The Costa Rica Page
The Ultimate Costa Rica Web Resource
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| Why Costa Rica? | Retirement | Buying Property | Cost of Living |
CountriesCosta RicaCuba Mexico Nicaragua Panama Uruguay Boomers Abroad Home Expat Stuff Site Map RecommendedLiving Abroad in Costa RicaHow, why and where to live in Costa Rica New Golden Door to Retirement and Living in Costa Rica Guide for those considering moving to Costa Rica by resident and Central America expert Christopher Howard. TACA Airline serving Central and South America from U.S. with frequently discounted prices Inside Costa Rica Daily online newsmagazine Tico Times Daily online newspaper  Balance your travel carbon emissions with TerraPass. Los Angeles to Costa Rica and return is more than one ton of carbon dioxide.
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Official Government Web SitesVisit Costa RicaCosta Rica Tourism Board Downloadable Brochures Events Calendar Government of Costa Rica Foreign Ministry of Costa Rica Embassy of Costa Rica in the U.S. LocationCosta Rica is located in Central America, with Nicaragua on the north, Panama on the south, the Caribbean on the east and the Pacific Ocean on the west. Enlarge LandTotal land area is 51,100 sq. km., similar in size to Denmark or West Virginia. The terrain consists of coastal plains seprated by rugged mountains, including over 100 volcanic cones of which several are major volcanoes. Highest elevation is 3,810 meters.Population3,896,092 (July 2003 est.)San José (capital city) 900,000 est. Ethnic GroupsWhite (including mestizo) 94%, black 3%, Amerindian 1%, Chinese 1%, other 1%ReligionsRoman Catholic 76.3%, Evangelical 13.7%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.3%, other Protestant 0.7%, other 4.8%, none 3.2%U.S. State Dept. Religious Freedom Report The Jewish Community in Costa Rica LanguagesThe official language is Spanish. Many Costa Ricans also speak some English.Languages of Costa Rica English/Spanish - Spanish/English Translation Time ZoneSame as U.S. Central Standard Time (-6 GMT). There is no daylight savings time.Costa Rica local time/sunrise/sunset Telephone CodesCountry Code - 506All International Phone Codes Internet Country Code.crInternet ConnectionCybercafesWorld Wide Phone Guide Using a modem practically anywhere ClimateThe climate is tropical and subtropical; dry season is December through April, the rainy season from May through November. Temperatures are cooler in the highlands.From Cocori From Costa Rica Handbook Temperature, Rainfall and Humidity By cities and towns Costa Rica Rainfall Map Interactive Sunshine and Temperature Map Interactive - cities and national parks Current TemperaturesAlajuelaHeredia San Jose Puntarenas Other Cities - and more Customs/VisasVisa Resource CenterAirport tax is $ 26 per person. Foreign Entry Requirements CurrencyThe Costa Rican monetary unit is the Costa Rican Colon (CRC)(Plural is colones) The symbol is ¢. One colon is 100 centimos. U.S. dollare are widely accepted, as are most major credit cards.There is a 13% sales tax on all purchases and an additional 3% tourism tax on hotel rooms. Restaurants add a 10% gratuity to the check, along with the sales tax Coins Bills Today's Exchange Rate International Currency Conversion SafetySafety TipsFrom the Costa Rica Tourism Board Consular Information Sheet for Costa Rica Health/WaterTap water is reportedly safe to drink in most major cities and tourist areas of Costa Rica, yet many authorities—including the U.S. Embassy—recommend bottled water.MDTravelHealth.com Valuable, detailed information. Traveler's Health Information U.S. Centers for Disease Control Costa Rica Health Statistics (WHO) ElectricityElectricity throughout Costa Rica is 120 V, 60 Hz using the same type plugs as in the United States.World Electric Guide National AnthemHimno Nacional de Costa Rica (National Anthem of Costa Rica) was composed and first played in 1852. The words were written in 1903 in a public contest, and it was adopted as the national anthem in 1949. Words by José María Zeledón, Music by Manuel María Gutiérrez ListenLyrics in Spanish and English National HolidaysHolidaysNational DrinkGuaroA brandy distilled from cane sugar. Also called aguardiente. FANAL - National Liquor Factory Coffee, Beer and Batidos Popular BeersArticle on Cervecería Costa RicaReview Food SpecialtiesCosta Rican OrganicsFood and Drink in Costa Rica Foods of the Americas Gallo Pinto CoffeeAnnual Coffee Supply ScheduleCoffees of Costa Rica Costa Rican Brewing Method Make your own Chorreador de Café Costa Rican Coffee Coffee Regions JavaVentures Tours for coffee professionals Transfair USA Fair Trade products Coffee ProducersAventura CafeCafe Britt Café Cortez Café Rey Doka Estate Coffee Quetzal Coffee R.F. Meseta Tarrazu Cafe Tesoros del Sol CigarsBucaneroDon Benigno Don Tuto Don Ursulo Jibaro Puros Dawá Vegas de Santiago Tourist AttractionsCosta Rica is the ultimate ecotourism destination, just as popular for what one does as what one sees. Of course the scenery is spectacular, ranging from gorgeous tropical beaches to rainforest jungle to very active volcanoes. But Costa Rica tends toward active visitors, who want to fish, swim, snorkel, kayak, hike, spelunk, raft, sail or surf.Over 25% of the country's territory is protected as national parks, preserves and maritime areas. The country has nearly 4% of the world's biodiversity—over 500,000 different species, including 300,000 insects, more than 800 birds, 200 mammals, and 9,000 plants, including 1,500 orchids. ActivitiesAlmost everybody does Ecotouring, so see also Tour CompaniesBirding Birdingpal Birding in Costa Rica Birdwatch Costa Rica Finding Birds in Costa Rica Rara Avis Canopying Arenal Canopy Tour Sky Walk in Monteverde Diving/Snorkeling Costa Rica Adventure Divers Planet Dolphin Ecotouring Adventure Tours Butterfly Farm, The Ecotours in Costa Rica Eco Travels in Costa Rica Nature Adventures Photo-Journey Through a Costa Rican Rainforest Rainforest Aerial Trams Fishing Arena Alta Sportfishing Capullo Sportfishing Fish Costa Rica Fly Fish Costa Rica Quepos Sailfishing Charters Tamarindo Sportfishing Warren Sellers Sportfishing Geocaching Geocaches in Costa Rica Golf Costa Rica Golf Adventures Horseback Riding Monteverde Tours Sabine's Smiling Horses Motorcycling Costa Rica Motorcycle Tours Rafting Costa Rica Rios Desafio Adventure Company Rios Tropicales Surfing Alacrán Surf Tours Costa Rica Surf Report and Wave Forecast Costa Rica Surfing Travel Guide Costa Rica Surfing - Ferrari's Surf Camp Loma del Mar Surf Camp Surf Costa Rica Surf Map and Break Description Surf Tours Surfer's Guide to Costa Rica (book) Wavehunters |
View Costa Rica Index Regional InformationCosta Rica has seven provinces: Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limón, Puntarenas and San JoséMap Information on towns and hotels Tourist AreasCaribbean AreaProvince of Limón, beaches, white water rafting, Tortuguero National Park Central Pacific Carara National Park, beaches, Jacó, Manuel Antonio Central Valley San José, Cartago, Heredia North Pacific Guanacaste, Peninsula of Nicoya, surfing, diving South Pacific La Amistad International Park, Talamanca Mountain Range, Osa Peninsula, Golfito, Puntarenas, Gulf of Nicoya, Cocos Island Northern Plains Arenal Volcano, Monteverde, Santa Elena, Tabacon River Monteverde Biological Preserve Profiles and GuidesBBC Country ProfileBBC Timeline From 1502 to present British Govt. Costa Rica Country Profile Canadian Govt. Costa Rica Cultural Insights Canadian Govt. Costa Rica Travel Report CIA World Factbook Costa Rica Guide Excellent guidebook. Read the entire book online or buy a hard copy Lonely Planet Guide NationMaster Comparison with other countries Rough Guides U.S. State Dept. Post Report Background Note Wikipedia General Guides / Interesting WebsitesAcademicEarth University Private, non-profit school offering an education in agricultural sciences and natural resources Latin University of Costa Rica Organization for Tropical Studies University for Peace Established by the United Nations University of Costa Rica Central America.com Good directory of links, particularly for travel within Costa Rica Cocori Interesting site with a number of excellent articles Basic Facts Costa Rica Photo journal by Philip Greenspun and more Costa Rica.com Excellent site filled with practical information for travel, touring or business CostaRica.net Good travel site Costa Rica City Guide San José, Golfito, Quepos and Puerto Jiménez Costa Rica Handbook Over 100 pages of the Moon Travel Handbook along with photographs by Philip Greenspun Costa Rica Portal A very interesting mix of stuff Costa Rica Quarterly Newsletter/e-zine on travel, living and retirement Cloud Forest Alive Lessons, photos, information and webcams Culture Costa Rica Museum of Art Museo Nacional de Costa Rica National Museum of Costa Rica Museums of San Jose Information on all major museums Teatro Nacional National Theater EcoStuff Ants of Costa Rica With photos Outward Bound School Costa Rican Plant Map Plants of Costa Rica with photos EcoPaper Paper made from bananas, coffee plant, and tobacco Lankester Botanical Gardens Macrofungi of Costa Rica With photos Sights and Sounds of Costa Rica Lots of audio files Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica Escape Artist Articles Exploring the Beaches of Costa Rica Article Friends of Cocos Island Gay 1 en 10 Internet Cafe - Gay tourist information Gay Costa Rica Focus on gay-friendly businesses and services Gayscape Gay-owned and gay-friendly accommodation throughout the country Purple Roofs Excellent directory of gay-owned and gay-friendly lodging Health Tourism History Costa Rica History Good overview History of Costa Rica Working-class perspective Info Costa Rica In-depth guide to the country Journal from Costa Rica Photo-journal Magical City of Escazú "The City of the Witches" MAQBeach Information on Manuel Antonio and Quepos Medical Directory of Costa Rica Health practitioners and facilities Monteverde Info Monteverde Reserve, Arenal Volcano, Santa Elena, Quepos Mysteries of Costa Rica Ancient model airplanes, sea men, walking palms, UFOs, snake people and more National Symbols of Costa Rica Online Costarica Covers the North Pacific beaches of Guanacaste Province Postal Services Stone Spheres Stone Spheres of Costa Rica Short article with photographs Stone Spheres of Costa Rica Interesting pro and con commentary on the spheres, with photographs Talamanca Discovery Ecotourism in Talamanca Tamarindo Beach.com Tamarindo Beach Info Tropical Tableau in Costa Rica Article on the Pacific coast town of Golfito Volcanoes Costa Rica Volcanoes Map of Major Volcanos Volcanoes in Costa Rica Arenal.net ArenalVolcano.com Arenal Volcano Area Map World Headquarters Some very good information  Lowest Fares to Vacation Paradise Book Your Flight Now! BooksChoose Costa RicaCosta Rica: A Traveler's Literary Companion Costa Rica: The Last Country The Gods Made Costa Rican Natural History Culture Shock! Costa Rica Driving the Pan-American Highway to Mexico and Central America Explore Costa Rica Exploring Costa Rica - From the Tico Times Field Guide to the Wildlife of Costa Rica Fodor's Costa Rica 2004 Footprint Costa Rica Handbook Frommer's Costa Rica 2004 Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica Guide to Costa Rican Spanish Legal Guide to Costa Rica Let's Go 2003: Costa Rica Living Abroad in Costa Rica Lonely Planet Costa Rica Lonely Planet Costa Rica Spanish Phrasebook Moon Handbooks 4th Edition Costa Rica National Geographic Adventure Costa Rica New Golden Door to Retirement and Living in Costa Rica New Key to Costa Rica Potholes to Paradise: Living in Costa Rica - What You Need to Know Rough Guide to Central America Surfer's Guide to Costa Rica The Ticos: Culture and Social Change in Costa Rica MagazinesCosta Rica OutdoorsFrommer's Costa Rica Language StudyCosta Rica Language Academy (San José)Ilisa Language School (San José) IPEE Spanish Language School (San José) La Escuela de Idiomas D'Amore (Manuel Antonio) Personalized Spanish (San José) Pura Vida Language Institute (Heredia) The Language Travel Company (three locations) The Spanish Zone (San José) Guide to Costa Rican Spanish Latin American Spanish Phrase Book FlagsFlagline.comFlags, pins, patches, key rings and more VideosCosta Rica (1992) (VHS)Experience Southern Costa Rica (2003)(DVD) Fly Fishing - Sailfish (1990) (VHS) Supermodels Nude in Costa Rica (1997) (VHS) Travel on the Edge (1999) (VHS) Music CDsCalypsos: Afro-Limonese Music of Costa RicaCosta Rica: Calypso Costa Rica Soundscapes De Costa Rica Natural Sounds of Costa Rica Rough Guide to the Music of Central America MapsBuyCountry MapDetailed roadmap with eco-attractions Insight Map View OnlineWhere is Costa Rica?Country Country Detailed maps of all areas Country and maps of provinces Country - Also maps of national parks Country Political Shaded Relief Guanacaste Province Limón Province Protected Areas Puntarenas Province San Jose San José (with hotels) Surfing Areas Tourist Regions Zoomable WebcamsColibríCamHummingbirds QuetzalCam Surf at Hermosa Beach PhotographsArenal VolcanoCOCORI Costa Rica Tourism Board Info Costa Rica Volcanoes AuctionsCosta Rican Items on eBayInternet ForumsChoose Costa Rica Bulletin BoardForum in connection with book by John Howell Costa Rica Forum From Costa Rica.com Costa Rica Forums From Info Costa Rica Costa Rica Living Exchange any information about Costa Rica Gallo Pinto Discussions about Costa Rica Soc.culture.costa-rica Usenet Getting ThereAir
Airlines Flying to Costa Rica Taca Domestic Airlines Nature Air Sansa Airline Air Charter Service Airports San José's airport is Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) Arrival and Departure Information All airports in Costa Rica Agencies specializing in low cost air travel to Latin AmericaAmericas TravelMe Again Travel BoatNoonsiteA superb one-stop site for cruising sailors Ports of Costa Rica Tide Forecast Marinas Los Sueños Marina CarDriving the Pan-American Highway to Mexico and Central America (book)BusBus TipsCosta Rica Bus Tickets Interbus Shuttle service throughout Costa Rica Public Bus Schedule Ticabus Service throughout Central America, from Panama to the southern tip of Mexico Transnica Service in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras and El Salvador Tour CompaniesSee also Activities2CostaRica Adventure Manuel Antonio America Travel Bill Beard's Costa Rica Calypso Island Cruises Coasts and Mountains Costa Rica Discovery Costa Rica Expeditions Costa Rica Travel Network Elderhostel Tours LodgingBook a Hotel in Costa RicaHostels.com Hostels Costa Rica Lodging Costa Hotels Costa Paraiso Lodge Hotel Tilawa Lapa Rios Los Suenos Resort and Marina Parque Valle del Sol Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge Pura Vida Spa Sabalo Lodge Tabacon Hot Springs Resort & Spa Current NewsGoogleTopix.net Washington Post Yahoo Yahoo News Photos NewspapersLa NacionCentrist La Prensa Libre La República Conservative Tico Times Liberal Web OnlyA.M. Costa RicaCentral America Weekly Costa Rican Times Inside Costa Rica MagazinesCosta Rica OutdoorsPublished semimonthly. Some content online. Focus on fishing. Cable/SatelliteAmnetCableTica RadioAmateur Radio in Costa RicaRadio for Peace International Mail/ShippingAerocasillasFast delivery of mail and packages to and from the U.S. EmbassiesCanadian EmbassyU.S. Embassy FAQ Travel Registration Human Rights Report Other Embassies BusinessBusiness ProcessesCosta Rica Country Commercial Guide Costa Rican-American Chamber of Commerce Costa Rican Investment Board Doing Business in Costa Rica A World Bank report on the ease of doing business Investor's Manual From Government of Costa Rica U.S. Commercial Service ExpatriatesLegalGuide to Legal Research in Costa RicaLabour Law Intentional CommunitiesFinca Ipe (Pacific Coast mountains)Moving to/Living/Retiring
The Advantages of Living in Costa Rica By Christopher Howard Association of Residents of Costa Rica Serves foreign residents in Costa Rica, and those who want to be Residency Checklist Criteria Information - A must read article Seminars Living Abroad in Costa Rica How, why and where to live in Costa Rica - One of the Avalon Living Abroad series. New Golden Door to Retirement and Living in Costa Rica (book) By Costa Rica resident Christopher Howard Relocation in Costa Rica Extensive legal and practical information Cost of Living Cost of Living CostaRica.com - Excellent - Itemized prices Costa Rica Cost of Living Godutch Realty - Very useful list of costs How Much Does it Cost to Live in Costa Rica Article by Christopher Howard Etiquette Guide From Monster.com Living and Retiring in Costa Rica From International Real Estate Digest Panama and Costa Rica Thoughts on both countries Permanent Residency - Overview From Costa Rica.com Residence in Costa Rica From Costa Rica Embassy Retirement Retire to Costa Rica - An Expert Tells You How Article by Christopher Howard Retirement Information From Costa Rica.com Working Working in Costa Rica From Info Costa Rica Buying PropertyBuying a HouseFrom Info Costa Rica Buying the Dream Condé Nast article Interested in Beach Land? Know the Rules From Tico Times Living and Building in Costa Rica Buying property and construction techniques Owning a Piece of Paradise From Costa Rica Outdoors Property Rights and Foreign Investment From U.S. Embassy Real Estate Prices For various cities from Costa Rica.com Real Estate Transactions From the Legal Guide to Costa Rica We Love Costa Rica Buying and living in Costa Rica Real EstateAmerican-EuropeanRetirement and real estate information Costa Rica Guru Costa Rica Home Builders Godutch Realty Buyer's Tips Golfito Area Property Golfito Property Land Sea Services Prime Real Estate Rainforest Properties Tamarindo Real Estate Ticovista Real Estate Search and original content copyright © 2004, Mick Winter Photos: |
