Costa Rica is considered the "greenest" country in the world and therefore this beautiful Latin American country with its diverse fauna, flora and landscapes is one of the most popular destinations for eco-tourists. The country was also the pioneer in eco-tourism and ranks 44th and second among Latin American countries according to 2011 Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index.
With a $2.2 billion per year tourism industry, Costa Rica is the most visited nation in the Central American region, with two million foreign visitors in 2008.
Capital
San José
Largest city
San José
National language
Spanich
Currency
Colón (CRC)
Timezone
UTC-6
Daylight Savings Time
UTC-6
Electricity
Unknown
Drives on the
Right
When to go
Weather
Costa Rica has a tropical climate and is known to have two seasons, a dry season and a rainy season. December through April is generally known as the best time to visit Costa Rica because it is the dry season. The dry season in Costa Rica still gets rain, but less rain than the rainy season when it can constantly rain in some regions.
The annual temperature on the coastal lowlands is around 27°C, 20°C in Central Cordilera and as low as 10°C on the summits of the highest mountains.
Major attractions in Costa Rica
Events & Festivals
Fiesta of the Diablos
A scene of colorful wooden mask and costumes with crafts sales, dances and fireworks.
International Arts Festival
International theater, dance, concerts, exhibits.
San José: Cattle Show with bullfights, rodeo and horse races etc.
Limón Carnival
Week-long street dances, parades, concerts. It's "Mardi Gras" to a Caribbean beat.
Money and Cash
The Costa Rican currency is the colón (₡) and bills come in 500, 1000, 5000 and 10,000 notes, while coins come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 25, 50 and 100. Note that older coins are larger and silver, while newer ones are smaller and gold-colored – this is often a source of confusion for tourists.
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