Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a real paradise with an unbelieveable variety of Flora and Fauna and is often quoted as being the Switzerland of North America. It has 25 National parks, 5 biological reserves and many natural parks and forest reserves that are under the protection of the state, approx. approx. one quarter of the country.
The general standard of living and the infrastructure is very good compared to other countries in the region. Costa Rica is situated between Nicaragua and Panama and its surface area is only a little bigger than that of Switzerland.
In the east it meets the Caribean Sea and in the west, the Pacific Ocean. It has some very interesting Geography, that gives rise to many different climates, providing a number of very different habitats for many birds, primates and reptiles.
The population, known as 'Ticos', are mainly ancestors of Spanish decendants. Today they can hardly be separated from the Mestizos (those with Spanish and Indian ancestors). Their open, friendly and sincere character, as well as their hospitality is yet another reason to visit the country.

The food of the Costa Ricans is simple. They eat a lot of rice and many beans, or a combination of the two. A typical dish would be the «Gallo Pinto», which is fried rice with beans. It is often served with eggs and cheese for breakfast. At lunchtime you will get 'casados' (the lunch menu) everywhere. It consists of meat, beans, rice, salad and cooked bananas.
The food is not particularly spicy. An exception are the traditional dishes from the Carabean coast. In most restaurants you will find spicy sauce on the table.
Fish and seafood is very popular. On important occasions 'tamales' are served – a corn dish with fish which has been cooked in banana leaves.
The most popular drink in Costa Rica is coffee. The Costa Ricans like their coffee strong, so be warned. Don't miss out on trying the 'batido', a fresh, cooling drink. This is made with fresh fruit and can be drunk with water 'al agua' or with milk 'con leche'. The different tastes are amazing: mango, papaya, pineapple, watermelon, cantaloupe, carrot, tamarindo – something for every taste. 'Pipas' are good if you are really thirsty: the green coconuts are pierced and you can drink the milk directly through a straw.
The most popular drink is beer, which is made on the premises. 'Guaro' is an alcoholic beverage made from sugar cane and consumed as a digestive. 'Café Rica' is a liquor based on coffee. Salud!

The approx. 4.2 million inhabitants of Costa Ricas call themselves Ticos and Ticas. Most of them are 'Mestizen' (a mixture of the Spanish and Indian and/or coloured ancestors). Approx. 0,7% of the population stem from the original inhabitants (for instance Bribrí or Cabécar); the original folk are in danger of dying out. Approx. 3% of the population are coloured because their ancestors came from Jamaica and migrated in the 19th Century to help with the construction of the railway. Today they live mainly on the Carabean coast and speak Mecatelio, a combination of English and Jamaican English and Spanish.
The Ticos are very proud of their country, and its agricultural treasures, of the high living standard and their level of education. The country is often referred to as the Switzerland of middle America. The fact that Costa Rica is in an area that is often effected by war, and despite this does not have an army, is amazing.
Costa Rica has the highest standard of living in middle America. However there are regional variations: the farmers and indigenous folk tend to live in the low lands and follow a simple way of life, and on the edge of the cities are slums, even if the number of people living in these areas is much smaller than in other latin American areas.
A recent problem has been the influx of immigrants from North America and partly from Europe. These immigrants bring many advantages with them, (such as the construction of, and financial means to carry out important natural and environmental programmes). However, some people refer to an amount of discrimination in regards to jobs being given to the indigenous folk or to foreigners.
The national sport is 'fútbol' and in every city you will find a football field. Thousands of enthusiastic football fans have been thrilled with the success of their national team in the past.
Costa Rica is well known for the beauty of the countryside, the tropical Flora and Fauna, and less popular for its culture. The indigenous folk have not had a big influence on the art and culture of the country.
You will find a big variety of theaters, such as the famous Teatro Nacional, as well as museums, galeries and music houses in the capital city.

The political situation in Costa Rica is known to be stable. For up to date information please consult: www.eda.admin.ch.

In no other country in the world will you find such a variety of living area within 51 100 square kilometers. The reason is the unique geography of Costa Rica. This allows a fantastic variety of animals and plants, as in no other land on earth. This makes Costa Rica one of the most popular travel destinations for nature lovers.
The pacific coast has many peninsulas, golfs and small inlets. In between you will discover typical white or black beaches with palm trees and rock formations. The tidal differences are radical here, so the region is not only paradise for many water birds, but also for surfers. Towards the center of the country, you will find wide open areas in the north and tropical rainforest in the south. The Caribbean coast is rather boring in comparison: the lower areas consist of lagunes and forest, and because the tides are not as strong here, there is a lot of swamp that leads to the beach. These two areas are divided by rangers of active volcanos. The highest mountain is the Cerro Chirripó, it is 3'820 meters above sea level.
As well as the animals that can be typically found in the tropics, such as Poison Arrow frogs or the Capuchin monkey, the country also has a lot of birds that migrate regularly from countries in the distance (approx. 200 sorts every year arrive from Alaska or Australia). Up to this point in time, approx. 850 different types of birds have been sighted. Many of the 260 species of animals can be seen regularly by tourists, (monkeys, and different varieties of small bears), whilst others are only sighted occassionally (such as the jaguar or the tapir).
If you would like to see these animals in their natural habitat, then visit a national park.
The range of flora to be seen in Costa Rica is also incredible: you can see over 1'300 different sorts of orchids or over 2'000 different sorts of trees. On the way to the different regions you will be amazed: today you can glide through the water in a Mangrove forest on a canoe, and tomorrow be walking through cold fog in a forest in the mountains, such as in the National park of Monteverde. In the north you will be impressed with the dry forests.

Not a lot is known about the early settlers of Costa Rica. The Spanish didn't feel it was important to write things down, in fact they actually destroyed parts of their early culture. Even Costa Rica didn't treasure history or culture, until recently.
In 1502 Christopher Columbus set off on his fourth and last journey to the New World close to what is known today as Puerto Limón. While his ship was being repaired, he explored the country. He christened the coast between Honduras and Panama 'Veragua'. The name this area carries today is based on the indiginous name of the region.
A new Spanish colony was founded in 1560. The new settlers began to farm the land around Cartago and the first church was built. Costa Rica became an official province of New Spain.
The region did not possess any strategic importance, nor did it have any valueable resources. This may be the reason that the colonial history of the country developed in a way different to other developing colonies at that time. The focus was on the farming.
As the new Spanish settlement grew, the population of the Indiginous people decreased dramatically. When Columbus first arrived the population was approx. 400'000, one hundred years later, it was only 20'000... and in a further one hundred years there was only 8'000 Indiginous folk remaining.
Costa Rica belonged to the General Captain of Guatemala and became independant in 1821. The Central American Federation was founded, however it did not last very long. Costa Rica left the organisation in 1838.
While the remainder of Middle America was occupied with Civil War, an independant Costa Rica developed and in 1824 the first political head was appointed.
In 1856 William Walker landed in Nicaragua and wanted to take over Middle America. He marched to Costa Rica, where an army of willing soldiers was put together. At Santa Rosa the American soldiers were forced back to Nicaragua. During this battle Juan Santamaría lost his life as he set Walkers campsite and troops on fire. Since then Santamaría is the Hero of Costa Rica.
In the 19th Century the Costas Ricans discovered that the soil and the climate in higher areas was perfect for growing coffee. This changed the country from being the poorest to the richest in the region. In order to transport the coffee, a railway line was built leading from these high areas to the coast. American prisoners, and Chinese and Jamaican slaves were used as to build the railway, which was completed in 1890. In order to feed the workers and not spend too much money, banana trees were planted along the train line. From this small business, emerged the biggest employer of Middle America, the United Fruit Company. They then promoted the migration of workers from Jamaica, and the ethnic composition of the country changed.
After the price of coffee fell dramatically in the 1970's, the country wanted to attract tourists in order to maintain the existing standard of living. This was the beginning of the ecotourism that is still very popular today.

Costa Rica is a paradise with its active volcanoes, the rich rainforests, and the endless beaches. There is so much to do if you are one of those active tourists: go walking in one of the many national parks, check out the volcanoes, go biking, horse riding, wild water rafting, kajaking, go on a Canopy Tour in the jungle and swing from platform to platform, or ride on a big wave in the pacific - the list goes on and on. If you prefer to take it easy, then just relax on one of the great beaches! Let yourself be spoilt by the open heartedness and hospitality of the Ticos. ... and so now it's off to the land of the Tukane, screaming monkeys and cuddly bears! Pura Vida!

Climate

With average temperatures of 22 - 32°C (San José) Costa Rica is an all year round destination. The climate is tropical. The country has many micro climates depending on the elevation, rainfall, topography and the geography of the region. There are two major seasons: the wet and the dry season. The rain season lasts from Mai to November and the dry season from December to April. During the rain season it's usually sunny in the morning and raining in the afternoon.

Visa

For a stay of less than 90 days, a visa is not required. (only a valid passport). For a longer stay a "Residencia" (residence permit) is required.

Health

Information can be obtained at the Tropical Institute (www.sti.ch) regarding illnesses. They will also answer any questions you may have regarding protection from vaccinations you may already have.