Costa Rica
Location Central America (between Nicaruagua and Panama)
Capital San José
Surface 51.000 m2
Population 4.195.914 (July 2008)
Religion mostly Roman Catholic
Form of government Republic
Weather and climate Tropical and subtropical climate
Dry season from December to April. Rainy season from May to November.
Average temperature between 20 and 27 degrees.
At the coast the temperatures are higher than in the highlands like San José.
Capital San José
Surface 51.000 m2
Population 4.195.914 (July 2008)
Religion mostly Roman Catholic
Form of government Republic
Weather and climate Tropical and subtropical climate
Dry season from December to April. Rainy season from May to November.
Average temperature between 20 and 27 degrees.
At the coast the temperatures are higher than in the highlands like San José.
Holidays
January 1 New Year’s Day - Año Nuevo
January 1 New Year’s Day - Año Nuevo
March 19 Day of San José – Saint Joseph, the patron saint of Costa Rica, mainly in San José
April 11 Day of Juan Santamaría – a national hero
May 1 Labour Day – Dia del Trabajo
July 25 Anexión de Guanacaste- memorial of the annexation of the province of Guanacaste, mainly in Liberia.
August 2 Día de Virgen de Los Angeles, patron Saint, great procession in Cartago
August 15 Asunción – Ascension Day, Mothers’ Day
September 15 Independence day - Día de la Independencia
April 11 Day of Juan Santamaría – a national hero
May 1 Labour Day – Dia del Trabajo
July 25 Anexión de Guanacaste- memorial of the annexation of the province of Guanacaste, mainly in Liberia.
August 2 Día de Virgen de Los Angeles, patron Saint, great procession in Cartago
August 15 Asunción – Ascension Day, Mothers’ Day
September 15 Independence day - Día de la Independencia
October 12 Day of the discovery of America by Colombus - Día de la Raza. Carnival in Limón
December 25 Christmas - Navidad
December 25 Christmas - Navidad
Money
The currency in Costa Rica is the Colón. One dollar is 505 Colones (October 2010). In most cities and towns it’s possible to withdraw money, but unfortunately not everywhere. Therefore we always recommend to take a small amount of dollars with you, small denominations of 1, 5, 10 and 20 USD are the most practical. More information about money withdrawal can be found at www.mastercard.com/atm. A Visa or MasterCard is accepted in the larger hotels and restaurants, please note that Visa is more accepted than MasterCard.
Travelers from the European Union, United States or Canada, do not need to purchase a visa before departure. Please note that your passport needs to be valid at least for 6 months from the date of return. Furthermore, each tourist needs to pay 26 USD when he/she leaves the country by plane.
Visa
Travelers from the European Union, United States or Canada, do not need to purchase a visa before departure. Please note that your passport needs to be valid at least for 6 months from the date of return. Furthermore, each tourist needs to pay 26 USD when he/she leaves the country by plane.
