Information about Costa Rica
Statistics
Area - 50,895 square kilometers
Capital - San Jose (pop. 300,000)
Population - Three million
Language - Spanish
Location - Central American between Nicaragua and Panama (between 8 and 11 degrees north of the equator)
Currency - Colon (Floats, currently $1 US = about 240) in notes of 5,000, 1,000, 500, 100 and 50
Religion - More than 90 percent of Costa Ricans are Roman Catholic.
Costa Ricas Geography
The country is divided by a backbone of volcanoes and mountains, an extension of the Andes-Sierra Madre chain which runs along the western side of the Americas. Costa Rica has four distinct cordilleras or mountain ranges -- Guanacaste and Tilaran in the north, Central and Talamanca in the south. Costa Rica is part of the Pacific "Rim of Fire" and has seven of the isthmus is 42 active volcanoes plus dozens of dormant or extinct cones. Earth tremors and small quakes shake the country from time to time.
The last major quake hit on April 22, 1991. Centered on the Caribbean side southeast of San Jose, it measured 7.4 on the Richter scale. The countrys highest point is Mt. Chirripo (3,797 meters). The capital, San Jose, and the neighboring major cities of Alajuela and Heredie lies in the middle of the Meseta Central (Central Valley). Almost two-thirds of the nations population live in this small, fertile valley. The Pacific coastal plain is much narrower than its Caribbean counterpart. Both coasts are lined with white and black sand beaches.
Costa Ricas Climate
Costa Rica is a tropical country which contains several distinct climatic zones. There is no winter or summer as such and most regions have a rainy season from May to November and a dry season from December to April. Annual rainfall averages 100 inches nationwide with some mountainous regions getting as much as 25 feet on exposed eastern slopes. Temperature is more a matter of elevation than location with a mean of around 72 degrees in the Central Valley, 82 degrees on the Atlantic coast and 89 degrees on the Pacific coast.
The Government
Costa Rica is a democratic republic. Under the 1949 constitution, all citizens are guaranteed equality before the law, the right to own property, the right of petititon and assembly, freedom of speech and the right of habeas corpus. The constitution also divides the government into independent executive, legislative and judicial branches. The executive branch is composed of the president, two vice presidents and a cabinet. The legislature is the National Assembly, composed of 57 members (diputados) elected by proportional representation. National elections are held every four years, on the first Sunday of February. Under a constitutional amendment enacted in 1969, a president may serve only one four-year term during his lifetime. Diputados also are elected for four years and may serve a second term four years after the first ends. The largest political party is the National Liberation Party (PLN). Its main rival is the more conservative Social Christian Unity Party.
Traveling
Citizens of all countries require a valid passport to enter Costa Rica. No visa is needed. The maximam time aloud during one stay is 90 days. You are required to carry a copy of your passport and stamps with you at all times. The best way for potential investors to begin their search for the is to travel to Costa Rica and find out first-hand about the favorable business climate and opportunities. There are direct flights to San José and now to the Liberia International Airport in Guanacaste from many cities in the United States, the UK, Canada and more. International arrivals here have just topped 450,000 annually a 30% increase over the number of visitors arriving only a year ago.
Activities while in Costa Rica
Weather it be bungy jumping or bird watching Costa Rica offers it all. Because if its size adventurers can easily access all of the beauty of Costa Rica.
We at Tropical Coast would like to recomend our top 10 picks:
1. Turtle Watching - Few places in the world have as many sea-turtle nesting sites as Costa Rica . Along both coasts five species of these huge marine reptiles come ashore at specific times of the year to dig nests in the sand and lay their eggs. It is impressive to see the pilgrimage of a sea creature back to the land its ancestors left a hundred million years ago. The nesting of Sea Turtles is one of natures amazing spectacles. Green Turtles nest along the beaches of Tortuguero National Park from July to October. Leatherbacks nest frequently along the Caribbean coast and at Las Baulas National Park in Guanacaste from February to June. Hawksbill and Loggerheads, less common, nest along the Caribbean during the summer months. The Olive Ridley nest in Ostional in Guanacaste, coming ashore in large numbers for several days each month from August to September.
2. Arenal Volcano - The Arenal Volcano is the only volcano in Costa Rica constantly active since it woke up after 400 years with the big 1968 eruption producing huge ash columns, explosions & glowing red lava almost every day. It is considered one of the ten most active volcanoes in the world. This country is about beaches, rainforest and the spectacular Arenal.
3. Coco Island - Escape to Cocos Island a lush, green uninhabited island resting 300 miles off Costa Ricas Pacific coast. Rocky pinnacles surrounding Cocos are beacons for big animals and big action. Schooling hammerheads, countless white-tip sharks, mantas, tuna and even whale sharks call Cocos home. Once there if the weather permits you can go ashore to hike through the jungles of Cocos and swim in her many waterfalls.
Renting a Car
When Traveling in Costa Rica we would like to refure Adobe as your Renta a Car Company. Adobe Rent a Car is a Costa Rican Company that has developed since 1990. They offer the most reliable service in our country with a young fleet of 500 automobles of the highest quality and a well trained staff providing a personla and efficient attention to their clients. Things to remember: If you are an adventurer, we suggest a 4x4 vehicle Keep your car locked all the time, even while you drive Try not to leave your car unattended, if you have any valuables inside your car. Do not give the car keys to any stranger (Valet Parking) Before you go on a trip, find your way on the road assistance map, supplied at our counter. If you would like to be familiar with our roads before your arrival, we suggest you print out the road assistance map.
Adobe Rent a Car
