Population – 4.5 million, Area – 19,714 sq mi (51,060 sq km), Currency – Costa Rican Colon (CRC, ₡) and Céntimos, Flight times – New York is a 5 hour flight away, Los Angeles 11 hours, Miami 2.5 hours and London 12 hours (including stopover time), Cities - San José (capital), Alajuela, Cartago, Puntarenas, Puerto Limón, Time Zone - Costa Rica is on UTC or central standard time (same as Chicago and St Louis), which is GMT -6, Costa Rica does not use daylight saving time, so the time difference is an additional hour from April through October., Weather – Tropical, with heavy rains from May to November, Languages - Spanish, English, Religion – Catholic (76%), Electricity - 110 volts AC (60 cycles), however three-pronged outlets can be scarce, so it's helpful to bring along an adapter.

LOCATION, GEOGRAPHY, PEOPLE:

Costa Rica is the second-smallest Central American nation after El Salvador, and is located in the Central American isthmus, between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. At its narrowest point, in the south, only 119 km separate the Caribbean from the Pacific. Even in the north one can savor a leisurely breakfast on the Caribbean and take an ambling five-hour drive to the Pacific for dinner. At its broadest point, Costa Rica is a mere 280 km wide. On the ruler-straight eastern seaboard, barely 160 km separate the Nicaraguan and Panamanian borders. And while the Pacific coast is longer, it is still only 480 km from the northernmost tip to the Panamanian border as the crow flies.

Its location in Central America, stunning scenery, ideal climate and friendly locals enhance its reputation as a premier eco-tourism destination. Its long coastline means great surfing, beaches galore and a climate built for laziness. Costa Rica's enlightened approach to conservation has ensured that its lush jungles, national parks, wildlife refuges and biological reserves are home to playful monkeys, languid sloths, crocodiles, countless lizards, poison-dart frogs and a mind-boggling assortment of exotic birds, insects and butterflies. Meanwhile, endangered sea turtles nest on both coasts and cloud forests protect elusive birds and jungle cats.

Costa Rica is a tropical country and experiences only two seasons: wet and dry. The dry season is generally between late December and April; the wet season lasts the rest of the year. Temperatures vary little between seasons; the main influence on temperature is altitude. The highlands are cold: San José and the Central Valley get an 'eternal spring' with lows averaging 60°F (15°C) and highs averaging 79°F (26°C).

Costa Ricans are a fairly mixed group of people. Though the majority of the country's approximately four million inhabitants are descendants of Spanish immigrants, many families originated in other parts of Europe, Asia, Africa and, of course, Central America. In the lowlands, a high percentage of people are "mestizo", possessing a mixture of European and indigenous blood, whereas the majority of inhabitants along the Caribbean coast are of African lineage, and full-blooded Indians of various tribes inhabit much of the Talamanca Mountain Range.

Costa Ricans are polite, hospitable, well-educated and gregarious. They are well aware that their country is a special place, and they go out of their way to accommodate visitors.

Population – 4.5 million, Area – 19,714 sq mi (51,060 sq km), Currency – Costa Rican Colon (CRC, ₡) and Céntimos, Flight times – New York is a 5 hour flight away, Los Angeles 11 hours, Miami 2.5 hours and London 12 hours (including stopover time), Cities - San José (capital), Alajuela, Cartago, Puntarenas, Puerto Limón, Time Zone - Costa Rica is on UTC or central standard time (same as Chicago and St Louis), which is GMT -6, Costa Rica does not use daylight saving time, so the time difference is an additional hour from April through October., Weather – Tropical, with heavy rains from May to November, Languages - Spanish, English, Religion – Catholic (76%), Electricity - 110 volts AC (60 cycles), however three-pronged outlets can be scarce, so it's helpful to bring along an adapter.

Besides being a premier destinations for ecotourism, Costa Rica also has one of the best health care systems in Latin America. Costa Rica's medical system is actually rated better than the United States' by the World Health Organization.

Costa Rica's doctors are fully trained and must be certified by a national medical association before they are allowed to practice. Because of its proximity to the U.S., many Costa Rican doctors get training abroad, and are commonly American Medical Board certified, meaning you can get the same quality of medical care in Costa Rica as at home at amazing prices. If you're worried about your doctor's qualifications you can always check with the Costa Rican Medical Board. They can tell you what your doctor is certified to practice.

For pre and post operative care, lab work can also be a great deal cheaper in Costa Rica as is often the case outside of the U.S. The advantage in Costa Rica is its closeness to the U.S., as most of the materials used in testing are imported from the U.S. and FDA approved.

Americans will enjoy a favorable exchange rate for the dollar and many procedures cost half to a tenth of what they would back home. Costa Rica is primarily a popular location for cosmetic and dental surgeries, but surgeons have been known to perform complicated organ transplants and heart surgeries as well.

Costa Rica enjoys tropical climate, as well as acres of mountainous, and waterfall filled rainforests. For medical tourists who aren't into jungle getaways, there is always the beach, and a number of spas for resting and relaxing after treatment.

Typically, a patient will plan on a week to 10 days in Costa Rica, which allows time for a procedure and a short recovery period. The actual time spent, of course, depends on the complexity of the surgery and the number of follow-up visits required. A patient will often spend a few days sightseeing, undergo the planned treatment and then spend some time in a suitable location, such as an eco-tourist destination, for rest and additional sightseeing or recuperation.

Costa Rica boasts a varied history. It became a state in the United Provinces of Central America from 1823 to 1839 and from the 1840s Costa Rica was an independent nation.

Before discovery by Europeans, the north of the country was the southernmost point of Maya influence and the central and southern portions of the country had indigenous Chibcha influences. However, the indigenous people have not had very much influence on modern Costa Rican culture. Most of the Indians died from disease and mistreatment by the Spaniards. When the Spanish conquistadores arrived in the 16th century, most of the settlements and cities were established in the southern-central part of the country that were less densely populated than the north, and where the European descendants became predominant.

Meanwhile, the Atlantic coast was populated with African workers during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Most afro Costa Ricans, however, derive from nineteenth-century Jamaican workers, brought in to work on the construction of railroads between the urban populations of the Central Plateau and the port of Limon on the Caribbean coast. Italian and Chinese immigrants also arrived at this time to work on railroad construction.

Costa Rican cuisine does not have distinct or original styles to call its own. It is a combination of Spanish, Mexican, American, Caribbean and Southern American influences. This style of cuisine is shared by most of Central America, although local variations have appeared in each of the country.

The closest thing to a national dish is Gallo Pinto ("spotted rooster", although the name has no relation to the ingredients). It is mainly a combination of black beans and white rice (usually from the day before), and it is spiced with cilantro, onions, garlic, salt and a local condiment called Salsa Lizano. It is typically eaten at breakfast with eggs, meat, and/or natilla (sour cream). Fried plantains and either corn tortillas or bread, are also common.

Places of Interest

San José, the capital, is a pleasant mixture of traditional and modern Spanish architecture. Downtown San Jose is very compact so you can get pretty much anywhere you want to go on foot. Often, that’s the fastest way to get around. But street crime is a bit of a problem so be careful. Hang on to your purse - better yet, get a fanny pack. Don’t flash your jewelry or camera around. Better to be safe than sorry.

Zoo Avenue: Zoo Avenue is a sanctuary for injured animals on one hand and a bird-lover’s paradise on the other. See colorful macaws, toucans and others from Costa Rica and around the world, mysterious owls, hungry raptors. There are also deer and monkeys and a good-sized crocodile.

La Basilica de Nuestra Senora de los Angeles: Though destroyed in 1926 by an earthquake and rebuilt after, the basilica is still a very popular attraction. When Christianity came to Costa Rica, there were many devotees to the goddesses. Because of this, the Virgin Mary became very popular. The legend states that the statue of the virgin appeared miraculously on the site. Even if you aren’t religious, this is a beautiful church.

Art: The art of Costa Rica is preserved in several popular museums. First is the Museo de Arte Costarricense - known as el MAC - is home to the national collection of art which includes over 2,500 pieces. Sculptures, woodcarvings, and paintings can be seen here, as well as traveling exhibits from around the world. Then there’s the Galeria Ocelote. The Galeria was created to promote Latin American handcrafts. Shown here are textile designs, sculptures and ceramics among other things.

Butterflies: Costa Rica is home to an abundance of magnificent butterflies. Two gardens in San Jose will let you get up close and personal with these kaleidoscopic creatures. At the Spirogyra Butterfly Garden, you can learn about the natural history of Costa Rica and see the living relationship between the butterflies and their surroundings. See also beautiful plants and hummingbirds. Stop by the gift shop for lunch, all things butterfly and fabulous coffee.

At the Butterfly Farm, just south of Alajuala, you can walk through an enclosed garden while the butterflies flutter about. You’ll see up to 80 different types of butterflies as well as see the various phases of the butterfly’s life, from egg to caterpiller to cocoon. The cocoons themselves are displayed in the shimmering colors and movement that helps keep them safe from predators. Daily bus tours leave from many San Jose hotels.

In addition to these two, there is also the La Paz Waterfall Gardens. This is an attraction that offers not only a huge butterfly garden (claimed to be the largest in the world) but takes you into the rain forest alongside the La Paz River to see orchids and hummingbirds and a series of waterfalls that are nothing short of breathtaking. La Paz may be a bit pricey, but it’s worth every peso. There’s a remarkable hotel here as well. Plan at least 2 to 4 hours to see it all.

Café Britt Farm: Coffee Break time? How about a trip to the coffee farm? Café Britt is one of the top coffees in Costa Rica and the company has an interesting tour at the farm 20 minutes outside of San Jose. From the plant to the roaster to the can, see all phases of production. And, of course, a trip to the coffee farm wouldn’t be complete without a taste. Differing qualities of coffee are there for you to try and there’s a gift shop and restaurant as well.

Lankester Gardens: Costa Rica boasts over 1000 varieties of orchids and there are over 800 here at Lankester Gardens in Cartago (30 to 40 minutes from San Jose by bus.) The gardens are administered by the University of Costa Rica and the goal is to preserve the local flora. Walk their well tended trails from sunlight to the shadow of the forest, seeing orchids in bloom everywhere. Give yourself up to three hours for this and don’t miss the gift shop.

Bull fighting: No traditional blood and guts killing of the bull here, though. Ticos prefer to just tease el toro. It’s rather an enclosed running of the bulls as up to 150 toreadors improvisados (improvised bullfighters) scramble to stay out of the bulls way.

Volcan Arenal: Not technically in San Jose, but worth a day trip to see the one of the most amazing volcanoes in Central America. You can spend the afternoon soaking in a volcanically heated mineral bath or indulge in a spa treatment. The night view is breathtaking as Arenal throws fireworks into the air.

Soccer: The soccer season runs from September to June and Costa Ricans are serious fans. Costa Rican soccer is as good as any in Central America and their national team has gone to the World Cup more than once. Games are usually on Sunday at 11:00 a.m. and tickets range from $2 to $15. Better to pay more and get reserved seating in the shade.

Nightlife: Gambling is legal in Costa Rica, so there is a wide variety of places to play slots, poker, blackjack and roulette. There are discos, dance clubs, and bars aplenty in San Jose. Many of these will draw you to the dance floor with an intoxicating salsa beat. El Pueblo, an entertainment complex in the style of old Spain, offers a smorgasbord of places to try.

Other Must Sees

Visit the Monteverde Biological Cloud Forest Reserve that covers 25,688 acres of forest, home to thousands of species of plants and hundreds of birds and mammals. Then head to the quaint town of Santa Elena that’s renowned for its delicious cheese.

If you only visit one park in Costa Rica, this is definitely the one: the Manuel Antonio National Park. Spend the day exploring the spectacular rain forest, home to the spider monkey, sloths and hundreds of bird species. After walking through the forest find a trail leading to the water and take a dip in the white-sand beach.

One of the most remarkable museums in Costa Rica is the Museo de Jade Marco Fidel Tristan that boasts a large collection of pre-Columbian jade artifacts and polychrome terracotta pieces.

Hotels

San José has many hotels, from the extravagant to the smaller, family-run hotels in the less fashionable districts. There are several good hotels out of town near the airport. Larger hotels have swimming pools and other sports facilities. The majority of the hotels have their own restaurants which are generally good and reasonably priced. Hotel tariffs are liable to alteration at any time. A 10% sales tax plus 3% tourism tax is added to hotel prices. Outside the capital, charges and the standard of comfort are lower.

Grading: Hotels are graded from A to D according to price range. The A-grade category costs from the equivalent of US$100. B-range hotels cost US$50-70. C-grade hotels cost US$30-50 and D-range hotels cost US$10-30. For further information, contact Camara Costarricense de Hoteles (Costa Rican Chamber of Hotels), PO Box 8422, 1000 San José. Tel: 224 6572 or 253 3086. Fax: 224 6572,

Small Hotels (or Pensiones)

Adventure Inn (http://www.adventureinncostarica.com/) is in the prestigious, clean, and safe neighborhood of Ciudad Cariari, surrounded by green blanketed mountains on the outskirts of bustling San José, only ten minutes from the international airport.

Hotel Aranjuez (http://www.amerisol.com/costarica/lodging/aranjuez.html) offers an authentic Costa Rican home experience, a small b&b in the old part of town.

Hotel Doña Ines (http://amerisol.com/costarica/lodging/ines/index.htm) is a beautifully restored house in the heart of San José.

Hotel Kekoldi (http://kekoldi.com/) is a hotel in the beautiful Victorian section of San José, Barrio Amon.

Hotel Vesuvio (http://www.hotelvesuvio.com/), one of the best small hotels, islocated in the historial downtown, walking distance from the most important attractions of San José.

Kalexma Bed & Breakfast (http://www.kalexma.com/) is a clean and friendly B&B located in a nice neighborhood in between the International Airport and San José, just 12 minutes from the Airport and 7 minutes from San José.

Posada del Bosque Bed & Breakfast (http://www.lodgingcostarica.com/bed/posada/index.html) in Escazu is 10 minutes from downtown and 20 minutes from the airport.

Shopping

A rich variety of items that reflect the country's tastes and culture are available in major urban areas, especially in San Jose. Shopping malls offer a broad selection of merchandise: quality clothing, accessories, toys, linens, furniture, gourmet coffee, cigars, leather items, tropical exotic flowers, intricate gold and silver pieces. Malls are complemented by smaller specialty shops located in the business districts.

Crafts can commonly be found in artisans markets - handmade ceramics, wooden articles, straw items and other handicrafts are popular picks and make excellent souvenirs. Suggested places for souvenirs in San Jose are: ‘Plaza de la Cultura’ next to the National Theatre, Gran Hotel Costa Rica, The National Handicraft Market and CANAPI.

Sarchi, a picturesque town located in the Alajuela province, is an important woodcraft center where popular items like bracelets, earrings, jewel boxes, furniture and the famous Costa Rican oxcart, are hand made.

Airport and Travel

The best time to book flights to Costa Rica is during the dry season - from late November to late April.

Lineas Aéras Costarricenses LACSA (LR) is the national airline, which flies direct to Costa Rica from Miami, New Orleans, Los Angeles, New York, Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela and Panama. Delta flies direct from New York (JFK) to San José.

Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) is 11 miles (17 kms) northwest of San José. Coach service to and from the city is available. Buses and taxis are also available to the city.

Visas

Citizens of the United States, Canada, Great Britain and most European nations can visit Costa Rica for a maximum of 90 days without a visa, but must have a valid passport (U.S citizens can enter with just a valid photo ID and copy of their birth certificate, but we still recommend bringing a passport). Citizens of Australia and New Zeland can enter the country without a visa and stay for 30 days. Citizens of other countries require a visa, a valid passport, proof of sufficient funds and a round-trip ticket in order to enter.

An exit visa must be obtained from the Immigration Department for all passengers staying in the country for longer than 30 days. No exit permit is required for those staying less than 30 days as long as a disembarkation card can be shown. Admission to Costa Rica is refused to gypsies of any country and anyone with insufficient funds. Indecent clothing and long, unkempt beards and hair is prohibited.