Due to its
position on the southern tip of Central
America, Costa Rica boasts a privileged
location. Situated between two continents
and bathed by both the Pacific Ocean and
the Caribbean Sea, Costa Rica covers 51,200
square kilometers. Despite its relatively
small size, Costa Rica is famous for its
climatic diversity and its scenic natural
beauty, for the vast variety of vegetation
and the wealth of the flora and fauna.
The country has an extensive coastline-approximately
1,500 kilometers where countless virgin
beaches mingle with rocky bluffs, and the
former are enclosed by peninsulas and bays
of great scenic beauty. Costa Rica's natural
heritage has one of the world's most outstanding
biological reserve and national park systems.
Costa Rica boasts a spring-like climate,
allowing you to wear light clothing almost
all year round. The average temperature
for the central and mountain valley areas
averages 68 degrees F (20 degrees C) and
78.8 degrees F (26 degrees C) for the lower
coastal areas.
Language
Spanish is the official language, but many
Costa Ricans speak English.
Currency
The national currency is the colon. Dollars
can be exchanged at banks of the National
Banking System. Credit cards, such as VISA,
MASTER CARD, AMERICAN EXPRESS, etc., may
be used as a cash alternative.
Banks
The National Banking System's public service
timetable is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Some bank
agencies have an alternate timetable. There
are other State and private banks that offer
services in the Metropolitan Area.
Religion
The official religion is Roman Catholicism.
Nevertheless, there is freedom to practice
any other religion or creed.
Government
Costa Rica is a democratic, free and independent
republic. The Government of the Republic
is popular, representative, alternative
and responsible. It is exercised by three
powers, different and independent among
themselves, which are: Legislative, Executive
and Judicial.
None of these Powers may delegate the execution
of their responsibilities. A Supreme Court
of Elections, with rank and independence
from the Powers of the State, is commissioned,
in an exclusive and independent manner,
with the organization, direction and supervision
of the acts concerning suffrage.
Costa Rica is one of the oldest, most stable
and pacific democracies in Latin America.
In 1869 the primary education for both sexes
was declared obligatory and free of cost,
defrayed by the State. In 1882 the death
sentence was abolished. In the year 1949
the armed forces were abolished and in 1983
a Perpetual Neutrality was proclaimed.
Prestigious international human rights organizations
have their headquarters in Costa Rica.
Communications: Postal, Telephone and Telex
Services
There are postal and telegraph offices in
cities and villages throughout the country.
The Central Post Office is located in San
Jos on Second Street between Avenues 1 and
3, and is open Monday through Friday from
7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 7 a.m.
to 12 noon. Radiografica Costarricense is
located on Fifth Avenue between Streets
1 and 3. This company provides telex, fax,
international data transmission, and many
other services (including Internet access).
The country code for Costa Rica is 506,
and there is no area code inside the country.
Transportation
International Air Transportation:
Costa Rica is an easy place to get to, thanks
to the fact that 17 airlines fly to the
country from airports in North, Central,
South America and Europe. Most international
flights land at Juan Santamaria International
Airport, near San Jose. A growing number
of international flights land at Daniel
Oduber airport, located outside the northwest
city of Liberia, providing quick access
to the beach resorts of Guanacaste.
Domestic Air Transportation:
All flights leave from the International
Juan Santamaria Airport or the Tobias Bolanos
Airport. There is a network of internal
airports which not only serve important
cities, but special interest tourist areas.
Among the most important are: Liberia, Palmar
Sur, Tamarindo, Barra del Colorado, Limn,
Quepos, Golfito, Coto 47, etc. From the
Tobias Bolanos Airport, located to the west
of the capital city, private airlines with
twin-engine airplanes for five passengers,
offer charter flights anywhere in the country
with a landing strip.
Domestic Bus Service:
The country, in general, offers an adequate
bus service. The majority are private companies
which link San Jose with the principal provincial
towns and cities, seaports and tourist areas.
With good-quality vehicles and frequent
itineraries, the user can easily travel
throughout the country, leaving from different
bus terminals. In the main cities and villages
nationwide, there are taxicab companies
that service the user to the more remote
places in the country. Four-wheel drive
vehicles are typical for the rural areas.
International Bus Service:
Leaving from San Jose, there is bus service
to Central America and Panama. The companies
TICA BUS, SIRCA and TRACOPA have scheduled
trips to Panama, Nicaragua and other countries.
Automobile Circulation:
Costa Rica has a good highway network, the
majority of which, for tourist use, is paved.
In most places there are adequate traffic
signs.
In the major highways there are toll booths
(San Jose-San Ramon, San Jose-Guapiles,
San Jose-Cartago, San Jose-Ciudad Colon).
Throughout the country there are many gas
stations, some of which offer round-the-clock
service. Costa Rica does not have self-service
gas stations.
Driver Requirements:
A foreigner may drive with a current license
from his country of origin and his passport,
during the three months that his tourist
visa is in force.
The warning triangles should be carried
at all times by all drivers, and seat belts
are also required for drivers and front-seat
passengers. The use of helmets for motorcycle
conductors is required.
Medical Facilities
Hospitals:
Any foreigner who is temporarily in the
country has the right to receive health
attention at hospitals and clinics in case
of an emergency, sudden illness or a chronic
disease. Costa Rica boasts a modern and
renown medical health system, under the
administration of the Caja Costarricense
de Seguro Social (CCSS).
- Hospital San Juan de Dios. . . .222-0166
- Hospital Mexico . . . . . . . .232-6122
- Hospital Dr. Calderon Guardia. .222-4133
- Hospital Nacional de Ninos . . .222-0122
Physicians:
The greater part of the hotels have contact
with a doctor. In Costa Rica there are public
and private hospitals and clinics that have
24-hour service, seven days a week.
Meetings and Conventions
Hundreds of successful international conferences
are proof that Costa Rica is an excellent
location for meetings and conventions. The
country has hosted regional and international
gatherings that have been attended by as
many as 3,000 delegates.
There are many reasons for Costa Rica's
success as a convention site. It is conveniently
located - just two and a half hours by plane
from both Miami and Caracas - and it has
dozens of modern hotels with extensive convention
facilities. The country also offers state-of-the-art
telecommunications, and major hotels can
provide everything from the latest audio
visual equipment to conference calls via
satellite.
More importantly, Costa Rica has an abundance
of highly trained, multi-lingual professionals,
who can insure that your meeting is a complete
success. And since the country is such a
beautiful place to visit, those attending
conferences in Costa Rica are not only happy
to go, they often stay on after the meetings
to explore the rain forest or relax on the
beach.
Investor's Manual
1.
General Instructions
2.
How to establish a business enterprise in
Costa Rica?
3.
National Registry
4.
Tourism sector
The following services may be consulted:
- Clinica Catolica . . . . . 225-5055
- Hospital Clinica Biblica . 223-6422
- Clinica Santa Rita . . . . 221-6433
- Centro de Intoxicaciones . 223-1028
- Red Cross. . . . . . . . . 221-5818
Important Phone Numbers
- Emergencies . . . . . . .911 (Metropolitan
area)
- Fire Department and Rescue Units.
. . . . . .118
- Traffic Police. . . . . .222-9330/
222-9245
- Police Department . . . .117
- Rural Police Department .127
- Red Cross . . . . . . . .128
Airports:
- Juan Santamaria International Airport
.441-0744
- Limn International Airport . . .
. . .758-1379
- Tobias Bolanos International Airport.
.232-2820
- Tomas Guardia International Airport
(Liberia, Guanacaste) . . . . .666-0695
|
