Located just 10 degrees north of the equator, and ideally situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea this tropical paradise is a natural wonder, rich in exotic flora and fauna. With more than eighteen different ecosystems found in a country that is the size of West Virginia , Costa Rica boasts with places like a Cloud Forest, a Caribbean Humid Forest , a Dry Tropical Forest , and a Flooded Forest . Wondrous and unusual animals like monkeys, turtles, fish, frogs, birds, and insects call Costa Rica home. The land is scenic, the animals and plants fascinating, but the real heart of Costa Rica is the people. Costa Rica was settled, not conquered, immigrants from throughout the world found a home in this fertile and peaceful country. Today, Costa Rica enjoys a strong economic climate, highly regarded social services, excellent free medical care, a world renowned educational system that boasts a 98% literacy rate and a strong family oriented atmosphere.

Within its length of 51,000 square kilometers, you will always find a special place to discover. 24.6% of Costa Rican territory is protected under categories such as National Parks, Biological Reserves and National Wildlife Refuges. No other country in the world has dedicated so much of its territory to the protection of the environment. Due to its geographic position, Costa Rica is an exuberant biological bridge of botanical and zoological species. Costa Rica is a tropical country and has distinct wet and dry seasons. However, some regions are rainy all year and others are very dry and sunny.

Costa Rica has something for every person looking for an ideal vacation destination. San Jose provides the city oriented people a perfect place for strolling, dining, gambling, and enjoying an opera or ballet performance at the opera house. Adventure-oriented travelers will find the opportunity to hike through one of the many National Parks and Reserves that literally cover the country from north to south and east to west. Ocean lovers can surf some of the best waves in the world, deep-sea fish in a land that has more than 65 world-record catches or dive deep into the ocean to come across hammerhead sharks and manta rays. Whatever your likes are, you can be assured that your tropical adventure dream will come true!

Located in the Central Standard Time Zone, Costa Rica does not observe daylight savings time. Spanish is the official language; however, you do not need to know Spanish to comfortably travel in Costa Rica . Costa Ricans are required to take a second language in school, and many take English. The currency in Costa Rica is the Colon (co-loan). It is best to exchange money at your hotel or at any bank. We recommend that you do not exchange your money with a street vendor. Most major credit cards are widely accepted, as well as traveler's checks. However if you do bring cash, make sure it is in good shape, with no tears or ink marks at all. The electrical current for Costa Rica is the same as in the U.S. (110 volts). No adapter will be needed. If you want to drive, you will need a current and valid driver license, which will allow you to drive in Costa Rica for 90 days.

ENTRY DOCUMENTS NEEDS

Citizens holding valid passports from the following countries are permitted to stay in Costa Rica for 90 days without a visa: Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France and Germany dependencies, Greece, Holland and dependencies, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad & Tobago, United Kingdom, United States of America, Czech Republic and Uruguay.

Citizens holding valid passports from the following countries are exempt from all visa requirements for stays of 30 days in Costa Rica, though once inside the country, they can apply for extension from the Immigration office, for an authorized period of stay of 90 days: Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Chile, Dominica, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Iceland, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Russia, Saint Kitts/Nevis, San Marino, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Suriname, Taiwan, Turkey, The Vatican, Venezuela, Estonia and Monaco.

Citizens of all countries not listed above are required a visa from a Costa Rican embassy or consulate before traveling