Private guides and guided tours in Costa Rica

Costa Rica

CAPITAL CITY OF Costa Rica: San Jose
LANGUAGE OF Costa Rica: Spanish
CURRENCY OF Costa Rica: Costa Rican colon (CRC)
COMMENTS ABOUT Costa Rica:

Costa Rica is a country in Central America. In the north it borders on Nicaragua and in the south on Panama.
Cities : San Jose (capital), Alajuela, Cartago, Heredia, Jaco, Liberia, Pochote, Puerto Limon, Puntarenas, Parismina, Quepos, Tamarindo
Best Places : Arenal Volcano, Cahuita National Park, Chirripo Nationa Park, Corcovado National Park, Manuel Antonio National Park, Pacuare River and Protected Zone, Monteverde and Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserves, Tapanti National Park
Eat : Gallo pinto, Casado, Plato del dia, fresh fruit, Salsa Lizano, Costa Rican ketchup, mercado,
Calling code : +506
Time zone : (UTC-6)
Costa Rica is a Central American success story: since the late 19th century, only two brief periods of violence have marred its democratic development. Although still a largely agricultural country, it has expanded its economy to include strong technology and tourism sectors. The standard of living is relatively high. Land ownership is widespread.

CLIMATE OF Costa Rica: tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands
RELIGION OF Costa Rica: Roman Catholic 76.3%, Evangelical 13.7%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.3%, other Protestant 0.7%, other 4.8%, none 3.2%
POPULATION OF Costa Rica: 3,956,507 (July 2004 est.)>>
ECONOMY OVERVIEW OF Costa Rica: Costa Rica's basically stable economy depends on tourism, agriculture, and electronics exports. Poverty has been substantially reduced over the past 15 years, and a strong social safety net has been put into place. Foreign investors remain attracted by the country's political stability and high education levels, and tourism continues to bring in foreign exchange. Low prices for coffee and bananas have hurt the agricultural sector. The government continues to grapple with its large deficit and massive internal debt. The reduction of inflation remains a difficult problem because of rises in the price of imports, labor market rigidities, and fiscal deficits. Costa Rica recently concluded negotiations to participate in the US - Central American Free Trade Agreement, which, if ratified by the Costa Rican Legislature, would result in economic reforms and an improved investment climate.