Costa Rica: General Information
Name:
República de Costa Rica
Location:
Central America, between Nicaragua and Panama; the Pacific Ocean to its West, the Atlantic Ocean (specifically, the Caribbean Sea) to its East.
Area:
51,100 km2
Shoreline: 1290 km
Lowest Point: At sea level (0
metres)
Highest Point: Cerro Chirripo Mountain
Map
Population:
4.1 million
Religion:
Primarily Catholicism (76%). Evangelical Christians make up another 14%. The country also has a small.
Capital City:
San José
Official Language:
Spanish. The second language, which much of the population can speak, is English.
Government:
Constitutional Democracy (Presidential Republic)
Currency:
Costa Rican Colón. However, American dollars are also accepted everywhere. Credit cards are accepted in most places.
Voltage:
110 V (same as U.S.A.)
Phones:
The international calling code is +506. In many places, there is no mobile phone reception, or reception is limited.
Time Zone:
GMT-6
Flights:
Various airlines have direct flights from major cities in USA, Europe, and South America.
National Holidays:
· January 1st – New Year’s Day, or Año Nuevo
·
March-April – Semana Santa, or “Holy Week”, the week
preceding Easter, ending with Easter Sunday
· April
11th – Juan Santamaría (National hero) Day
· May 1st
– Labour Day, or Día Del Trabajo
· July 25th –
Anexión de Guanacaste
· August 2nd – Nuestra Señora
de Los Angeles
· August 15th – Mother’s day, or Día
de la Madre
· September 15th – Día de la
independencia, or Independence Day (celebrating
independence from Spain)
· October 12th – Día de
Colón, or Christopher Columbus Day, celebrating the
discovery of the American continent
· December 25th –
Christmas, or Navidad
National Symbols:
National Flag:
National Flower:
Guarianthe skinneri
National Tree:
Guanacaste Tree
(Enterolobium cyclocarpum)
National Bird:
Yigüirro (Clay-Colored Robin)
National Frog:
Red-Eyed Tree Frog
Symbol of Freedom:
The National Labor Symbol: The Oxcart
National Motto (Unofficial):
“Pura vida” – Literally means “Pure life”, but its meaning is closer to “full of life,” “this is living!” or “cool!” It can be used for greeting, farewell, or showing appreciation.
Safety and Security:
This is the safest, most stable and peaceful country in Central America. It’s been nicknamed “Switzerland of South America”, “Heaven on Earth” and so on. It is very tourist-friendly, and its citizens are usually very welcoming. Costa Rica has no army. Despite all this, though, I don’t recommend walking around the capital, San Jose, at night; and like in every other tourist destination, take necessary caution against thieves and pickpockets. The country has many immigrants from the neighbouring Nicaragua.
More articles:
Travel Attractions in Costa Rica Vacation
Star Trips in Costa Rica for Families
12-Days Travel Trip Plan to Costa Rica
Star Trips plan for Families
in Costa Rica and Orlando Florida