Housing and Real Estate in Costa Rica
2008-03-26 11:05:00
The real estate market in Costa Rica
Many foreigners, particularly retirees, seek to move to Costa Rica because o the tropical weather, political and economic stability, and the quality of its healthcare system. There is an ever growing community of expatriates, mainly American but with an important European presence, already living in Costa Rica. There is a flourishing real estate market
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, Estate
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Food and gastronomy in Costa Rica
2008-03-26 11:05:00
Influenced by both its climate and its history, traditional Costa Rica
n cuisine uses profusely tropical fruits and vegetables, prepared with recipes that combine indigenous and European influences.
The food staples of Costa Rican diet are local agricultural products: rice, beans, vegetables, fruits and dairy products, many kinds of meat and native recipes based on corn. Costa Rican cuisine is
Taxes in Costa Rica
2008-03-26 11:04:00
These are the charges and taxes that will affect you the most if you are on short stay:
Import duties: it is allowed to import, tax free, 500 cigarettes plus three liters of wine or liquor.
Departure tax: around $17, to be paid when leaving the country.
There is a 13% sales tax applied in hotels, restaurants and other services and products, plus a 3% hotel tax on hotel bills. There is also a
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Healthcare in Costa Rica
2008-03-26 11:03:00
Costa Rica has an universal healthcare system which comprises in fact one of the best health infrastructures in Latin America. Its main problem are bureaucracy and waiting lists, but care when eventually provided is of excellent quality.
The System is finances via a 9% tax applied to every worker‘s salary, and an additional 18% to businesses.
There are also private hospitals of excellent
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, Healthcare
Money, economy and currency in Costa Rica
2008-03-26 11:02:00
Costa Rican currency
The official Costa Rican currency is the Colón (pl. colones). There are bank notes of 10,000, 5,000, 2,000 and 1,000 colones and coins of 500, 100, 50, 25 and 5 colones. The exchange rate fluctuates within a controlled range, although it is expected that the government’s control over the exchange rate will be gradually relaxed to leave the currency float in the market. The
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, Money
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Visas and residency in Costa Rica
2008-03-26 11:01:00
General rules for entry visas (non-resident)
1. No need for a consular visa, maximum stay up to 90 days.
Due to the existence of bilateral agreements, citizens of the following countries can enter the country without a consular visa for a stay of up to 90 days:
Germany, Finland, Poland, Uruguay, Argentina, France, Paraguay, Austria, Holland, Belgium, Hungary, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Israel,
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, Visas
Moving around in Costa Rica
2008-03-26 10:12:00
By land
Costa Rica
is a very small country. From the center of the territory, any point of the country can be reached in about five hours. The road network is extensive and complete, although maintenance is somewhat precarious and signaling is almost non-existent.
Busses
Bus transportation system is cheap and efficient, reaching destinations all around the country. Although some busses might
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Traveling to Costa Rica
2008-03-26 10:11:00
Citizens from most countries in Europe and North America can freely enter the country with just a valid passport, and stay in it for up to 90 days without the need for a visa.
By plane
Most regular flights have the Juan Santamaría International Airport, near the capital San José, as their destination. However, there is an increasing number of flights that land in the Daiel Oduber International
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, Traveling
Costa Rica weather
2008-03-26 10:10:00
The pleasant, moderate tropical climate of Costa Rica
is one of the things that explain the country’s popularity among retirees from all around the world who wish to live in a sunny place. Temperatures in the Central Valley range from 18º C to 27º C (64-80ºF) throughout the year. They are higher, though, in the coasts: The Caribbean shore is, with temperatures ranging from 25 to 27ºC (77-80ºF),
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Some basic facts about Costa Rica
2008-03-26 10:09:00
The Republic of Costa Rica
is located in Central America and is the southernmost of the five countries that form the region.
It is bounded to the North by Nicaragua and to the south by Panama (which is not a Central American country): the Eastern shore (225 km long) belongs to the Caribbean Sea and the Western shore (1103 km long) is bounded by the Pacific Ocean. Both coastlines boast extremely
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History of Costa Rica
2008-04-05 10:17:00
The aboriginal inhabitants of what today is Costa Rica
were part of the transition area between Mesoamerican and South American cultures. Population was sparse and without the magnificent buildings and cultural development of Aztecs, Incas or Mayans; local cultures, however, reached a very high level in pottery and in gold and silver work, with beautiful results.
Indigenous population declined
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Tourism in Costa Rica: Ecotourism
2008-04-05 10:15:00
Costa Rica is a tiny country but enormously rich in tourist attractions:
Beaches
The Caribbean shores boast a great variety of marine ecosystems and its beaches of white and black sand, ideal for the practice of outdoor and sea activities, such as deep sea fishing and scuba diving, and also to enjoy sunbathing and seaside strolls.
The Pacific coast has excellent tourist resorts and its
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Inland regions of Costa Rica
2008-04-05 10:14:00
Heredia
With an extension of 2,656 sq km and a population of 75,000 people, Heredia is the smallest province of Costa Rica
. It keeps its colonial tradition and the adobe architecture can still be seen in Barva and Santo Domingo.
Coffee plantations are ubiquitous in the region, and many of them are open to visits.
Among the natural wonders of the region there is the Braulio Carrillo National
Caribbean Costa Rica: The region of Limon
2008-04-05 10:13:00
The Caribbean
province of Limón comprises the whole eastern coast of Costa Rica and is a true natural paradise, formed by a mixture of impenetrable jungles, imposing mountains and idyllic beaches. It is, by its culture and geography, the most diverse region
of all Costa Rica. It boasts the highest percentage of protected land and an huge variety of flora and wildlife.
This was the first part
Costa Rica regions: Puntarenas
2008-04-05 10:12:00
Known as “the Pearl of the Pacific”, Puntarenas is the biggest region in Costa Rica
, with an extension of 11,276 sq km, and spreads along 700 km of Pacific coastline, from the limit with Guanacaste to the border with Panama. Its main attractions are beaches, national parks and natural reserves.
The Carara Biological Reserve has thousands of acres of forests and mangroves. Only part of it is
Costa Rica regions: Guanacaste
2008-04-05 10:11:00
Guanacaste was the last region to become part of Costa Rica
, in 1824; it is well known for its cattling resources and awesome beaches: some of the world’s best resorts are located in Guanacaste beaches. It’s the driest region in Costa Rica, especially its coastal areas, although there are other extensions of dry and rain forest, plains and an impressive volcanic ridge.
Panama Beach, in the
Tourism in Costa Rica
2008-04-05 10:06:00
Ecotourism is indeed the country’s main attraction for the visitors that every year come from every corner of the world to admire Costa Rica
’s natural wonders and biodiversity. Specifically, Costa Rica is one of the best places in the world to observe wild birds.
Other people come to Costa Rica to enjoy all its possibilities in water sports such as surf and scuba diving. The best beaches and
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Regions: San Jose de Costa Rica
2008-04-05 10:06:00
The capital of Costa Rica
, San José, is located in the Valle Central (Central Valley), in the province of San José, the most populated province in the country. It is a high plateau surrounded by majestic volcanoes and mountains and includes national parks, forest reserves and fertile agricultural lands where coffee plantations abound.
It was founded during the first half of the 18th century,
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, San Jose
Schools and Education in Costa Rica
2008-04-05 10:04:00
Primary education and high school
Costa Rica
’s educational system is of good quality. Many Costa Ricans send their children to private schools, which are also excellent. If you wish to settle in the country for a short period of time, you might prefer to take your children to a school with a class calendar matching the American one (which happens to be very similar to most European systems),
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