In a small area of Costa Rica, a huge number of natural complexes have managed to fit in, which are rarely found in countries of a much larger size. Here you can see the unique diversity of nature in a few hours by car: volcanic wastelands, dense green forests, savannah, mountain slopes and beautiful sea beaches. National parks of Costa Rica, numerous caves, historically important places, unusual architecture, picturesque mountains, sea beaches and ancient Indian settlements make this country a real treasure trove for any tourist.
Geography of Costa Rica
According to calculatorinc.com, Costa Rica lies at the narrowest point in Central America and shares borders with countries such as Panama and Nicaragua. From the west and east it is washed by the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Not a single city in Costa Rica is more than 120 km from the sea coast.
Capital
San Jose
Area
The area of Costa Rica is 51,100 km. sq., occupies the 125th place in the world by area.
Population
4,253,897
Currency
The national currency is the colon (CRC).
Language
The official language is Spanish.
Visa to Costa Rica
From February 1, 2008, residents of Russia must have a visa to visit Costa Rica. Visa-free entry is possible only for those people who have in their passport valid annual visas for the EU countries, the USA and Canada. If the trip is planned with a minor child, then a copy of the birth certificate must be provided for him, and if he is entered in the passport of one of the parents, then a photograph must also be provided. A US$20 consular fee is charged for issuing a visa. You must pay the consular fee upon arrival in Costa Rica. Documents are processed in approximately 1-3 days. The visa is valid for one month from the date of its receipt.
Weather in Costa Rica
Costa Rica has a subequatorial climate. In most of the country, the average annual temperature is kept within +22 C, and in the mountains it can drop to +10 C, and at night in winter frosts can drop to -5 C. On the sea coasts, the temperature is +27 +30 C. Precipitation increases from the Pacific coast to the Caribbean from 1000 mm to 5000 mm per year. The best time to travel to Costa Rica is December-July. However, at this time the number of foreign tourists is simply huge.
Transport
You can move around the city using buses and fixed-route taxis. All public transport in Costa Rica has a well-defined route. The fare in public transport is low, and does not exceed 0.5 US dollars. There are taxis in every city in Costa Rica, and they are all metered. Taxis can be stopped just on the road, but keep in mind that quite often taxi drivers take advantage of tourists’ ignorance of fare levels and demand more.
Currency exchange in Costa Rica
As of October 2011, the national currency rate is 1 USD = 508.5 CRC. The official currency is the colon. Money can be changed at any branch of the bank, but this procedure takes a lot of time, and a fee of $ 3 per transaction is charged for the exchange. The situation is easiest with US dollars, with the exchange of other currencies there may be problems. As a rule, banks offer the best exchange rates. It is not advisable to change money from money changers, as there is a possibility of encountering fraud. ATMs where you can cash out money from a credit card are located in banks and large shopping centers. A credit card can be used to pay for a purchase in a large store or pay for a hotel.
Electricity
110-120V/60Hz (American type sockets).
Religion
In general, the country has about 90% Catholics and 10% Protestants. However, representatives of almost all world confessions live in Costa Rica.
Security
Costa Rica is a fairly safe country. Most of the crimes are not violent, mostly fraud and pickpocketing. By following simple precautions, you can minimize the risk of being robbed. Most pickpocketing occurs in downtown San Jose, which is where you need to be as vigilant as possible. You must have proof of identity with you.
Health
It is advisable to have an insurance policy, since the provision of honey. services are provided on the basis of insurance. The level of development of medical services in Costa Rica is one of the highest among the countries of Latin America.
