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San José Airport - Costa Rica
1000 Airport Boulevard, in front of Fiesta Casino, next to the
Juan Santamaría International Airport. Alajuela, Costa Rica
Tel: +(506) 2443-0043
Fax: +(506) 2442-9532
Email:
hiexpress@grupomarta.com |
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| Costa Rica |
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About Costa Rica |
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The fact that more
than one million tourists visit Costa Rica each year does
not happen by chance. Our country, located in Central
America, is an isthmus where life seems to have created its
roots. Covering only 0.03% of the surface of our planet,
Costa Rica has approximately 6% of the world's biodiversity.
In addition, Costa Rica is characterized by an
impressive scenic beauty, consolidated system of protected
areas, social and political stability, high educational
levels, and efficient infrastructure and services. All these
characteristics you can find in a territory of only 51
thousand square kilometers, surrounded by both the Pacific
and Atlantic Oceans, only three to four hours away from each
other by land or 45 minutes by air.
The country's
strategic position, in the heart of the western hemisphere,
the Government's positive attitude towards foreign
investment, its infrastructure, access to international
markets, and labor quality and cost, make Costa Rica an
ideal place to establish commercial operations.
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History |
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Heritage and Culture
Costa Rican culture is in many
ways a reflection of its racial diversity. The predominant
influence has long been European, which is reflected in
everything from the official language -- Spanish -- to the
architecture of the country’s churches and other historic
buildings. The indigenous influence is less visible, but can
be found in everything from the tortillas that make part of
a typical Costa Rican meal, to the handmade ceramics sold at
roadside stands.
An important aspect of Costa Rica’s
cultural legacy is their love for peace and democracy. The
Ticos like to stand out that their nation is the exception
in Latin America, where military dictatorships have long
dominated politics.
They take pride in having more
than one hundred years of democratic tradition, and almost
half a century without an army. The army was abolished in
1948, and the money the country saves by not expending in
military issues is invested in improving the Costa Ricans’
standard of living, which has fostered a culture of social
peace that makes it such a pleasant place to visit.
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| The
Ticos |
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The
Ticos, as Costa Ricans are commonly known, are famous for
their hospitality, and are quite happy to live up to their
reputation. They are well-educated and hard working people,
who are quick with a handshake and a smile. They are well
aware of the special land they have, and most likely they
will help foreigners when they get lost, even explaining
things that might seem bizarre to foreigners, and making
their stay as enjoyable as possible.
People say the
Ticos are their nation’s greatest asset, and once you’ve
experienced their friendliness and spontaneity, you’ll have
no doubt to that regard.
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Geography & Climate |
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Geography
Rugged highlands are found throughout most
of the country, ranging from approximately 1,000 to 2,000
meters (3,000 to 6,000 feet above sea level). The Guanacaste
Mountain Range, Central Mountain Range, and Talamanca
Mountain Range are the main mountain ranges extending the
entire length of the country. There are several active
volcanoes (Arenal Volcano, Irazu Volcano, Rincon de la Vieja
Volcano and Turrialba Volcano) and the country’s highest
mountain (Chirripo Hill) with a height of 3,819 m/12,530 ft.
The country has a relatively long coastline in both the
Atlantic and Pacific oceans, as well as a number of rivers
and streams that attract specialist kayakers and rafters
from all over the world.
Climate
Costa
Rica’s year round climate is pleasant with naturally
occurring breezes, cooling down most of the coastal areas.
Temperatures in the highlands and mountains are not so cold,
especially during day, producing an 'eternal spring'
feeling. The average annual temperatures range from 31.7°C
(89°F) on the coast to 16.7°C (62°F) inland. The rainy or
green season lasts from May to December with noticeably
drier days during the rest of the year.
Enjoy the
sun, but carefully
Going to the beach is a must when
traveling to Costa Rica and a nice suntan is always
possible. It is not advisable however, to try to tan in just
one day because it takes 24 to 48 hours for the skin to
produce melanin, a dark pigment that reduces the aging
process caused by sunburn. The healthiest thing for you to
do is to use a PABA-free suntan or UV sun blocking lotion.
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Our People |
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The
Ticos, as Costa Ricans are commonly known, are a mixing of
races. Though most of the country’s 3.3 million inhabitants
descend from Spanish immigrants, many families originated in
other parts of Europe, Asia, Africa and, indeed, Central
America.
You may be surprised by the number of
fair-skinned people you’ll see in the country, especially in
the Central Valley. In the lowlands, more people are
mestizos -that is mixture of European and Indigenous blood-
whereas most along the Caribbean coast belong to an African
lineage, and much of the Talamanca Mountain Range is
inhabited by full-blooded Indians of various tribes.
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Infrastructure |
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Communications
Costa Rica has one of the most
advanced telecommunications systems in Latin America, with
telephones and fax machines all over the country, and an
increasing number of businesses online. To call or fax Costa
Rica, dial the country code 506 before the number. There is
also mail service, and a wide selection of courier services
in San Jose. Most large hotels in the San Jose area have
cable TV, with US and European stations. Newspapers and
magazines from North America and several European nations
are sold in many shops and hotels in and around the capital.
Transportation
It’s easy to get around
Costa Rica, and if you stick with public transport,
traveling within the country can be quite inexpensive. There
is bus service to just about every town and city, and
high-quality buses serving the main tourist destinations.
Taxis are also plentiful and inexpensive, and in San Jose
they are required to operate with meters for most trips. The
quickest way to get around is to fly, and several domestic
airlines offer daily flights to most of the popular tourist
destinations. There are also plenty of car rental agencies,
most of which rent four-wheel-drive vehicles.
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Government |
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Costa
Rican system of government is very similar to that of the
United States of America. There are three branches of
government: Executive, which consists of the president, two
vice presidents and cabinet; the Legislative Assembly, with
57 individually elected deputies; and, the Judicial Branch,
which consists of civil, criminal, appellate and
constitutional courts. The President and members of the
Legislative Assembly are elected for four-year terms and the
president can't run for reelection.
The President is
Mrs. Laura Chinchilla.
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Map of Costa Rica |
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