LARM Costa Rica
Costa Rica is recognized worldwide for its biodiversity and beautiful landscape. Currently over 30% of the national territory is under some form of protection (national parks, forest reserves, wildlife refuges, etc.) and the responsibility for conservation efforts is shared by the government and civil society. Costa Rica is a country which enjoys the oldest and most established democracy in Latin America. In 1987, former President Oscar Arias was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his key role in reaching regional peace after several years of political crisis in the region. Costa Rica has become an attractive site among foreign investors due to its uniqueness within a very convulsive Central America.
- Geography
- Political
- Economy
- Social
- Phone Numbers
- Schools
- Immigration
- Housing
- More Information
Capital: San Jose
Area: Costa Rica has an area of 51,100km2
Population: Costa Rica has a population of 4,579,000 increasing approximately 1.52% per year.
Major Industries: Food processing, textiles and clothing, construction materials, fertilizer, plastic products, Tourism.
Location
Costa Rica is located in Middle America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama.
Climate
The climate is mainly tropical; the dry season is from December to April and the rainy season from May to November.
GOVERNMENT
Costa Rica is a democratic republic with presidential elections every 4 years. Since 1949, all citizens are guaranteed equality before the law, the right to own property, the right of petition and assembly, freedom of speech and others. These rights were granted not only to Costa Rican citizens but also to foreigners who are living in the country. Its political structure is based on three powers: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial.
Costa Rica is a democratic republic with presidential elections every 4 years. Since 1949, all citizens are guaranteed equality before the law, the right to own property, the right of petition and assembly, freedom of speech and others. These rights were granted not only to Costa Rican citizens but also to foreigners who are living in the country. Its political structure is based on three powers: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial.
CURRENCY
Currency: Costa Rica Colon (CRC).
Banking
Costa Rica has both national and private banks. The Central Bank of Costa Rica regulates and controls the financial sector. Costa Rica has five national banks and more than 20 private institutions.
Currency: Costa Rica Colon (CRC).
Banking
Costa Rica has both national and private banks. The Central Bank of Costa Rica regulates and controls the financial sector. Costa Rica has five national banks and more than 20 private institutions.
LANGUAGES Spanish is the official language in Costa Rica, however English is taught in some schools and many high level executives and professionals speak it fluently.
Religion
More than the 90% of the Costa Ricans are catholic.
Shopping
Costa Rica, even though it is a very small country, it has plenty of shopping options, from malls to well known retail establishments. In the city areas you can find whatever you may expect to find in your own home country but at town shops are somewhat smaller and there is not much variety.
Restaurants
Through the years, Costa Rica has become more of a cosmopolitan city where fine international cuisine or typical food like ‘gallo pinto' or 'casados' can be enjoyed. In San Jose especially, friendly and clean restaurants that are open 24 hours a day 7 days a week can be found. The law controls hygienic conditions wherever food is served and it is not recommended to buy cooked food from street vendors.
Entertainment
There are plenty of activities to do along the country. Especially in San Jose, more than 30 museums, art galleries and theaters, bars and clubs, casinos, restaurants of all types, and even bullfights can be found. There are many cinemas where latest English blockbusters with Spanish subtitles can be seen. Costa Rica also has a number of spas and health clubs scattered all over the country. Another favorite thing to do is play sports and almost any sport can be practiced throughout the year. The most popular sports are soccer, golf, white water-rafting, bungee jumping, diving, mountain biking, water ski, windsurfing, martial arts, beach volleyball, sport fishing, sailing, basketball, tennis, snorkeling, kayaking, horseback riding, among many others.
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS
Ambulance: 128
Fire Department: 118
Police: 222-1365 or 221-5337
Highway Police: 222-9330 and 222-8245
Airport Information: (24hrs): 2441-07-44
Emergencies: 911
Hospitals:
· Clínica Bíblica (South Central) - 257-0466 or 257-5252
· Calderón Guardia Hospital (East) - 257-7922
· Hospital CIMA (West) - 231-2781
· San Juan de Dios (West) - 257-6282
· Mexico Hospital (West) - 232-0299
· Clínica Católica (Northeast) - 283-6616
Ambulance: 128
Fire Department: 118
Police: 222-1365 or 221-5337
Highway Police: 222-9330 and 222-8245
Airport Information: (24hrs): 2441-07-44
Emergencies: 911
Hospitals:
· Clínica Bíblica (South Central) - 257-0466 or 257-5252
· Calderón Guardia Hospital (East) - 257-7922
· Hospital CIMA (West) - 231-2781
· San Juan de Dios (West) - 257-6282
· Mexico Hospital (West) - 232-0299
· Clínica Católica (Northeast) - 283-6616
SCHOOLS
Historically, education in Costa Rica has been a national priority. It is free and mandatory up to ninth grade. For this reason, our country has one of the highest literacy rates in the world (94%, 2008 est.) There are more than 4,100 public schools and, together with private institutions, they provide education to 24% of the country’s population. The State invests up to 6% of the government’s yearly budget in educational programs. There are also specialized centers in technology, computer science, metal-mechanics, hotel management, tourist industry, agro-industry, etc. There are many bilingual private schools to choose from such as German, English, or French. Most of them offer an educational program from kindergarten through high school and they teach Spanish as a second language. Some of the schools operate with the U.S. school calendar (from August/September to June); while others operate with the Costa Rican school calendar (from February to December).
Some schools that can be found in Costa Rica are:
· Country Day School: www.cds.ed.cr
· Pan-American School: http://67.199.78.33/panamericanschool/index.aspx
· Blue Valley School: www.bluevalley.ed.cr
· British School: www.thebritishschoolofcostarica.com
· American International School: www.aiscr.com
Historically, education in Costa Rica has been a national priority. It is free and mandatory up to ninth grade. For this reason, our country has one of the highest literacy rates in the world (94%, 2008 est.) There are more than 4,100 public schools and, together with private institutions, they provide education to 24% of the country’s population. The State invests up to 6% of the government’s yearly budget in educational programs. There are also specialized centers in technology, computer science, metal-mechanics, hotel management, tourist industry, agro-industry, etc. There are many bilingual private schools to choose from such as German, English, or French. Most of them offer an educational program from kindergarten through high school and they teach Spanish as a second language. Some of the schools operate with the U.S. school calendar (from August/September to June); while others operate with the Costa Rican school calendar (from February to December).
Some schools that can be found in Costa Rica are:
· Country Day School: www.cds.ed.cr
· Pan-American School: http://67.199.78.33/panamericanschool/index.aspx
· Blue Valley School: www.bluevalley.ed.cr
· British School: www.thebritishschoolofcostarica.com
· American International School: www.aiscr.com
IMMIGRATION PROCESS
The immigration process may take between 1 to 3 months after all documentation has been submitted and depending on each applicant´s specific qualifications. Local consulates can provide the information on requirements. Work permits are usually given for 1 year and must be renewed for extensions. In order to begin the request for a residency and/or Work Permit the following information is necessary:
- Full name
- Passport number
- Nationality
- Profession
- Position
- Brief role description
- Curriculum vitae
- Full name of spouse and/or children (If applicable)
- Passport No. of spouse and/or children
- Police Clearance Report
- Visa (depending on country of origin)
- Full Medical Exam (HIV included)
HOUSING
Rental costs vary depending on the exact accommodations for each property. For example, the west side of San Jose is very expensive due to the fact that it is the safest area to live in. The rental costs for a reasonable apartment/condo are:
- 1 bed apartment: $1,200USD- $2000USD
- 2 bed/2 bath apartment: $1500USD - $3,000USD
- 3 bed apartment: $2,500USD - $4,000USD
HOLIDAYS New Year’s Day: January 1st
St. Joseph’s Day: (Patron saint of San Jose and San Jose province)
March 19th
Easter: March/April
Holy Week: April 11th
Labor Day: May 1st
Corpus Christi: June
St. Peter and St. Paul’s Day: June 29th
Guanacaste Day: July 25th
Virgin de Los Angeles Day: (Patron saint of Costa Rica) August 2nd
Mother’s Day: August 15th
Assumption Day: August 15th
Independence Day: September 15th
Columbus Day: October 12th
All soul’s Day: November 2nd
Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary: December 8th
Christmas Day: December 25th
VOLTAGE: 110 - 120 volts.
PLUGS: Standard, American plugs
TELEVISION SYSTEMS: There is one local channel and TV Cable service.
TRANSPORTATION: There is one airport in San Jose, for international flights. The latest airport to be built is located in Liberia, and is for international flights as well.
TELECOMUNICATIONS: Telephone, Mobile network, radio, and Internet are easily found.
