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Costa Rica Information

COSTA RICA

The fact that Costa Rica receives more than one million tourists per year, no coincidence. Our country, located in Central America is a place that seems to have been created its roots. Covering only 0.03% of the total surface of the planet, has approximately 6% of global biodiversity.

In addition, Costa Rica is characterized by impressive scenic beauty, consolidated system of protected areas, social and political stability, high educational levels and efficiency and quality of their services. All this is offered in a territory of only 51 thousand square kilometers, surrounded by the Atlantic and Pacific, separated by just three hours by car or 45 minutes by air. The country's strategic position, being located in the heart of the western hemisphere, the positive attitude of people towards foreign trade, infrastructure, easy access to international markets and the quality and cost of labor, make Costa Rica an ideal place to establish commercial operations.

 )) Culture (tico)
Costa Rican culture is a reflection of the mixture of races that exist in the country. The main influence is European, which is reflected in everything the officer said the Spanish language, the architecture of churches and other historic buildings. The indigenous influence is less visible, but is present in the tortillas that are part of the typical Costa Rican food and crafts in ceramics sold at the roadside. A more recent influence is the next U.S. is perceived in many areas since the cinemas' in San Jose at fast food chains that abound in their cities. An important aspect of Costa Rica's cultural legacy is their love for peace and democracy. The Ticos like to point out that their nation is the exception in Latin America, as long the policy is dominated by the democratic system and not by dictators.

The Ticos are proud of having more than a century of democratic tradition and more than 50 years without an army. This was abolished in 1948, and the money the country saves by not having armed forces is invested in improving the standard of living for Costa Ricans, helping to social peace that makes Costa Rica a pleasant place to visit.

The Ticos, as Costa Ricans are also known, are famous for their hospitality and like to keep that reputation. Workers are educated and they like to give people a smile and shake hands. The Ticos know that their land is special, and generally accept gladly guide visitors who are lost, sometimes explaining things that might seem strange to a foreigner, and make your stay as pleasant as possible. It is said that the Ticos are the best asset of this nation, and once you've experienced their friendliness and spontaneity, will have no doubt about that.

Costa Rica's wealth also lies in the cultural diversity of our people. Throughout our history, the pre-Hispanic indigenous population had joined OLED immigrants who settled in this soil, making it his home. Population of European origin, mainly Spanish, people of African and Asian descent and people from various parts of the American continent have interacted among themselves, enriching their cultural heritages through crossbreeding.

At present, besides a mestizo majority component, several ethnic-national groups and colonies of immigrants who claim their particular cultural heritage, as African descendants, Chinese, Hebrew, Lebanese, Italian, etc. and Indian peoples Bribri, Cabécar, Maleku, Teribe, Boruca Ngöbe Huetar and Chorotega.

 )) Geography
You can find high areas in the country, with a height of 1,000 to 2,000 meters above sea level. The Cordillera de Guanacaste, Cordillera Central and Cordillera de Talamanca are the main mountain of the nation. There are several active volcanoes (Arenal Volcano, Irazu Volcano, Rincon de la Vieja Volcano and Turrialba Volcano) and the highest mountain (Cerro Chirripo) with 3.819 m. Costa Rica has a long coastline on both oceans, Atlantic and Pacific as well as a number of rivers that attract specialist kayakers and rapid worldwide.

 )) Weather
Costa Rica has two seasons, the dry season extending from December to March. And the rainy season, called "green", which extends from April to November. The average temperature in the Central Valley is 72 ° F (22 ° C), while beaches and coasts between 70 ° and 90 ° F (21 ° and 32 ° C)..
The climate is generally tropical rain influenced by winds and sea breezes. For additional information on the weather conditions in Costa Rica can enter the Meteorological Institute of Costa Rica.

 )) Communications
The telecommunications service is provided by the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE), entity in the State. The modern telecommunications network includes: direct communication worldwide by MIDA automatic telephone, telegram, fax, phone, internet and data transmission using satellites and microwave.

 )) Shipping
Costa Rica has an extensive network of roads, mostly paved, which allows access to almost anywhere in the country. The national bus system provides a comfortable, smooth and economical to almost all areas and especially the tourist attractions. The offer is very broad in terms of rental vehicles, thanks to the existence of many agencies, some of which extend their services internationally.

Taxi service to different parts of the country is modern, efficient and safe, although it is advisable to use only well-recognized companies. The color identifies this flotilla is red. In rural areas, taxis are often four-wheel drive vehicles for easy access to such areas. Orange taxis provide service to and from Juan Santamaria International Airport. The bus services are available in both the province and between them, as well as internationally.

 )) Accommodation, Airports and seaports
Costa Rica enjoys a wide range of hosting services in various offers, ranging from luxury hotels in major global supply chains, to ecological and shelters of the type called modest bed and breakfast ( 'bed and breakfast') .
Three major airports are available to the country: the international Juan Santamaría in Alajuela, near the capital, and the Daniel Oduber Quirós, Liberia, Guanacaste (North Pacific).. In Pavas, San Jose, is the Tobias Bolanos for domestic flights, although there are numerous landing strips that enable various tourist sites. Tourists must pay a tax of $ 26 per person when entering international airports.
Visitors wishing to enter by sea, may do so through the ports of Limon and Moin on the Caribbean, Puerto Caldera and Puntarenas on the Pacific Environment and Quepos and Golfito in the South Pacific.

 )) Provinces Of Costa Rica
Costa Rica extends majestically from the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean Sea and its distance is only 200 miles. Its land portion occupies only 20 square miles. If you make a tour of the provinces of Costa Rica is easy to see that anywhere else you can find fields with so many variations in landscape and climate as here. Costa Rica is one of the most cherished tourist destinations on the planet. This small piece of land has all the necessary components to satisfy the tastes of thousands of travelers visiting each year. The Costa Rica's territorial division includes 7 provinces namely San Jose, Alajuela, Cartago, Heredia, Guanacaste, Puntarenas and Limon, which together offer an attractive tourist destination almost limitless possibilities, and include extensive rainforests, volcanoes, rivers that walk through the mountains, beaches and many natural resources safeguarded by an important organization of national parks and forest reserves.

 )) San José
San Jose is the country's most populous province. Located in the Central Plateau, extending to the northeast, crossing the impressive mountains of the Cordillera Central, which includes national parks, forest reserves and fertile land with abundant coffee plantations. The capital of Costa Rica, San José, is located in the Central Valley. It is a vast plateau guarded by majestic volcanoes and green hills that confirm the natural richness that exists throughout the country. Founded in the first half of the century, San Jose is now a city where visitors converge around the world, a city filled with sights and faces and colors reflecting the history of a people. Its architecture is diverse, as are the people passing through its streets. In the northern sector of the city can find the most refined samples of urban early last century. There are a lot of houses and buildings of European inspiration, but built with a deep sense of Costa Rican style. Among the most representative sites of the city, stands the National Theater of Costa Ricans are proud and historic home of the best national and foreign artists. The theater was inaugurated in 1897, after the efforts of merchants, intellectuals and politicians who were able to identify the importance of an opera house that could accommodate the best artistic productions in the world. However, a list of world-class museums, parks, hotels, theaters and historic buildings are some other options that can discover the thousands of tourists who visit San Jose each year. From the city, visitors can choose from dozens of day tours to the most impressive natural sites within and outside the Central Valley, also can access a wealth of adventure sports and exploration activities.

 )) Alajuela
It is one of the largest province of Costa Rica, and is known as the "Land of Mangoes". Their territory extends north to limit with Nicaragua. Alajuela was founded in 1782 and is the birthplace of famous historical characters like Juan Santamaría, national hero that burned the Mesón de Rivas in 1856. This province has an enviable natural wealth, its uneven topography ranging from lush rainforest to the northern plains. Guests have at their disposal two of the most impressive active volcanoes in the country: Arenal volcano, in the city of San Carlos and the Poas Volcano in the Cordillera Central. Poas Volcano is one of the most splendid volcanoes in Costa Rica for its beautiful landscape. All around you can see different habitats, from cloud forest to areas with sparse vegetation, where they grow species that have adapted to gas emissions and the climatic factor characteristic of the volcano. Meanwhile, Arenal volcano, with its beautiful conic silhouette, is one of the busiest in the world.. But surely its charm is accentuated every night when you can see the color of its eruptions and lava flows. Many hotels offer a view of the place of the volcano and its evening show. In Alajuela can also find the picturesque towns of San Ramon, Melodious and Sarchi, where you can buy crafts and admire the woodwork and paintings by Costa Rican artisans. During the last decades, Alajuela has become an obligatory passage for those who love Costa Rica's natural wealth.

 )) Heredia
With a territory of 2,656 km2 and a population of 75 000 inhabitants, Heredia is the smallest province of Costa Rica, a town appreciated for its colonial architecture and tradition of yesteryear. A number of mud houses can be seen along Heredia's communities of Barva and Santo Domingo. The city of Heredia, known as the 'City of Flowers', was founded in 1706, following the lead of some 150 families living on that site. In Heredia still exist a lot of coffee, many of which have been adapted to perform guided visits with tourists. It is easy to enjoy the captivating process of harvesting, drying and roasting coffee. Among the natural wonders of the province of Heredia, Barva Volcano is a formidable colossus located in the western part of Braulio Carrillo National Park, which rises to 2906 meters over sea level. The vegetation surrounding this sleeping giant is wonderful, a perfect place for birding, especially for those who dream of the magnificent quetzal. For its part, the Braulio Carrillo National Park represents the greatest natural richness near the Central Valley.. A tropical rainforest, home to hundreds of species of plants and animals. The vegetation of the park shelters closed a lot of waterfalls and rivers, some of which are used in sporting adventures. The Sarapiqui River is another of the attractions of the province Herediano. This majestic tributary travels through dense vegetation where birds abound and has an ideal current for those who enjoy the rapids with a moderate degree of difficulty. The mountainous areas of Heredia, just before crossing the Central Mountain Range, are characterized by large areas of forests and pleasant climate. Many people choose these green and fresh sites to settle and live away from the bustle that pervades the city.

 )) Guanacaste
Generous and warm province, Guanacaste is known for its spectacular beaches and livestock production. It is the driest region of Costa Rica, especially in its coastal areas. Guanacaste became part of Costa Rica in 1824, until then remained a party attached to the Captaincy General of Guatemala. Certainly, this area holds a natural and cultural assets important to the economy of Costa Rica. Some of the best beach hotels in the world are located in Guanacaste beaches. Guanacaste is well known for its beaches and sunshine, and that's exactly what visitors find along the coastline, where there are many hotels, cabins and restaurants, some luxurious, more modest, but that guarantee the visitor a perfect choice for every budget.. Playa Panama, in the northern province, is one of the best options for tourism. A site placid white sand and calm waters that invite you to spend a weekend with no worries. Playa del Coco is among the most popular for its nightlife and plenty of visitors, and without traveling far you can reach Flamingo Beach, an ideal place for those who like a mixture of classy hotels and a serene environment. They are also Ocotal and Hermosa beaches, among the most popular of the Guanacaste coast. Playa Grande is located a little further south, and along with the National Park The leatherback is the sanctuary for thousands of leatherback turtles that come to lay their eggs on these shores each year. Tamarindo offers a blend of white sand beaches and mangrove areas of seabirds and iguanas, making it a paradisiacal and perfect for those who wish to live in harmony with nature. Many other beaches along the Guanacaste coast complete a matchless natural offer. Playa Carrillo, Playa Ostional, Manzanillo or Coyote, are some of those destinations that adorn the largest province of Costa Rica.
In Guanacaste you can taste delicious food, very typical of his people and that eventually became authentic Costa Rican traditions. El Parque Nacional Santa Rosa se ubica al norte de la provincia, esta es una joya del bosque tropical seco que posee un inventario biológico extraordinario. Similarly, nestled in the Cordillera de Guanacaste, volcanoes are the Tenorio, Orosi, Miravalles and Rincon de la Vieja, the latter surrounded by the National Park of the same name. Undoubtedly, Guanacaste is a privileged land. Possesses a blend of dry forest and wet, warm beaches, vast plains and an impressive volcanic range; a natural world ready to be explored.

 )) Puntarenas
Known as the "Pearl of the Pacific, Puntarenas is the largest province of Costa Rica, with an area of 11,276 km2. Its main attractions are on the Pacific coastline that stretches over 500 miles to the border with Panama. This vast province offers a variation of beaches, national parks and nature reserves with an extraordinary ecological importance, since it is a transition zone between dry tropical lands of Guanacaste and the green forests of the Central Pacific.
The port of Caldera and the city of Puntarenas, receive hundreds of tourists daily from the many cruise ships that dock on the coast. Some of these craft Travel to Panama Canal, allowing passengers to explore the interior of Costa Rica, and reconnect with the cruise days later in Port Limon on the Caribbean. Carara Biological Reserve is one of the best showcases of the natural heritage of Puntarenas. This reserve covers an area of 11,600 acres of forests and mangroves. Today, tourists are available to only certain portions of the reservation, but you can hire professional guides who are allowed to explore some restricted areas. Manuel Antonio National Park is another destination for excellence in the province Puntarenas. With stunning white sand beaches, Pacific blue waters and hundreds of hectares of rainforest, this park is one of the smallest in Costa Rica, but also one of the most popular. Manuel Antonio is one of the few places in Costa Rica where he still lives in the marmoset monkey. Within the park are also over 100 species of mammals and as many types of birds. Also differ in Puntarenas Corcovado National Park-located south, and is an important habitat for endemic species like the golden toad and the river-Tárcoles, whose margins are guarded by hundreds of American crocodiles. Good food-especially seafood-as well as the famous carnivals that are held every summer and warm treatment of its people are some of the delightful surprises that receive tourists visiting the province.

 )) Cartago
Also known as the Old Metropolis, Carthage was the capital of Costa Rica until 1823, when that title was transferred to San Jose. It's a relatively small province with only 3124 km2 and almost 35 000 inhabitants. This is the most important region of Costa Rica in the field of colonial art. Perhaps the best example is the temple of Orosi, dating back to 1743, a historic jewel that has witnessed the birth of a nation. Cartago has a humid tropical climate, the mountain system includes two mountain ranges, the Central, where are situated the Irazu and Turrialba volcanoes. The Cordillera de Talamanca is the other major mountain formation of the province. It raises the Chirripo peak, the highest point in Costa Rica, situated at 3,600 meters above sea level. Cartago is a land of tradition and religion. To the north is the National Monument Guava, located on the outskirts of the city of Turrialba. In Guayabo intriguing visitors can admire buildings that date back to pre-Columbian times. It is one of the largest archaeological sites have been discovered in the country. Mounds, bridges, plazas and walkways, and an aqueduct that still works, are some of the vestiges of ancient cultures. The pilgrimage to the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels, in the middle of the city of Carthage, is the most important religious activity of Costa Rica. Held every 2 August and is attended by millions of people around the country.
But perhaps the main attraction of Cartago is the Irazu volcano, a splendid giant which is still active and five craters which attract thousands of tourists annually. It is the highest altitude volcano in the country, with 3432 meters over sea level. It born several rivers that supply the river basins Chirripó Reventazon and Tárcoles Sarapiqui.

 )) Limón
The Caribbean province is a natural paradise, formed by a combination of closed jungles, imposing mountains and fabulous beaches. Lemon has the highest percentage of protected land in Costa Rica, and has an extensive variety of flora and fauna. The vegetation is lush and the cultures that converge in the whole province. The road to Limón from San José, crosses the majestic Braulio Carrillo National Park. At this point begins a beautiful journey to the Caribbean lowlands and experienced a significant change in temperature and landscape.. Perhaps the most lush region of Limón is Tortuguero National Park in the northern part of the province. A vast expanse of protected land and the most important place on the Atlantic coast of the Americas for the nesting of green turtles. Limón city is the first arrival point for visitors. The port is vital to the economic life of Costa Rica and the most vivid example of the multicultural encounter this region has lived throughout history.
Traveling south, an hour away is Cahuita, a typical Caribbean town, this town has become a destination for tourists, as it not only represents the essence of a culture, but by the beauty of Cahuita National Park, which protects an important area of coral reef. The calm waters in this site are a plus for those who enjoy snorkeling, then the show is wonderful underwater, extensive coral chain composed of different kinds of coral and occupied by an immense variety of tropical fish. Another important point in the Caribbean province is Puerto Viejo, just 30 minutes from Cahuita. In this town you can breathe a deep respect for the cultural identity of its inhabitants. An amalgam of music, beaches and food very own the place are the elements that attract thousands of tourists every year.
Along the coast, visitors find plenty of accommodation options. Most hotels and cabins are small and shaped by traditional bungalows, a very particular type of construction in the Caribbean. The National Wildlife Refuge Gandoca Manzanillo is located just off the coastline, almost at the border with Panama. This refuge protects almost 4500 hectares of beaches and sea, spawning site of 4 species of turtles. In Manzanillo you can rent kayaks and explore the tranquil mangroves in search of birds and reptiles characteristic of the area. The province of Limon has a unique culture in Costa Rica, a way of life that can be appreciated in all its splendor at traditional carnivals that are held there each year, an experience of rhythms and euphoric and captivating colors