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Official Name: |
Republic of Costa Rica
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Location: |
Central America, north of Panama |
Politics |
Democracy (minus a military, abolished in 1948) |
Population: |
3 million |
Capital City: |
San Jose, pop. 280,000 |
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People:
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96% Spanish, 4% other
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Languages:
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Spanish, English, Creole, Indian dialects
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Religion:
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95% Roman Catholic, 5% other
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Currency:
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Costa Rican Colon
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Time:
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Central + 1 during summer
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Electricity:
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110V, 60 Hz (same as USA)
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Major Industries: |
Coffee, tourism, bananas, textiles, sugar |
Central Valley |
The metropolitan area is in a higher altitude. It’s very comfortable year round in the mid 70’s. |
Caribbean |
Typically hot, humid, and rainy, and doesn't follow the same rainy/dry seasons as other regions. |
Mountains |
Areas high in the mountains are much cooler, between 50-70 degrees. |
Beaches and lowlands |
Typically in the 80’s, with a daily shower sometime during the day in the rainy season. |
Green Season (Dec - May) |
Dry Season (Jun - Nov) |
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Pros |
Cons |
Pros |
Cons |
| Cheaper | Worse roads | Immaculate weather | More expensive |
| Green and lush | Chance for bad weather streak | Better roads | More tourists |
| Still sunny at least 1/2 the day | More cloudy days | Charter flights to Liberia | Some areas can be very brown |
| Rivers and waterfalls full | Bad for scuba and snorkeling | Better scuba and snorkeling | Rivers and waterfalls may have little water |
| FOOD | |
gallo pinto |
A dish made up of rice, black beans and spices (sometimes with eggs), usually served at breakfast |
casado |
The most common meal, well-balanced, great tasting, and cheap! Rice, beans, fried plantains, meat, side. |
sopa negra |
Black bean soup with a poached egg |
empanadas |
A yucca bread turnover stuffed with meat and cheese. Good afternoon snack. |
ceviche |
Whitefish marinated in a lemon, onion, sweet red pepper, garlic and coriander sauce |
patacones |
Fried plantains |
| DESERTS | |
| flan | A cold caramel custard. Never pass up coconut flan! |
| Tres leches cake | To die for! |
| Arroz y leche (milk and rice) | A desert made with milk, rice, cinnamon, and raisins |
| fresh fruit | Super cheap, fresh, and abundant |
| DRINKS | |
| coffee | If you’re not a coffee drinker, this is the place to start! |
| fruit juices | Pass on the Coke and get pineapple juice, your body will thank you |
| Café Rica | A locally made coffee liqueur |
| guaro | The national firewater, drank by the shot! |