Costa Rica is a small country – about half the size of Kentucky – bordered on the north by Nicaragua, the east by the Caribbean Sea, the south by Panama and the west by the Pacific Ocean. There are many beautiful beaches along both coasts.  The country is divided down the middle by a series of volcanic mountain chains and there are over 100 volcanoes, but only a few of them are active. 

About four million people live in Costa Rica and most of them speak Spanish, the country’s language.  The people are referred to as ticos (males) or ticas (females) because they often add tico on the end of words as a diminutive.  For example, momento, which means a short time, becomes momentico to a tico.

Like many countries with tropical climates, Costa Rica has two seasons – the wet and the dry.  The dry season, or summer, goes from late December to April.  The rest of the year tends to be wet and is called winter.  During the rainy season it can rain almost every day in the midafternoon, although each day usually begins and ends with sunshine.  The temperature varies little in the Central Valley and is usually in the 70s or low 80s.  Higher elevations experience cooler temperatures while beach areas are usually quite warm.

Costa Rica has an assortment of wildlife that includes over 850 species of birds – more than three times as many as in the United States and Canada combined – and over 200 species of mammals.  There are four different monkeys found in Costa Rica – the howler, spider, white-faced capuchin and squirrel monkeys.  Costa Rica also has jaguars, anteaters, iguanas, crocodiles, armadillos, and snakes.  There are also tiny, poisonous, red and blue frogs and some toads grow as large as eight inches long.  Don't worry, though – they try to stay out of your way!

Because Costa Rica is a tropical country, it also has many insects.  In fact, over 35,000 species of insects have been recorded here – more than any other country in the world – and many thousands more remain undiscovered.  Everyone loves to see the butterflies in Costa Rica and with over 3,000 species here, there are a lot of them to see. 

Costa Rica has over 10,000 species of flowers!  There are over 1,100 orchid varieties and over 1,400 different kinds of trees.  All of this variety of vegetation creates an environment that promotes what is referred to as biodiversity or an abundance of species.

The traditional Costa Rican lunch – a casado – consists of beans, rice, coleslaw, fried plantains and meat, fish or chicken.  The meal is accompanied by a natural fresh fruit drink.  There are many unusual and delicious fruits and vegetables such as guava, cas, guanabana, mango, mamon chino, papaya, tamarindo, maracuya, pejibaye, carambola, jocote and manzana de agua!  Ethnic cuisines, as well as typical fast food – i.e. McDonald's, KFC and Pizza Hut – are also available.   

Costa Rican coffee, which is among the best in the world because of the country’s elevation, climate and rich, volcanic soil, is a major export.  Costa Rica also exports bananas, pineapples, fish and exotic flowers.  Tourism has become the primary industry in recent years.

Costa Rica is a democracy.  Nearly 90% of the people vote in Costa Rica and election weekend (elections are always held on a Sunday) is like a big fiesta (without alcohol – none may be sold during the weekend).  People wave flags, honk their car horns and play music.  School children gather at voting locations to enjoy the celebration and to help people go to the polls.

The national religion is Catholic and there are national religious holidays, but there is religious tolerance and freedom of religion for all faiths.

A unique feature of Costa Rica is the fact that it has no military – the Costa Rica army was abolished in 1948.  Peace and conciliation are important values in the Costa Rican culture.

Costa Rica may be a small country, but it has much to offer.  Come see for yourself!