Republic of Costa Rica

Republic of Costa Rica (República de Costa Rica)

Anthem: Noble patria, tu hermosa bandera (Spanish)

Noble homeland, your beautiful flag

Capital
San José
Official languages Spanish

Recognised regional languages Mekatelyu, Bribri Demonym Costa Rican; Tico Government Constitutional democracy(Presidential republic) - President Laura Chinchilla Independence Declared - from Spain September 15, 1821 - from Mexico October 4, 1824 - from UPCA March 21, 1847 - Recognized by Spain May 10, 1850 Area - Total 51,100 km (128th)
19,653 sq mi - Water (%) 0.7 Population - July 2010 estimate 4,253,897 (123rd) GDP (PPP) 2009 estimate - Total $48.881 billion - Per capita $10,579 GDP (nominal) 2009 estimate - Total $29.318 billion - Per capita $6,345 Gini (2007) 48.0 (high) (30th) HDI (2007) ▲ 0.854 (high) (54th) Currency Costa Rican colón (CRC) Time zone CTZ (UTC-6) Drives on the right ISO 3166 code CR Internet TLD .cr Calling code +506

Costa Rica is the ideal tropical paradise for your vacation. Tourists can enjoy the pristine beaches and see whales and dolphins play. For Nature lovers there is a great variety of exotic wildlife and tropical plants. Butterflies and orchids, crocodiles and sharks, turtles and Toucans´ are everywhere. The rainforest covering the mountains are a paradise for eco tourism.

Life is good in Costa Rica, a friendly, democratic and peaceful country.

For action vacation you can surf, hike, do rafting, canopying, diving, deepwater fishing and snorkeling. You can go with a low budget or seek the more exclusive resorts.

For relaxation there are beautiful unique golf courses and luxury spas. The hotels have all the modern comforts in the most private and secluded environments. Costa Rica has it all.

The country’s Disneylike cast of creatures – ranging from howler monkeys to toucans – are populous and relatively easy to spot. The waves are prime, the beauty is staggering and the sluggish pace seductive. A peaceful oasis in a tumultuous region, this tiny nation draws 1.5 million visitors every year.

Active travelers can surf, hike, snorkel and spot wildlife for starters. The incredibly varied topography means you can cruise the cloud forest one day, visit an active volcano the next, and finish relaxing on a hot sandy beach. Adrenaline junkies have a myriad ways to make mothers worry – among them zipping through canopy lines hundreds of meters long and riding the rough surf of the Pacific. Choice and variety name the game.

Of course, the frenzy to snatch up a piece of Shangri-la has its consequences. Since the boom, tourism is more chic and less cheap. Classic destinations are now crowded destinations and local culture is often lost or cast aside. Lucky for Costa Rica that its do-gooder fans, ranging from ecologists to proud Ticos (Costa Ricans), are vocal and vigilant. Nature here suffers its blows, like everywhere, but at least it is taken seriously.