LACNIC VII - SAN JOSÉ, COSTA RICA
OCTOBER 26 to 28, 2004

VISITORS INFORMATION
(Source: Instituto Costarricense de Turismo)

Costa Rica is located in Central America, covering only 0.03% of the surface of our planet, and has approximately 6% of the world's biodiversity. Costa Rica is characterized by an impressive scenic beauty, consolidated system of protected areas, social and political stability, high educational levels, and efficient infrastructure and services. All these characteristics you can find in a territory of only 51 thousand square kilometres, surrounded by both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, only three to four hours away from each other by land or 45 minutes by air.

Area: 51.060 km²
Rugged highlands are found throughout most of the country, ranging from approximately 1,000 to 2,000 meters (3,000 to 6,000 feet above sea level). The Guanacaste Mountain Range, Central Mountain Range, and Talamanca Mountain Range are the main mountain ranges extending the entire length of the country. There are several active volcanoes (Arenal Volcano, Irazu Volcano, Rincon de la Vieja Volcano and Turrialba Volcano) and the country's highest mountain (Chirripo Hill) with a height of 3,819 m/12,530 ft. The country has a relatively long coastline in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, as well as a number of rivers and streams that attract specialist kayakers and rafters from all over the world

Climate
Costa Rica's year round climate is pleasant with naturally occurring breezes, cooling down most of the coastal areas. Temperatures in the highlands and mountains are not so cold, especially during day, producing an "eternal spring" feeling. The average annual temperatures range from 31.7°C (89°F) on the coast to 16.7°C (62°F) inland. The rainy or green season lasts from May to December with noticeably drier days during the rest of the year.
More information in relation to the weather in San José can be found at: http://www.wunderground.com/global/stations/78762.html

Economy
You don't have to drive very far in Costa Rica -past the coffee, pastures, bananas and other crops- to realize that agriculture is the basis of its economy. Coffee has historically been the country's most important crop, and Costa Rica continues to produce some of the finest coffee in the world. However in recent years less traditional crops have been playing an increasingly important economic role. Bananas are the second most important export crop, with vast plantations covering parts of the Caribbean lowlands, there is also significant land dedicated to the cultivation of pineapples, sugar, oranges, rice, hardwoods and ornamental plants, as well as raising cattle for beef and dairy products.

Though agriculture remains the basis of the national economy, tourism has earned more than any single export crop during the last few years, and the tourism industry continues to grow providing new employment opportunities, and stimulating the conservation of our complex biodiversity.

Population: 3.651.803 inhabitantes (2000 official estimation).
The Ticos, as Costa Ricans are commonly known, are a mixing of races. Though most of the country's 3.3 million inhabitants descend from Spanish immigrants, many families originated in other parts of Europe, Asia, Africa and, indeed, Central America. You may be surprised by the number of fair-skinned people you'll see in the country, especially in the Central Valley. In the lowlands, more people are mestizos -that is mixture of European and Indigenous blood- whereas most along the Caribbean coast belong to an African lineage, and much of the Talamanca Mountain Range is inhabited by full-blooded Indians of various tribes.

Language: The official language is Spanish. English, French and Deutsche are also spoken.

Heritage and Culture
Costa Rican culture is in many ways a reflection of its racial diversity. The predominant influence has long been European, which is reflected in everything from the official language -- Spanish -- to the architecture of the country's churches and other historic buildings. The indigenous influence is less visible, but can be found in everything from the tortillas that make part of a typical Costa Rican meal, to the handmade ceramics sold at roadside stands.

An important aspect of Costa Rica's cultural legacy is their love for peace and democracy. The Ticos like to stand out that their nation is the exception in Latin America, where military dictatorships have long dominated politics.

They take pride in having more than one hundred years of democratic tradition, and almost half a century without an army. The army was abolished in 1948, and the money the country saves by not expending in military issues is invested in improving the Costa Ricans' standard of living, which has fostered a culture of social peace that makes it such a pleasant place to visit.

Government
Costa Rican system of government is very similar to that of the United States of America. There are three branches of government: Executive, which consists of the president, two vice presidents and cabinet; the Legislative Assembly, with 57 individually elected deputies; and, the Judicial Branch, which consists of civil, criminal, appellate and constitutional courts. The President and members of the Legislative Assembly are elected for four-year terms and the president can't run for reelection. The President is Mr. Abel Pacheco.

Health and Education
The Costa Rican government has long dedicated a significant portion of its national budget to education and other social services, a policy whose result has been a healthy and educated populace. The country has a literacy rate and average life expectancy that are much closer to those of Western European nations than most Latin American countries. Costa Rica has had a socialized medical system for nearly half a century, and while schools and clinics are found throughout the country, the Central Valley has several public universities and dozens of private universities.

Travellers are more likely to encounter more educated people, and don't have to worry about most of the diseases they would expect to encounter in a tropical country.

Tap water is safe to drink almost everywhere in the country, but bottled beverages are recommended in rural areas. For those few travelers that do become sick or injured while in Costa Rica, there are hospitals and private clinics in San Jose provide a level of care comparable to that found in the United States, and for considerably less money.

Religion: Most of the population is Roman Catholic

Currency: The colón costaricense (c) = 100 céntimos. There are notes 10.000, 5.000, 2.000, 1.000 and 500 colones and coins of 100, 50, 25, 20, 10 and 5 colones.
Money Exchange: may be done in banks or exchange offfices. It is important to consider that the type of exchange of the colonos is referred to the US dollar and commercial banks only change US dollars. To exchange other foreign currencies you should go to the Banco Central de Costa Rica. This procedure could result quite complicated.
Credit and debit cards: MasterCard, Visa and Dinners Club are widely accepted while American Express has some limitations. ATM machines are very common in most of the cities
Traveller Checks: may be exchanged in banks and money exchange offices. It is recommended to have them issued in US dollars.
Banking hours: Monday to Friday from 9 a.m to 3 p.m or 5 p.m.

For more information on currency conversion you can check: http://www.emprendedor.com/convertidor_moneda.htm

TRANSPORTATION
Juan Santamaría (SJO) International Airport is located 17 km. northeast from the city of San José. There is a bus service to the most important hotels every 20 minutes from 5 a.m. to 12 p.m. and every 15 minutes to the Alajuela bus station in 14th. street from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Travel time is 35 minutes to both. There is also a taxi stop.
Tax: 20 US dollars. People staying more then 24 hours in Costa Rica must pay this tax.

TIME ZONE: GMT -6.
For information on local time in San José, see: http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/city.html?n=225

Electricity: 110/220 volts AC, 60 Hz. Plugs have two rounded pins.