Costa Rica
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Capital
San Jose
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Local time
0:51
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Population
4.92 m
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Driving side
Right
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Calling code
+506
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Currency
₡ CRC (colon)
Costa Rica
-
Capital
San Jose
-
Local time
0:51
-
Population
4.92 m
-
Driving side
Right
-
Calling code
+506
-
Currency
₡ CRC (colon)
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Average Salary
$ 903
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Petrol price
€ 1.44 pl
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Precipitation
2 926mm /year
Geography & travel
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Country Area
51 100 km2
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Protected Area
27%
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Forest Area
54%
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Agricultural area
35%
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Annual air passengers
1.53 m
Population
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Ethnicity
white - 94 %
black - 3 %
Amerindian - 1 %
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Religion
Roman Catholic - 76 %
Evangelical - 14 %
Jehovah's Witnesses - 1 %
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Literacy rates
97.4%
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Languages
Spanish
English
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Armed Forces
9 800
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Murders
12 per 100k
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Alcohol consumption
5.1 l/person
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Smoking
18.5%
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Diabetes
8.5%
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Malaria
0%
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Tuberculosis
11 per 100k
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HIV
0.4%
Economy
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Industries
microprocessors, food processing, medical equipment, textiles and clothing, construction materials, fertilizer, plastic products
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Agriculture
bananas, pineapples, coffee, melons, ornamental plants, sugar, corn, rice, beans
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Natural Resources
hydropower
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Energy Import
49%
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Natural Resources
hydropower
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Renewable Energy
37%
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CO2 Emissions
7 759kt
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Ease of Business
61 (Best=1, Worst=200)
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ATMs per 100k people
61
What not to do when visiting Costa Rica
Costa Rica Don't be surprised to see drugs and prostitution sometimes. Although frowned upon in respectable circles, prostitution is socially acceptable throughout most of the country.
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Costa Rica Don't forget to greet everyone in the room with a kiss and say good bye to everyone when leaving. Smile and say hello or hola to everyone, even in passing on the street.
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Costa Rica Don't carry valuables around- keep them in a safe and hidden place if possible to avoid attracting petty crime.
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Did you know?
In Costa Rica, there are no addresses. If you want to send a letter you have to write: ‘500 meters in front of the football pitch, to the right of the field, the greenhouse on the left’.
Costa Rica Don't bathe nude at the beach. Also, limit the beach wears at the beach only.
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Costa Rica Don't visit Costa Rica on Christmas or Easter weeks, as the whole country shut down for local celebrations, not even to say the prices are sky high, and lodging is almost impossible to find.
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Costa Rica Don't stay cold - break the ice with Costa Ricans by complimenting the splendour of the country and its progressive reputation.
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Costa Rica Don't ever eat, drink or smell anything a taxi driver offers - it could be laced.
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Costa Rica Don't wear beachwear outside the beach - wear casual dress for most occasions.
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Did you know?
Coastal land within 50 meters of the high tide line is open to the public and therefore closed to development, and the next 150 meters inland generally are administered as Maritime Zones by the local municipality.
Costa Rica Don't be too affectionate in public - excessive affection in public is frowned upon in Costa Rica.
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Costa Rica Don't address people with their first names - address them with formal title. Christian names are preceded by Senor for a man and Senora for a woman, but Don is used to addressing a highly respected man and Dona for a female equivalent.
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Costa Rica Don't damage trees or flowers, nor to litter or take things away from the rain-forests and beaches - it could be equivalent of a felony if you are caught disturbing the flora and fauna.
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Costa Rica Don't forget the insect repellent.
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Costa Rica Don't take a taxi without negotiating a fare or having a meter on.
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Costa Rica Don't neglect beach safety - many beaches have high surfs or riptides. There are rarely any warning signs.
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Costa Rica Don't forget to shake out your shoes before wearing.
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Tell us your experience
We love to hear from people who have travelled the world and know ‘what not to do’. Why not help other people on their travels?
Costa Rica Don't fall for parking lot scams - watch out on official-looking attendant saying the parking is full and directing somewhere else.
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Costa Rica Don't go near the ants - their bites with burning pain are not what you want.
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Costa Rica Don't forget Costa Rica has 67 volcanoes - don't ignore the volcano alerts.
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Costa Rica Don't feed the monkeys.
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Costa Rica Don't touch the tiny colourful frogs - they might be poisonous.
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Costa Rica Don't get sunburnt. Bring and wear enough sunscreen, no matter where you are travelling to, even its cloudy. The sun is very intense in Costa Rica and it's very easily got burned It can also be very expensive in Costa Rica.
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Costa Rica Don't forget to keep in mind there can be some venomous snakes around.
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Costa Rica Don't forget Spanish word for now "ahora" means here later or tomorrow.
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Costa Rica Don’t engage in political activity or involve with protests - it’s illegal for foreigners.
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Costa Rica Don't be confused by reference of "Tico" - it's commonly used to refer Costa Ricans.
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Costa Rica Don't exchange in suspicious places - exchange through authorized source. Street corner foreign exchange transactions are technically illegal, and often risky.
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Costa Rica Don’t underestimate the power of the ocean when swimming - many beaches with dangerous currents or rip tides have no lifeguards nor warning signs.
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Costa Rica Don't always expect local great coffee - most of it's exported.
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Tell us your experience
We love to hear from people who have travelled the world and know ‘what not to do’. Why not help other people on their travels?
Costa Rica Don’t forget the rainy season typically runs from May to November.
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