant with breezes cooling down most of the coastal areas. Costa Rica is unequivocally
a tropical country, situated between 8° and 11° North latitude, fairly close to the equator. Although in the mountains above 2000 meters you get much cooler
temperatures, the average annual temperature for most of the country lies between 21.7°C (71°F) and 27°C (81°F). The coolest months are from November
through January, and the warmest from March through May. San José, the capital, where over a third of the population lives, stands at approximately 1170 meters
altitude and has a mean annual temperature of 20.6°C (69°F).
The nation's climate is classically divided into two major seasons: rainy and dry. The dry season runs from January through May and the
rainy season from May to November and December. Locally, the seasons were named by the early Spanish colonizers, who compared them to their own Mediterranean
climate, calling the dry months "verano" or summer, and the rainy, grey and gloomy months "invierno" or winter. It is interesting to note that some of the
coldest temperatures are registered during the early dry season or "summer". Climate is, of course, a complex phenomenon, and there are many aspects of the
weather in Costa Rica that are worth examining in more detail, such as the influences of wind, rain, and topography
On the Caribbean slope the rainy season begins from mid to late April and continues through December and sometimes January. The wettest
months are July and November, with a dry spell that occurs around August or September. Major storms, called "temporales del Atlantico" occasionally buffet
this slope between September and February, when it will rain continuously for several days; but an average rainy season day will begin clear with a few hours
of sunshine that will give way to clouds and rain by the afternoon. In contrast, the driest months of February and March, might be almost entirely without
rainfall.
On the Pacific slope the rainy season begins in May and runs its course until November. Here again, days often begin sunny and pleasant, with
rains coming later in the day. This is a period in which the trade winds coming from the north-east are much reduced in intensity, and as a result storms often
come in from the Pacific Ocean in September and October. In the northern half of the country the Pacific slope experiences an intense dry season, in which no
rain may fall for several months. The forests of the North-West are to a large extent deciduous, letting their leaves fall in order to conserve water. Winds
can be very strong, occasionally reaching speeds of 90 km/hr in the lowlands, although they average more around 20 km/hr. The whole Central Valley, in which
the capital is situated, experiences a mild, pleasant dry season that is matched by moderate temperatures for most of the year, and a lower than average amount
of rainfall. Early settlers prized the area for both its mild climate and fertile soils. The southern half of the Pacific slope is much wetter than its
northern counterpart, with a shorter dry season and longer and heavier afternoon rains in the wet season.
The people of Costa Rica
Ethnically Costa Rica has one of the most homogeneous populations in all of Latin America. Ninety-seven percent is mestizo (of mixed
blood, generally Spanish with Native American) or of direct European descent. Of the mestizos, the vast majority have a much higher percentage of European blood
and thus are considerably fair skinned. Afro-Caribbean natives represent approximately 2% of the population. They did not arrive in Costa Rica as slaves,
as in most other regions of the New World, but as migrant labor in the 1870's. They had been hired from a host of Caribbean islands in order to help construct
a railroad that would run from San José down to the Atlantic coast near Limon. Of the original denizens of this land, the Native Americans, only about 30,000
remain. They represent less than 1% of the total.
The indigenous population exists in the present as eight separate communities. Six native languages have survived the ravages of time,
and are now encouraged by government legislation that allows for bilingual education. The majority of the indigenous groups are located in the south of the
country; the two largest groups being the Cabecares and the Bribris. A 1977 Indigenous Bill established the right to land reserves as well as creating
programs to preserve and stimulate native culture. The government has actually followed through with these initiatives, but has simultaneously failed to help
protect the land rights versus the incursions of mining and squatting interests. The indigenous people only earned their right to vote in 1994.
International standards would rank Costa Rica amongst those nations with high literacy rates. Although the government's claim of a 93%
literacy rate is considered to be inflated, the great majority of its people can read and write. Education up to the sixth grade is obligatory and the network of
public schools is dispersed into the far corners of the land. The country is now home to a handful of well regarded Universities such as the National University
and the University of Costa Rica.
The country's population is believed to have surpassed the 3 million mark in the last couple of years. Family size is declining steadily with
parents who are now in their thirties having only 2 or 3 children, whereas they themselves come from families of 8 or 9. It would not be at all uncommon for
their grandparents to have 12 or 14 siblings. The annual population growth rate is now at 2.3 percent. Another major factor adding to the steady increase of the
population has been a regular stream of illegal immigrants from Nicaragua, which has extremely high unemployment.
A people may best be understood by values they hold dear. Foremost amongst Costa Rican sources of pride are its democratic tradition and
its peace ethic. In a region plagued by civil wars, human rights abuses, and until recently dictatorships, Costa Rica stands out as an exception. Since 1949,
when the army was abolished, the country has had a fairly stable democracy. The new Constitution of 1949 included a progressive labor code, upheld a system of
social security, and contained a set of social guarantees( such as a minimum wage), that gave the average citizen rights that were ahead of their time. In
many ways this diminished the disparity between the upper and lower classes and thus was conducive to cooperation and the resolution of conflicts in a
democratic forum. The government, albeit plagued by problems over the decades, has shown a commitment to broad social welfare. This commitment coupled with a
strong support of public education and public health has helped create a mature populace that has learned how to solve problems without resorting to armed
conflict.
Children are exposed to the rights that they have as citizens in the public school system. The National Anthem includes the line,
"let work and peace always live." In 1987 the country's president, Oscar Arias, won the Nobel Peace Prize for his work on Esquipulas II, a plan to bring peace
to Central America. Internationally the country receives much praise for its abolishment of the army and its comparative political stability for almost half
a century. The average Costa Rican, if questioned about his/her opinion, will most often concur that peace is a noble and worthwhile aspiration, as well as a
condition to be treasured. Their closest neighbor, Nicaragua, stands as a clear reminder of the hardships of a people living in a state of war, since this
nation experienced a revolution in 1979, and continued armed struggle well into the 1980's.
A second, younger ethic that grows in the nation's citizenry is environmental protection. Costa Rica stands out in the world with over 20% of
its national territory in national parks, wildlife refuges, and forest reserves. Another 10% is also bound by various restrictions in land use, and ecotourism
has become the nation's largest source of economic revenue. Conservation organizations worldwide look upon Costa Rica as a model to be emulated. Even in
the 1990's the conservation frontier expands, despite illegal logging, squatting, and bureaucratic corruption. Government sponsored advertisements on
television espousing the protection of natural resources are fairly common, and a new generation of Costa Rican biologists have emerged as staunch supporters of
conservation. Some statistics have claimed that the country may hold over 5 percent of the world's species. The present generation of teenagers cannot help
but become aware of environmental issues. A growing sense of pride is developing amongst Costa Ricans, in that they stand in the forefront of the conservation
movement. Once again international acclaim only serves to further entrench this environmental ethic. This nation stands as a shining example of what can be done
to preserve the world's biodiversity.
A third aspect of Costa Rica is simply the hospitality of its people. Despite a growth in crime and drug problems, on average, the country
is a remarkably friendly environment. In the countryside there is always a warm pot of coffee on the wood stove, ready to be served to the unexpected visitor.
The people are polite, curious, and inclined to smile. The tourism of the last decade has brought with it an assortment of con-artists, hustlers, and
entrepreneurs, but nonetheless almost all travelers are made to feel welcome.
Of course one cannot describe the people of a nation without mentioning their religion. Costa Rica is a Catholic land, like most of Latin
America. A host of evangelical churches emerged in the 1970's and have become well established, but nearly 80% of the population remains Catholic. However,
only about 20% of the Catholics attend mass regularly. Holy Week is the time of year when there is the most pronounced expression of the faith and the nation
comes to a standstill during this holiday.
Costa Ricans are also a people in the making. As the world becomes more interconnected, the Ticos, as they call themselves, will be exposed
to new ideas, cultures, and technologies, and will thus have to forge a new and dynamic identity.
Costa Rica Transportation Taxi - Airlines- Buss
Taxi's: Most metropolitan areas are well supplied with taxi's, all of which are red in color. In San Jose it is reported that there are 5,000
licensed taxis, but who knows how many fake ones there are; fake ones are known as pirates. Taxi's are required by law to use a meters (commonly
referred to as a María) when transporting passengers. There is a large percentage of taxis, however, who are not equipped with meters. Quite often
these taxis will charge based on the distance traveled. In that case, we recommend that you agree to a price before utilizing the service. The present
rates are as follows: 195 colonies for the first kilometer, and 100 colonies for each additional kilometer.
Airlines: Costa Rica has several international and domestic carriers which serve the country daily. From North America, direct flights are available,
as are those with stopovers in Miami, Houston and/or several Central American countries, i.e. El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua. Stopovers are
particularly common during the low season, as filling daily flights becomes less likely. At the present time, two airports are scheduling international arrivals,
the larger Juan Santamaría Airport, and a a second in Guanacaste (Daniel Oduber).
Two major domestic carriers, Sansa and Travel Air, provide reasonably priced air travel within Costa Rica. Government owned and subsidized,
Sansa's fares are significantly cheaper than those of its privately owned rival,Travel Air. Sansa operates out of Juan Santamaría International Airport and
offers a free shuttle service for all flights. Travel Air operate from Pavas Airport (Tobías Bolaños), approximately 4 miles from San José. There is no
shuttle service offered.
Bus System
Costa Rica's efficient and elaborate bus system provides the most inexpensive and popular method of travel throughout the country. The vast
road system makes virtually every region of Costa Rica accessible by bus. Recently, several transportation companies have acquired more modern, air
conditioned buses for use on long trips, or for the most frequently traveled routes. Most bus service in downtown San Jose, as well as in the countryside
itself, however, relies on older more conventional style school buses.
From San Jose, all buses depart either from terminals or from street side. Depending on your destination and time of travel, we recommend
that you arrive early to purchase your tickets, particularly during weekend travel. The most popular destinations have hourly departures. The newer, more
modern buses have concealed storage space, along with compartments overhead. Older buses provide little, if any, storage space for your belongings, aside
from your lap. As always, travel lightly and keep an eye on your belongings, especially during rest stops and scheduled stops.
The government of Costa Rica
The modern political era essentially began in 1948, after a short civil war. The leader of the
victorious coalition was to be one of the greatest figures in the nation's history, Don Pepe Figueres. He abolished the army and broke the stronghold of
the powerful coffee oligarchy by nationalizing the banking system. The country received a progressive constitution that included a labor code, social
security, and social assistance. (It is somewhat ironic to note that the government of Calderon Guardia, that was overthrown, also espoused these
reforms.) From this period until the late 1970's there was steady growth of the government which attempted to fulfill its social democratic contract with
the people. It upheld guarantees of free public education, widespread health coverage, and a system of pensions. The government also was the driving force
behind modernizing the nation's economy, during an era when there was very little capital available for development. It also controlled various sectors
of the economy, such as banking, petroleum, and utilities.
As a result of the governments commitment to broad social welfare Costa Rica boasts one of the highest standards of living in Latin
America. Furthermore, the country has been free of the political strife that has plagued most of its neighbors. The nation has an outstanding record for its
respect for human rights and has maintained a strong democratic tradition from 1948 to the present day.
However, by the end of the 1970's the government was becoming top heavy; employing between one fifth and one third of the population.
Public spending over three decades had created a serious fiscal deficit, and the nation was the first to default on servicing its foreign debt. Although this
alarmed the international community, Costa Rica was very fortunate that the United States felt it was important to prop up this democracy to serve as an
example to its war torn neighbors. From 1982 to 1990 U.S. AID pumped 1.3 billion dollars into the economy. Something had to give, and the ability of the nation
to provide broad social welfare has begun to wane. The 1990's have seen the country drift steadily towards more neoliberal economic practices: promoting the
private sector, downsizing government, reducing social spending, and favoring an export oriented economy. The Costa Rican people are beginning to voice their
discontent as life becomes more and more expensive. Foreign aid is rapidly drying up, with both the Peace Corps and U.S. AID pulling out their operations
in the mid 90's. The burden of sustaining both a growing economy and maintaining social standards at an acceptable level is creating tension in the social
fabric. Both major parties are seen as espousing pretty much the same policies, so the populace is feeling like it has few options. Nonetheless, when compared
to its neighbor, Nicaragua, conditions are seen as more than desirable; and thousands of illegal immigrants move into the country each year.
The structure of the government is similar to the United States in that it is divided into three branches: the executive, the
legislative, and the judicial. The Legislative Assembly is unicameral and has 57 members. Although the Assembly has more influence than elsewhere in Central
America, there is a tendency towards excessive rule by executive decree. (It is interesting to note that 33 of 44 presidents from 1821 to 1970 are descendants
of three original colonizers.) The president, as well as the legislators( known as diputados) are limited to one four year term. There are two vice-presidents
and a series of ministers who are in charge of departments such as the Ministry of Education, Health, Tourism, etc. The Supreme Court has judges that are
elected by the Legislative Assembly to six year terms. However the judges can be reelected and often remain in office for life.
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