Fact´s & Figures about Costa Rica
(Nature, people, animals & plants and a lot more...)
Name: Republica Costa Rica
Area: 51’ 100km2
compare to Switzerland, 41 285km2
Costline: Pacific, 1020km
Atlantik, 210km
National tree: Guancaste
National bird: Yiguirro, lay colored robin
National sport: soccer
Political system: Demoratic Presidential Republic
Captital city: San José
Highest mountain: Cerro Chirripó, highst peak at 3820 meters
Longest river: Rio Grande de Térraba 196km
Climate: Tropical climate with small temperature variations
Population: 4.2 millionen (50% of them live on the central highlands)
Language: Spanish, Patois, (local Indian languages), English in the tourist area
Religion: 77% catholic
14% protestant
Currency: Colón
Dollars are accepted as a secondary currency
Currency exchange: Banco Nacional Costa Rica
Time difference Winter MEZ to Costa Rica, 7 hours
Summer MEZ to Costa Rica, 8 hours
Economy: Tourism, textiles, bananas, coffee,
ornamental, tropical fruits and fish
Internet: at most tourist places
Sámara Palm Lodge WiFi
Business hours: usually Monday - Saturday 08.00-18.00 p.m
Banks: Monday - Friday 09.00 – 15.00 p.m.
Post office: Monday - Friday 07.30 – 17.30 p.m.
Museums: varies, usually closed on Mondays
Security: In Costa Rica it is usually safe to travel. One major reason
for the popularity of the country is that there is no
military.
Mentality: Tico’s (Costa Ricans) are very proud of their country !
Costa Rica has an amazingly rich and diverse ecology.
Ticos consider their country a haven of peace!
Every conversation begins and ends with
"PURA VIDA" !! 
Oxcart: The painted ox carretas are almost a national symbol
of Costa Rica. Their use dates to the 17th century, but their
success and widespread use blossomed in the mid- 19th
century with the demand for coffee.
...their use on the street is rare today...
National parks: 30% of Costa Rica is designated National Parks, which consist
of 25 separate parks & 5 Biological Preserves. Ranging from
misty rain forests, red-hot volcanoes and marine protected
areas. A wide variety of animals, birds and plants can be found
in the amazing National Parks of Costa Rica.
Animals & Plants: Please respect nature and stay on the road and trails in the
National parks.
Wildlilfe: 220 mammals (107 different species of bats)
25 marine mammals
Sea Turtles
6 different types of big cats, mostly live in very remote
regions of the country
16 different Procyonidae....
Coati, raccoon, kinkajou....
850 different bird species
160 species of amphibians, frogs
Reptiles & Crocodiles
135 species of snakes
The most common encounters are with monkeys,
howler moenkeys. Not only are the seen, they are "heard" !
Plants: Approximately 12 000 plant species have been discovered
in Costa Rica, representing almost 4% of the world´s total,
and equals that present on the surface of Lower Saxony
1400 species of orchids, 12000 vascular plants,
2000 species of trees ….
Volcanic activity: Central America is one of the most active volcanic zones
on earth. Where continental plates collide, volcanic phenomena
exist. In the case of Costa Rica, the Pacific plate is pushing
under the Caribbean plate. Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions
are the most feared consequences of these activities.
On the other hand, some of the delightful consequences of
volcanic activies are the resulting hot springs and boiling
mud pools. This is clearly visible at Rincon de Vieja volcano.
Volcanos: Arenal, Brava, Irazú, Rincón de la Vieja, Turriable,
Poás
Arenal; most active of the country, located in the central
highlands at Lake Arenal. Lava flows occur regularly.
(1633 Meter)
Brava; the volcan has long been inactive. It is a part of the
Braulio Carillo National Park. The summit is 2906 meter high,
and there is a crater lake named Laguna Brava, with a
diameter of 70 meters.
Irazú; is the oldes National Park and one of the most
active volcanoes in the country (most recent eruption
ocurred in 1994). At 3432 meters it is also the highest.
The origin of the name goes back to an Indian settlement.
They called the mountain offectionately "Iztarú" which means "trembling" or "thunder" mountain. At the bottom of the main crater a yellowish-green crater lake has formed.
Rincón de la Vieja; the National Park around the active volcano is one of the most diverse parks in the country (1916 meters)
Turriable; due to strong activity in October 2008
the park has been closed indefinitely. (3340 meters)
Poás; the composite volcano, one of the four most active
of the country and is one of the most important natural
attractions of Costa Rica. Even though there is little
activity currently, it has a long history of strong
eruptions. (2708 meters)
All informations came from sources we believe to be accurate and reliable, We are, however, not responisble for any inacuracjes. 2009