Costa Rica is a small country, however it is a destination with much to offer the visitor. Principal among the reasons to visit Costa Rica is the friendly educated populace. Costa Rica offers a rich natural heritage and paradise of natural habitats to explore and experience.

Costa Rica is one of the oldest democracies in America, and is a free and independent republic. Its habitants enjoy full political stability with a long-standing commitment to democratic freedom. Peace is Costa Rica's most valued feature. The country has had no army since it was abolished in the mid-20th century.

Costa Rica is a place of simplicity and tranquility. The social impact of the democratic tradition in Costa Rica is clearly felt. In 1869, a compulsory state funded system of education was established. The government makes the necessary funds available for medical and educational programs, with both services achieving outstanding success.

Protected Areas
It is for the nature lover and the conservationist that Costa Rica has become a a true mecca. Presently, the National Parks Service is responsible for the care and conservation of 20 natural parks, eight wildlife refuges and one area which has been declared a national archaeological monument. Costa Rica has a larger percentage of its total area set aside in Parks and Reserves than any other country in the world.

These parks and reserves are ideal for walking, bird watching, camping and enjoying the rivers, beaches, forests, volcanoes, historical and archaeological sites, as well as for observing natural phenomena which are of major importance to the continent.

Accommodations
In Costa Rica you will find a wide range of hotel services, catering to all tastes, styles, and budgets. There are large hotels or small hotels and bed and breakfast hotels located in beautiful old converted houses. There is a wide selection of mountain lodges, beach hotels, jungle lodges and cozy cabins.

Population and Language
Costa Rica has approximately 3 million inhabitants whose native language is Spanish. However, other languages such as English, German, and Italian are widely spoken and foreign visitors will easily be able to make themselves understood.

Public Services
Electric power is 110 volts with nationwide service. The water is pure and suitable for drinking throughout most of the country. The telephone network is the most efficient in Latin America and fax and internet services are common through out the country. Postal offices are nationwide.

Transportation
All through Costa Rica the road network has good paved roads, but most of the secondary roads are in poor shape making it necessary to have a four wheel drive vehicle when traveling to remote areas. Costa Rica has a sophisticated public transport system. There is a large fleet of taxis, easily identified by their red color. Bus services are available, both within and between provinces. Ferry services cross the Tempiscque River and seagoing ferry services depart from Puntarenas to cross the Gulf of Nicoya. Costa Rica has domestic air service to all major areas by the two domestic carriers, Travel Air or Sansa. Additionally, there is a very large fleet of private charters available.

Currency
Local and international services are available at both state and private banking institutions. The official currency is the colon and the exchange rate against the dollar can vary. November 13, 2006 the exchange rate was approximately $1US=516 Costa Rican Colons. International credit cards are accepted in most establishments throughout the country and ATMs can be found in some areas.

Geography and Climate
Costa Rica holds a privileged place in the world, being located in the very center of the isthmus of Central America. It is flanked to the east by the Caribbean, the west by the Pacific Ocean, to the north by Nicaragua and to the south by Panama. The total surface area is only 20,000 square miles, but it contains a wide variety of rivers, plains, mountains, valleys, volcanoes, beaches and forests. Costa Rica is a tropical country situated between two oceans.

These factors combined with a complex, mountainous topography, give rise to a wide variety of habitats. These range from Tropical Dry Forest to Lowland Rainforest to Highland Paramo with a corresponding variety of climatic conditions. The temperatures vary from between 58 degrees and 72 degrees Fahrenheit in the Central Valley and between 72 and 82 degrees in the lowlands. The temperatures in each region remain relatively stable from May to November.

There are three main mountain ranges in Costa Rica. The two volcanic ranges dominate the Northwest and one non-volcanic range gives contour to the south. Mount Chirripo is the highest mountain in the country at 12,500 feet.