·         General Information: Introduction; Population; Climate; Geography; Ecology; Government

·         History

·         Culture: About the People; Customs; Clothing; Language; Religion; Public Holidays

·         Travel Information: Currency; Passport/Visa; Luggage and Frequent Flyer Miles; Time Zones; Electricity; Health & Safety; Communications; Diet

The country of Costa Rica spans the width of Central America, from the Caribbean coast on the east to the Pacific on the west. Costa Rica shares its northern border with Nicaragua and its southern border with Panama. In area it is slightly larger than the state of West Virginia. Despite its small size, Costa Rica contains an incredible ecological diversity that is protected by one of the best-developed conservation systems in Latin America.

Since its independence from Spain in September of 1821, Costa Rica has taken advantage of trading agricultural products, primarily coffee and bananas, with the United States and Europe. Over the years it developed a stable economy and democracy. The country abolished its military in 1948 and today Costa Rica has more teachers than policemen. Its development has not come without a cost. The colonists brought diseases that decimated the indigenous of the country, and now only a tiny percentage of the national population is indigena. Costa Rica’s environment has also suffered since independence. Loggers and farmers removed 75 percent of the land’s original forest cover. Unlike other developing countries, Costa Rica acted to conserve much of the remaining forest and so retains rushing rivers, abundant wildlife and a variety of pristine marine, volcanic and rainforest ecosystems.

Population

Costa Rica has a population of about 3.5 million and a 2 percent growth rate. Of the population, 87 percent is of European descent, 7 percent are mestizo, 2 percent are of African descent and only 1 percent is indigenous. About 280,000 "ticos," as Costa Ricans call themselves, live in the capital city San José proper, but that number increases to about 1.7 million when the surrounding area is included.

Climate

Costa Rica exists entirely in the Tropics. It has two well-defined seasons: the wet season, from May to November, and the dry season, from December to April. Rain is always a fact of life in Costa Rica, especially in the rainforest. Moreover, the climate depends upon altitude and the mountain slope. Temperatures vary more with altitude than by season and there are three climatic zones. Mangroves, beaches, characterize the lowland coastal and northern plains and heavy, almost continuous rains on the northern Caribbean coast, temperatures range from 77 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperate central valleys and plateaus, ranging from 3000 to 6000 feet, have regular rains from April through November, and milder temperatures of 59 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Finally the high-altitude cold zone in areas above 6000 feet is less rainy but more windy than the temperate region and temperatures range from 41 to 59 degrees Fahrenheit.

Geography

Costa Rica has a backbone of volcanoes and mountain chains that provide an effective barrier between the Pacific and Caribbean lowlands. The mountains gradually rise from the north until they reach their highest point at the border with Panama. Volcanic activity fractures this mountainous backbone into three regions that form the central highlands. To the south is Cordillera de Talamanca that contains Cerro Chirripó, Costa Rica’s highest peak at 12,454 feet.

Ecology

Costa Rica is home to 5 percent of all the world’s known species. It is home to 12 of Holdridge’s life zones, which classify vegetation based on seasonal temperature and rainfall. Costa Rica’s zones are tropical dry, moist, wet and rainforests with combinations of premontane, lower montane and tropical sub-alpine wet, moist and cloud types. Within this variety of climates live 850 bird species, 350,000 insect species, 10,000 types of vascular plants, 208 mammal species, 220 reptile species, and at least 130 species of freshwater fish. Scientists estimate at least a half a million species of flora and fauna exist in Costa Rica.

Government

The country has been a democracy since 1889.

History

Pre-Hispanic Era

Little remains of Costa Rica’s pre-Colombian culture. Archaeologists expect that people populated the land as far back as 20,000 BC, however the oldest remains date back only 4000 years to 2000 BC. A few archaeological sites and a plethora of jade and gold artifacts attest to the existence of a sophisticated culture in the area. Columbus named the area Costa Rica, meaning "rich coast," because of the gold pendants he saw the indigenous people wearing. Costa Rica had no centralized empire to contest the Spanish when they arrived in 1502. Rather, the indigenous lived in small, scattered groups and practiced shifting crop cultivation. In fact, tropical diseases did as much as the indigenous’ efforts at fighting to defend the land from the colonialists. After a series of attempts, the Spanish eventually gathered enough strength to subdue the population and set up an inland capital at Cartago in 1563.

Colonial Era

As it turned out, the land held little gold and during colonial times Costa Rica became a mostly forgotten outpost of the Spanish empire. Small landowners and independent farmers sprang up in scattered locations across the countryside, unconsciously mimicking the pattern of the prior indigenous settlements. The colony’s isolated, simple life, laid the foundation for the hospitality and spirit of equality that exists in the country’s people today.

After gaining independence from Spain in 1821, and declaring itself independent of the Central American Federation in 1848, Costa Rica began acquiring wealth in the late 1800s by exporting coffee.

Democracy

Before it could become established as a democracy, the country had to fight off the bizarre attack of an American businessman. In 1855 William Walker reached Costa Rica with the aim of taking over Central America. He had recently defeated Nicaragua and had designs to use its people as slaves to build a shipping canal to connect the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans. He had no support for his get-rich-quick schemes from the United States. Costa Rica mustered a militia, fended off Walker’s army at a fort in what is now Santa Rosa National Park, then pursued him into Nicaragua and forced him to flee Central America. Walker, however, did not give up his mission and returned again and again to Central America, until he was finally assassinated in Honduras. Shortly thereafter, Costa Rica held its first official elections in 1889.

During the 20^th century the democratic government remained unbroken except for a brief but brutal civil war that killed 2000 people. After that two-week battle in 1948, the interim president, José Figueres, abolished the army and set up the country’s constitution.

Culture

About the People

Costa Rica is generally a land of courtesy and gentleness. There is a widespread disdain and repulsion to militarism reflected in the nation's pride in the fact that they have no army and have more teachers than policemen. When greeting, women and relatives greet one another with a kiss on the cheek. If unacquainted, women may pat each other on the arm. Men shake hands. It is considered rude not to greet everyone of the same sex in a small group. In rural areas, people greet each other when passing on the street, even if unacquainted. Generally, an acknowledgment of some sort is appropriate.

Costa Ricans are very polite, and the friendly informal tense is hardly ever used except among close friends. When visiting, it is considered polite to give the hostess a gift. Guests usually socialize with their hosts over refreshments for an hour or two before the main meal.

Customs

Common greetings include buenos días, buenas tardes or buenas noches depending on whether it is morning, afternoon or night. Among younger people, the more informal greeting hola is popular, but some may consider it to be disrespectful.

To address someone formally, use titles such as señor and señorita. Use Don and Doña to address an older person with familiarity and respect.

Unlike some Latin American countries, Costa Ricans do not generally drop by someone’s home to visit unannounced unless they are good friends. Costa Ricans are reasonably punctual. If you are an invited guest it is proper to bring a small gift and show up on time.

To be polite, Costa Ricans sometimes invite a visitor to come and stay but do not expect them to accept the invitation or to show up. To counter this, many locals will decline an invitation initially in order to determine if it is sincere.

Clothing

Costa Ricans generally dress conservatively. Shorts are usually not worn in cities, however, in the more touristed areas, especially the beaches, shorts are acceptable. Western dress is common in most of the country. Traditional dress is usually reserved for tourist shows.

Language

Spanish is the official language of the country. English is widely spoken.

Religion

The Roman Catholic Church was the nation’s official church until the 1980s, when the government decreed it undemocratic to support any particular religion. Today 95 percent of the population is Roman Catholic.

Public Holidays

January 1: New Year’s Day

April 11: Anniversary of the Battle of Rivas

May 1: Labor Day

July 25: Annexation of Guanacaste

September 15: Independence Day

October 12: Columbus Day

December 1: Abolition of Armed Forces Day

December 25: Christmas Day

Most shops and businesses are closed in San José during Easter week and the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Travel Information

Currency

The monetary unit is the colón. You can exchange dollars for colones at any bank, the airport, or at most hotels. We recommend that you change your money in San José. Local banks generally give the best exchange rate, but usually are not convenient since they often close at 3 p.m. The majority of hotels and businesses will accept US dollars and major credit cards, such as VISA, Master Card and American Express. VISA is the most widely accepted card. If you pay with U.S. dollars, you will receive colones as change. Traveler’s checks are accepted in San José only at banks and are not as useful in the rest of the country. Small-denomination U.S. bills are useful for tips and small purchases you may want to make along the way.

Currency Converters:
http://www.xe.net/ucc/
http://www.oanda.com/convert/classic

Passport/Visa

U.S. and Canadian citizens need valid passports to enter Costa Rica but they do not need visas. Please do not pack your passport and ticket in your luggage, make sure they are accessible at all times. Bring a photocopy of the photo page of your passport to carry with you in country.

Luggage and Frequent Flyer Miles

Passengers are limited to two checked bags weighing no more than 70 pounds each and one carry-on bag. You should pack film, valuables and any items you will need in transit in your carry-on bag.

It is possible to get frequent flyer miles when you purchase your ticket for the tour. Ask your travel consultant.

Time Zones

Costa Rica is six hours behind GMT, which means it is equivalent to Central Standard Time in North America.

Electricity

The electricity system is 110 volts, 60 cycle AC power.

Health & Safety

Costa Rica’s medical service is considered among the best in Central America. It has a public hospital system with health services in all major cities. Most small towns have clinics. There are also private clinics for those not covered by the country’s social security system.

You should be aware that your program involves some moderate-level physical activities including walking and hiking possibly over uneven, rocky terrain.

Even when no inoculations are required, it is a good idea to consult your physician for optional inoculations. To contact the CDC directly, you may visit their website (http://www.cdc.gov/travel/destinat.htm) or you may call the toll free number 888-232-3228 for more information. The CDC

Tips for Staying Healthy

·         Drink bottled water or carbonated bottled drinks. Avoid tap water, fountain drinks and ice cubes.

·         Avoid raw fruits and vegetables unless you peel them yourself. Remember: cook it, peel it or forget it.

·         Wear lightweight, long-sleeved shirts and pants from dusk through dawn.

·         If you are ill upon returning home, make sure to inform your doctor of where you have traveled.

·         Wash your hands often with soap and water.

Communications

Phones

International phone service is available in Costa Rica but it is not cheap. Dial 116 on any public phone for an English-speaking operator. It is most efficient to pay for the call with a calling card. You can have a hotel operator place the call for you for an extra charge and you can call collect to the United States. Local calls have seven digit numbers and you can reach anywhere in the country from a public phone.

Mail

Hotels often provide stamps for letters and post cards, otherwise purchase them at the town’s main post office. The cost to airmail letters to the United States is about 30 cents U.S.

Email

Internet service is spotty in Costa Rica. Some hotels do offer internet jacks if you are carrying a laptop. If you don’t have a web-based email account (e.g. yahoo or hotmail), you can access your server through the web by logging on to www.mailstart.com with your full email address and password.

Diet

Costa Rican food is tasty. Rice, beans, bread, tortillas and fruit make up a large part of the Costa Rican diet. A typical breakfast dish is "gallo pinto," a mixture of black beans and rice. Green or ripe plantains, either boiled or fried, are a staple food. Empanadas, chicken with rice, and gallos -- tortillas filled with meat and vegetables -- are all common dishes. In many areas the traveler can find restaurants which specialize in brick-oven pizzas made to order -- a favorite with tourists and locals alike. The national Costa Rican beer is Imperial and there are many types of rum manufactured locally. Of course, Costa Ricans drink a lot of coffee, which is one of the country’s major crops. If you want a tasty souvenir, you can buy whole beans by the pound at a market at a much cheaper rate than the pre-packaged beans found in grocery stores or at the airport.

Packing List

·         T-shirts and one long-sleeved shirt: for sun and mosquito protection.

·         Shorts: for the field and in towns.

·         Pants: (lightweight cotton) useful in the field, the evenings and for protection against mosquitos.

·         Sweater/sweatshirt/waterproof, lightweight jacket: useful in the cool mornings and in the mountains.

·         Underwear

·         Bathing Suit

·         Socks: bring extra pairs for the field including a pair of knee-highs.

·         Shoes: a pair for hiking and an extra pair for walking in town.

·         Sandals: for town or around the lodge.

·         Hat or sun visor

·         A lightweight rain jacket or poncho

·         Binoculars: expensive ones are not necessary. Bring lens cleaner.

·         Flashlight

·         A pocket calculator: to assist with currency exchange.

·         A small backpack: for day walks.

·         Photocopies of all documentation/passport/tickets

·         Prescription drugs and a copy of the prescription

In addition to your toiletries it is useful to pack a small medical kit which you can easily prepare. Helpful items include a pocketknife, cigarette lighter, Band-Aids, mosquito repellent, antihistamine (such as Benadryl), a pain-reliever, individually-wrapped moist towelettes, anti-diarrhea medicine, anti-fungal cream, an extra pair of disposable contact lenses or eye-glasses if you wear them, and a small sewing kit.

Book List

These carefully selected reading lists will help provide you with a firm background understanding for each destination or topic. We have done our best to select books that are still in print and easy to find. For your convenience, Holbrook has teamed with Amazon.com so that you may buy any book listed online.

Costa Rica: Ecotravellers Wildlife Guide
Les Beletsky (Paperback - September 1998). An overview of the species you will most likely see.

The Costa Ricans
Richard, Karen, & Mavis Biesanz, 1988. An excellent social history.

In the Forest: Report From a Strange, Beautiful, Imperiled World
Catherine Caufield, 1991. An outstanding, objective examination of what is happening to tropical rainforests and their aboriginal populations. Noted journalist, Caufield, explores the destruction of rainforests in the Amazon, Central America and Papua New Guinea and searches for explanations.

Insight Guides: Costa Rica
Harvey Harver, Houghton Mifflin, ed. 1993.

The team of writers weave an insightful text with outstanding color photographs. There is a vast amount of information on the history and culture followed by a guided tour of all the major areas, including the national parks and special attractions.

A Brief History of Central America
Hector Perez-Brignoli, University of California Press. 1989

Perez-Brignoli is a history professor at the University of Costa Rica. He has written an excellent overview of the history of Central America that is bound to create better understanding of the current issues of the region.

When New Flowers Bloomed
Enrique Jaramillo, ed.

Collection of stories by women writers from Costa Rica and Panama.

Costa Rican Natural History
ed. Daniel Janzen. University of Chicago Press, 1983

For the serious student of natural history, this is an indispensable guide, edited by the leading expert. Clearly written accounts from 174 contributors on the natural history of plants, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, birds, insects, and agricultural crops.

Costa Rica’s National Parks and Preserves: A Visitor’s Guide
Joseph Franke. The Mountaineers, 1993

A first-rate source for the Costa Rican park system. Profiles 40 parks and preserves and their distinct tropical habitats. Franke provides regional history as well as tips on what to pack.

A Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica
Gary Stiles and Alexander Skutch. Cornell University Press, 1989

Illustrated descriptions of the major habitats, 52 color plates, maps, help you enjoy and identify more than 850 species of birds in Costa Rica.

How to Photograph Birds
Larry West and Julie Ridl, 1993.

Larry West's bird photography workshops in one neat package. Basic information on cameras, lenses, film, exposure, light and flash, and the secrets of finding birds, of approaching them, and photographing them in flight.

The Butterflies of Costa Rica and their Natural History And Vol II
Phillip DeVries. Princeton University Press, 1987

This Guide presents the biology and natural history of almost 550 species of butterflies, many of which a traveler is likely to see. An illustrated section helps you to understand and identify the butterflies you will see.

Neotropical Rainforest Mammals : A Field Guide
Louise Emmons, 1997 (Hard Cover)

A complete guide to the mammals of the rainforests with color and b&w plates, maps of habitats, clearly written descriptions, appendices, and a glossary of technical terms.