Costa Rica Country Information A-Z

Costa Rica offers a wide variety of accommodation options. Hotels are now classified in Costa Rica, or at least the hotels which operate internationally.
Apartotels offer small apartments with a sleeping area, kitchen, bathroom and recreation area for rent. Guesthouses are mainly run by families, and are available in every level of comfort. Bed and Breakfasts (B&Bs) are similarly private accommodation with breakfast. Hostels and Hospedajes are found more rarely. They generally offer only dormitory accommodation with little comfort. Lodges and Albergues are traditional accommodation suited to their environment and situated in natural settings, mainly privately run and often have adjacent or own nature reserves. ’Cabinas’ are one-room houses, and they come in all variations of comfort. Of course, there are also camping sites, however comfort is a foreign word there. Camping away from designated sites, especially on the Caribbean Coast, is not recommended.

Costa Rica was considered, for a time, culturally backward. The entire cultural scene has its roots in the rural tradition of the Ticos, who live off the land. This is also true for painting, and predominately rural scenes still prevail on the canvas. This is undergoing change at the moment, as more and more artists think and act more creatively. This is valid for painting, for visual arts and for literature.

The Ticos love going to the theatre. This trend began at the onset of the 20th century, as theatre was introduced as an academic subject and a regular boom broke out in South America. The small stages in San José present a colourful mix from Comedies and Pantomimes to avant garde works.

The dances in Costa Rica are mostly traditional. The younger generation, however, dances to warmer rhythms, but still loves the folk music. There, one hears predominately Merengue, Cumbia and Salsa. Reggae is much loved on the Caribbean Coast.

The behaviour codes in Costa Rica are quite strict. In contrast to the Spanish, the Ticos rarely address each other by first names. The class consciousness is still quite pronounced, and farmers and workers defer to those who appear socially superior. It is almost obligatory to address others in the polite form; only friends, relatives and acquaintances are addressed informally. In the choice of clothing Costa Ricans are conservative, and bathing costumes are looked down upon except at the beach.

Despite its small size, comparable with the land area of Switzerland, Costa Rica exhibits a series of extraordinary different climates, primarily determined by the Cordillera Ranges which separate the country into an always-humid Caribbean region and an intermittently humid Pacific region. Only the summer (verano) and winter (invierno) seasons are distinguished, whereby summer characterises the dry season and winter the wet season.

Wet season: On the Pacific Coast, the wet season generally prevails from the end of May until the end of November, with the highest rainfall in the months of September and October. On the Caribbean side, the wet season begins as early as April, and goes through to the end of January. Here, the rainfall is highest in the months of November and December. Overall, more rain falls in the Caribbean lowlands than on the Pacific side. The average rainfall lies between 2000 and 5000 mm annually. Tropical rain occurs in two different forms: As a shower, and as continuous rain. The tropical rain showers occur suddenly, and give way to bright sunshine just as suddenly between one and two hours later. The Ticos call this type of rain “aguacero” (downpour). Continuous rains occur less frequently, and mainly in the Caribbean region.

As a result of the proximity of the country to the equator, a tropical warm climate prevails in most areas. The average temperature lies in the mid-region between 19.6 and 22°C, in the lowlands between 25 and 28°C.

Communication media such as telephones, facsimile machines and email are practically everywhere in Costa Rica. Public telephones in rural areas, however, are found mainly in hotels, restaurants or other businesses, and sometimes a yellow sign, "Teléfono público", is hanging outside. There are both coin and card telephones. Telephone cards are sold in many shops, and calling with a telephone card is somewhat cheaper than a normal conversation. The standard European GSM telephones work in Costa Rica since 2006, but not everywhere. The large German providers meanwhile support roaming agreements with Germany. The rule here is: Please check with your service provider. An (expensive) alternative is to lease a mobile telephone from a car rental company.
The country code for Costa Rica is 00506. National information: 113, international information: 124, switchboard: 116. Incidentally, there are no area codes in the whole country. Facsimiles can be sent from ICE-offices (national electricity office - Instituto Nacional Costaricense de Electricidad), from Post Offices and hotels.
Internet cafes are becoming more and more popular in Costa Rica, and one can even find them in smaller cities, where emails can be sent and received.

Remarkably, in Costa Rica there are more instances of poisoning from plants as from animals. Mostly tourists are affected, who sample unknown fruits with no further knowledge. One should obviously avoid that at all costs, unless one is completely certain which fruit – or nut – is concerned. In terms of poisonous animals, bird spiders should be mentioned, whose bites however generally run a course similar to bee stings. The very rare scorpion stings run a similarly harmless course.
Apart from some relatively non-dangerous ocean creatures and insects, poisonous snakes are also encountered in Costa Rica. Of these, few species can occasion dangerously poisonous bites. Poisonous snake bites can be avoided with relative ease. If you go touring or hiking, wear appropriate clothes. These include long pants which are not tight-fitting, solid, high shoes and a hat. Hats offer very good protection against snakes living in trees. If you are hiking, try to step where you can be sure that there are no snakes; for example, do not walk through thick undergrowth or grass. Be especially careful when stepping over dead or fallen tree trunks, as snakes love such hideouts. Some snakes live on tree trunks, on branches, boughs or other tree crotches. It is therefore advisable to only hold or lean on trees once you have ascertained that there are no snakes camped there. It is also clear that hands shouldn’t be put down concealed hollows, and one should avoid walking barefoot in the forest at all costs.

Costa Rica was and unfortunately still is a hub for drugs from South America. This is vehemently opposed by the government. You can count on some years (or decades) in jail – even for possession of ‘light’ drugs! Particularly on the southern Caribbean Coast, you are sure to be confronted with offers of drugs. Simply decline the offers with a “no“.

Costa Rica has an open, export-oriented market economy. Traditional export goods like coffee and bananas have become less important. Costa Rica has been able to attract many foreign investors, in particular from the US, and accordingly diversify its export range. Agreement has meanwhile been reached with the US on the terms of a free trade agreement, which is particularly important given the strong dependence on the US market for foreign trade. In the agreement, among other things, is the planned abolition of the state insurance monopoly as well as a strong reduction in the telecommunications monopoly.

The Costa Rican economy developed very positively in 2003 with growth of 5.6 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP). Exports grew in 2003 by 16 percent, and imports by 11 percent. Public debt remains high: The budget deficit in 2003 was 4.1 percent (as opposed to 5.7 percent in 2002). A comprehensive tax reform is intended to redress this, and is currently being debated in Parliament.
The currency policy is characterised by stability. Daily marginal depreciation is designed to ensure competitiveness. The inflation rate was 9.9 percent in 2003, and this year will probably be around 11 percent as a result of high energy prices.

The structures of the Costa Rican economy have changed dramatically within a couple of decades. Costa Rica has evolved from an agricultural stats to a service and industry state. While agriculture still accounted for 23.5 percent of the GDP in 1965, in 2001 this figure is only at 7.8 percent, and services and industry have achieved a share of 65 and 20 percent respectively. Agriculture remains a significant factor for the labour market, with a 15 percent share.

In recent years, Costa Rica has successfully endeavoured to attract investment from foreign companies, particularly in the high-tech area. Companies from the US and Europe especially have come to Costa Rica with substantial investments in free trade zones. Tourism is meanwhile the most important foreign currency earner in the country (revenue 2002: 1.078 billion USD). In particular, the so-called ‘eco tourism’ brings guests to Costa Rica. Around 30 percent of the total area of Costa Rica is protected. Hydroelectric power is particularly important for the generation of electricity (approx. 90 percent). There is a fundamental reliance on imports for oil.
The export of goods and services represents an important factor of the Costa Rican economy, as the balance of trade is traditionally negative. The significance of traditional agricultural export goods (bananas and coffee) is still decreasing; it now amounts to around 12 percent of total exports (2002). The US, with a 50 percent share, is a dominant trade partners.

Costa Rica has been a member of GATT since 1990, and was a founding member of the WTO in 1995. In addition, Costa Rica is a member of the Central American Common Market (Mercado Común Centroamericano), to which Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua also belong. Free trade agreements are in place with Chile, Mexico, Panama, the Dominican Republic, Canada and CARICOM. The free trade agreement reached at the beginning of 2004 between the countries of Central America and the US has yet to be ratified.

Electric current is mainly 110 volts, and modern electric razors, notebook computers and charging devices mostly function with this current. If in doubt, ask a pro. For European visitors it is better to take adaptors with you from home, as even in San José it is not that simple to obtain an "adaptador de corriente". Tip: Adaptors can be found between power points and televisions in many hotels (look closely, they are small and sometimes black), otherwise enquire at reception.

Apart from in San José and other larger locations, one goes to bed fairly early in Costa Rica, and “gets up with the chickens.” This is naturally less the case for tourists. Otherwise, everything is there for evening or night time entertainment: Cinemas, concerts, theatre, casinos, bars and discos – and the prices are generally very good.

For nature lovers, Costa Rica – quite rightly – is a paradise. Costa Rica comprises 12 different vegetation zones: Mangrove swamps, wetlands, rainforests, dry forests, and the "páramo" at over 3000 metres, among others. Accordingly, Costa Rica belongs to the most species-rich countries of the world; around five percent of all known species inhabit the various habitats.

And one tenth of all bird species on earth live in Costa Rica. The country has its position on the bridge between two continents to thank for this abundance of species. On the coast and river estuaries, you can find freshwater areas in which Mangroves prosper. These plants offer numerous animal species an ideal habitat – even if they don’t appear so attractive. Crocodiles, numerous birds, reptiles and amphibians as well as small mammals can be found here. The Costa Rican wetlands are home to numerous birds, crocodiles, monkeys and many other animals. During the wet season the wetlands are regularly flooded, while in the dry season they become enormous mudflats.

The rainforest is the most complex ecosystem on earth. Over 50 percent of species known in the world live in the rainforest. 13 types of rainforest exist, including the classic, the tropical lowland rainforest. The tropical lowland rainforest comprises several layers. Only a small proportion of sun, about ten percent, reaches the forest floor. For this reason, only frugal plants live here, and this layer is also called ground level. The next layer, the so-called shrub layer, is inhabited by low and young trees. In the middle level, there are trees of medium height, from five to twenty metres. The upper layer features gigantic trees, which grow to between 20 m and 40 m, and display enormous crowns of leaves. These form a thick green ceiling, out of which lone forest giants, so-called “survivors”, protrude. These gigantic trees can reach heights of 60 m and more. The real lowland rainforest is best admired in the region of Golfo Dulce.
Besides the lowland rainforest, there are also mountain rainforests and misty rainforests. In addition, in the north of Costa Rica there are also dry forests. Here, the species population is substantially smaller, and the trees generally do not exceed 15 metres. Dry forests are composed of three layers, the floor, consisting of bush and grass, the lower level, consisting of saplings and bushes, and the upper level with large, open leaf ceilings.

As has already been mentioned, the fauna of Costa Rica is quite rich in terms of animal species. Most animal species live in the tropical rainforest: Monkeys, birds, insects, reptiles and amphibians – but also large and small mammals. See also Costa Rica Country Information > Flora.

Costa Rica, barely larger than Switzerland, is the most diverse country in Latin America. Costa Rica is part of the Middle American land bridge, and stretches 450 km from south-east to north-west between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. A substantial part is mountainous highlands, which lie beneath 70 extinct and active volcanoes. These mountain ranges (Cordilleras) stretch from north-west to south-east through the country, and function as a weather divide. The highest point of elevation, the summit of Cerre Chirripó, is 3,820 m above sea level.

The Caribbean lowlands stretch over the entire Caribbean Coast. Swamps, lagoons and sandy beaches with barrier reefs alternate – a tropical, always moist area. The Cordillera Central contains the central highlands, which house the capital city San José. Here lie the volcanoes Barva, Irazú, Poás and Turrialba, some of which are still active. The strongly structured Pacific lowland is restricted to a narrow strip between the coast and the ranges.

In comparison to other countries in Middle America, Costa Rica has an outstanding health care system. In the congested urban areas, there are many good clinics and hospitals. In rural areas there are fewer clinics, but a tight network of wards. Accident and emergency units are supported by the Red Cross (Cruz Roja).

After Christopher Columbus touched on the Caribbean Coast of today’s Costa Rica in 1502, he named Costa Rica 'Veragua'. It was not until 1522 that the first Spanish settlement expeditions set off from Panama and followed the Pacific Coast. The incursions shook the Indian settlement basis, without being able to subsequently lead a systematic colonisation. This was first implemented from about 1563 with the settlement of the highlands and the associated founding of the first capital city Cartago. As the country turned out, contrary to expectation, extraordinarily poor in terms of natural resources, there was no real incentive for any heightened immigration during the colonial period, and the population stagnated for a long time at 20,000.

While the agricultural basis remained subsistence-oriented, the search for an export product marketable on the international market led to the development of the native cocoa and tobacco cultures. Regular raids of the Caribbean pirate fleets on the plantations in the Atlantic lowlands during the 17th and 18th centuries, however, disrupted commercial ties to Europe and frustrated an early economic boom. Relatively late – shortly before independence (1821) and around the middle of the 19th century – the settlements were strengthened by predominately rural settlement groups primarily from northern Spain. Following independence from Spain, isolated recoverable gold and silver deposits enabled the formation of a specialised local mining company, which was briefly supported by British investment, before the financial crisis following the Napoleonic wars cut off England’s export of capital. The mining ‘elite’ became a keyword for further development. Following the failure of the introduction of coffee crops in 1808 to have any immediate effect on foreign trade, the relocation of capital from mining from 1832 began a politically-assisted coffee expansion. This expansion, however, only bore the features of the classic development of capital-intensive, dependent export agriculture in a limited sense. The existing ownership structure remained largely intact. Only later, with the allocation of concessions for the Atlantic Railway to American Minor Keith and the subsequent development of plantation crops of bananas around 1878, did the core of an externally oriented commercial enclave develop. From now on, the coffee of the highlands could reach the Atlantic ports in Limón. Despite the increasingly fiscal significance of the banana export companies, the coffee zone in the high plateau remained the focus of the national economy.

The political development in the 19th century was characterised by the fall of the Central American Federation (withdrawal of Costa Rica in 1836) and by the succession of dictators and conflicts in foreign affairs. Costa Rica was forced to defend itself against attempts by Nicaragua to annexe the border province Guanacaste (1836) and was decisively involved in the war from 1853-1857. This war led to the defeat of the troops of North American adventurer William Walker, who wanted to conquer Costa Rica. During the coffee boom – through increasing concentration of wealth in Cartago and San Jose – a ‘coffee aristocracy’ developed in these cities, which represented the political ruling class up to 1870. Under the dictatorship of liberal Tomás Guardia (1870-82), the power basis of these family circles and caudillos was effectively shaken. While a new generation of the educated middle class moved to key positions in the state administration, the free public education system was introduced under the presidency of Bernardo Soto (1886-90), and an independent critical public press was also developed.

Between 1902 and 1914, three decisive periods of office (Ascensión Esquivel, Cleto González und Ricardo Jiménez) brought fundamental reforms to financial management and expansions of the infrastructure, and also contributed to the consolidate constitutional order, which has only been breached twice since (a military putsch by General Tinoco in 1917/18, and the 1948 civil war following the forging of election results). Up to 1994, of 46 state presidents (only three military presidents among them), 18 emerged from free competitive elections, and all of the presidents since 1949; 19 came to power through elections without significant opposition, and nine through coup d`etat, of which the majority were during the years of political instability following independence.

The six-week civil war from 1948 represented a sustainable break in the political history of the country. The combination of a moderate transformation of the social power relationships, and the inclusion of new social structures in the political system, meant that it was possible to expand and strengthen the historic democratic structures in the second republic (from 1949). Personality based liberal groups, which had dominated the political landscape up to this stage, stood opposed to a party with a social-democratic oriented program with solid organisational structures in the form of the PLN (Partido Liberación Nacional). Thanks to a broad social base on one hand, and the organisational fragmentation of the liberal-conservative position on the other, the PLN largely formed the social and political development of Costa Rica for the following decades, notwithstanding that various citizen groups were repeatedly able to with the presidential elections. The import substitution industrialisation development model, advanced primarily by the PLN, represented the grounding of dynamic growth up to the end of the 1970s, in which the broad population classes participated thanks to the active economic and social political leadership by the state.
The economic crisis of the 1980s forced a change in this development model, and also reshaped the political landscape once again. In the centre of this landscape stands, next to the PLN, a similarly strong, organisationally secure citizen party called the PUSC (Partido Unidad Social Cristiana). The political stability of the oldest democracy of Central America, however, was not seriously put at risk by the economic crisis, and Costa Rica was also able to largely avoid the pull of political conflicts in and between neighbouring countries. This was not least thanks to an active, neutral and unarmed foreign policy. From the middle of the 1980s, the country played a leading roll in regional attempts to find a solution to the Central American conflict, and President Oscar Arias (1986-90) received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987 for his work in this area. In 1994, social democrat José Maria Figueres Olsen became the new state president, and in 1995 Costa Rica saw large successful protests against the construction of large hotels. The ecological mindset of the country is becoming more and more secure, although there doubtless remains much to do.

Since March, 2006, Dr.Óscar Arias Sánchez is the state president of Costa Rica. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate, who received the high accolade in 1987 for his engagement for the peaceful resolution of conflicts in Middle America, stands for the continuation of economic democracy.

As in all Latin-American Countries, festivals and holidays, birthdays and saints’ days are celebrated enthusiastically, with a great deal of participation. Authorities, banks, post offices etc, as well as most shops, are closed on official public holidays. Many shops, and most businesses and government offices close for the entire week before Easter, as well as between Christmas and New Year. On Holy Thursday and Good Friday, practically everything is closed, and the bus transport is largely suspended.

The official language in Costa Rica is Spanish, however English is now spoken and understood in tourist regions. In rural areas, however, you will not get very far, and it is accordingly wise to learn a few words of Spanish before your trip. On the Caribbean Coast you will hear Patois, a mish-mash which leans towards English. Apart from that, there are a few local Indian languages.

As in Central Europe, in Costa Rica the metric system applies, with a couple of exceptions. Accordingly, one uses kilometre, metre, litre etc.

Various Spanish language newspapers are published in Costa Rica. “La Nación”, “La República”, “La Prensa”, “El Diario” etc. “Costa Rica Today”, “Central America Weekly” and “Tico Times” are tourist newspapers, composed mainly in English. They are available free of charge in hotels. German newspapers are available in the Librería Francesa in San José. Television reception is available all over the country, and aside from that there are around 125 radio stations – there is sure to be something suitable for every taste.

Costa Rica’s currency is the Colón (100 Cémtimos), which unfortunately suffers from inflation. Accordingly, almost all prices are listed in US dollars, and the US dollar is for all intents and purposes the second, unofficial, currency of Costa Rica. For this reason, it is advisable to take US dollars in cash or travellers’ cheques. It is difficult to exchange other currencies.
To prevent tricksters and con artists, we advise against blackmarket exchanges, so you are better to change money in banks, hotels or travel agencies. The opening times of banks are: 9am – 5pm. Plan on a waiting period at the bank, 20 minutes are almost always obligatory. Credit cards, for example American Express, Visa or MasterCard, are widespread in Costa Rica and are accepted almost everywhere. Travellers’ checks are generally valid as cash, and they represent good protection against loss or theft.

Tourism in Costa Rica has, meanwhile, become the number one factor in the economy, which is why more and more new areas are always are being declared protected areas. Almost a third of the entire area of Costa Rica lies in a national park or sanctuary.
Costa Rica has over 30 national parks, around 15 biological reserves and well over 100 other natural sanctuaries. Hundreds of private sanctuaries can be added to this. Sanctuaries can be found in all parts of the country, so that not only tropical rainforests, but also mangrove swamps, humid, dry and cloud forests and paramo vegetation are protected.
No. 1 NP Santa Rosa, 2. NP Rincón de la Vieja, 3. NP Palo Verde, 4. SG Cano Negro, 5. NP Vulkan Arenal, 6. SG Monteverde, 7. NP Vulkan Poás, 8. NP Braulio Carillo, 9. NP Tortuguero, 10. NP Vulkan Turrialba, 11. NP Tapanti Macizo de la Muerte, 12. NP Manuel Antonio, 13. NP Chirripó, 14. NP La Amistad, 15. NP Cahuita, 16. Meeres-NP Ballena, 17. NP Corcovado, 18. SG Golfo Dulce, 19. NP Piedras Blancas, 20. SG Fauna Silvestre Golfito, 21. NP Isla del Coco.
The national parks and sanctuaries 17-20 are combined, and together form the largest single lowland rainforest are of Middle America.

Ticas and Ticos – these are the names by which Costa Ricans are generally known in Latin America. The name became so typical for Costa Rican citizens because they often use the ending -ico/-ica instead of the classic diminutive form -ito/-ita of Latin American Spanish. Thus, for example, the classic diminutive form of chiquito (little) is the word chiquitito. The Costa Ricans, however, prefer to say chiquitico (little one). As they use this ending for virtually all diminutive forms, they received the loving nicknames Ticas and Ticos.

According to the latest census, almost 4.1 million people live in Costa Rica (2004). The population growth rate in the same year was 2.3%, which is smaller in comparison to earlier years (1950: 3.5%). In comparison to the total area of the country the population density appears quite small, however the population is not spread evenly throughout the country. More than 50% live in the congested urban area of the central highlands, which only accounts for around 10% of the total area. See Costa Rica Country Information above.

Costa Rica is an extremely multicultural society, and is often described as a land in which all cultures are united. The majority of the population are descendants of the Spanish conquerors, the creoles, however this group can no longer really be distinguished from the Mestizos, who have both Spanish and Indian forefathers. A minority of African and mixed-race immigrants live on the Caribbean Coast, who came to Costa Rica from Jamaica at the beginning of the railway line construction in the 19th century. Only about 35,000 of the indigenous Indian population have survived, and belong to eight different ethnic groups. In 1977, the parliament enacted the Indígena Act, still valid today, which guarantees the indigenous peoples 22 reserves in which the land belongs exclusively to them. Additionally, in Costa Rica there is a minority of Asians, many Latin Americans from other countries and many Europeans. The approximate 250,000 foreigners living in Costa Rica constitute 7.6% of the population.

The Ticos are characterised by their likable nature, courteousness, peacefulness and pleasure in life. As a greeting, as well as a general expression of happiness and contentment, one hears again and again the national phrase: ¡Pura Vida! – the pure life! In light of this, it is not surprising that Costa Rica keeps topping the table when it comes to surveys of the friendliness of the population.

Costa Rica is a democratic republic with a distinctive constitutional system of “checks and balances”. The executive is in the hands of a president, who forms the power centre of the country. In addition, there are two Vice-Presidents, and a 15-person cabinet, which includes one of the two Vice-Presidents. The President and the 57 members of the National Assembly are elected for four years according to proportional representation. A constitutional reform in 1969 limits the presidency and the members of Parliament to one legislative period without direct re-election.
The election process is monitored by an independent election court which functions as the fourth constitutional head of the country – three magistrates and six representatives, appointed by the highest court. The highest court includes 22 magistrates, who are elected from the National Assembly for an extended period of eight years. In addition, there are further subordinate courts.

Governors appointed by the President lead the seven provinces, however their office gives them little power. There are no regional parliaments. Autonomous State appointments enjoy substantial independence in their conduct. This includes the telecommunications and electrical energy monopolies, as well as the nationalised commercial banks, the State insurance monopoly and the institute for social welfare.

Costa Rica has for a long time advanced the development of democracy and respect of human rights. Up until recently, the political system of the country was substantially different from that of its Central American neighbours. Costa Rica has always developed its democratic institutions and a constitutional image for changes in government. Various factors have contributed to this tendency, including foresighted members of government: Relative wealth, integrated social classes, educational opportunities which have led to a stable middle class, as well as high social indicators. The absence of a standing army has prevented military political interventions, while the conserved State funds were simultaneously put back into the social sector, and in particular into education and health.

Costa Rice is structured in seven provinces: San José (254 people/km2), Alajuela (63 people/km2), Cartago (125 people/km2), Puntarenas (35 people/km2), Guanacaste (26 people/km2), Heredia (104 people/km2) and Limón (28 people/km2).

The individual provinces are governed by Governors, who are appointed by the President. The provinces are separated into Cantons, which are in turn divided into Districts. One interesting point is that the Province Puntaenas stretches from the northern peninsula of Nicova to the south of the country.

There are restaurants of all possible variations and price levels in San José. You can also always find a suitable restaurant in the tourist centres and larger cities. In the country, comparatively, it looks a little different. Here, there are simple restaurants (sodas) with indigenous kitchens, or Chinese restaurants, where you can generally eat well and economically.
Menus are called “listas”. Usually, a 10 percent service fee and a further 13 percent tax are added to the prices listed on the menu, but if “ii” is printed on the menu, it means that the taxes are already included. Tips are not obligatory in Costa Rica, but you can simply leave any tips on the table – if you are satisfied with the service.

Costa Rica is a fantastic an also very safe country to travel in. For 50 years there has been no military, no Guerilleros and no terrorists, and while the Police Force is sometimes corrupt, they are at least friendly – what more could you want!

However, there are still some things which need to be observed. This is especially the case for a few suburbs of San José, as well as the southern Caribbean Coast. Here, small thefts are commonplace, and muggings also occur.

Valuables should not be left in hotel rooms, but rather belong in hotel safes – don’t lose your safe receipt. If you openly show your valuables, eg. cameras, wallets, cash, jewellery, watch etc., it is an invitation for pickpockets. You should not let your luggage out of your sight for ten seconds, and certainly shouldn’t leave it in a rental vehicle. Your luggage is also not necessarily safe in the luggage compartment of busses, so please pay attention. Pickpockets are particularly active in and around the bus stations in San José and in busses generally.

In all larger cities in Costa Rica there are mostly modern supermarkets and large malls. In smaller cities or in the country there are more likely to be so-called "pulperías", where the range is limited but the family-run shops do not know regular closing times. Bakeries (panaderías) and butchers (carnicerías) can be found in small and large cities, but less so in the country, where the "pulperías" can be found, which sell the daily necessities, as well as petrol and other fuels. Daily and weekly markets (mercados) can be found almost everywhere, sometimes even undercover or in buildings, for example the Mercado Central in San José. "Mini-mercados" are small self-service shops.

Wooden carvings, textiles, leather goods, hammocks and ceramics are all found as souvenirs. Local coffee likewise to be recommended, somehow it just tastes better than other coffee…Hats, which are mainly imported from Panama, are of outstanding quality and are very good value. Should you wish to acquire antique art objects – they are mostly imitations and not antique. Sport articles and internationally branded clothes can be acquired everywhere in Costa Rica, and they are often well under the corresponding prices in other countries. A comparison is in any case worthwhile.
You will commit a punishable offence if you try to smuggle out living or dead animals in any form (thus also belts made from snake leather, or coral), and even mussels and snail shells you might find on the beach may fall into this category. If you are in doubt, you’re better off leaving it where it is.

Costa Rica offers a remarkably varied program for people looking for sport and recreation alike. If you are expecting raked, white sandy beaches as in the Maldives, however, you will be disappointed; here there are dream beaches left largely to nature awaiting you, which are suitable for all kinds of water activities.
It is possible to swim on both the Caribbean and Pacific sides of the country, and the water is generally comfortably warm. At some locations there are dangerous currents, please make sure you check where you are able to swim safely. Surfing is also possibly almost everywhere – the best surfing is on the Pacific Coast, although there are also very good areas south of Puerto Vieio on the Caribbean Coast. Lake Arenal is recommended for windsurfers, though it is not suitable for beginners.
Sailing and motor boating? No problem, and the same goes for deep sea fishing. The Pacific side is best suited to deep sea fishing, and particularly the bays of Nicoya and Golfo Dulce. Golfo Dulce is relatively deep, and many deep sea fishes can be found here, such as blue marlin, sailfish and others. Apart from these, there are also many dolphins, and large, non-dangerous whale sharks. Costa Rica is not a big scuba diving El Dorado. On the other hand, on both the Pacific and Caribbean Coasts there are some good diving and snorkelling areas. Two world-class diving areas should in any case not remain unmentioned: Isla del Coco (Coco Island), which is however located almost 500km away in the Pacific Ocean, and Isla del Cano, off Drake Bay.
It is possible to kayak almost anywhere by means of a coastal kayak. The Golfo Dulce is again very good, with its quiet water and fantastic natural features. Of course, you can also kayak along the many rivers in Costa Rica. A small adventure is river rafting. This involves negotiating a more or less wild river with a rubber boat, and is also suitable for beginners.

Hiking and mountain hiking can be done everywhere in Costa Rica. On one hand there are the various mountains, on the other the choice of savannah in the northwest, cloud forests in Monteverde, tropical rainforests on the Caribbean side and the gigantic lowland rainforest in the Golfo Dulce region. Rain, sun and mosquito protection are all important, as well as calf-high, comfortable hiking boots and, if possible, binoculars.
You can also go horse-riding all over the country, with or without a guide. Tennis and golf are not as widespread, as opposed to canopy. Canopy involves swinging on a steel cable between the treetops of the rainforest or cloud forest, but whether one is able to enjoy the flora and fauna – because of excessive marketing – is doubtful. Cycling in Costa Rica is widespread, and bikes are available for hire at many locations. Be careful, however: Once darkness has set in, avoid busy streets, as there is a risk of accident.
Tourists are not allowed to hunt in Costa Rica, and firearms are not allowed to be brought in. Fishing in inland waterways is possible with a licence, which can be given to you by your lodge or tour guide.

Tips are generally not normal in Costa Rica. There is already a service charge contained within your restaurant bill, however you can give a further tip for good service. Tour guides for tour groups receive about two US dollars per person per day, hotel porters receive 50 US cents per piece of luggage and taxi drivers don’t normally expect tips, but are always pleased when one rounds the fare amount up somewhat.

Costa Rica’s cities are not easy for pedestrians. Although the Ticos drive relatively defensively, there is one rule: Vehicles have right of way! Cycling would be one alternative to walking, and in Costa Rica you can hire bikes – and here there is a second rule: Vehicles have right of way!
Taxi drivers in Costa Rica are the same as taxi drivers (almost) everywhere. The metre has generally been manipulated, or is out of order etc. so: Negotiate a price before the trip. Bus travel in Costa Rica is a chapter in itself. Good connections, lots of stops, cheap prices and sometimes even very modern travel coaches stand opposed to the crowds in the busses when one, as is so often the case, hasn’t managed to get a seat. You can reserve seats in advance, however, which is important for long-distance connections and travel on weekends. Be careful of pickpockets. On one hand, they pull luggage out of the luggage compartment, and on the other hand they help themselves to the pockets of travellers. Costa Rica is not (or no longer) a country of railways, and there are only three unimportant lines. Ferry connections are available from or to Puntarenas - Nicoya, Golfito - Pto. Jiménez, Golfito - Rincon, Golfito - Zancudo (Río Colorado, river ferry).
Rental cars represent a good travelling option. There are diverse rental companies in Costa Rica, and we have had only good experiences with Adobe RC. Important: Inspect the vehicle prior to departure for damage, mode of operation, accessories, spare wheels, a full tank and scratches. As driver, the third rule is important to you: LARGE vehicles have right of way!
Within Costa Rica, you will also find many airlines. The airfares are relatively low, and the flying times are short, so aircraft represent a genuine alternative to busses. Beyond that, there are also a few charter flight airlines, where you can rent a small plane.

Costa Rica fundamentally differentiated between summer and winter. The wet season, winter (invierno), begins in May and ends in the middle of November. Summer (verano), the dry season, falls in the remaining months – from December up to and including April.
In terms of climate, the best time to travel is all the months except from the period between October and the middle of November. These six weeks are very rainy, and therefore can only be recommended for nature lovers. Fortunately, even in the wet season it rains heavily but only for a short time, and mainly in the afternoon or at night, which ensures comfortable temperatures. Further, nature appears much livelier at this time, and this period is often referred to as the ‘green season’.

The temperature is roughly the same all year round. In the highlands, the average temperature is about 22 degrees, and on the coast it can reach 30 degrees. Outside the high season (December to April) it is possible to travel much more economically, as hotels, car rental agencies etc. sometimes offer substantial rebates.