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Country
Demographics:
Area: 19,929 square miles
Capital: San Jose
Government type: Democratic republic
Language: Spanish (official), English
Literacy rate: 94.8%
Location: At 19,929 square miles,
Costa Rica is slightly smaller in area than West Virginia,
U.S. It borders Nicaragua on its north, Panama on
the southeast, the Pacific Ocean on the west and southwest,
and the Caribbean Sea on the northeast.
Major Religions: Roman Catholic (76.3%),
Evangelical (13.7%)
Population (2002 est.): 3,834,934
About
the weather in Costa Rica:
Be prepared
for sunshine, rain, cool mountain breezes, and muggy
jungle mists depending on where and when you visit
our country. Due to our topography, we have a variety
of microclimates. As you ascend or descend in altitude,
or move from one province to another, our weather
changes.
Our rainy season, which typically brings sunny mornings
and afternoon showers, lasts from May to November,
but it's best to be prepared for rain at any time
of the year. In rain forests and cloud forests, it
rains almost every day, sometimes several times per
day. Costa Rica's beaches are hot and humid, except
for the northwestern province of Guanacaste, which
tends to be dry and breezy. To get more specific,
refer to the information provided in your itinerary.
More
info in www.imn.ac.cr
Business
hours:
Government offices are open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00
p.m. Commercial offices are open from 8:00 a.m. to
6:00 p.m. Stores and other businesses are open from
8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Shopping:
Costa Rica offers superb craft items at affordable
prices. Wooden and leather goods are excellent buys,
and they are typically very well made. Wooden jewelry
and jewelry boxes, utensils, serving bowls and other
small ornaments can be easily transported home in
your luggage. Leather purses, wallets, and briefcases
are similar to those found in the other places, but
at much better prices. Fresh roasted coffee beans
are a popular buy, and can be purchased in elegant
gift packaging. For the best deals, however, purchase
coffee in a grocery store rather than a souvenir shop.
You will get the same quality merchandise without
inflated pricing. Silver, gold, and ceramic replicas
of pre-Columbian artifacts also make great souvenirs,
but think carefully before purchasing anything advertised
as an antiquity. Customs will also seize most items
involving furs, coral, tortoise shell, reptile skins,
feathers, and plants.
Bargaining
is not a common practice in Costa Rica, even at the
stands of street vendors However, you can ask for
"la feria" which is an extra object as a gift for
the many you have purchased.
Remember to
leave some extra space in your luggage when you are
packing for your trip, so you can fit in your vacation
purchases.
Churches:
Like all Latin American countries, Costa Rica is predominantly
Catholic, but churches of other denominations are
found throughout the country.
Communications:
Direct-dial telephone service, facsimile, telex, radio
and cable television are all available. Bilingual
operator assistance for international calls is - 116,
local information - 113, long distance information
- 124.
Taxes:
On the day of departure, travelers must be at the
airport about two hours before the time their flight
is scheduled to leave. There is a departure tax of
US$26.00. There is a 13% sales tax at hotels, restaurants,
and most service industries, and an additional 3%
tourist tax at hotels.
Hospitals:
Health care in Costa Rica is very good and sanitary
standards are high. First aid assistance and access
to hospitals are available throughout the country.
However, you should bring sufficient supply of your
prescribed medication if you are taking any. Travel
insurance is advisable for refunds in your country
of origin.
Language:
Spanish is officially spoken. English is the second
language spoken in many areas throughout the country.
Time
Zone:
Costa Rica is in the same time zone as U.S. Central
Standard Time.
Official
Holidays:
January
1st: New Year’s Day
March/April: Easter Week
April 11th: Juan Santamaría Day
May 1st: Worker Day
July 25th: Annexation of Guanacaste Day
August 15th: Mother’s Day
September 15th: Independence Day
November 2nd: All Soul’s Day
December 25th: Christmas Day
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