Costa Rica

At A glance

Capital City: San Jose

Land size: 51,060 sq km

Population: 5,204,411 (2022 est.)

Official language: Spanish

Currency: Costa Rican colón (¢ / CRC)

UNESCO properties and sites:

• Precolumbian Chiefdom Settlements with Stone Spheres of the Diquís
• Area de Conservación Guanacaste
• Cocos Island National Park
• Talamanca Range-La Amistad Reserves / La Amistad National Park

Source: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/costa-rica/


Immerse yourself in the diverse landscapes, abundant wildlife, and relaxed pace of Costa Rica. Encounter incredible wildlife, from playful monkeys swinging through the trees to colorful toucans soaring overhead. Immerse yourself in the vibrant local culture, savoring traditional Costa Rican cuisine and connecting with the warm-hearted people. Costa Rica's dedication to eco-tourism and conservation makes it a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.

Costa Rica offers a myriad of thrilling equestrian experiences that will allow you to explore its natural wonders. Ride through lush rainforests, where the sound of your horse's hooves blends harmoniously with the melodies of exotic birds and cascading waterfalls. Traverse the rugged terrains of volcanic landscapes, catching breathtaking vistas along the way. Explore pristine beaches on horseback, feeling the warm sand beneath your horse's hooves and the refreshing ocean breeze on your face.
Whether you're an experienced rider craving an adrenaline-fueled adventure or a beginner looking to connect with these majestic animals in a tropical paradise, a riding holiday will allow you to discover the best of Costa Rica's natural beauty.

 

Brief History

Although explored by the Spanish early in the 16th century, initial attempts at colonizing Costa Rica proved unsuccessful due to a combination of factors, including disease from mosquito-infested swamps, brutal heat, resistance by indigenous populations, and pirate raids. It was not until 1563 that a permanent settlement of Cartago was established in the cooler, fertile central highlands. The area remained a colony for some two and a half centuries.

In 1821, Costa Rica became one of several Central American provinces that jointly declared their independence from Spain. Two years later, it joined the United Provinces of Central America, but this federation disintegrated in 1838, at which time Costa Rica proclaimed its sovereignty and independence.

Since the late 19th century, only two brief periods of violence have marred the country's democratic development. On 1 December 1948, Costa Rica dissolved its armed forces.
Costa Ricans are proud to have more than a century of democratic tradition and more than 68 years without a military force. With the money saved, the country is better able to focus on improving the quality of life of its citizens.

Source: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/costa-rica/
https://www.visitcostarica.com/en/costa-rica/general-information

 

Cultural Insights

Costa Ricans consider themselves "cultured" and polite. Children, parents, and age-mates are often addressed in the formal second-person. Men greet each other with a handshake, while women greet female and male friends and relatives with a kiss.

Source: https://www.everyculture.com/Bo-Co/Costa-Rica.html

 

Transportation

By Air

Costa Rica’s two main international airports receive hundreds of flights per month from major cities. Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) is the country's main airport, located in Alajuela.

The Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia (LIR) mainly receives specific flights for tourists visiting Guanacaste, Monteverde and La Fortuna.

Costa Rica also has several local airports with two airlines that fly domestically: Aerobell Airlines and Sansa Airlines.

Source: https://www.visitcostarica.com/en/costa-rica/planning-your-trip/airlines

 

Money

You can exchange US dollars fairly easily.

US$ dollars and major credit cards are widely accepted.

Exchange money only at banks and approved change offices.

Bank transactions require a valid passport (not a copy nor a picture).

ATMs are located throughout the country. Some of them remain closed from 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.

Source: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/americas/costa-rica
https://www.visitcostarica.com/en/costa-rica/planning-your-trip/tips

 

Health

Medical care in Costa Rica is of a generally high standard, but services can be limited in areas outside of San Jose. In remote areas, basic medical equipment may not be available.

If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 911 and ask for an ambulance. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment.
Ambulance services are widely available, but training and availability of emergency responders may be below U.S. standards. Ambulance services in remote areas may vary.
Only initial emergency medical treatment is available without charge for visitors. Subsequent treatment will be charged. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.

Hospitals and doctors often require payment “up front” prior to service or admission. Credit card payment is not always available. Most hospitals and medical professionals require cash payment.

Medical staff may speak little or no English.

Most prescription and over-the-counter medications are available. Bring a supply of your medications and carry prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription.

Source: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/costa-rica
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/CostaRica.html

 

Electricity

Costa Rica operates on a 120V supply voltage and uses type A & B plugs.

The Type A electrical plug (or flat blade attachment plug) is an ungrounded plug with two flat parallel pins. Although the American and Japanese plugs appear identical, the neutral pin on the American plug is wider than the live pin, whereas on the Japanese plug both pins are the same size. As a result, Japanese plugs can be used in the US but often not the other way around.

The Type B electrical plug has two flat parallel pins and a round grounding (or earth) pin. The earth pin is longer than the other two so that the device is grounded before the power is connected. As with the type A plugs, the American and Japanese versions vary slightly.

The pins on Type A and Type B plugs have a hole near the tip that fits into ‘bumps’ found on the contact wipers of some sockets, so that the pins are gripped more tightly allowing for better contact and also to prevent the plug from slipping out of the socket. Some sockets have spring-action blades that grip the sides of the pins, making the holes obsolete.

Source: https://www.iec.ch/world-plugs

 

Communication

Time zone in Costa Rica: Central Standard Time (GMT-6)

International country code – 506

The country’s fiber network expanded by 56% in 2020.
The rollout of 5G network infrastructure in Costa Rica is unlikely to occur to any scale before 2023. (2021)

Source: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/costa-rica/


Phrasebook

English	Spanish
Hello!	Hola
Goodbye	Adiós
Good morning	Buenos días
Good evening	Buenos tardes
Good night	Buenas noches
Please	Por favor
Thank you	Gracias
Yes	Sí
No	No

Source: https://www.linguahouse.com/phrasebook/english-spanish/basic-words-and-phrases/basic-words-and-phrases

 

Entry Requirements

Depending on your country of origin, you may enter Costa Rica without a visa. USA, Canada and most European countries enjoy this privilege.

You can download all the official visa information in English at the following link: https://migracion.go.cr/Documentos%20compartidos/
Visas/Visa%20Requirements.zip

Source: https://www.visitcostarica.com/en/costa-rica/planning-your-trip/entry-requirements

 

Embassies and Consulates

U.S. Embassy in San Jose
Calle 98 Vía 104, Pavas
San José, Costa Rica
Telephone: 506 2519-2000

Embassy of Canada in San Jose
La Sabana Executive Business Centre, Building No. 5, 3rd Floor (behind the Contraloría General de la República)
San José, Costa Rica
Telephone: 506 2242-4400

Source: for USA https://www.usembassy.gov/
For Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/assistance/embassies-consulates

 

UNESCO Sites

Precolumbian Chiefdom Settlements with Stone Spheres of the Diquís
The property includes four archaeological sites located in the Diquís Delta in southern Costa Rica, which are considered unique examples of the complex social, economic and political systems of the period AD 500–1500. They contain artificial mounds, paved areas, burial sites and, most significantly, a collection of stone spheres, between 0.7 m and 2.57 m in diameter, whose meaning, use and production remain largely a mystery. The spheres are distinctive for their perfection, number, size and density, and placement in original locations. Their preservation from the looting that befell the vast majority of archaeological sites in Costa Rica has been attributed to the thick layers of sediment that kept them buried for centuries.

Area de Conservación Guanacaste
The Area de Conservación Guanacaste (inscribed in 1999), was extended with the addition of a 15,000 ha private property, St Elena. It contains important natural habitats for the conservation of biological diversity, including the best dry forest habitats from Central America to northern Mexico and key habitats for endangered or rare plant and animal species. The site demonstrates significant ecological processes in both its terrestrial and marine-coastal environments.

Cocos Island National Park
Cocos Island National Park, located 550 km off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, is the only island in the tropical eastern Pacific with a tropical rainforest. Its position as the first point of contact with the northern equatorial counter-current, and the myriad interactions between the island and the surrounding marine ecosystem, make the area an ideal laboratory for the study of biological processes. The underwater world of the national park has become famous due to the attraction it holds for divers, who rate it as one of the best places in the world to view large pelagic species such as sharks, rays, tuna and dolphins.

Talamanca Range-La Amistad Reserves / La Amistad National Park
The location of this unique site in Central America, where Quaternary glaciers have left their mark, has allowed the fauna and flora of North and South America to interbreed. Tropical rainforests cover most of the area. Four different Indian tribes inhabit this property, which benefits from close co-operation between Costa Rica and Panama.

Source: https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/cr/