Costa Rica Overview Country Overview Costa Rica lies between Nicaragua and Panama. Its width ranges from 119km to 282km (74 to 176 miles). There are lowlands on both coastlines, swampy on the Caribbean coast, with grassland savannah on the Pacific side merging into swamps towards the south. Rivers cut through mountain ranges, flowing down to both the Caribbean and the Pacific. The capital, San José was founded in 1737 and is a pleasant mixture of traditional and modern Spanish architecture. Places of interest include the Teatro Nacional and the Parque Central. On the Caribbean coast there are numerous of beaches, ports and towns worth visiting. Braulio Carrillo National Park in the central region of the country has five kinds of forest. Orchids and ferns, jaguars, ocelots and the Baird tapir may all be seen here. Common dishes include casado (rice, beans, stewed beef, fried plantain, salad and cabbage) and sopa negra (black beans with a poached egg). Coffee is good value and has an excellent flavour. San José has many nightclubs and venues with folk music and dance. There are several theatres and cinemas. General Information Area: 51,060 sq km (19,730 sq miles). Population: 3,651,803 (official estimate 2000). Population Density: 71.5 per sq km. Capital: San José. Population: 345,599 (2000). GEOGRAPHY: Costa Rica, lying between Nicaragua and Panama, is a complete coast-to-coast segment of the Central American isthmus. Its width ranges from 119km to 282km (74 to 176 miles). A low thin line of hills, that rises between Lake Nicaragua and the Pacific Ocean in Nicaragua, broadens and rises as it enters northern Costa Rica, eventually forming the high, rugged, mountains of volcanic origin in the centre and south. The highest peak is Chirripó Grande which reaches 3820m (12,530ft). More than half the population live on the Meseta Central, a plateau with an equitable climate. It is rimmed to the southwest by the Cordillera range, and provides the setting for the country’s capital, San José. There are lowlands on both coastlines, mainly swampy on the Caribbean coast, with grassland savannah on the Pacific side merging into mangrove towards the south. Rivers cut through the mountains, flowing down to both the Caribbean and the Pacific. Government: Republic. Gained independence from Spain in 1821. Head of State and Government: President Abel Pacheco de la Espriella since 2002. Language: Spanish is the official language. English is widely spoken. Some French, German and Italian are also spoken. Religion: Roman Catholic. Time: GMT - 6. Electricity: 110/220 volts AC, 60Hz. Two-pin plugs are standard. Communications:   Telephone IDD is available. Country code: 506. Outgoing international code: 00. Telephone booths are available all over the country. Mobile telephone AMPS network is operated by Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE). A GSM 1900/3G network was planned for November 2002. Handsets can be hired, although this can be difficult and time-consuming. Fax Facilities are available in San José at the Radiografica Costarricense SA (opening hours: 0700-2200). Internet There are Internet cafes and some hotels also provide facilities. Telegram Since the abolition of the inland telegram service in the UK, the Costa Rican Government Telegram Company will not accept telegrams destined for the UK. Post Airmail letters to Western Europe usually take between six and ten days. Press Daily newspapers printed in Spanish include La Nación, La República, La Prensa Libre, El Heraldo and Diario Extra. Three weekly papers are printed in English – The Tico Times, Costa Rica Today and Central America Weekly. BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies: From time to time these change. BBC (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice): MHz 15.19 12.10 6.195 5.975 Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov): MHz 13.79 9.455 6.130 5.995 Passport/Visa   Passport Required? Visa Required? Return Ticket Required? British Yes 2 Yes Australian Yes 4 Yes Canadian 1 3 Yes USA 1 3 Yes OtherEU Yes 3/4 Yes Japanese Yes 3 Yes PASSPORTS: Passport valid for at least six months at date of entry required by all, except 1. Canadian and US citizens with proof of identity, eg a certified birth certificate and official ID containing a photograph. Tourist Cards will be issued to these nationals either at a Costa Rican Consulate or at any airline office at the airports of: Amsterdam, Aruba, Barranquilla, Caracas, Curaçao, Panama and Port of Spain for approximately US$2. VISAS: Required by all except the following: (a) 2. nationals of the UK and its dependencies for stays of up to 90 days; (c) 3. nationals of Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea (Rep), Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad & Tobago, USA and Uruguay for a stay of up to 90 days; (d) 4. nationals of Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Chile, Czech Republic, Dominica, El Salvador, Estonia, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Iceland, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Kuwait, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Oman, Philippines, Qatar, Russian Federation, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & The Grenadines, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovak Republic, South Africa*, Surinam, Taiwan (China), Turkey, Vatican City and Venezuela for a period of 30 days. (e) transit passengers continuing their journey to a third country by the same or first connecting flight within 48 hours, provided holding confirmed onward tickets and not leaving the airport (except nationals of China (PR) who do need a transit visa authorised by the Immigration Department in San José). Note: (a) *Persons holding passports issued by the former homelands of Transkei and Venda do need a visa authorised by the Immigration Department in San José. (b) Nationals of countries listed above must obtain an exit visa from the Immigration Department in San José at least three days before leaving Costa Rica. Those who stay for less than 30 days are exempt if in possession of a disembarkation card. (c) All other nationals require a visa. In some cases an authorisation from the Immigration Department in San José is also necessary. Temporary visitors must hold return or onward tickets, except those holding a visa showing an exit ticket is not required. Types of visa and cost: Tourist and Business. Visas cost approximately £15. All passengers requiring a visa must hold documents required for the next destination. Validity: Visas are valid for one month or 90 days depending on nationality. Contact the Immigration Department in Costa Rica for renewal or information on the extension procedure. Application to: Consulate (or Consular section of Embassy; see Contact Addresses section). Application requirements: (a) Completed application form. (b) Two passport-size photos. (c) Passport valid for six months at time of entry. (d) Proof of sufficient funds to cover duration of stay. (e) Return or onward ticket. Working days required: One day to three weeks, depending on nationality of applicant. Some visas need the authorisation of the Immigration Department in Costa Rica (ask the Consulate or Consular section of Embassy for details). Temporary residence: A signed contract with the prospective employer is needed. For residence as a senior citizen, only those with a minimum monthly income of US$600 will be considered. Money Currency: Costa Rican Colón (c) = 100 céntimos. Notes are in denominations of c10,000, c5000, c2000, 1000 and 500. Coins are in denominations of c100, 50, 25, 20, 10 and 5. Currency exchange: Visitors should consult their banks for the current rate of exchange (there is no direct local quotation for sterling; the cross rate with the US Dollar is used). ATMs are available in main urban areas. Credit & debit cards: MasterCard, Visa and Diners Club are all accepted; American Express slightly less so, but check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available. Travellers cheques: To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars. Currency restrictions: There are no restrictions on the import and export of either local or foreign currency (but only US Dollars are exchangeable). Exchange rate indicators The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Costa Rican Colón against Sterling and the US Dollar: Date May ’02 Aug ’02 Nov ’02 Feb ’03 £1.00= 518.04 554.79 592.25 611.79 $1.00= 355.48 364.78 374.51 384.23 Banking hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1500/1700. Duty Free The following goods may be imported into Costa Rica without incurring customs duty: 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 500g tobacco; 3l of alcoholic beverages (people aged over 18 only); a reasonable quantity of perfume for personal use. Public Holidays Jan 1 2003 New Year’s Day. Mar 19 Feast of San José (St Joseph). Apr 11 Anniversary of the Battle of Rivas. Apr 17-21 Easter. May 1 Labour Day. Jun 19 Corpus Christi. Jun 29 Saint Peter and Saint Paul. Jul 25 Guanacaste Annexation. Aug 2 Virgin of Los Angeles, Feast of Patroness of Costa Rica. Aug 15 Mothers’ Day and Assumption. Sep 15 Independence Day. Oct 12 Dia de la Raza (Columbus Day). Dec 8 Immaculate Conception. Dec 24 Christmas Eve. Dec 25 Christmas Day. Dec 28-31 Christmas Holiday. Jan 1 2004 New Year’s Day. Mar 19 Feast of San José (St Joseph). Apr 9-12 Easter. Apr 11 Anniversary of the Battle of Rivas. May 1 Labour Day. Jun 10 Corpus Christi. Jun 29 Saint Peter and Saint Paul. Jul 25 Guanacaste Annexation. Aug 2 Virgin of Los Angeles, Feast of Patroness of Costa Rica. Aug 15 Mothers’ Day and Assumption. Sep 15 Independence Day. Oct 12 Dia de la Raza (Columbus Day). Dec 8 Immaculate Conception. Dec 24 Christmas Eve. Dec 25 Christmas Day. Dec 28-31 Christmas Holiday. Note: Most businesses close for the whole of Holy Week and between Christmas and New Year. Health   Special Precautions Certificate Required Yellow Fever No No Cholera 1 No Typhoid and Polio 2 N/A Malaria 3 N/A 1: Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is no longer a condition of entry into Costa Rica. However, cases of cholera were reported in 1996 and precautions should be considered. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness. Consult the Health appendix for further information. 2: Typhoid is very common throughout the area. 3: Malaria risk exists throughout the year, mostly in the benign vivax form, in the rural areas below 700m, especially in the cantons of Matina and Central de Limón, but also in San Carlos, Los Chiles and Sarapiquí cantons. Lower transmission risk exists in 20 cantons in the provinces of Guanacaste, Alajuela and Herida. There is negligible or no risk of malaria in the other cantons of the country. Food & drink: Mains water is normally heavily chlorinated, and whilst relatively safe may cause mild abdominal upsets. Drinking water outside main cities and towns may be contaminated and sterilisation is advisable. Bottled water is available and is advised for the first few weeks of the stay. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat. Other risks: Hepatitis A occurs. Paragonimiasis (oriental lung fluke) and lymphatic and Bancroftian filiariasis have been reported in Costa Rica. Dengue fever occurs. Cutaneous and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis have also been reported. Rabies is widespread throughout Central America. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix. Health care: Health insurance is recommended. Reliable medical services are available in Costa Rica. Standards of health and hygiene are among the best in Latin America. Travel - International AIR: The Costa Rican national airline is Taca International Airlines (TA) (an amalgamation of the airlines Lacsa, Taca, Aviateca and Nica). Taca International flies direct to Costa Rica from Miami, New Orleans, Los Angeles, New York, Mexico and other destinations in Central and South America. The Visit Central America Pass is available from Grupo Taca and is an economical way to travel to Costa Rica from the USA and from Costa Rica to other Central American countries. Other airlines include Delta, American Airlines and Continental. Approximate flight times: From San José to London is 12 hours (including stopover time), to Los Angeles is 11 hours and to New York is 7 hours. International airports: Juan Santamaría (SJO) is 17km (11 miles) northwest of the city. Coaches depart every 20 minutes (0500-2400); return pickups stop at various hotels. Buses depart to the city every 15 minutes (0600-2200); return is from Alajuela Station 14th Street, 1/3 Avenue, every 20 minutes (travel time – 35 minutes). Some hotels have shuttle services to the airport. Taxis are also available to the city. The airport in Liberia has been upgraded and may be used for some international flights. Departure tax: US$20 (or the equivalent in Costa Rican Colon) payable if staying more than 24 hours. SEA: Cruise lines calling at Costa Rican ports include Costa, Holland America, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Wind Star, Carnival, Sun, NCL, Crystal, Silversea, Royal Olympic, Regal, Seabourn, Cunard, Radisson, Hapag, Delphin and Mediterranean Shipping. The port of Puntarenas has been redeveloped recently. ROAD: The Inter-American Highway runs through Costa Rica from La Cruz on the Nicaraguan border through San José to Progreso on the Panamanian border. Travel - Internal AIR: SANSA (website: www.flysansa.com), a national airline, operates services between San José and provincial towns and villages. A bus is provided from the airline offices in San José to the airport. A number of smaller airlines also provide internal flights, such as Travelair (website: www.travelair-costarica.com). ROAD: The standard of the roads is generally very good. There are 35,583km (22,110 miles) of all-weather highways including 663km (412 miles) of the Inter-American Highway and highways linking San José with the other principal towns. Traffic drives on the right. Bus: Regular services to most towns, but buses are often crowded so pre-booking is advisable. Costa Rica offers a wide variety of sightseeing tours. Most tour companies feature bilingual guides and round-trip transportation from hotels. For full details, contact the Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (see Contact Addresses section). Taxi: Numerous and inexpensive in San José. The taxis are coloured red (except those serving the Juan Santamaría International Airport which are orange). Taxis are usually metered. Car hire: Major car hire companies as well as local firms have offices in San José. Distances are measured in kilometres. A speed limit of 88kph (55mph) is enforced on most highways. Documentation: Drivers must have a national licence or International Driving Permit. URBAN: San José has privately run bus services, charging fares on a two-zone system. TRAVEL TIMES: The following chart gives approximate travel times (in hours and minutes) from San José to other major cities/towns. Air Road Alajuela - 0.30 Cartago - 0.30 Heredia - 0.20 Puntarenas - 2.00 Liberia 0.25 3.00 Quepos 0.30 3.30 Puerto Limón 0.25 3.00 Accommodation HOTELS: There is a good range of reasonably priced hotel accommodation. Most proprietors speak English. San José has many hotels, from the extravagant to the smaller, family-run hotels in the less fashionable districts. There are several good hotels out of town near the airport. Larger hotels have swimming pools and other sports facilities. The majority have their own restaurants which are generally good and reasonably priced. Hotel tariffs are liable to alteration at any time. A three per cent sales tax plus three per cent tourism tax is added to hotel prices. Outside the capital, charges and the standard of comfort are lower. Grading: Hotels are graded from A to D according to price range. The A-grade category accounts for 20 per cent of all hotels and costs from the equivalent of US$100. About 20 per cent of hotels are in the B-range and cost US$50-70. C-grade hotels cost US$30-50 and D-range hotels, about 30 per cent, cost US$10-30. For further information contact the Costa Rica Chamber of Hotels, 75m west of Balcon Verde in Sabana Oeste, San Jose (tel: 290 4757; fax: 290 5434). CAMPING/CARAVANNING: Facilities exist at San Antonio de Belén, 8km (5 miles) from San José. There is also a camping and caravan site close to Alajuela. Most, but not all, national parks allow camping at designated sites (see Resorts & Excursions section). Introduction Costa Rica is the Central American state forming the land-bridge between North and South America and it has a surprising diversity of terrain (see General section). In the cities and towns, the country’s Spanish heritage provides the main features of interest. Elsewhere, Costa Rica’s national parks are its greatest glory. SAN JOSÉ: The capital was founded in 1737 and is a pleasant mixture of traditional and modern Spanish architecture. Places of interest include the Teatro Nacional, the Palacio Nacional (where the legislative assembly meets), and the Parque Central, east of which is the Cathedral. The National Museum and the Museum of Gold are also worth a visit. There are a number of other parks in the city, including the Parque Nacional, the Parque Bolivar and the Parque Morazan. Excursions: San José is a good centre for excursions into the beautiful Meseta Central region. The nearby town of Cartago was founded in 1563, but there are no old buildings as earthquakes destroyed the town in 1841 and 1910. However, some of the reconstruction was in the colonial style. Excursions can be made from here to the crater of Irazú and to the beautiful valley of Orosi, with its colonial church. CARIBBEAN COAST: There are numerous beaches, ports and towns worth visiting. The biggest is Puerto Limón; others include Guapiles, Tortuguero, Barra Del Colorado, Cahuita and Puerto Viejo. PACIFIC COAST: Costa Rica’s principal Pacific port for freight is Puntarenas. The beaches around it are rather poor, although San Lucas Island, just off the port, has magnificent beaches. Another island worth a visit is Isla Del Coco where a great hoard of treasure is supposed to have been buried by pirates. Puerto Caldera, a few miles south of Puntarenas, has recently become the country’s premier port of call for cruise liners. Quepos, Nicoya, Liberia and Samara are the region’s other major towns. There are beautiful beaches in the Guanacaste area, near Quepos in the Central Pacific and near Golfito in the South. National Parks Well-kept and well-guarded national parks and nature reserves cover nearly 26 per cent of the country’s territory. Information and permits can be obtained from: Fundación de Parques Nacionales, 300 Metros Norte 1705 Este, De Iglesia Santa Teresita, San José (tel: 257 2239; fax: 222 4732). In addition to the following, Manuel Antonio National Park and the Barra del Colorado National Wildlife Refuge are worth a visit, and many of the tiny islands in the Gulf of Nicoya, near Puntarenas, are ‘biological protection areas’. Braulio Carrillo National Park: Located in the central region of the country just 23km (14 miles) north of San José. It has five kinds of forest, some with characteristic rainforest vegetation. Orchids and ferns, jaguars, ocelots and the Baird tapir may be seen here. There are trails through the park and many lookouts. Poás Volcano National Park: As the name suggests, this park contains the smouldering Poás Volcano. It contains the only dwarf cloudforest in Costa Rica. The crater of the volcano is 1.5km (1-mile) wide and contains a hot-water lake which changes colour from turquoise to green to grey. Access is possible by road. Tortuguero National Park: This park protects the Atlantic green turtle egg-laying grounds; it is in an area of great ecological diversity. Its network of canals and lagoons serves as waterways for transportation and exploration. There are camping facilities and lodges. Santa Rosa National Park: The last large stand of tropical dry forest in Central America can be found here. There are ten habitats including extensive savannahs and deciduous and non-deciduous forests. In addition to its abundant wildlife, recreational facilities are provided on some of the beaches. Corcovado National Park: The virgin rainforest in this park contains many endangered species. It has the largest tree in Costa Rica, a ceibo which is 70m (230ft) high. Additionally there is Cano Island Biological Reserve, a bird sanctuary. Cahuita National Park: This park protects the only coral reef on Costa Rica’s Carribbean coastline. Its other attractions include howler and white-faced monkeys, racoons and 500 species of fish. Chirripó National Park: The centrepiece here is Costa Rica’s highest mountain. Most notably the park is home to the quetzal, said to be Latin America’s most beautiful bird. Sport & Activities Ecotourism: Partly in order to continue to encourage ecotourism, the Costa Rican authorities have set aside a large proportion of the country (around 26 per cent of the total land area) as national parks and protected areas. There is good road access to most of these areas, and public transport is available. Nature trails and tracks are well developed. The country has a stunning variety of landscapes, micro-climates, flora and fauna, and nature lovers will not be disappointed. The highland area in the centre consists of four mountain ranges. Some of the country’s great attractions are its eight active volcanoes. The sight of Arenal, in the Sierra Volcánica Guancaste in the northwest, erupting at night is truly spectacular. In the foothills of Rincon de la Vieja, the mud pools bubble permanently. It is possible to bathe in the hot springs in this area. The central highlands are the most accessible for the visitor, and feature Poás, whose crater contains a boiling sulphurous lake, and Irazú, its desolate landscape resembling the surface of the moon. The country’s tallest peaks are in the non-volcanic Cordillera de Talamanca near Panama, and include the impressive Chirripó (12,533ft/3828m). The upper slopes of the mountains are often covered by cloudforest, characterised by the algae, mosses and lichens on the permanently wet surfaces. Numerous orchids and ferns grow here, but the forests’ most notable inhabitant is the Resplendent Quetzal (a bird). Lower down is the rainforest. Best visited in the company of an experienced guide (in part, because it is so easy to get lost), these forests are filled with elusive wildlife. Among the creatures they harbour are monkeys, armadillos, sloths, crocodiles, and birds such as toucans, parrots and macaws. Sea turtles can be observed in the Tortuguero region at certain times of the year. Depending on what the visitor wants to see, it is best to visit in the dry season (from December to April). For further information, see the Climate section. Watersports: The most popular adventure sport is white-water rafting. Outfitters and guides can arrange trips. The Reventazón River (class III) is suitable for beginners, while more experienced rafters can tackle the Pacuare (class IV) and the Pascua (class V) rivers. The best times to go are from May to November. Lake Arenal was recently voted one of the world’s top windsurfing spots. Situated at 5580ft (1700m) above sea level, the lake offers its best windsurfing between April and December. Puerto Soley on the northern Pacific coast offers good ocean windsurfing. Kayaking and ocean kayaking are gaining in popularity. Surfing is possible at many beaches, being especially popular at Pavones on the Pacific coast and at Playa Naranjo in the northwest. This part of the country also offers excellent diving, with more than 20 local dive sites. Tuition and equipment hire are widely available. Cocos Island, praised by Jacques Cousteau, and Caño Island off the southwest coast, are also good diving areas. Fishing: The Pacific coast, from the Gulf of Papagayo to Golfito offers excellent sport fishing. Sailfish, marlin, tuna and wahoo are among the catches. The Tortuguero Canals and the area around Barra del Colorado offer good freshwater game fishing, while trout can be caught in the country’s mountain streams. Other activities: Mountain biking can be done on the trails in the forests and national parks. Hotels have equipment for hire and some specialist operators organise trips. Horseriding is also easily arranged. Because a different type of saddle and stirrups are used, even experienced riders may need to take some time to get used to their mounts. Beginners should arrange to have tuition beforehand, as working ranch horses are often used on rides. Bungee jumping and ballooning are also available. Social Profile Food & Drink: Restaurants in towns and cities serve a variety of foods including French, Italian, Mexican, North American and Chinese. Food is good, from the most expensive to the cheapest eating places (which are generally found west of the city centre). Food sodas (small restaurants) serve local food. Common dishes include casado (rice, beans, stewed beef, fried plantain, salad and cabbage), olla de carne (soup of beef, plantain, corn, yuca, nampi and chayote), sopa negra (black beans with a poached egg) and picadillo (meat and vegetable stew). Snacks are popular and include gallos (filled tortillas), tortas (containing meat and vegetables), arreglados (bread filled with same) and pan de yuca (speciality from stalls in San José). There are many types of cold drink made from fresh fruit, milk or cereal flour, for example, cebada (barley flour), pinolillo (roasted corn) and horchata (corn meal with cinnamon). Imported alcoholic and soft drinks are widely available. Coffee is good value and has an excellent flavour. Nightlife: San José especially has many nightclubs, venues with folk music and dance, theatres and cinemas. Shopping: Special purchases include wood and leather rocking chairs (which dismantle for export) as well as a range of local crafts available in major cities and towns. Local markets are also well worth visiting. Prices are slightly higher than in other Latin American countries. Best buys are wooden items, ceramics, jewellery and leather handicrafts. Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0900-1800/1900. Special Events: For a complete list of special events for 2003, contact the Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (see Contact Addresses section). The following is a selection of the major annual festivals and special events: Dec-Jan Fiestas del Fin del Año (week-long festivities). Feb-Mar Orchid Show, Cartago. Mar (middle) Día del Boyero (Day of the Oxcart Driver), San Antonio de Escazú; National Craft Fair, San José. Jun (end) Feast of St Peter and St Paul. Aug Arrival of Pilgrims, Cartago. Oct Carnival Week, Puerto Limón. Social Conventions: Handshaking is common and forms of address are important. Christian names are preceded by Don for a man and Doña for a woman. Normal courtesies should be observed when visiting someone’s home and gifts are appreciated as a token of thanks, especially if invited for a meal. For most occasions casual wear is acceptable, but beachwear should be confined to the beach. Tipping: It is not necessary to tip taxi drivers. All hotels add ten per cent service tax plus three per cent tourist tax to the bill by law. Restaurants add a ten per cent service charge. Tipping is expected by hotel staff, porters and waiters. Business Profile Economy: About half of Costa Rica’s export earnings are derived from agriculture (coffee, bananas, meat, sugar and cocoa). Staple crops are also grown for domestic consumption. Manufacturing industry consists of food-processing, textiles, chemicals and plastics and is steadily expanding with government encouragement. New industries include aluminium production, following the discovery of a large bauxite deposit; and a rapid move into the computer industry, as a result of which microprocessors have become a valuable export. Oil and hydroelectricity meet the bulk of the country’s energy needs. Tourism dominates the service sector and is the most important source of foreign exchange earnings. Costa Rica receives some international aid through international bodies such as the IMF, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and from the USA, which is Costa Rica’s main trading partner. Costa Rica is also a member of the Central American Common Market. Business: Customs tend to be conservative. Advance appointments, courtesy and punctuality are appreciated. It is preferable to have some knowledge of Spanish, although many locals speak English. Best months for business visits are November and December; avoid the last week of September, which is the end of the financial year. Office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1700. Commercial Information: The following organisations can offer advice: Cámara de Comercio de Costa Rica (Chamber of Commerce), Apartado 1114-1000, 1000 San José (tel: 221 0005; fax: 233 7091; e-mail: servicios@camara-comercio.com); or Cámara de Industrias de Costa Rica (Chamber of Industry), 350 metros sur de la Fuente de la Hispanidad, San Pedro de Montes de Oca, Apartado 10003, San José (tel: 281 0006; fax: 234 6163; e-mail: cicr@cicr.com; website: www.cicr.com); or Costa Rican-American Chamber of Commerce, Apartado 4946-1000, San José (tel: 220 2200; fax: 220 2300; e-mail: chamber@amcham.co.cr; website: www.amcham.co.cr); or Promotora de Comercio Exterior de Costa Rica (PROCOMER), Apartado 1278-1007, San José (tel: 256 7111; fax: 233 4655; e-mail: info@procomer.com; website: www.procomer.com). Climate In the Central Valley, where the main centres of population are located, the average temperature is 22°C (72°F). In the coastal areas the temperature is much hotter. The rainy season starts in May and finishes in November. The ‘warm’ dry season is December to May, though temperature differences between summer and winter are slight. Required clothing: Lightweight cottons and linens most of the year, warmer clothes for cooler evenings. Waterproofing is necessary during the rainy season. History and Government History: Columbus landed in what is now Costa Rica in 1501. Although it was never heavily colonised, the region came under the captaincy-general of Guatemala. The country declared independence from Spain in 1821 but became part of Mexico. Two years later, it was a founding member of the United Provinces of Central America, a short-lived confederation whose capital was Guatemala City. Costa Rica’s liberal political and economic structures developed in an entirely different manner from those of the other members of the confederation. Costa Rica thus found little community of interest with them, especially Guatemala, then the dominant power in the region. It was the first to pull out of the federation in 1838, and declared its self a full-independent state: two years later the United Provinces folded. Under the rule of General Tomas Guardia between 1870 and 1882, Costa Rica developed many of its principal modern characteristics, notably the minimal role of the Catholic Church in secular matters and a relatively isolationist foreign policy. (The democratic elections of 1890 are acknowledged to have been the first in the region). Throughout the 20th century, Costa Rica has enjoyed peace and a steady growth in prosperity, with the notable exception of a civil war in 1948 which followed a disputed presidential election. After the victory of José Figueres Ferrer in the conflict, the army was abolished in a unique political decision which entrusted the defence of the country to a Civil Guard, and this decision was enshrined in a new constitution (which still prevails today). The country enjoys good relations with its neighbours: a minor outstanding territorial dispute with Nicaragua over navigation along the San Juan river (which serves as their mutual border) was settled in 2000. In recent times, one of the most prominent political figures has been Oscar Arias Sanchez of the Partido de Liberacion Nacional who was elected president in February 1986. The following year, Arias was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in bringing warring parties elsewhere in Central America to the negotiating table. Arias stood down prior to the 1990 national elections, which were won by Rafael Angel Calderon, candidate of the rival Partido Unidad Social Cristiana (PUSC). Angel was soon confronted with a national emergency as an earthquake hit the country in April 1991, causing widespread loss of life and damage. The PLN regained power in 1994 but at both polls since then – in 1998 and 2002 – the electorate has returned a PUSC majority in both presidential and National Assembly elections. Abel Pacheco de la Espriella is the new President. Government: Under the constitution of 1949, executive power is vested in the President, supported by two Vice-Presidents and an appointed Cabinet of Ministers. The President is elected for a four-year term by universal adult suffrage (voting is obligatory), conditional on one candidate receiving more than 40 per cent of the vote. Legislation is the responsibility of the 57-member National Assembly, which is also elected for a four-year term of office. Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.