Costa Rica: things to know

It is a Presidential Republic in Central America, bordered to the North by Nicaragua, to the Southeast by Panama, to the Northeast by the Caribbean Sea and to the West and Southwest by the Pacific Ocean. Here the coast is jagged and interrupted by numerous peninsulas (the best place in all Latin America for surfing), while the Caribbean shore boasts 212 km of sandy beaches. The climate is typically tropical.

Ideal for nature lovers, Costa Rica tops the New Economics Foundation ranking of the greenest and happiest countries in the world; today, it has a unique biological wealth. A paradise on earth for enthusiasts of birdwatching with its 850 bird species, the human impact on the environment in this country is minimal. A full 27% of the national territory consists of protected areas: the Rincon de la Vieja National Park and the Corcovado National Park are absolutely worth visiting, not to mention the Cocos Island, the largest national park island in the world.

Catholicism is the dominant religion: Costa Ricans never fail to celebrate with colorful parades all festivals on the Christian calendar. To appreciate the traditions of such a joyful people, we recommend not missing the picturesque Limón Carnival in October; the Independence Day celebrations also are folkloric, marking freedom from the Spanish, which occurred on September 15, 1821. Currently, Costa Rica can be called a peace ambassador in Central America: the only country without an army, it boasts political stability based on democratic values truly hard to find elsewhere.

Useful information about Costa Rica

• Currency: Costa Rican colón
• International dialing code: +506
• International vehicle code: CR
• Driving: on the right
• Entry documents: Passport
• Required vaccination: None
• Electric current: 120V, 60 HZ
• Time zone: -7 hours compared to Italy
• National holiday: September 15
• Climate: Tropical climate, temperate in the Meseta
• Average temperatures: daytime exceeds 30°C, nighttime reaches 20°C.
• Airports: Juan Santamaría International Airport in Alajuela