Jungle

Active volcanoes

National parks covering more than 25% of the country.

Incredible diversity of fauna and flora.

The rainy season lasts from May to November. Although it varies quite considerably depending on the region. Dry season from December to May, is slightly ciepleplejsza - annual average temperature differences are small. Virtually all the year round temperature is spring. Śrdnia temperature is 22 C.

The dry season lasts from December to April. Most occur in late January and February.

The area of Costa Rica was the site of contact between the cultures of Central and South American pre kolonizacyjnym. North-west part of the country was the southernmost area under the influence of culture conquistadores. Central and southern parts of the country was under the influence of tribes Chibcha. From the Atlantic Coast has been populated czarnoskórymi workers in 17/18 in. Today the culture of Costa Rica stands out from other Latin American. It is practically free from colonial influence as the majority of indigenous people died from the epidemic in the first century of Spanish colonization. Proceeds of the Spanish culture so they are inevitably very strong. The Catholic religion and Spanish are the pillars of kulury Costa Rica.

The dominant religion is Christianity and the Roman Catholic religion appears in the Constitution of 1949. as a national religion. The same document guarantees freedom of religion. Based on national studies conducted in 2007. :

70% of the population are Roman Catholics

44.9% are practicing Catholics

13.8 - Protestant

11.3% - Atheists

4.3 - the followers of other relgii

Because of the small but ongoing immigration from Asia and the Middle East have emerged such as. Buddhists (about. 40,000 citizens of Chinese origin) and also to a lesser extent Jews, Muslims and Hindus.

The so-called. 'Ticos' people are quiet and polite. Always ready, if possible, to help tourists. Bezkonfliktowi that are so often agree with the insistent stranger, instead of proposing an alternative. Their calm and composure that they often cause quite hard to call them Latinos.

Ticos are proud of their country, and is characterized by a strong sense of patriotism. Their society is very equal. Human rights are deeply rooted and highly respected.

English

95%

(95.1% - women, 94.7% - men)

No visa required for stay of less than 90 days. The passport must be valid for at least another 6 miesięcy.Wymagane to have a return ticket, or for further travel. This is not strictly observed, but the question may arise. The fee for the land border crossing $ 2. In addition, when entering the country must be filed so. 'Tourist fee "of 18USD.

Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (Costa Rica Tourist Board)

Apartado 777, 1000 San José, Costa Rica

Tel: 223 1733 or (800) 343 6332 (toll free U.S. and Canada only). Fax: 255 223 5452 or 4997th

E-mail: info@tourism-costarica.com

Nearest in Berlin:

Dessauerstrasse 1928-1929 D-10963

Berlin

Tel.: (0049) 30 2639 8990

E-mail: emb [at] Botschaft-costarica.de

From 1 January 2009 there is no Polish embassy in Central America as a whole. The nearest Embassy - in Mexico.

Embajada de Polonia en México

Calle Cracovia 40, Colonia San Angel, 01000 Mexico, DF

Apartado Postal 20383rd

tel. (0.05255) 5481-2050, Fax: 56160-822;

E-mail: mailto: Embajada [at] polonia.org.mx ;

There is no obligation meldunkowego. At the border an immigration questionnaire completed in August.

Charge outlet from Costa Rica $ 26

The law requires visitors to carry their passport at all times.

Medical care on a decent level is available in larger cities. Suburban areas much more difficult for her.

CIMA San José (208 1000; Fwy Prospero Fernandez, San Jose) It's 500m west of the tollbooths on the highway to Santa Ana.

Clinica Biblica (257 0466, 257 5252; cnr Av 1 & Calle 14, San Jose)

Hospital Nacional de Niños (222 0122, Calle 14, Av Central, San José) Only for children under the 12th

Poison Center (223 1028)

Red Cross Ambulance (911, 221 in San Jose, 5818)

San Juan de Dios Hospital (257 6282; cnr Calle 14 & Av Central, San José)

It is recommended to take out health insurance. Even if the policy of the Polish companies will be honored it is certainly not in advance - will bear costs for treatment, after returning to the country can apply for their return. INS (National Insurance Institute) is a monopolist in the market and there is a need to be paid.

Poisons Centre - 223 1028

Red Cross - 911, 128, 221-5818

Most doctors and hospitals expect payment in cash niezalerznie to whether the health insurance or not. In the case of life-threatening injuries is recommended evacuation to a country with medical care at a higher level. Such action tysiędzy costs tens of dollars, so you should ensure that insurance provides the opportunity. List of companies offering insurance and evacuation:

Chemists 24:

Farmacia Clinica Biblica (257 5252; cnr Av 1 & Calle 14, San Jose)

Farmacia Clinica Católica (283 6616; Guadalupe, San José)

Farmacia El Hospital (222 0985)

The ongoing conflict for years to Nicaragua to San Juan River, which determines the boundary between the two countries. The dispute stems from the fact that the river, which in Nicaragua is the only way to get to several Costa Rican villages.

911

Never leave anything in a parked car. And at night, even the most empty trunk.

Two of Nicaragua:

Penas Blancas - safe land passage. Entry $ 2 to Costa Rica to Nicaragua - $ 7  

Los Chiles, San Carlos - Ferry, less crowded, as safe. We must reckon with the fee for the ferry.

From Panama:

Paso Canoas - by Panamericana. Entry to Costa Rica $ 2. Entrance to Panama $ 1.

Sixaloa - on the coast kraibskim

As a rule, closed 22.00-6.00 hours

Most international flights landing at Juan Santamaria airport, 17km northwest of San Jose. In addition, the airport in Liberia began a few years ago to operate from the U.S.. Costa Rica is well connected with other countries of Central and Latin America and the USA. Most flights from Europe fly by Mexico or the U.S.. Companies that offer connections to Costa Rica:

Air Canada (in Canada 514-393 3333; airline code AC)

America West (in the USA 480-693 6718; airline code HP)  

American Airlines (257 1266)

Continental (296 4911; airline code-CO)

COPA (222 6640; CM airline code)

Cubana de Aviación (221 7625, 221 5881; CU airline code)

Delta-(256 7909, press 5 for reservations, airline code-DL)

Grupo TACA (296 0909; airline code-TA)

Iberia (257 8266; airline code-IB)

KLM (220 4111; KL airline code)

Mexicana (295 6969; airline code MX)

SAM / Avianca (233 3066; airline code AV)

United Airlines (220 4844; airline code-AU)

U.S. Airways (toll-free reservations in Costa Rica 800-011 0793, 800-011 4114; U.S. airline code) no office in Costa Rica

I have not found any information about opportunities to reach Costa Rica train.

Ticabus offers connections with Panama, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico at affordable prices.

Very few people entering his own car to Costa Rica. Foreign insurance is not recognized, so it is local to ransom. Moreover, thereby diverting the amount of the necessary formalities. Required to m.in. recent technical examination, and customs officers can be extremely crucial checking the technical condition of the vehicle - everything has to be tip-top. Way of facilitating the process is to send a container car port of Miami.

Few tourists come to Costa Rica Sea. This is usually a brief stop on the route of the cruise or diving trip. Of course you can arrive at a private yacht. The largest port on the Pacific is a caldera, while the Caribbean Sea in Puerto Limon.

Aircraft - alongside two international airports in Costa Rica (San Jose, Liberia) is also a lot of local. Network connections wewnętrzynych is very well developed, and almost every tourist attraction is reachable by plane.

The three largest carriers are:

Regional Tray

Sansa Regional

Nature Air

The only railway line connects with the San Jose Heredia. However, it is more tourist attraction than the actual means of transport.

Well-developed, cheap, safe and reliable bus network operating throughout the country. From the capital you can get almost anywhere. The 'Terminal Coca Cola' (Av 1 & 3, Calle 16) you can take courses toward the Pacific. A 'Terminal del Caribe "(Av 2, Calle 7 & 8) towards the coast kraibskiego.

In larger cities there are also affordable urban transport based on buses. Please pay Colonach, or to reckon with the fact that they do not get the rest. There is no ticket fee shall be paid to the driver, getting on. Its height is always given on the windshield.

With an international driving license you can ride around Costa Rica for 3 months. In larger cities, traffic is very pronounced so be careful (peak: 7-9; 16.30-18.30).

Easiest way to rent a car at the airport, there are within reputable rental. In addition, they can be found at every major hotel. Please carefully check whether the car has no damage or defects, because we can be burdened with a basket and then remove them.

The bike is recommended only amateur thrill. Due to traffic, road conditions, lack of bicycle paths and the fact that the cyclist in Costa Rica has no privileges on the road.

Taxi Rojo - red, licensed taxis. It is worth remembering to include the meter, if you do not want to pay by. discretion of the driver. Standard price:

COL 470 - slam the door

COL 405 - kilometer route

Taxi Pirata - private taxis. May be both more expensive and less expensive than red. The problem is more security, certainly not to decide on the Pirate's Taxi odludnuch places, late season.

On the Pacific coast zatokoach run several ferries.

In places frequented by tourists are Internet cafes. Charged within 2-4 USD / hour. Some cafes and restaurants provide wi-fi, the public does not.

No translation.

Information - 113

There is only one mobile operator - ICE (Intitutio Costarricenese de Electridad). Most European phones do not work. There is no pre-paid cards, although the system is to be organized and made available to tourists.

There is an extensive network of public telephone cards.

. You can pick possess a passport. The same applies to packages up to two kilograms. In about. $ 20, you can create a mailbox, the annual fee about U.S. $ 3.5 for maintenance.

Costa Rican Colon CRC

U.S. dollar opens every door. The exchange traveler's checks can be cumbersome for foreign currencies did not even mention. Visa and Mastercard are quite widely accepted, but often in lokaly is only one of them. Alternatively, you can use American Express.

Water Bottle - 400 COL (0.8 USD)

Bread - 1000 COL

1l Milk - 400 COL

Bananas - 360 COL / kg

Papaya - 500 COL / kg

Pineapples - 800 COL / kg

Coffee - 300 - 500 COL

Beer 500COL (shop), 900-1500COL (BAR)

Toothpaste 1000 COL

In each town will be the local market bazaar, where best to buy stocks in coddzienne. In larger cities are networking supermarkets and large markets.

Coffee, wood carvings

400 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 500g tobacco

3l alcohol (for adults)

A reasonable quantity of perfume for personal use.

Prices of dishes on the menu does not provide doliczanego 13% tax on your bill.

The average daily budget of U.S. $ 1935-1940

Practically everywhere you can pay USD, very often prices are even given in U.S. currency. You can replace them at any bank or larger supermarket. Rate is fixed daily by the central bank, so everything is close.

The network is well developed bakomatów. Machines pay out money both in USD and COL.

The most common form of accommodation in Costa Rica. You can find a cross-section. From ekonomiczych, one-star to luxurious 5-star. Everyone will find something for everyone. From 3-star rating in the top'd expect to be air-conditioning, safe, off cable and the hotel's swimming pool. Often, the hotel has its own walking, free Internet access.

Great for visitors to Costa Rica cost. Most have dormitories with low-cost single beds, double and triple. In some national parks you can rent a flat in a similar standard at even lower prices.

You can legally camp on the beaches but it is not safe Posting Posting wise. Some hostels offer a place to pitch a tent and basic conveniences for camping.

Aparthotels - located mainly in and around San Jose. They combine the advantages of hotel service, with the comforts of apartment. Ideal for larger families. Self kitchen allows you to save when it comes to food.

B & B - from cheap rooms with shared bathroom, the chic inn.

Ecolodge - designed for eco-tourism in harmony with nature. Just like hotels can be cheap or luxury. All the place to save electricity, water and detergents.

Cheap accommodation from 1918 to 1925 USD

Costa Rican cuisine is characterized in that almost every dish based on rice and beans. Moreover, often, fresh fruits and vegetables. The meat mostly beef and chicken, although the province puentarenas main ingredient dishes are seafood (crab, shrimp, squid). However, the province of Limon cuisine is based on African cuisine and zachodnioindyjskich. It is the merit of black slaves who worked on farms continue cultivating traditional recipes. Kitchen Guanacaste province is mainly based on corn and it is probably most similar to what they ate, people living in Costa Rica in the pre-Columbian times.

Gallo Pinto (Painted Rooster) - Food-known in all the countries of Central America, always slightly varies from country to country. In Costa Rica, is rice with beans and coriander.

Casado - Costa Rican stew - fried bananas, rice, beans, pieces of meat, fish, etc.

Cebiche - you can only say that the fresh fish, the return is prepared depends 100% on where we come to it.

Sopa de Pejibaye - Pejibaye fruit soup,

Turrialba Cheese

Strawberries Poasito

Bananas - yellow, orange, red, green, big and small.

Pineapples - called the best in the world - terribly cute.

Juice of Cas - a fruit resembling a gooseberry

Green tea

Frescos - 100% juice mixed with sugar and water or milk

Refrescos - as above. Only additionally aerated

On every corner you come across the bar or restaurants run by local families. Prices are subject to the standard but without much effort can be well fed for a small outlay. If somebody interfere with local color, you can easily find a fine restaurant or fast food international. They are also fast-food derived from the same Costa Rica.

Mandatory 10% listed at the end of each account.

Always worth the price compared with that account in the menu, mistakes to the detriment of the client are popular.

Spanish Prices in the menu may be lower than in English.

Costa Rica's biggest tourist attraction are its unspoiled jungles. National Parks of creatures in order to protect them cover up to 27% of the country. Beautiful beaches on both coasts are also worth recommending.

San Jose - a mixture of traditional and modern Spanish arhitektury.

Basilica in Cartago - one of the few monuments in the first capital of Costa Rica, which has not been destroyed by earthquakes.

The oldest church in Costa Rica - in the valley of Orosi

Liberi Center - the best preserved example of colonial architecture in the country.

National Museum

Museum of pre-Colombian gold

Centro Neotrópico Sapapiquí

Countless km scenic trails leading through the jungles of attracting hundreds of tourists. Jungles can also enjoy the boat like. Tortuguero National Park.

For piromanów opportunity to see active volcanoes - Arenal Volcano, currently one of the most active in the world woke up in 1968. The national park was created there, you can admire the landscape of liquid stone - especially impressive at night.

Monteverde Cloud Forest - covering 170km ² forest is permanently covered with a layer of chumr. Incredible diversity of flora and fauna there, those found attracts many tourists. For them also arose; Centrym guests Centrym Butterfly, Orchid Garden terrariums, bird sanctuary, etc.

Introduction to Parks Nardowych tourists usually costs about. $ 10

Best way to spend Easter in San Jose - then the town is deserted, the beaches and streets full of colorful processions go.

April 11 - Juan Santamaria Day - Memorial Day a national hero who devoted life in the Battle of Rivas (11/04/1853) gave Kostarykańczykom victory.

May 1 - Labour Day

June 29 - St.. Peter and Paul

July 25 - the anniversary of joining the Costa Rican province of Guanacaste.

2 August - Feast of Our Lady of the Angels (Virgen de Los Angeles)

August 15 - Mother's Day

15 September - Independence Day

November 2 - All Saints

25 December - Christmas

Virtually all Christian, if any omitted; /

Christmas holidays are often passed on Monday next week. ';..;'

Costa Rica offers a wide variety of entertainment after dark. One of them certainly is legal gambling - all over the country visit the casino.

In addition, all sorts of big clubs, discos and bars provide entertainment at the discretion of each. Events with salsa, tango, or learning traditional dances of Costa Rica. There are many so-called. 'Singles bar';]

Dress for walking in the jungle - a lightweight, but zakrywający largest possible part of the body. The best in colors ztonowanych browns and greens - if you want to observe wildlife. For this necessarily something przeciwdeszczowego.

Mosquito