COSTA RICA PRACTICALITIES

Facts and Figures

Costa Rica borders Nicaragua and Panama and is known for having the purest democracy in Latin America.

Area: 51,060 sq. km (19,720 sq. miles)

Population: (1995) 3,344,000

Pop’n density: 65.4 per sq. km

Capital: San Jose

Passport/Visa requirements

Passport valid for six months beyond intended stay. Return ticket required. British nationals do not require a visa for stays up to 90 days. Other passport holders should contact the Trips office for information.

Geography

Hills stretching from Nicaragua, broaden and rise as they enter the north of Costa Rica, going on to form the rugged, high, volcanic mountains of the centre and south. The highest mountain is Chirripo Grande at 3820m. A large central plateau, the Meseta, is home to over half of the population due to its equitable climate and fertile soils. Swampy lowlands form both coastal regions, with grassy savannah mixed in on the Pacific side. Many rivers slice through the highlands descending to both coastlines.

Climate

The best time to visit is December-May, when it rains least. But Costa Rica is a really good year-round destination even in the rainy season (June-October) "green season." The vegetation is greener at that time and prices are lower. You can almost be guaranteed a good thunderstorm every day in late afternoon or early evening, though they don't last for long. Except for the rain, the climate is fairly similar year-round. The inland temperatures are moderate, and a breeze is almost always blowing, but the coastal areas tend to be hot and steamy. The mountains can be quite cool at night, so take a sweater. And take some rain gear or an umbrella no matter when you're visiting.

Language

Spanish with English widely spoken in principal cities and towns.

Money

The main currency is “Colones” but $US can be used more or less everywhere. Banco Popular y Desarollo and Credomatic have ATMs at 21 branches for getting cash advances on credit and debit cards - you need your PIN number. Only take US$ traveller cheques and exchange them at a bank, rather than a hotel, for the best rates. Bank hours are from 9am-3pm, Mon-Fri. Almost all hotels in Cost Rica accept VISA cards and will change $US to local currency.

Religion

80% are Roman Catholic.

Time

GMT - 6 hours

Electricity

110/220 volts AC, 60 HZ. American style two pin plugs.

Brief History

Little is known of the first people to inhabit Costa Rica, but it probably took place around 10,000B.C., based on the discovery of an arrowhead near Guanacaste. It’s history is not as distinct as countries further to the north and this is probably due to it being used as a trade channel by many groups from Central and South America. When Columbus landed here on his last voyage to the Americas in 1502, there were over 25 separate groups living there.

Seeing the local people smothered with golden jewellery, he named it the Rich Coast (Costa Rica) and spread news of this gold-rich place which was untrue as the gold had acquired via trade. Spanish settlers soon followed and chose to live on the Meseta Central and established Cartago as the capital. Poverty, due to the lack of gold, ensued until in 1808 coffee was introduced from Cuba and proved to be the country’s saving grace. By 1850 there were large exports of coffee and wealth that few would dare to have imagined a half century earlier.

The introduction of bananas in 1878 made Costa Rica the first Central American country to grow them (they are now the second largest exporter in the world) and with the usage of cheap Jamaican labour the industry flourished. This period also saw the birth of Minor Keith’s United Fruit Company, the company that was to have such far reaching effects on all of Central America through its strangle hold on banana production. The democratic process began in 1889 and has survived without too many hiccups to the present day.

Natural History

With Costa Rica boasting some of the best managed national parks and reserves in the world that cover at least eight different ecological zones and 25% of the country’s area, it is no surprise that the diversity of wildlife and flora is extraordinary. Indeed, the country has become synonymous with the move towards eco-tourism. Over 850 species of birds make it a birdwatching paradise (the whole of the United States has only 800 species). In the parks you may get to see monkeys, deer, coyotes, anteaters, snakes, wild pigs, armadillos or even wild cats and tapirs. There are also some of the last known tropical dry forests here (forest that have six or more dry months a year), such as the one enclosed by the Santa Rosa National park, where orchids proliferate along with iguanas and jaguars. However, the prime reward for many visitors is the opportunity of seeing the mythical, exquisitely beautiful quetzal bird, that is venerated by the Guatemalans. However, bear in mind that these parks are not oversized zoos and so there is no guarantee of seeing the more exotic wildlife

Getting Around

Taxis

In the city, official taxis are red with a yellow triangle and plentiful. Within the city fares rarely exceed US$1.60. After midnight, taxis from the centre of the city charge 40% extra

Driving

If driving in San Jose, don’t leave your car in the centre of the city as theft is rife. On the highways things are just as crazy as elsewhere in Latin America but with an added twist. Speed traps strictly enforce the speed limits (75 km/h) and you are unlikely to escape the fine (US$150) as they are posted on the central computer system, which is accessed at the international airport. Don’t pay any fines on the spot. In Costa Rica, flashing headlights are used to warn of the speed radars! 4WD vehicles are really necessary if you want to explore the real country. UK citizens only need a valid driving licence, a VISA or MasterCard and you must be over 25 years old. Take out the maximum insurance and really check the car for damage prior to leaving.

Essentials

Shopping

Wooden items, ceramics and leather handicrafts are the best value buys in Costa Rica, though beware of rainforest products as deforestation is a major problem. When buying coffee, make sure that it has “puro” on the label otherwise it may have additives and buy export quality. Most “gold” products sold on the street are just gold-plated. Any imported products are very expensive so bring spares with you from home, such as sunscreen and insect repellant.

British Embassy

Centro Colon, 11th Floor, end of Paseo Colon with C38 (Apdo 815 1007), San Jose. Tel: 258 2025

Airport Departure

Our ground operators will reconfirm your flights 72 hours before departure. Departure tax is US$26, payable in US$ or Colones or a combination of the two if you need to spend your remaining Colones.

Tips

A supply of small dollar bills is useful. $1 for baggage. 10% for meals (generally included in the bill along with 14% service charge known as impuestos). $5 per day is a rough guide for guides

Health

Medical Emergencies

Public hospitals have a good reputation and will usually have someone who speaks English The Clinica Biblica C1, Av 14 (Tel: 257 5252), with 24 hr pharmacy are reported as OK

How to Avoid Being Bitten

Malaria is limited to the vicinity of Limon, but other diseases such as dengue fever are spread by mosquitoes so you do need to protect yourself. Insect repellent containing ‘DEET’ is effective, and long trousers in the evening are recommended in the jungle areas

Other Common Illnesses:

Diarrhea

On the whole Costa Rica has high health and hygiene standards, but you may prefer to stick to bottled water. If you have a sensitive digestive system it may be best to avoid salads and other raw foods, but most travellers are fine.

Sunstroke

A frequent spoiler of the first few days of a trip. Reduce exposure to direct sunshine by wearing a wide-brimmed hat and good quality sunglasses, using high factor sun screens and put your feet up in a bar or cafe during the hottest parts of the day. Drink plenty of bottled water to keep hydrated.

Communications

 

Costa Rica has an efficient mail service with airmail letter to Europe taking up to two weeks. There are more telephones per capita in Costa Rica than in any other Latin American country. IDD is available throughout the country from public phones though it is cheaper to call from a private phone. Collect calls can be made from the main telephone office at AV5 C1 San Jose or from a public phone. International calls to the UK are expensive but it does get cheaper in the evening and on weekends.

Useful numbers

From Costa Rica to the UK: 00 44 + UK area code less the 0 + number

To Costa Rica from abroad: international code is 506

International operator: 116 for collect calls

International Info: 124

Media

Major daily newspapers are La Nacion and La Republica. BBC World Service is on 17.84, 15.26, 95.90 and 5.975. There are six local TV stations, Channel 7 is the major one with Channel 6 close behind. CNN is also widely available.

Food and Drink

Most meals are, like elsewhere in the region, based on rice and beans, served with meat or fish. Casado has plantain and cabbage added. Red beans and rice (Gallo pinto) is often served as breakfast. Olla de carne is a soup of beef, plantain, corn, yuca and a couple of local vegetables. Sopa Negra is a black bean soup with a poached egg in it. Eating out is relatively expensive compared to neighbouring countries. Cold fruit and milk drinks are very sugary. Local beers are pretty good, including Imperial, Bavaria and Bremen.

What to Pack

You don’t need to dress up in Costa Rica unless you plan some evenings out in San Jose. Shorts and T-shirts are fine during the day, and a cotton dress or long trousers and short sleeved shirt are the norm for evenings.

For the jungle you will need light weight walking shoes (trainers with a rugged sole are ok), sandals, swimsuit, mosquito repellent, a hat and a light waterproof.

Don’t forget binoculars, some plastic bags to keep things dry and a driving licence if hiring a car.

Soft luggage is more practical than rigid suitcases and try to travel light. 15kg is enough for most events.