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Welcome to Costa Rica!
Costa Rica is located in Central America, an isthmus that creates a biological corridor for an amazing array of vegetation and wildlife between the North and South American lands. Although the small size of the country with only 51,100 square kilometers or 19,700 square miles, Costa Rica is home to a variety of landscapes from lush Jungles and mystical Cloud Forests to Active Volcanoes and paradisiacal sun-drenched beaches that caress the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Costa Rica is a democratic and peaceful country that since 1948, has decided to abolish its army and invest those resources in the infrastructure of schools, colleges and to strengthen its health system. Tourism has played a significant role being one of the country’s principal economic drivers. Here, visitors enjoy the wonders of nature, grand adventures, a scintillating culture, and relaxing and peaceful destinations – all the necessary components of an ideal getaway.
No wonder thousands have made Costa Rica their top travel choice! The vast majority of tourist destinations are close to one population center, where friendly people are always ready to welcome you with a smile and a Pura Vida greeting. In addition, visitors will be able to find public schools, clinics or hospitals, and national police stations, as well as banks, to exchange USD $ or EUR €, Cash Machines, stores, supermarkets, and restaurants, which can be visited quietly. The next step is to become Costa Rica, one of the firsts carbon-neutral countries by eradicating the use of fossil fuels, using only renewable energies, and with this, contributing to mitigating the effects of climate change.
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Climate
Costa Rica’s tropical climate can be roughly divided into two seasons: Dry and Green. The dry season runs from December to April. The Green season begins in May and typically peaks in September and October. The climate in Costa Rica varies by region throughout the year, although the dry season tends to be less humid.
Altitude is the other major influence on climate with hot and dry days in the coastal areas and rainy and cool in the valley and mountains ranges. Casual, lightweight clothing and comfortable walking shoes are fine for most days. A waterproof jacket is recommended for cooler evenings and rainy weather. If you plan to do much ecotourism and wildlife viewing, browns and greens that blend in with your surroundings are best. For adventures, Quick-Dry comfortable clothing is recommended.
Local Currency – Credit Cards – VAT & Tipping
The local currency in Costa Rica is the Colon (plural colones) (¢). It was named after Christopher Columbus, known as Cristóbal Colón in Spanish. The colon is equivalent to USD 1.00: ¢630.00 or EUR 1.00: ¢745.00. The exchange rate fluctuates in small increments daily. Banknotes are very attractive, featuring wildlife and nature with denominations of ¢1,000.00, ¢2,000.00, ¢5,000.00, ¢10,000.00 and ¢20,000.00, Coins are available in denominations of ¢5.00, ¢10.00, ¢20.00, ¢25.00, ¢50.00, ¢100.00 and ¢500.00 Credit cards are accepted in most commercial businesses, including hotels, restaurants, markets, and stores. Contactless payments have become increasingly accepted.
VAT is 13% and it is included in the bill of any product and services, however, some Tourist Services have a reduced tax of 4% during 2021 and 8% during 2022. A 10% mandatory service charge is included in the restaurant’s bills for waiters and bartenders. For bellhops, hotel cleaners, drivers, and guides and if service was particularly good, it is recommended an extra tip that varies from $1.00 to $10.00.
Currently Legislation
For visitors who are interested in rent a car and enjoy driving throughout the country, it is important to be advised that Costa Rica traffic law has established fines that penalize drunk drivers, not wearing a seatbelt, using mobile phone while driving, exceed speed limits, among others. Since 2012 Costa Rica enacted comprehensive smoking reforms including banned smoking in bars, restaurants, public buildings, casinos, bus stops, taxi stands & tourist transportations. In some hotels, there may be some properly marked place where smoking will be allowed, however in most of the hotels it is not permitted.
Swiss Travel signed The Code of Conduct against commercial sexual exploitation of minors and under any circumstances; we promote sex tourism of any kind or sexual abuse against under age national and foreign children. If our staff see, or suspect of, any activities of this kind, or use of illegal substances, we will report it to the local authorities.
Costa Rica Tourist Destinations
The country has categorized six different regions where visitors will find different attractions that will make their vacation as active or relaxing as they want.
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This region includes the Central Valley with the bustling city of San Jose as Costa Rica’s capital, being the commercial center of the country, and where the main government offices are concentrated.
Outside San Jose, it is located the most important international airport serving Costa Rica: SJO – Juan Santamaria Int´l Airport, the gateway to surrounding mountain destinations such as Bajos del Toro, Naranjo, San Ramon, and Savegre Valley.
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This region includes the exuberant Tortuguero National Park with its deep jungles, lagoons, water canals, and wildlife everywhere. An area that is accessible only by tourist boats or by small aircraft. There are no roads or even cars.
Limon City is home to the most important ports of Costa Rica, including the main cruise ship terminal that received thousands of Cruise Fans who enjoy the local culture and spicy gastronomy.
At the South Caribbean Coast, visitors will find the Cahuita National Park and Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, well-recognized sanctuaries that protect emblematic species like manatees, the largest coral reefs of the country, and multicolor-sanded beaches.
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The northern region of Costa Rica is world-renowned for its variety of wild rivers, stunning lakes, volcanoes, and protected tropical rainforests. The weather in the area is generally humid and you can expect abundant rains, almost every day.
The Sarapiquí River is one of the most iconic rivers of the area, surrounded by lowlands of tropical rain forest with lush vegetation and a large variety of plants, animals, reptiles, and birds.
Arenal Volcano National Park protects one of the main attractions of the country, the mighty volcano that stands at 1,633mts above sea level with its notorious almost perfect conic shape.
The Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge and the Maquenque Wildlife Refuge, which are considered part of the biological corridor between the northern wetlands and the San Juan River, Nicaragua
In the outskirts of the northern plains of Costa Rica, the gorgeous Celeste River will amaze all the visitors with its “out of the world” turquoise color.
Chosen as one of Costa Rica’s Seven Wonders, Monteverde Cloud Forest private reserve was founded in 1972 and it has been recognized worldwide for its efforts in the conservation of wild species and their habitats.
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Guanacaste harbors an important portion of the Costa Rican cultural and natural patrimony. Not in vain there are a significant number of protected areas, including coastal, mountainous, terrestrial, and aquatic ecosystems, where life develops with exuberance. It is situated in the northern part of the country, covering the pacific coast of Costa Rica.
Currently, the warm weather, beautiful beaches, and the incomparable beauty of the Guanacaste pampas and tropical dry forest have placed Guanacaste, as one of the most popular beach destinations in the country. Along with the fact that the Guanacaste Int´l Airport (LIR) is located in this area, where a large number of charters and commercial flights arrive and depart every day.
The Rincon de la Vieja National Park is an impressive park where you will experience unforgettable sceneries of the exuberant forests, Crystal Rivers, and hidden waterfalls.
In the south Guanacaste, in the region knows as the Nicoya Peninsula the most popular beaches are Samara, Carrillo, Nosara, Santa Teresa, and other surroundings.
Cabo Blanco & Curu are well-recognized wildlife refuges that protect the tropical dry forest and some mangrove swamps.
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This is one of the closest beach destinations to the Central Region. There is a highway connecting San Jose with Puntarenas City and its Cruise terminals
Jaco is a very developed coastal city where surf and water enthusiasts abound and where excellent restaurants, bars, and nightlife are available.
The well-known Manuel Antonio National Park is located in this area, white-sand beaches bordering turquoise waters and lush rainforest, an incredible amount of wildlife, hillside hotels overlooking the ocean, and a wide variety of fine dining, this is pure tropical relaxation.
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This region is considered the richest in biodiversity with the biggest protected areas and the less developed infrastructure.
The Ballena National Marine Park is the first protected area of the Dominical region. A small park protects sandy and pebble beaches, mangroves, cliffs islands, and coral reefs. A marine platform has formed in front of the park. Connecting to the mainland via a sandy bridge and can be visited at low tide. Looking at the platform from the air, it looks like a whale’s tail.
Further down south is located the Corcovado National Park one of the wettest areas in the country; it protects the largest primary tropical rainforest on the American Pacific coastline and one of the few remaining sizeable areas of lowland tropical rainforests in the world, this National Park is a further distance down south and with no access to cars.
Stone Spheres Museum (Finca 6) is the first in situ (onsite) archeological museum of Costa Rica and the most significant pre-Columbian stone sphere park in the world. A World Heritage Site recognized by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
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