ABOUT COSTA RICA

LOCATION:
Costa Rica is one of the smallest countries in Central America and is bordered by
Nicaragua and Panama and by the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea.

POPULATION:
There are approximately 4 million inhabitants in Costa Rica and it’s a popular destination for expatriates.

LANGUAGE:
The official language is Spanish, however English is widely spoken.

CURRENCY:
The colon is the official currency of Costa Rica but dollars are accepted by most businesses. Credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard are also widely accepted and banks will exchange most currency.

GOVERNMENT:
The Costa Rican government is a democratic republic and it holds elections every four years. The country abolished the army almost 50 years ago and since it has been the most stable democracy in Central America.

EDUCATION:
Costa Rica has one of the highest literacy rates in the world, it is second to Ireland and its education is both public and free.

ENTRY REQUIRMENTS:
When traveling to Costa Rica a valid passport is necessary. Citizens of some countries will be required to have a visa so check ahead before traveling.

CLIMATE:
In Costa Rica you will hear of two seasons, the dry which is considered the summer (December to April) and the rainy season which is called winter (May to November). On the Central Pacific coast where Monterey is located the rainy season usually means that at least once a day it rains. Mornings and early afternoons are still sunny and it rains often in the evening. The heaviest rainfall is in May and October.

TRANSPORTATION:
All major airlines offer daily flights to Costa Rica and the air traffic has increased immensely over the past few years. Buses and taxis are clean and a very inexpensive way to travel. Cars can be rented by major US car rental companies such as Economy, National and Budget.

COMMUNICATION:
Telephone service is available throughout the country and a few cell phone plans from the US do work if you are by nearby towns. Cell phones can also be rented at most car rental facilities. Internet cafes can be found in most tourist towns. If you want to mail something of have it shipped you can go to UPS, Federal Express or use the local postal service.

HEALTH CARE:
Costa Rica has the most efficient and developed medical services in Central America. The medical system has been socialized for nearly 50 years. Private and public clinics and hospitals can be found all over the country. Many of the doctors speak English. Expatriate insurance is available for those who have residences both in the U.S. and Costa Rica and the coverage is excellent and very inexpensive.

FOOD AND WATER:
It is safe to drink the water in most areas of Costa Rica but often bottle watered is offered at restaurants. Traveling in Costa Rica is generally safe in terms of health risks. The country's typical foods include seafood, meats, vegetables, tropical fruits and plates prepared with rice and French fries. It's not uncommon to find international cuisine is also available around the country, with a variety of specialties including Japanese, Egyptian, Arabian, Chinese, Mexican and Italian fares, to name a few.