General information	Costa Rica is situated in Central America, surrounded by both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. The coast, which measures some 1,200 kilometers, also offers a wide variety of landscapes. The country has beautiful valleys, volcanic mountains, tropical rain forests and an abundance of exotic flora. In the hart of the Central Valley, surrounded by rolling mountains and volcanoes, sits San José, Costa Rica’s capital and largest city.  Costa Rica is a unique destination for everyone who loves nature!
Economy	Driving across Costa Rica, past the coffee, pastures, bananas and other crops, you will soon realize that agriculture is the basis of its economy. Coffee has historically been the country's most important crop followed by Bananas. There is also significant land dedicated to the cultivation of pineapples, sugar, oranges, rice and hardwoods, 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.
Banks and money	There are state-owned and privately held banks throughout the country. The official currency of Costa Rica is the colón; however US dollars are widely accepted, as so most major credit cards. US dollars and traveler's checks can be changed in banks and hotels around the country.
Medical Services	Costa Rica's Medical System has been extremely successful at keeping the diseases that plague most tropical countries out. The health care standards kept in Costa Rica are one of the reasons that visitors feel so comfortable in Costa Rica. If you happen to need any medical attention, first-rate care is available at any of Costa Rica's public hospitals and private clinics. You can even pay with your credit card. Medical care is surprisingly inexpensive.
Climate	Costa Rica is famous for having one of the best climates in the world! The average annual temperatures range from 31.7°C (89°F) on the coast to 16.7°C (62°F) inland and fluctuate with altitude. In the highlands and in the mountains temperatures are warm by day and brisk at night.Like other tropical places, Costa Rica has only two seasons. The rainy, or green, season lasts from May to December, with noticeably drier days during the rest of the year. But unlike many of the world's tropical areas, during the rainy season almost all mornings are sunny and clear with only a few hours of rain during the afternoons.
The people ("Tico's")	Ticos, as 3.500.000 Costa Ricans proudly call themselves, are famous for being hospitable, polite, and well educated people, who are quick with a handshake and a smile. They are well aware that their country is a special place and they go out of their way to accommodate visitors, pointing them in the right direction, explaining things that might seem foreign and helping make their stay as enjoyable as possible. Costa Rica's unique people are the countries most important resource and one of the main factors to consider visiting Costa Rica.
Transportation	It's easy to get around Costa Rica. Plenty of taxis are available and there are good quality bus services to just about every town and city. Public transportation is quite inexpensive. There are also plenty of car rental agencies, most of which rent four-wheel-drive vehicles. The quickest way to get around is to fly and several domestic airlines offer daily flights to most of the popular tourist destinations.
Attractions	Costa Rica has much to offer to everyone. One of the country's many beautiful sites is the 'Volcán Aranal'. This is an active volcano surrounded by hot springs. When visiting after sunset you will see the lava streaming down. There are many national parks in Costa Rica well worth a visit. In some parks you are bound to see some wildlife. Costa Rica has many beautiful tropical beaches, stretching along two oceans. Dark beaches, originating from volcanic eruptions in the past, characterize the Pacific coastline. The beaches on the Caribbean coastline are white and seemingly endless. Surfing is very popular in Costa Rica for all ages.Costa Rica is a paradise for sun seekers, beach fanatics and nature lovers. Even so, you do not have to miss out on the dynamics of city life during your holiday.
General facts	Size - 19.730 square miles Language - Spanish (English widely spoken) Political system - Democracy Religion - Catholicism Local time - Central Standard Electricity - 110 Volt (adapter is required - square outlet!)
Entry requirements	Citizens holding a valid passport from Holland and dependencies are permitted to stay in Costa Rica for 90 days without a visa. For extra visa information please contact us
Customs regulations	No customs duties are charged on personal luggage, as long as they do not appear in quantities that suggest commercial intent. Costa Rican law does not permit travelers to carry fruits, vegetables, meats, meat products, biological products such as vaccinations, serums, etc. with them into the country.