Welcome to Costa Rica
Costa Rica, long the Mecca for adventurers and retirees is fast becoming a destination of choice for travelers around the world. Roughly the size of West Virginia, Costa Rica is bordered on the north by Nicaragua, on the South by Panama, with the Caribbean on the east and the Pacific on the west. Assuming he had found a nation rich in gold, explorer Christopher Columbus gave Costa Rica its name “ Rich Coast”. The designation came not because of the rich fertile soils and landscape but instead for the gold jewelry worn by the Native population. The gold was not prevalent but the beauty of the rainforest and lush countryside keeps the name relevant even today.
 Costa Rica is comprised of seven provinces: San José, Heredia, Guanacaste, Limon, Cartago, Alajuela, and Puntarenas, and 5 geographical areas: Northern, Central and the Southern Pacific, Central Valley and the Caribbean Coast. The majority of expatriates settle in and around San Jose and the Central Valley. The housing is affordable, malls and shopping close, great schools and clinics are all just minutes away.
The Caribbean Coast has the wettest climate in the nation. Considered by many Tico’s as lawless and dangerous, the residents and business owners banded together and cleaned up their community. Now with renovated police services, and improved security, the Caribbean coast has a character all its own, with fabulous beaches, delectable cuisine, and a noticeable decrease in crime.
 For visitors and residents who love the sounds and sights of the ocean, the Pacific Coast is the place to be. Guanacaste and the Northern Pacific beaches are growing fast with vacation homes, luxury resorts and exclusive housing developments. Guanacaste has the sunniest and driest climate in the nation, and with the opening of the Daniel Oduber airport in Liberia it has become easily accessible for the weekend vacationer as well as the seasoned traveler.
Costa Rica has something for everyone. Winning their independence from Spain in 1821, it has the longest lasting Democracy in Latin America. The republic is governed by three branches, Executive, Judicial and Legislative. The President is elected every four years and the local municipalities all have representatives in the legislature. Costa Rica’s army was abolished in 1949. The Police Force assumes the duties that may normally fall under the duties of the military including Coast Guard, Presidential Guard, municipal and traffic police.
There are two main seasons, wet and dry. Where temperature is more controlled by the altitude, the coast has a more tropical humid climate while the mountains enjoy more subtropical weather with cooler temperatures. Generally April through November is the wet season, and December through March the dry.
The Caribbean and Pacific coasts are separated by four small mountain ranges. With many peaks and fertile valleys, there are over 100 volcanic cones, seven of which are active forming the Pacific rim of fire. Four of the active volcanoes; Poas, Irazu, Barva and Turrialba create a picturesque background for the capital city of San Jose.
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| Four million people live in the capital city of San Jose. Most of the population of the country resides in San Jose and the surrounding towns of Cartago, Alajuela, and Heredia. The Costa Rican people or “Tico’s”, are a peaceful population. Known for their kindness to foreigners, compassion and peaceful nature truly embrace their country’s motto of “Pura Vida”. |
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