Costa Rica Facts and Info

• Facts for the Traveler
• Traveler Safety
• When to Go
• Events
• Money
• History
• Culture
• Environment
• Weather
• Getting Around
• Getting There & Away

Facts for the Traveler

Entry Requirements: For citizens of the U.S., Canada and the European Union, no visa is required. The only requirements are a passport valid for at least 30 days (expiration date has to be 30 days or more after arrival date) and a pre-paid ticket to exit Costa Rica. To see if your country is exempt from the visa requirement, please visit:
http://www.costarica-embassy.org/consular/visa/country-selection.htm

Tourist visas are issued for up to 90-days upon entry. If you would like to renew your visa, you can either cross the border to one of Costa Rica's neighboring countries (being sure to acquire an exit seal) and then simply re-enter the country (for another 30, 60, or 90 days to stay as a tourist) or you can apply and pay for a visa extension at the Immigration Department. For the most detailed and up-to-date visa information, please visit: http://www.costarica.com/Trip-Planning/Travelers-Info/Passport-&-Visa-Information/

Health risks: It is recommended that you see a health-care provider at least 4–6 weeks before your trip to Costa Rica in order to allow time for vaccines to take effect and to begin administering medicine to prevent malaria (chloroquine), if needed. If you have less than 4 weeks before traveling, you should still see a health-care provider (who specializes in Travel Medicine) for needed inoculations, anti-malaria treatments and other preparations and information about how to protect yourself from illness and injury while in Costa Rica. In addition to making certain that your routine vaccinations are current, Hepatitis A & B as well as Typhoid vaccinations are recommended by the CDC for travel to Central America.
Costa Rica is a tropical country and insect diseases are among the top health risks. In the past 5 years Dengue epidemics have impacted most countries in Central America. Malaria is also a serious disease that originates from bites of mosquitoes which are infected with a parasite. Risk areas in Costa Rica include: Alajuela, Limón (no risk in Puerto Limón), Guanacaste, and Heredia provinces. While not common for the usual traveler, other diseases include ishmaniasis, onchocerciasis (River blindness), and American trypanosomiasis (Chagas' disease), and Myiasis (botfly). The CDC recommends the following actions for protection against insect bites:

• Using insect repellent (bug spray) with 30%-50% DEET. Picaridin, available in 7% and 15% concentrations, needs more frequent application. There is less information available on how effective picaridin is at protecting against all of the types of mosquitoes that transmit malaria.
• Wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and a hat outdoors.
• Remaining indoors in a screened or air-conditioned area during the peak biting period for malaria (dusk and dawn).
• Sleeping in beds covered by nets treated with permethrin, if not sleeping in an air-conditioned or well-screened room.
• Spraying rooms with products effective against flying insects, such as those containing pyrethroid.

Please note that while yellow fever is not a danger in Costa Rica, travelers arriving from certain countries are expected to present proof of yellow fever vaccination. See Yellow Fever Vaccine Requirements and Information on Malaria Risk and Prophylaxis, by Country.

Time: UTC/GMT minus 6 hours.
Electricity: 120V, 60Hz.
Weights & measures: Metric (it is also important to note that a comma is used vs. a period and vice-versa with numbers in Costa Rica).

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Traveler Safety

The pacifist Costa Rica has long since been known as a peaceful country wherein the only safety concerns were dangerous riptides and a lack of lifeguards. Unfortunately, the influx of tourism has attracted some “opportunists” from the surrounding poorer countries. Therefore, it is recommended that tourists in Costa Rica exercise the same level of caution that they would in any major city or tourist destination in the world. While violent crimes are not prevalent, most thieves are pickpockets or use trickery tactics. We suggest that you leave passports, large amounts of cash, jewelry or expensive photographic equipment in your hotel’s safe. Photocopies of the picture and Costa Rican entry stamp pages of your passport are sufficient to carry on you. For more traveler safety information, click here.

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When to Go

Late November to late April mark Costa Rica's high season. Generally this is the best time to visit. However, while rain is seldom, tourists are abundant. Therefore, prices are higher, reservations must be made in advance and main attractions tend to be crowded. Note that due to North American and European holidays, a mini-high season is experienced in June and July wherein prices and tourist quantity resembles that of the dry season. The rainy or “green” season takes place May through mid-November. While rain is inevitable during this time, rates are reduced and less crowded attractions make for a more authentic Costa Rican experience. However, roads can be a bit difficult to traverse during the rainy season.

Depending on the activities that you are interested in, the best time for you to visit Costa Rica may vary. Surfers will find that the best time to surf the Pacific coast begins in June and peaks in the rainy months of September and October whereas the Caribbean coast boasts better waves November through May. The best time to see turtles on the Caribbean coast is from late-February to October. Bird lovers will delight in Costa Rica’s offerings year-round with the best time to spot the resplendent quetzal being in November and April. The best time to spot migratory flocks is from March through May and September through November. While fishing conditions are also ideal year-round, the best time to catch Caribbean coast tarpon is between January and May and September through November is the season for snook. Sailfish are prevalent on the Pacific coast between November and May.

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Events

Costa Rica’s famous zest for life is summarized by the national catchphrase: pura vida, the pure life, which can be readily found in the thriving cities, rural villages and peaceful beachside towns up and down this fun-loving country. National and local events occur throughout the year and it is worth noting that hotel prices may increase significantly during busy fiesta times, and that accommodation and transport should be booked well in advance.

Calendar of major public holidays & festivals:

January
New Year's Day— The festivities continue from the previous night as partygoers congregate in San Jose's Parque Central and Buenos Aires, and Puntarenas. January 1.
Fiesta Palmares— This beer fuelled extravaganza boasts horse parades, carnival rides, fireworks, music, food and dance and is considered one of the country’s major annual events with widespread TV coverage. The fiesta occurs during the first two weeks of the year.

February
Fiesta de los Diablitos— The “little devils” festival is an indigenous celebration which includes a re-enactment of a battle between the toro (Spanish troops) and the diablitos (Boruca Indians) and takes place in Rey Curre. First weekend of February.

March
Día de San Jose— Religious day honoring San Jose’s patron saint with special masses. Businesses, banks and schools are closed in the capital. March 19.

April
Dia de Juan Santamaría—National holiday honoring Costa Rica’s national hero in his birth place of Alajuela with parades, marching bands, dances and other celebrations. April 11.

May
Dia de los Trabajadores— Costa Rican Labor Day that is celebrated with parades, marches and the Presidential "state of the union" address to Congress and the people. May 1.

June
Dia de los Padres— Father's day, characterized by fiestas, rodeos, horseback riding, music and traditional Costa Rican food. 21 June.
Dia de San Pedro y San Pablo— Street processions and church masses are held nationwide to celebrate the national day of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. 29 June.

July
Fiesta de La Virgen del Mar— The Fiesta of the Virgin on the Sea is celebrated in Puntarenas by a flotilla of colorfully decorated boats bearing a statue of La Virgen del Monte Carmelo, the patron saint of Puntarenas. The day is accompanied by a week of dances, parades and fireworks and is also celebrated in Playa del Coco, on the northern coast of the Nicoya Peninsula. Saturday closest to the 16th of July.

August
Virgen de Los Angeles— This national holiday is held to celebrate the patron saint of Costa Rica, the Virgen de Los Angeles with pilgrimages from San Jose to the Nuestra Senora de los Angeles Basilica in Cartago. 2 August.
Dia de la Madre, Feast of the Assumption— Mother’s day is a major national holiday for banks, schools and businesses and many firms will be closed for the day. 15 August.
National Parks Day— Costa Rica is rightly proud of its national parks system and this day is marked with special events at most of the country’s major parks. 24 August.

September
Independence Day— A major national holiday held to celebrate Costa Rica’s independence from Spain in 1821. The celebration opens with parades, dances and parties leading up to the arrival of the Freedom Torch in Cartago which is delivered by relay from Nicaragua. This moment is marked by the entire country stopping to sing the national anthem before the parades start again. 15 September.

October
Carnival— The spirit of Rio comes to Limon as the entire town halts to celebrate Columbus’ arrival in the new world, a fiesta that culminates on Columbus Day. 12 October.

November
Dia de los Muertos— The whole country observes All Soul’s Day with Catholic masses and visits to family members’ graves. 2 November.
Coffee Picking Contests— A favorite among mountainous coffee-producing communities, coffee picking tournaments are held to celebrate the start of the harvest season. Throughout November.

December
Festival de la Luz— A week long light festival is held in San Jose during December, including light displays, concerts and fireworks. First week of December.
Immaculate Conception, Fiesta de los Negritos— No longer a national holiday, but is still celebrated with religious processions, church masses and traditional dances. 8 December.
Misa de Gallo— Literally ‘Mass of the Rooster’, a mass held across the country to celebrate Christmas Eve. 24 December.
Christmas Week— Despite not being an official holiday, the week preceding Christmas is a busy time for family vacations when ‘Ticos’ head to the beaches in droves. Book accommodation and transport well in advance and expect higher rates in hotels. 17–28 December.
Christmas Day— A day for family gatherings, and a Christmas mass. 25 December.
Tope Caballos— On Boxing Day the San Jose streets play host to a horse parade, displaying the traditions of the unique Criollo breed. 26 December.

Fiestas Patronales (Street Fairs)
Each province throughout the country also has its own Fiesta Patronales where locals come together to dance and celebrate and watch the bullfights. Each city celebrates on a different date:
 

City	Date
Mora	21 January to 28 February
San Vicente de Moravia	5 April
San Rafael de Santa Ana	16 to 25 April
Tarrazu	25 April
Desamparados	2 May
Coronado	15 May
San Isisdro de El General	15 May
San Marcos de Tarrazu	15 May
Trinidad de Moravia	13 June
San Jeronimo	13 June
Leon Cortes	13 June
San Pedro de Montes	13 June
San Juan de Tibas	24 June
Ciudad Colon	10 to 15 August
Aserri	19 August
Desamparados	29 September
San Francisco de Dos Rios	4 October
Escazu	24 October
Pavas	4 December

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Money

Currency Converter

Costa Rica’s currency is the Costa Rica Colon. Bills are denominated in the subsequent amounts: 10,000, 5,000, 2,000, 1,000, 500, 100, and 50 colones whereas coins are denominated in 100, 20, 10, 5, 2, and 1 colones.

The Costa Rican colon, also denoted by CRC, is the official currency of Costa Rica. The colon is subdivided into 100 centimos, but coins are rarely used anymore due to inflation. In 1997, new coins were issued to replace the older coins.

When traveling, perhaps the currency slang would be helpful to know. People of Costa Rica call the 100 colon bill a "teja," while the 500-colon bill is called a "cinco teja." "Rojo" and "tucan" are the slang terms for 1,000 and 5,000 colon bills.

ATMs, called cajeros automáticos in Spanish, are increasingly common in towns and cities and dispense in colones and sometimes in dollars. The system is largely connected to the Visa Plus network but foreign cards on the Cirrus network may be accepted in the main towns.

Foreign credit cards can be used to buy currency (colones and dollars) in certain banks, and credit cards are accepted among most mid-to-top end hotels and restaurants. Be aware that you may be charged a 7% fee for using credit cards and that MasterCard and American Express are less widely accepted than Visa.

Dollars can be exchanged in all banks, euros can be changed in some, but with other currencies it is more difficult and bills in poor condition are likely to be refused. Exchanging currency in hotels may be more convenient but more expensive and we advise against changing money in the street. If you are a non-US traveler, buy your dollars before you arrive in Costa Rica and all travelers may find it difficult to get rid of excess colones at the airport. US dollar traveler’s checks are preferred and can be cashed at most banks and exchange bureaus.

Bargaining is a tradition in decline throughout Costa Rica but haggling is still acceptable in outdoor markets. It is normal to tip porters, bellhops and housekeepers up to $1 and tour guides up to $5 per service.

Read more currency tips in our newsletter article.

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History

Despite never having developed a writing system and leaving no archeological legacy of pyramids and temples as can be found in other parts of Central America, the pre-Colombian civilizations of Costa Rica played an important role as the meeting point between the Maya and Aztec cultures to the north and the Andean ones further south. Traditions, beliefs and rites from both directions merged on this narrow isthmus, leaving behind some fascinating and sometimes bewildering relics. One such site is the ceremonial ruin at Guayabo, just 85km from San Jose, where waterways, roads and golden artifacts were constructed, and which is thought to have been inhabited up until 100 years before the Spanish arrival in 1502. Equally mystifying are the perfectly round granite spheres that are scattered across southern Costa Rica, including Isla del Cano, just off the coast from Corcovado National Park. Unfortunately, very little is known of the civilizations that left these relics behind, but for a glimpse of what has been learned, San Jose has a number of excellent museums, including the Jade Museum and the Museum of Pre-Colombian Gold.

That all changed in 1502 with the arrival of Christopher Columbus on the southern Caribbean coast. Early Spanish encroachment into the region was difficult and slow, hindered by treacherous jungle terrain, unknown tropical diseases and fierce resistance from disparate groups of Indians. In fact, the difficulties posed by this impenetrable territory along with its relative lack of gold mining opportunities caused the new Spanish colony to be neglected while easier pickings were taken to the north and south. It was only when the Spanish changed tactics and abandoned the inhospitable coastal areas for the cooler, more fertile volcanic highlands that the process of colonization gathered pace. By this time brutal and bloodthirsty tactics along with the spread of European diseases had decimated indigenous cultures and those that survived were enslaved and sent to work in gold mines elsewhere in the Spanish territories. Today, very little remains of these pre-Colombian civilizations and much of their identity and history have been lost to time.

While the rest of Spanish America became characterized by widespread slavery with a powerful aristocracy growing rich on the back of the gold trade, Costa Rica, in its relative isolation from the major trade routes, developed into a more stable agricultural society. Without wealthy new landowners, the impetus for independence from Spain was much weaker and without the same degree of social inequalities, internal unrest was less severe. In fact, it fell to Guatemala to take the audacious step of declaring independence for all of Central America in 1821. Two years later Costa Rica joined the Central American Federation and its modern borders were established.

For most of the early 19th century Costa Rica developed peacefully as the booming coffee trade gave rise to a wealthy commercial class and helped establish the country as the most prosperous in Central America. This period of tranquility came to an end in the 1850s when a bizarre case of US interventionism saw a band of American mercenaries arrive in Central America with the aim of conquering and enslaving the entire region and constructing an Atlantic-Pacific canal. A Costa Rican citizen army eventually fought off this incursion, uniting the country and making an unlikely national hero out of the young Juan Santamaria, a drummer boy who torched a wooden fort sheltering the invaders and sacrificing his life in the process. You can visit Santamaria’s birthplace on a day excursion from San Jose.

Despite an increasingly tense rivalry between church, government and the coffee barons, the first partially democratic elections were held in 1889, although women and black Costa Ricans remained excluded. In fact, Costa Rica’s black population had suffered official discrimination for much of the country’s history. Descended from Jamaican slaves originally brought to construct railways and work on United Fruit’s vast banana plantations, black Costa Ricans were officially barred from leaving the Caribbean coast and endured significantly worse living conditions than their Hispanic counterparts.

Despite this, democracy and civil rights in Costa Rica developed faster than in many Western societies, with the exception of a brief coup in 1917 and a short civil war over disputed election results in 1948 which claimed several thousand lives. In 1949 however, normal government was resumed and the modern constitution was adopted, equalizing women and black Costa Ricans in the eyes of the law and officially abolishing the armed forces, firmly establishing Costa Rica a lonely oasis of peace in an otherwise turbulent and often violent region.

Since then, Costa Rica’s neutrality has only been threatened once when, under intense pressure from the United States, it allowed its territory to be used as a launch pad for attacks against the Nicaraguan government in the early 1980s. Oscar Arias Sanchez, president from 1986 to 1990, revoked this decision and earned the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in ending conflict across Central America.

As the 20th century came to a close and with the dawn of a new millennium, Costa Rica was facing up to many issues familiar to Western nations. Economic developments were marked by increased privatization and discussion over the controversial Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), which sparked mass protests over rising prices and foreign competition. Meanwhile voter turnout dwindled, and political finance scandals helped to disillusion many electors. Costa Rica’s relative affluence has made it a popular destination for economic migration from the country’s poorer neighbors, fuelling racial-tinged resentment against immigration. Much of this stems from the fierce pride that Ticos retain for their peaceful, stable democracy and the generally high standards of living that most, but not all, citizens enjoy.

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Culture

Tico society consists of the mestizo (Spanish-Indian descent) majority along with a large black population of Caribbean origin, Asian communities (mostly Chinese) and more recently, increasing numbers of North American and European immigrants. This cultural confluence has produced a relatively diverse society, with traditions of food, language, music and dance varying throughout the country. In San Jose, the Central Valley and major urban centers, mestizo culture dominates, although strong international influences are also readily apparent. Music and dance not only features international rock, pop and hip-hop titles but also draws in the regional folk and Latin traditions that can be found elsewhere in the country. For instance, the Nicoya Peninsula is famous for its music based on the marimba, a wooden xylophone type instrument, while the north-eastern Guanacaste region is known for its traditional folk dances. On the Caribbean coast calypso beats fill the air, a legacy of the slave culture when slaves were prohibited from talking to each other and so communicated through song. Reggae has also become immensely popular along the southern Caribbean coast, especially in and around Puerto Viejo. The South Caribbean Music & Arts Festival, held across March and April is the best time to catch the Afro-Caribbean beats while the Monteverde music festival, held between January and April, is a showcase for national musicians.

Costa Rican cuisine is less varied than the country’s music and dance traditions, and is largely based on a small number of basic ingredients; rice, beans, plantains, bananas, fruits, beef, chicken and fish. However, national dishes often employ these staples to tasty effect, such as the famous Gallo Pinto (painted rooster). International cuisine is also popular throughout the country, and is always available at high standards in hotels and restaurants throughout Costa Rica.

San Jose is the artistic epicenter of the country, and is home to the National Theater, a world-class venue which attracts performances from across the Americas and the rest of the world. Most performances are conducted in Spanish although the Little Theater Group performs in English. The visual arts have a strong national identity and are often based on idealized depictions of the Costa Rican countryside and traditional rural life, agricultural lifestyles and instantly recognizable adobe houses. Contemporary arts are more varied, sometimes drawing on the country’s indigenous heritage, while traditional crafts are often based on Costa Rica’s national symbol, the oxcart. The best place to track down souvenirs is Sarchi, accessible on day excursions from San Jose.

Lifestyles in Costa Rica are generally high, especially in comparison to its Central American neighbors, given the country’s absence of conflict and strong exports and tourism industries. Despite this, almost 20% of the population lives below the poverty line, especially on the Caribbean coast which has suffered from a lack of investment from the central government. However, access to adequate sanitation runs at 92% and 97% of Costa Ricans have access to drinkable water while standards of literacy and life expectancy rival many developed Western countries.

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Environment

Costa Rica’s unique position on the meeting point of several major tectonic plates, as well as the land bridge between the great continental landmasses of North and South America has bequeathed this diminutive country with one of the richest and most varied environments on earth. Costa Rican landscapes are infinitely varied, ranging from the Pacific lowlands with their dry forests and flat plains in the north and the dense tropical jungles in the south, to the central spine of mountain ranges that are home to countless cloud forests and active volcanoes, to the quiet Caribbean coastline, where weaker tides and calmer seas give rise to green coastal vegetation and vast tracts of mangrove swamps. In the middle of it all is the Central Valley, a fertile plane which is home to Costa Rica’s biggest urban centers and half the country’s population.

Each of these different landscapes is home to an enormous number of distinct ecosystems and habitats, giving Costa Rica the highest concentration of plant and animal life per 10,000 square km (6,200 square miles) in the entire world. Much of this astonishing natural diversity is protected by one of the most advanced National Park systems in the world, with almost 30% of the country protected by National Parks, conservation areas and indigenous reserves. However, a lack of resources and the overwhelming economic impetus to develop and exploit the land has made the policing of these protected areas a very difficult task. Loopholes in regulations allow developers in and illegal logging and hunting are not uncommon. As a result, many of Costa Rica’s unique species are listed as threatened or endangered including the resplendent quetzal, scarlet macaw, sea turtles, tapir, manatee and jaguar. Fortunately, Costa Rica For Less along with much of the Costa Rican tourist industry is committed to managing the human impact on this fragile natural environment and responsible, eco-tourism is a well-established movement in the country.

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Weather

Given the country’s diversity in landscapes and ecosystems, weather conditions in Costa Rica vary considerably depending on the time of year and the location. In San Jose and the Central Valley daytime temperatures range from 70 to 80 Fahrenheit (20-24 C) and between 50 and 60 (17-20 C) at night. Beaches and costal areas are usually hot and humid with the exception of the far north east region which is noticeably dryer and breezier. At higher altitudes, expect stronger winds and temperatures between 50 and 60 Fahrenheit. Costa Rica lies within the tropics and receives strong, direct sunlight year round: sunscreen and a hat are a must and avoiding the sun during the midday hours is strongly recommended.

The dry season (the Costa Rican ‘summer’) runs from December to April and the wet season (the ‘green season’) begins in May. Visitors should expect rainfall throughout the year, especially when visiting rainforests and cloud forests and during the wet season, rainfall in the southern Caribbean coast can be heavy enough to flood roads and disrupt transport.

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Getting Around

Costa Rica’s small size is a blessing for the traveler who wants to see as many of its attractions as possible within a limited amount of time. Costa Rica For Less packages and tours include all transfers, either by bus or by plane. But if you want to venture off and see some more of the country, the following advice may be useful.

Most of the popular vacation destinations are connected to San Jose by daily buses. San Jose has a number of bus terminals servicing the many different routes, check the correct terminal at your hotel or in your guide book. Car rental is another option for exploring the country’s hidden corners, although it is strongly recommended that you rent a medium sized 4WD if leaving the Central Valley, where road conditions deteriorate significantly especially in the wet season. Driving in Costa Rica should be considered risky by US and European standards, so be sure to take out the maximum insurance and check the car carefully before you sign the damage sheet.

Alternatively, shuttle buses ply the roads of Costa Rica, providing a reliable cross country service. Hotels are able to arrange a transfer for you and prices are reasonable value, $19 per person for a trip from San Jose to Puntarenas or $29 to Monteverde. Within urban areas, taxis are a sensible choice (make sure the meter, ‘la maria,’ is turned on as you enter the cab), and they can also be used for longer distances with the price negotiated in advance. This may cost the same as renting a car for the day and will be safer and more convenient.

Finally, plane travel offers the fastest connections to your destinations within the country with NatureAir and Sansa offering internal flights. Baggage allowances are 30 lbs (or just under 14kg) with both airlines and excess baggage may only be taken onboard for a hefty excess fee.

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Getting There and Away

Most travelers arrive to Costa Rica at San Jose’s international airport, although the international airport in Liberia is now receiving many flights from the USA. San Jose is well connected to other hubs in North, Central and South America and Costa Rica’s aviation authorities have been assessed as in compliance with international standards. It is also possible to enter the country by boat on a cruise or by international bus from either Nicaragua or Panama.

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We work hard to ensure that all information is current and accurate. However, the Tourism Industry is rapidly evolving in Latin America and many changes can occur overnight. Please speak to a Travel Advisor for the most up-to-date information on any of our Latin America destinations!