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| Costa Rica. |
Costa Rica Facts & Information
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| Location
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Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the
North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama |
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| Climate
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Tropical and subtropical |
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| Terrain
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Coastal plains separated by rugged mountains
including over 100 volcanoes |
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| Population
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4,016,173 |
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| Nationality
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Costa Rican |
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| Ethnic groups
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White 94%, black 3%, Amerindian 1%, Chinese
1%, other 1% |
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| Religions
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Roman Catholic 76.3%, Evangelical 13.7%, Jehovah's Witnesses
1.3%, other Protestant 0.7%, other 4.8% |
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| Languages
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Spanish (official), English |
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| Government Type
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Democratic Republic |
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| Capital
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San Jose |
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| Currency
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Costa Rican Colon (CRC) |
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| Description of Flag
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five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width),
white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white elliptical
disk on the hoist side of the red band; above the coat of arms
a light blue ribbon contains the words, AMERICA CENTRAL, and
just below it near the top of the coat of arms is a white ribbon
with the words, REPUBLICA COSTA RICA |
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| Costa Rica Flag
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More Information
 www.cia.gov
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Costa Rica Culture
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Locals in Costa Rica refer to
themselves as 'Ticos', an endearing term they are proud to be
called. They are laid-back, environmentally aware and consider
themselves vastly different from their Central American neighbors.
Devoid of the political and social chaos that plagues neighboring
countries, Ticos have enjoyed a long-standing democratic tradition,
with a literacy rate of over 90%. For the past 50 years, they
have had no armed forces and the country is widely |
known as one of the most stable in Latin America. This, combined
with their environmental gems, high-education and low poverty rates
are factors Ticos pride themselves on, and it shows in daily interactions
with them.
One of the most important elements of Tico lifestyle is the family.
Holidays and major celebrations are focused on the family, which
include extended members and is not limited to parents and siblings.
Federal law requires that spouses be responsible for one another,
as well as for their children and immediate family members. In fact,
upon exiting the San Jose international airport, one is bombarded
with government posters warning visitors that any kind of inappropriate
behavior towards children and minors will be met with harsh punishment.
More Information:
www.state.gov
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Costa Rica Shopping
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Costa Rica is not known for boutique-lined avenues
and extensive shopping like other Latin American countries.
So, if you’re used to doing serious shopping while you’re
traveling, don’t expect to do so here. Instead, opt to
go home with local craft souvenirs and bags of the prized local
product, coffee. At about USD $3 a pound, it is the ideal souvenir
to bring back home for friends, family, and of course, yourself.
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Café Brit is one of the more popular brands, and can be
found in grocery stores, hotel gift shops and in a number of coffee
shops located within the airport. Café Brit also produces
coffee-based chocolate products, and these, too, can be found wherever
coffee is sold.
In San Jose, Avenida Central, just west of the Plaza de la Cultura,
is a pedestrian-only street mall where you can find inexpensive
clothes for men, women and children. You can also purchase hammocks,
t-shirts and some handicrafts. Coffee beans here are sold considerably
cheaper than in the souvenir shops.
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Costa Rica Restaurants
We’ve provided listings for some of the top restaurants in
Costa Rica including San Jose, Quepos, Jaco, Guanacaste, Puntarenas,
Alajuela, Limon, Puerto Viejo, and Heredia. You’ll find lavish
gourmet restaurants, affordable restaurants serving up good food,
and everything in between. Sample traditional Costa Rican cuisine
or other specialty cuisines that are sure to make your taste buds
happy.
Read reviews entered by other patrons and be sure to return to
our site to submit your own restaurant review.
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Costa Rica Travel Guides
Frommer's Costa Rica
Lonely Planet Costa Rica
Let's Go Costa Rica
Fodors Costa Rica
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