GENERAL INFO
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
The official language is Spanish. The second language for a large portion of the population is English.
OFFICIAL RELIGION
The official religion is Catholic. Freedom of religious choice is respected.
OFFICIAL CURRENCY
Colon
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POLITICAL DIVISION
Costa Rica is divided into seven provinces, these are: San José, Alajuela, Heredia, Cartago, Puntarenas, Guanacaste, and Limon. Each province is subdivided into regions and these are subdivided into districts.
The country has as a marine territory known as Coco’s Island. It is a world-renowned natural reserve, located 548 kilometers from Cabo Blanco in the Pacific Ocean comprised of 2,400 hectares of land and 73,100 hectares of sea.
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MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION
WATER PASSAGES
The most important water passages in the country which serve the purpose for everyday transportation as well as a route for tourists are:
The Tortuguero Canals and Barra del Colorado, on the Northern Caribbean
The Sarapiqui River, on the Northern zone
The Matina River, on the central Caribbean
Part of the San Juan River, on the border with Nicaragua
The Cold River, the Caño Negro Lagoons, and Los Chiles on the Northern zone
The Sierpe River, on the Southern zone
The Tempisque River, on the Gulf of Nicoya
Other rivers of great importance are:
On the Caribbean: Pacuare, Reventazon, Caribbean Chrripo, Estrella, and Sixaola
On the Pacific: Bebedero, Grande de Tarcoles, Coto, Chirripo, and Parrita
AIRPORTS
The main airport is the Juan Santamaria International Airport, located in Alajuela. This airport is only twenty minutes away from San José.
Other important airports are:
The Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport, located in Liberia, Guanacaste.
The Tobias Bolaños Airport located in Pavas, San José, for local as well as international flights.
There are also landing fields for local flights situated in different parts of the country such as: Limon, Tortuguero, La Fortuna, Tamarindo, Samara, Tambor, Quepos, Palmar North, Golfito, and San Vito.
HIGHWAYS AND ROADS
The whole country is adequately connected by internal infrastructure. The main artery is the Interamerican Highway, which connects the two borders from Peñas Blancas all the way to Paso Canoas. The Cerro de la Muerte (Death Mountain) region has the road with the highest elevation in the country with an altitude higher than 3,200 meters above sea level.
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DISTANCES AND HIGHEST
From Puntarenas to Limon: 246 kilometers by land
From Peñas Blancas (on the Nicaragua Border) to Paso Canoas (on the Panama Border): 534 kilometers by land
HIGHEST PEAK: Chirripo summit of 3,819 meters above sea level.
HIGHEST VOLCANO: Irazú Volcano
LARGEST VOLCANIC CRATER: Poas Volcano crater. It has a diameter of 1,320 meters with a depth of 300 meters.
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IMPORTANT INFO
ELECTRICAL SERVICE: Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE).
INTERNET SERVICE: We have severals ISP;
Costa Rica Electricity Institur (ICE) provides ADSL Internet Service,
RACSA: Provides , WIMAX, ADSL, CABLE MODEM
AMNET TV: Provides CABLE MODEM (Required TV Suscription)
CABLETICA: Provides CABLE MODEM (Required TV Suscription)
POTABLE WATER : AYA (Acueductos y Alcantarillados)
Provides Water Potable Services for 90% of the Country
Ninety seven percent of the national territory has electrical service. The voltage in residential areas is 110v.
OFFICE HOURS
Government sector: From 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday. National Banks: From 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday. Some banks offer their services after regular hours until 7:00 p.m. and others that are located in some shopping centers are open on Saturdays.
PRIVATE SECTOR
From 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday. Commerce in general, opens Saturdays and Sundays up to mid-day.
NATIONAL HOLIDAYS
January 1st: New Years Day
April 11th: Juan Santamaria Day, National Hero.
Holy Thursday and Good Friday: Religious activities.
May 1st: International Labor Day.
August 15th: Mothers Day.
September 15th: Independence Day.
December 25th: Christmas Day.
OTHER HOLIDAYS
July 25th: Annexation of Guanacaste Day.
August 2nd: Virgin of the Angels Day.
October 12th: Christopher Columbus Day.
