 Facts at a Glance
Full country name: Republic of Costa Rica
Area: 51,100 sq km (19,929 sq mi)
Population: 3,465,000 (growth rate 2%)
Capital city: San José (pop 280,000)
People: 96% Spanish descent, 2% African descent, 1% indigenous Indians, Chinese
Language: Spanish, Creole English and Indian dialects
Religion: 95% Roman Catholic, 1% Protestant
Government: Democracy
President: Miguel Angel Rodriguez
Costa Rica is bordered to the north by Nicaragua and to the east by Panama. It has both a Caribbean and a Pacific coast. A series of volcanic mountain chains runs from the Nicaraguan border in the north-west to the Panamanian border in the south-east, splitting the country in two. In the center of these ranges is a high-altitude plain, with coastal lowlands on either side. Over half the population lives on this plain, which has fertile volcanic soils. The Caribbean coast is 212km (131mi) long and is characterized by mangroves, swamps and sandy beaches. The Pacific coast is much more rugged and rocky, and, thanks to a number of gulfs and peninsulas, is a tortuous 1016km (630mi) long.
The country's biodiversity attracts nature lovers from all over the world. The primary attraction for many visitors is the 850 recorded bird species, which include the resplendent quetzal, indigo-capped hummingbirds, macaws and toucans. Costa Rica's tropical forests have over 1400 tree species and provide a variety of habitats for the country's fauna including four types of monkey, sloths, armadillos, jaguars and tapirs. There are also a number of dazzling butterflies. National parks cover almost 12% of the country, and forest reserves and Indian reservations boost the protected land area to 27%.
 Red-lored parrot (18K) Munch break for fluttering piebald (19K)
Costa Rica is a tropical country and experiences only two seasons: wet and dry. The dry season is generally between late December and April, and the wet season lasts the rest of the year. The Caribbean coast tends to be wet all year. Temperatures vary little between seasons; the main influence on temperature is altitude. San José at 1150m (3772ft) has a climate which the locals refer to as 'eternal Spring': lows average 15°C (60°F); highs average 26°C (79°F). The coasts are much hotter, with the Caribbean averaging 21°C (70°F) at night and over 30°C (86°F) during the day; the Pacific is a few degrees warmer still. The humidity at low altitudes can be oppressive.
Mystery shrouds pre-Columbian Costa Rica: few archaeological monuments and no proof of a written language have been discovered. The indigenous people did not have the necessary numbers or organization to resist the Spanish, and their populations dwindled quickly because of susceptibility to European diseases. As a result, the Spanish influence is felt more strongly here than in any other Central American country. The few remaining examples of the indigenous culture include the fabulous collection of jade on display at San José's Museo de Jade, and the major archaeological site at Guayabo, which is slowly revealing the presence of streets, aqueducts and causeways. This evidence suggests that the culture present on the eve of the Spanish invasion mirrored that of the Incas and Mayas of Peru and Mexico, respectively, more closely than was previously suspected.
Costa Rica ('the rich coast') was dubbed so by Christopher Columbus himself, who stayed for 17 days in 1502 and was impressed by the gold decorations worn by the friendly locals. Colonization was not immediately successful, taking until the 1560s for the Spanish settlers to become immune to tropical diseases and make a dent in the tangled jungle. The first colony, Cartago, was settled in the fertile and salubrious central highlands, departing from the Spaniards' usual practice of settling the coastal areas, because the tropical shoreline was more prone to disease. This settlement also differed from the normal pattern of colonization in that the presence of only a few Indians meant there was no labor to milk and no mestizo culture created from intermarriage.
The hoped-for hordes of gold did not eventuate, and Costa Rica remained a forgotten backwater for many years. The 18th century saw the establishment of settlements such as Heredia, San José and Alajuela. Much of Cartago was destroyed in 1723 by the eruption of Volcán Irazú, but its hard-working survivors rebuilt the town. The introduction of coffee in 1808 spurred further development, and the country was invigorated by independence in 1821. Coffee brought wealth, a class structure and a more outward-looking perspective. A bizarre turn of events in 1856 provided one of the first important landmarks in the nation's history and served to unify the people. During the term of coffee-grower turned president Juan Rafael Mora, a period remembered for the country's economic and cultural growth, Costa Rica was invaded by US military adventurer William Walker and his army of recently captured Nicaraguan slaves. Mora organized an army of 9000 civilians which, against all odds, succeeded in forcing Walker & Co to flee.
The ensuing years of the 19th century saw power struggles among members of the coffee-growing elite and the institution of the first democratic elections. Democracy has since been a hallmark of Costa Rican politics, with few despotic interludes. Civil war, however, did raise its ugly head in the 1940s when ex-president Calderón (whose working-class-oriented Christian Socialist policies had alienated him from the conservatives and the wealthy) and his successor, Picado, lined up against the recent ballot-winner Ulate (whose election win was not recognized by Picado's government) and José (Don Pepe) Figueres. After several weeks of warfare Figueres emerged victorious, formed an interim government and handed the presidency to Ulate. The National Liberation Party, formed by Figueres in 1949 has dominated the political scene since this brief kerfuffle.
The constitution of 1949 finally gave women and Blacks the vote and, controversially, dismantled the country's armed forces - giving Costa Rica the sobriquet of 'the only country which doesn't have an army'. President Oscar Arias received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987 for his attempts to spread Costa Rica's example of peace to the rest of Central America. The National Liberation Party's major opponent is the Christian Socialists, who retain the support of the poor and working class. Both political parties are oligarchical, with father-son and husband-wife associations predominating. In Februay 1998 the Social Christian Unity Party's Miguel Angel Rodriguez won the presidency with just about 50% of the vote. He's a conservative businessman and economist who made the economy the priority of his campaign. Costa Ricans have blamed the National Liberation Party's outgoing president for ruining their national economy and putting the country into recession. Rodriguez is expected to privatize state companies and seek foreign investment in an effort to create jobs.
GDP: US$18.4 billion
GDP per head: US$5400
Inflation: 23%
Major industries: Coffee, bananas, textiles, sugar, tourism
Major trading partners: US, Germany, Italy, Guatemala, Mexico
Costa Rica is noted more for its natural beauty and friendly people than for its culture. The overwhelming European influence erased almost all indigenous culture, and because Costa Rica was a country of subsistence agriculturalists until the middle of the 19th century, cultural activity has only begun to blossom in the last 100 years.
Traditionally painted carreta (ox-cart) (20K)
Over 90% of the country is Roman Catholic, at least in principle. In practice, most church attendance takes place at christenings, funerals and marriages. Blacks on the Caribbean coast tend to be Protestant, and there is a sprinkling of other denominations in San José, including a small Jewish community. Spanish is the official language, though English is understood in touristed areas. Many Caribbean Blacks speak a lively dialect of English, known as Creole. Indian languages are spoken in isolated areas, primarily Bribri, which is estimated to be understood by about 10,000 people.
Costa Rican cuisine is tasty rather than spicy-hot and is centered around beef, chicken and fish dishes, with rice, corn or beans and fresh fruit as supplements.
The country just about closes down during Easter week, and the week between Christmas and New Year's Day tends to be an unofficial holiday, especially in San José. Various towns celebrate their own saints' days and other significant dates. San José's day (Saint Joseph's Day) is 19 March, while Virgin of Los Angeles Day (the patron saint of Costa Rica) is 2 August. Juan Santamaria's Day on 11 April celebrates the national hero who helped see off William Walker in 1856, and Columbus Day on 12 October, as elsewhere in the Americas, is a national holiday.
 Facts for the Traveler
Visas: Citizens of the USA, Canada, Argentina, Israel, Japan, Panama, Romania, South Korea, Uruguay, the UK and most Western European countries do not need a visa for a 90-day stay. Citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Eire, France, Sweden and most of Eastern Europe and Latin America can stay 30 days without a visa. If you do need a visa, it will cost US$20 from a Costa Rican consulate.
Health risks: Dengue fever, malaria, low risk of cholera and hepatitis
Time: GMT/UTC minus 6 hours
Electricity: 110V, 60 Hz
Weights & measures: Metric (see the conversion table.)
 Money & Costs
Currency: Costa Rican colón
Relative costs:
- Budget room: US$3-4
- Moderate hotel: US$10-15
- Top-end hotel: US$15 and upwards
- Budget meal: US$2-3
- Moderate restaurant meal: US$7-9
- Top-end meal: US$10 and upwards
Costa Rica isn't as cheap as some of its neighbors, but it's definitely a budget destination. If you're traveling with someone, you should be able to scrape by on US$12 a day, but a bit less than US$20 is probably more realistic. If you're planning to have your own bathroom, eat decently and catch an occasional plane, US$25-40 should cover your needs.
If you want to change cash, stick to US dollars (but make sure they're in decent condition and avoid US$100 bills - due to a counterfeiting scam, most Costa Ricans won't touch them). US dollars are your best bet for travelers' cheques as well, as other currencies will rarely be accepted - any of the major brands will do. If you buy colones with your credit card, excpect to get hit with a huge interest bill. Several banks have recently introduced ATMs, but there are reports of them eating foreign cards - give them a try if you dare.
You don't usually need to bother with tipping at restaurants, as most add a 10% tip (plus 15% tax) to the bill. You should tip bellboys and room cleaners about US$0.50, tour guides US$1-5 a day per person. Of course, if the service is excellent or lousy you should use your own discretion.
As far as climate goes, the late-December to mid-April dry season is the most pleasant. But of course, this is when everyone else goes to Costa Rica, so prices are up and hotels are full. Although some roads are impassable in the wet season, it's still worthwhile to visit at this time, and things are much quieter. April, May and mid-October to mid-December should give you the best of both worlds.
 Warning
The US State Department says that crime is increasing in Costa Rica, and tourists are frequent victims. Most crimes are non-violent, including pickpocketings and house and car break-ins, but criminals are showing a greater willingness to use violence in recent years.
San José
The cosmopolitan capital of Costa Rica is the transport hub of the country, so most visitors spend at least a few days in the city. It has a more North American feel to it than many Latin American capitals, with department stores, shopping malls and fast-food chains. However, it also has several excellent museums, some great restaurants, colorful markets and a fine climate.
The best of the museums are the Museo Nacional, which has displays of Costa Rican archaeology, colonial furniture, costumes and religious art; the Museo del Oro Precolombino, which houses a dazzling collection of pre-Columbian gold pieces; and the Museo de Jade, with the world's largest collection of American jade sculptures. The most impressive city building is the Teatro Nacional, built in the 1890s. It hosts plays, operas, ballets and performances by the National Symphony Orchestra. The best market is Mercado Central, which bustles rather than buzzes, but has a range of goods from live turkeys to leatherwork, and some of the cheapest meals in town.
Most of the cheaper hotels and eateries are west of Calle Central, between Avenidas 1 and 2.
At the center of a national park in the northwest of the country, the perfectly conical, 1633m (5356ft) Volcán Arenal is everyone's image of a typical volcano. The volcano has been exceptionally active since 1968, when huge explosions triggered lava flows which killed several dozen people. The degree of activity varies from week to week; sometimes there is a spectacular display of flowing red-hot lava and incandescent rocks flying through the air; at other times, the volcano is more placid and gently glows in the dark. Don't even think about climbing Arenal. The best views at night are from the western or northern side. Because the park was only created in 1995 there are very few facilities - only one lodge and camping is not permitted - so the best base from which to explore the area is the small town of La Fortuna de San Carlos.
Bribri thatches & Volcán Arenal (23K)
This is the oldest and one of the best developed national parks in Costa Rica. It covers most of the Peninsula Santa Elena, which juts out into the Pacific in the far northwestern corner of the country. It protects the largest remaining stand of tropical dry forest in Central America and important nesting sites for endangered species of sea turtle. The park also has historical connections, and includes the hacienda where an amateur Costa Rican army took on William Walker in 1856.
Cold ones at the corner store, Costa Rica style (24K)
Monteverde
This small community in northwestern Costa Rica was founded by Quakers in 1951 and is now a popular and interesting destination for both local and international visitors. Its attractions include a cloud forest, walking trails, quetzals, a cheese factory, a butterfly garden and a number of art galleries.
Fighting bulls are never killed in Costa Rica (20K)
Pacific Beaches
If you've seen one too many macaws, you can swim or relax on one of Costa Rica's beaches. The Pacific coast has a pleasing mixture of luxury resorts and deserted beaches.Golfito is on the southern Pacific coast, tucked in a small bay off the gulf of Golfo Dulce and is an important port and jumping-off point for the region's fantastic beaches. Heading northeast from the town, the coast features numerous remote coves, with jungle-lodge accommodations and virgin rainforest backdrop. The coastal Parque Nacional Corcovado, on the Península de Osa, has a huge colony of scarlet macaws. Beaches worth pausing at include Playa Cativo, Playa Zancudo (claimed by the locals to be the best swimming beach) and Pavones (which has some of the best Pacific surf).
The central Pacific coast starts at Uvita and heads north to the Golfo de Nicoya and the city of Puntarenas. The beach-resort town of Jacó attracts package-holiday tourists and those keen to party hard. Puntarenas itself is too polluted for most foreigners to even dip their pinky: finnicky swimmers should head for the dozens of isolated islands which lie just off the coast, such as Isla Tortuga. Good surf close to Puntarenas can be found at Boca Barranca and Doña Ana.
Caribbean Coast
The Caribbean has more cultural diversity than the Pacific coast. Half of this coastal area is protected by national parks and wildlife refuges, which has slowed development and the building of access roads, making it an especially verdant place to get away from it all. The main city is Puerto Limón, which has a tropical park teeming with flowers and sloths. Parque Nacional Tortuguero is the most important Caribbean breeding ground of the green sea turtle, and has plenty of birds, monkeys and lizards. The Creole beach paradise of Cahuita has a nearby national park with attractive beaches, coral reef and coastal rainforest. Bribri culture can be experienced in the surfing mecca of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. Handicrafts, reggae, homestays and cultural tours make Puerto Viejo an especially interesting destination.
This area on the northwestern Pacific coast is difficult to traverse because of the lack of paved roads; however, it's well worth the effort because it contains some of the country's best and most remote beaches. There are also some small and rarely visited wildlife reserves and parks. Parque Nacional Marino las Baulas de Guanacaste, just north of Tamarindo, includes Playa Grande, an important nesting site for the baula (leatherback turtle) - the world's largest turtle which can weigh over 500kg (1105lbs). Playa del Coco is the most accessible beach on the peninsula, in an attractive setting and with a small village, which has some nightlife. Good surfing and windsurfing can be found at Playa Tamarindo. Caving fans head for Parque Nacional Barra Honda, northeast of Nicoya, which protects some of Costa Rica's most interesting caves. Wildlife teems in the coastal Refugio Nacional de Fauna Silvestre Ostional, located mid-way between Sámara and Paraíso. The main attraction is the annual nesting of the olive ridley sea turtle, but you'll also find iguanas, howler monkeys, coatimundis and flocks of numerous birds. One of the safest and prettiest beaches in the country is Playa Sámara, and Montezuma, near the tip of the peninsula, is a lovely, laid-back paradise for tired, young gringos.
 Activities
Costa Rica's national parks offer a huge variety of hiking - the following are just two of the highlights. The Parque Nacional Rincon de la Vieja, northeast of Liberia in northwestern Costa Rica, is a volcanic wonderland of cones, craters, lagoons, boiling mud pools and sulphur springs. The park can be explored on foot or horseback, and visitors can bathe in the hot springs. There are long-distance hiking trails in the Parque Nacional Corcovado, which is in the southwestern corner of the Peninsula de Osa in the south of the country. The trails offer visitors the chance to spend several days walking through lowland tropical rainforest. Make sure you visit in the dry season, and keep your eyes peeled for wildlife. There are shorter walks around Monteverde and in the coastal Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio, south of Quepos.
Bird-watchers should head to the rainforests at La Selva (in the central north) and to the Parque Nacional Tapanti (southeast of Cartago), Parque Nacional Palo Verde (at the head of the Golfo de Nicoya), Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Cano Negro (east of Upala) and the area around Tortuguero. Turtle-watchers should visit Parque Nacional Tortuguero, where they can visit nesting sites and watch the turtles lay their eggs. There are also turtles at Parque Nacional Santa Rosa. Different species of turtle lay their eggs at different times of the year; check your biology textbooks for details.
Orange-fronted parakeet eyeing off a spiky succulent (25K)
Pavones on the Pacific Coast reportedly has some of the best surfing in Central America. There is also good surfing at Playa Naranjo in northwestern Costa Rica, and at Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean coast. Windsurfers should check out the artificial Laguna de Arenal, near the spectacular volcano. There are snorkeling and diving possibilities at the Reserva Biologica Isla del Cano, 20km (12mi) west of Bahia Drake, off the northern part of the Península de Nicoya and in the Parque Nacional Isla del Coco - an isolated island 500km (310mi) southwest of Costa Rica in the eastern Pacific.
Golfito is a center for deep-sea fishing, and there are plenty of opportunities to charter boats for several days or more. Parsimina, a small village at the mouth of the Rio Parsimina, 50km (31mi) northwest of Limon, has several excellent fishing lodges and good offshore reef fishing.
Río Reventazon, in central Costa Rica, is one of the most exciting and scenic rivers in Costa Rica and a favorite with river rafters and kayakers. The river is navigable year-round, but June and July are the best months. Río Pacure, the next major river valley east, is perhaps even more scenic and offers the best white-water rafting in the country through spectacular canyons clothed in virgin rainforest. Turrialba is the best base for these excursions.
International flights arrive at San José's Juan Santamaria international airport, though the airport in Liberia, 217km (135mi) northwest of San José, has been upgraded and now operates as a second-string international airport. There are good connections to US and Canadian cities and several Latin and South American countries. Scores of tour operators in North America and Europe run tours to Costa Rica, though these tend to be for first-class visitors and expensive. There is a departure tax of around US$17 on international flights.
It's possible to travel overland to Costa Rica from the USA, crossing Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. The nearest US town is Brownsville, Texas, 4000km (2480mi) away. Overlanders can either catch a series of public buses or drive their own car. The main border crossing between Costa Rica and Nicaragua is at Penas Blancas on the western coast. There are three border crossing between Costa Rica and Panama for travelers heading to or arriving from the south: Paso Canoas on the western coast, Sixaola/Guabito on the Caribbean coast and the little-used Río Sereno near the Parque Nacional Volcán Barú.
There are two domestic airlines: SANSA and Travelair. Demand for seats is high, so try to book as far in advance as possible. The majority of Costa Ricans do not own cars, so public transport is quite well developed. San José is the main transport hub and there are buses from here to most parts of the country. The system can be a bit chaotic and buses are not that comfortable, but fares are generally cheap. Taxis are considered a viable form of public transport for long journeys, and can be hired by the day, half-day or hour. Cars and motorbikes can also be rented in San José. The railway network in Costa Rica was severely damaged during the 1991 earthquake and is unlikely to reopen.
- The Costa Ricans by Richard Biesanz et al provides a historical perspective on Costa Rica's political and social change.
- Costa Rica: A Country Guide edited by Marc Edelman & Joanne Kenen is an anthology covering sociopolitical issues.
- The Rivers of Costa Rica: A Canoeing, Kayaking, and Rafting Guide by Michael W Mayfield & Rafael E Gallo is for river-sports enthusiasts.
- Costa Rican Natural History by Daniel H Janzen is an encyclopedic introduction for those interested in biology.
- When New Flowers Bloomed is a collection of stories by women writers from Costa Rica and Panama
- La Loca de Gandoca by Anacristina Rossi is a conservation-related novel by a prize-winning tica novelist.
- The country makes a surprising appearance in PJ O'Rourke's malevolently funny Holidays in Hell.
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