Costa Rica

A blessed country located in Central America, this evergreen territory is just 51,100 km, approximately half the size of the state of Kentucky, or slightly larger than Switzerland. Costa Rica shares a border with Nicaragua to the North and Panama to the South, and to the east the Caribbean Sea and to the west the warm Pacific Ocean.

The amazing tropical weather is awaiting you in Costa Rica, where there are two seasons, dry season from December to April, and from May through November, the wet season. The average temperature in the Central valley is 17°C, while on the beaches it ranges between 21°C to 30ºC.

In the national territory the tourists can enjoy a variety of microclimates.  You can be tanning on the beach in the morning and walking in the rain forest that same afternoon. The population of Costa Rica is approximately 4,300,000.  While the official language in Costa Rica is Spanish, English is spoken in most of the tourist centers and many Costa Ricans have learned English as a second language.  This is one of the reasons why  international companies have operations in this country.

Most of the Costa Rican citizens practice Catholicism, but others faiths are practiced. Costa Rica is very  well known for defending democracy of Peace, in 1948 the army was abolished and the money set aside for the military has been invested in education, health, and basic services for  its citizens.

PURA VIDA!!! That´s the way Ticos (Costa Ricans) greet each other. The people of this country are very friendly and pleasant.  They are excited to share their country with visitors because they are proud of their country.

For many years agriculture was the base of the Costa Rican economy with products like coffee (known as the Golden Grain), bananas, sugar cane among others as the most profitable.  However, the economy has changed, with tourism, high technology (INTEL, CENAT - a high technology center directed by the astronaut Franklin Chang Díaz), and exportation of non traditional products as flowers as the country’s largest income.

The name of our country (Rich Coast) expresses what is real. Our land is rich in natural resources, not just along the coast.  In this small country, tourists can enjoy 3% of the biodiversity of the world. To protect our treasure, Costa Rica has designated approximately 25% of its territory as protected areas: National Parks, Private Reserves, and Biological Reserves. In these areas and regions, tourists are able to enjoy many activities of adventure or if you prefer just relax and enjoy the beauty of nature.

Interesting Facts:

• Costa Rica is one of 20 countries in the world with the most biodiversity.
• Costa Rica has more than 500 000 species of  flora and Fauna.
• Costa Rica has 860 bird species in its sky.
• Costa Rica has more butterflies that all Europe.
• Costa Rica has one of the biggest volcanic craters of the world (Volcán Poás).

Costa Rica is formed by 7 provinces: San José (capital), Heredia, Alajuela, Cartago, Limón, Puntarenas y Guanacaste. All of them offer plenty of attractions to visit and learn from historical sites, to enjoy a spectacular  sunset on the beach, to feel the rain in your face while you hike along the tropical forest  or to experience the adventure of Canopies, Whitewater rafting tours, sport fishing or scuba diving.  

Costa Rica Regions Division

• Central Valley
• Caribbean Area
• South Pacific
• North Pacific
• Central Pacific
• Northern Plains 

Companies that have invested in Costa Rica:

"Intel Marriott Hotels", "Microsoft Abbott Laboratories", "PricewaterhouseCoopers Baxter Healthcare", "CitiGroup Siemens", "Proctor & Gamble Dole", "Texaco Wal-Mart Stores", "Hilton Hotels Four Seasons Hotel".  Infrastructure ElectricityThe country’s mountainous terrain and abundant rainfall have permitted the construction of a dozen hydroelectric power plants, making it largely self-sufficient in most energy needs.

Costa Rica exports electricity to Nicaragua and has the potential to become a major electricity exporter when plans for new generating plants and a regional distribution grid are completed.  Roads and HighwaysThe country has an extensive road system of more than 30,000 kilometers, with many road improvement projects currently on the way. Getting around in Costa Rica is relatively easy although there are some areas which do require four-wheel drive.

The main highland cities in the country’s Central Valley are connected by paved all-weather roads from the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, and by the Pan American Highway between Nicaragua and Panama, the neighboring countries to the north and south. The main highland cities in the country’s Central Valley are connected by paved all-weather roads with the Atlantic and Pacific coasts and by the Pan American Highway with Nicaragua and Panama, the neighboring countries to the North and the South. 

Healthcare

The Costa Rican socialized healthcare system comprises a network of hospitals, clinics, and complete medical services in all major cities. Considered to be among the best low-cost medical systems in the world with preventive and curative care, healthcare in Costa Rica is accessible, affordable and comprehensive. Costa Rica is also considered a premier destination for cosmetic and plastic surgery.

Educated Workforce

Costa Rica has built upon its legacy of supporting an educated population by continuing to build the educational system and emphasize the presence of IT in the curriculum. A tremendous effort has gone into ensuring that educational facilities produce appropriately skilled, knowledgeable workers and professionals to contribute to the development of Costa Rica.

As early as 1974, the Costa Rican government used Inter-American Development Bank financing to expand the Costa Rican Technological Institute (ITCR) into what has become one of Latin America’s most advanced computer science and software engineering schools. The government’s dedication to an educated population is also exemplified in the redistribution of expenditures from defense funding to education funding. The results of this effort are easily discernible. In 1999, the illiteracy rate was below 3.5 percent and 18.5 percent of the active population had completed university, technical and advanced university studies.

Communications

Modern communication amenities

From conducting a global business to staying in touch with family and friends, Costa Rica offers up-to-date means of communication. Easy Internet access, cellular phones, fax machines, and an efficient surface mail system are all at your disposal.

Television and Broadcasting

Costa Rica has thirteen local station TV stations. Currently the three cable TV providers in the country are: AMNET, Cable Tica and Cable América. These companies offer many of the channels available to US cable subscribers. DirecTV also operates in Costa Rica. The company offers 152 digital TV channels and 33 music channels. The country has 50 AM, 43 FM and 19 short-wave stations.