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Updated live from Wikipedia, last check: May 31, 2012 16:38 UTC (39 seconds ago)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For cities in other countries, see Costa Rica, Sinaloa and Costa Rica, Mato Grosso do Sul.
For the plant genus Costarica, see its synonym Sicyos.
República de Costa Rica  (Spanish)
Flag Coat of arms
Anthem: 
Noble patria, tu hermosa bandera  (Spanish)
"Noble homeland, your beautiful flag"
Capital
(and largest city)		 San José
9°55′N 84°4′W / 9.917°N 84.067°W / 9.917; -84.067
Official language(s) Spanish
Recognised regional languages Mekatelyu
Ethnic groups  80% Caucasian
15% Mestizo
3% Black
1% Amerindian
1% Chinese
Demonym Costa Rican; Tico
Government Constitutional democracy
(Presidential republic)
 -  President Óscar Arias
 -  President-Elect Laura Chinchilla
Independence from Spain (via Guatemala) 
 -  Declared September 15, 1821 
 -  Recognized by Spain May 10, 1850 
 -  from the UPCA 1838 
Area
 -  Total 51,100 km2 (128th)
19,652 sq mi 
 -  Water (%) 0.7
Population
 -  May 2009 estimate 4,509,290 (119th)
 -  Density 85/km2 (107th)
220/sq mi
GDP (PPP) 2008 estimate
 -  Total $48.663 billion[1] 
 -  Per capita $10,735[1] 
GDP (nominal) 2008 estimate
 -  Total $29.664 billion[1] 
 -  Per capita $6,543[1] 
Gini (2001) 49.9 (high) 
HDI (2007) ▲ 0.854 (high) (54th)
Currency Costa Rican colón (CRC)
Time zone (UTC-6)
Drives on the right
Internet TLD .cr
Calling code +506
.Costa Rica, officially the Republic of Costa Rica (Spanish: Costa Rica or República de Costa Rica, pronounced [reˈpuβlika ðe ˈkosta ˈrika]) is a country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the east and south, the Pacific Ocean to the west and south and the Caribbean Sea to the east.^ Hot Gecko Sex in SW Costa Rica (TREC 99) In 2005, we went north along the coastal highway to reach San Jose.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ A remarkable QUICKTIME MOVIE of an American Crocodile ( Crocodylus acutus ) along the banks of the Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica near the Pacific coast.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ In New Orleans, we visited the Aquarium of the Americas on our way to Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
.Costa Rica, which translates literally as "Rich Coast", constitutionally abolished its army permanently in 1949.[2][3][4] It is the only Latin American country included in the list of the world’s 22 older democracies.^ Chiquita--All of the bananas leave Costa Rica from Limon on the Caribbean Coast .
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ More frogs from the Manzanillo region can be seen HERE (TREC 02) showing a potpourri of creatures, including frogs, from SE Costa Rica, Almonds and Corals.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ A freshwater American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus), 2 m long, Sierpe River, SW Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 [5] Costa Rica has consistently been among the top Latin American countries in terms of the Human Development Index, and ranked 54th in the world in 2007.[6] The country is ranked 3rd in the world, and 1st among the Americas, in terms of the 2010 Environmental Performance Index.[7]
.In 2007 the Costa Rican government announced plans for Costa Rica to become the first carbon neutral country by 2021.[8][9][10] According to the New Economics Foundation, Costa Rica ranks first in the Happy Planet Index and is the "greenest" country in the world.^ Chico shows the the secret of happiness with the Costa Rica stone spheres , Natural Museum of Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ (TREC 99) Chico shows the the secret of happiness with the Costa Rica stone spheres , Natural Museum of Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Summer 2007 ) Here are some of the birds I photographed on a spring 2007 trip to Costa Rica to Arenal and Monteverde ( Spring 2007 ).
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 [11]

Contents

History

Main article: History of Costa Rica
In pre-Columbian times the indigenous people were part of the international Intermediate Area located between the Mesoamerican and Andean cultural regions. This has recently been updated to include the influence of the Isthmo-Colombian area. It was the point where the Mesoamerican and South American native cultures met.
A pre-Columbian incense burner with a crocodile lid (500 – 1350 AD), from Costa Rica.
The northwest of the country, the Nicoya Peninsula, was the southernmost point of Nahuatl cultural influence when the Spanish conquerors (conquistadores) came in the sixteenth century. The central and southern portions of the country had Chibcha influences. .However, the indigenous people have influenced modern Costa Rican culture to a relatively small degree, as most of these died from diseases such as smallpox[12] and mistreatment by the Spaniards.^ (TREC 99) The Corcovado Understory (TREC 00) Many small Costa Rican towns have a central square surrounded by churches, schools, and homes.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ (TREC 99) Most of the Costa Rican Plantations are multipurpose facilities.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Local Costa Ricans often use dugouts with small engines on the back when traveling in the Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
.The first European to reach what is now Costa Rica was Christopher Columbus in 1502.[13] During Spanish Colonial times, the largest city in Central America was Guatemala City.^ Hot Gecko Sex in SW Costa Rica (TREC 99) In 2005, we went north along the coastal highway to reach San Jose.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ A ctenosaur, NW Costa Rica, Dry Forest , Ctenosaurus similis Another juvenile Ctenosaur (Ctenosaurus similis), this time a Greenie on a Rock While the adults are dark colored, the juveniles are green.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Costa Rica can have as many as 800 species of resident and migratory birds present during certain times of the year.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 .Costa Rica's distance from this hub led to difficulty in establishing trade routes and was one of the reasons that Costa Ricans developed in relative isolation and with little oversight from the Spanish Monarchy ("The Crown").^ Local Costa Ricans often use dugouts with small engines on the back when traveling in the Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ One of the most spectacular estuaries in SW Costa Rica can be found along the Sierpe River.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ A Male Ringed Kingfisher ( Ceryle torquata ) perches on one of the many canals in the Tortuguero region of NE Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 While this isolation allowed the colony to develop free of intervention by The Crown, it also contributed to its failure to share in the prosperity of the Colonies.[14] Costa Rica was described as "the poorest and most miserable Spanish colony in all Americas" by a Spanish governor in 1719.[15]
.A factor to this poverty was the lack of indigenous people used as forced labor.^ (TREC 01) Chad admires the gourd type that is frequently used by indigenous peoples to make artistic containers .
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 .While many Spaniards in the other colonies had tribal members working on their land, most of the Costa Rican settlers had to work on their own land themselves.^ (TREC 99) The Corcovado Understory (TREC 00) Many small Costa Rican towns have a central square surrounded by churches, schools, and homes.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ (TREC 99) Most of the Costa Rican Plantations are multipurpose facilities.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 For all these reasons Costa Rica was by and large unappreciated and overlooked by the Crown and left to develop on its own. .It is believed that the circumstances during this period led to the formation of many of the idiosyncrasies that Costa Rica has become known for, while at the same time setting the stage for Costa Rica's development as a more egalitarian society than the rest of its neighbors.^ A ctenosaur, NW Costa Rica, Dry Forest , Ctenosaurus similis Another juvenile Ctenosaur (Ctenosaurus similis), this time a Greenie on a Rock While the adults are dark colored, the juveniles are green.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Costa Rica can have as many as 800 species of resident and migratory birds present during certain times of the year.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ (TREC 99) We stopped and ate at many fine restaurants in towns across Costa Rica .This was after our hike to Arenal.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 Costa Rica became a "rural democracy" with no oppressed mestizo or indigenous class. It was not long before Spanish settlers turned to the hills, where they found rich volcanic soil and a climate that was milder than that of the lowlands.[16]
.Costa Rica joined other Central American provinces in 1821 in a joint declaration of independence from Spain.^ A remarkable QUICKTIME MOVIE of an American Crocodile ( Crocodylus acutus ) along the banks of the Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica near the Pacific coast.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Use "Pop-Ups" below to select other Costa Rica 2003 Slideshows and Videos!
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ A remarkable QUICKTIME MOVIE of an American Crocodile ( Crocodylus acutus )along the banks of the Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica near the Pacific coast.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 .After a brief time in the Mexican Empire of Agustín de Iturbide Costa Rica became a state in the Federal Republic of Central America from 1823 to 1839. In 1824 the capital was moved to San José, but violence briefly ensued through an intense rivalry with Cartago.^ Hot Gecko Sex in SW Costa Rica (TREC 99) In 2005, we went north along the coastal highway to reach San Jose.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ A ctenosaur, NW Costa Rica, Dry Forest , Ctenosaurus similis Another juvenile Ctenosaur (Ctenosaurus similis), this time a Greenie on a Rock While the adults are dark colored, the juveniles are green.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Costa Rica can have as many as 800 species of resident and migratory birds present during certain times of the year.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 Although the newly independent provinces formed a Federation, border disputes broke out among them, adding to the region's turbulent history and conditions.
The 1848 national coat of arms was featured in the first postal stamp issued in 1863.
.Costa Rica's membership in the newly formed Federal Republic of Central America, free of Spanish rule, was short lived; in 1838, long after the Central American Federation ceased to function in practice, Costa Rica formally withdrew and proclaimed itself sovereign.^ Here, a Long-tailed Hermit ( Phaethornis superciliosus ) hummingbird catches insects on an outdoor wall at Almonds and Corals in SE Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ A remarkable QUICKTIME MOVIE of an American Crocodile ( Crocodylus acutus ) along the banks of the Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica near the Pacific coast.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ In New Orleans, we visited the Aquarium of the Americas on our way to Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 .The distance from Guatemala City to the Central Valley of Costa Rica, where most of the population lived and still lives, was great.^ One of the most spectacular estuaries in SW Costa Rica can be found along the Sierpe River.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ In the Distance is a Lake Probably formed by an Extinct Volcano ('95) In the rugged volcano country of NW Costa Rica, spectacular waterfalls are common.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Corcovado National Park is one of the most fascinating natural areas remaining in Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 The local population had little allegiance to the government in Guatemala City, in part because of the history of isolation during Colonial times. .Costa Rica's disinterest in participating as a province in a greater Central American government was one of the deciding factors in the break-up of the fledgling federation into independent states, which still exist today.^ A freshwater American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus), 2 m long, Sierpe River, SW Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ A Male Ringed Kingfisher ( Ceryle torquata ) perches on one of the many canals in the Tortuguero region of NE Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Corcovado National Park is one of the most fascinating natural areas remaining in Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 However, all of the Central American nations still celebrate September 15 as their independence day, which pertains to the independence of Central America from Spain.
.Most Afro-Costa Ricans, who constitute about 3% of the country's population, descend from Jamaican immigrants who arrived during the 1880s to work in the construction of railways connecting the urban populations of the Central Plateau to the port of Limón on the Caribbean coast.^ Check out these slides from a "Bog" habitat and, just about 300 meters higher, Costa Rican "Paramo."
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Chiquita--All of the bananas leave Costa Rica from Limon on the Caribbean Coast .
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ These two Howlers (Alouatta palliata) were separated from their troop for most of the day along the SE Caribbean coast.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 [17] United States convicts and Chinese immigrants also participated in the construction project, conducted by U.S. businessman Minor C. Keith. .In exchange for completing the railroad, the Costa Rican government granted Keith large tracts of land and a lease on the train route, which he used to produce bananas and export them to the United States.^ Note the link to the United States, (TREC 98) This worker in the fields is trimming the banana plants with his machete.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Local Costa Ricans often use dugouts with small engines on the back when traveling in the Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Human Land Use--Banana Plantations & More .
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 .As a result, bananas came to rival coffee as the principal Costa Rican export, while foreign-owned corporations (including the United Fruit Company) began to hold a major role in the national economy.^ The United Fruit Company dominated the banana plantations in the early 1900s.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Life is good!'97) Costa Rican Coffee (Coffea arabica) is world renown and grows quite well in Costa Rica's highlands.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

20th century

.Historically, Costa Rica has generally enjoyed greater peace and more consistent political stability compared with many of its fellow Latin American nations.^ A remarkable QUICKTIME MOVIE of an American Crocodile ( Crocodylus acutus ) along the banks of the Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica near the Pacific coast.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Costa Rica can have as many as 800 species of resident and migratory birds present during certain times of the year.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ (TREC 99) We stopped and ate at many fine restaurants in towns across Costa Rica .This was after our hike to Arenal.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 .Since the late nineteenth century, however, Costa Rica has experienced two significant periods of violence.^ Visit two wonderful Costa Rica web sites.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Summer 2007 ) Cruising the Tortuguero Canals in NE Costa Rica, we frequently run into Two-toed sloths ( Choloepus hoffmanni ).
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ After teaching in Costa Rica for ten years, we finally came across two Terciopelos in one year!
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 In 1917–19, Federico Tinoco Granados ruled as a dictator until he was overthrown and forced into exile. Again in 1948, José Figueres Ferrer led an armed uprising in the wake of a disputed presidential election. .With more than 2,000 dead, the resulting 44-day Costa Rican Civil War was the bloodiest event in Costa Rica during the twentieth-century.^ Local Costa Ricans often use dugouts with small engines on the back when traveling in the Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Costa Rica can have as many as 800 species of resident and migratory birds present during certain times of the year.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ More frogs from the Manzanillo region can be seen HERE (TREC 02) showing a potpourri of creatures, including frogs, from SE Costa Rica, Almonds and Corals.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
Afterwards, the new, victorious government junta, led by the opposition, abolished the military and oversaw the drafting of a new constitution by a democratically elected assembly. Having enacted these reforms, the regime finally relinquished its power on November 8, 1949, to the new democratic government. .After the coup d'état, Figueres became a national hero, winning the country's first democratic election under the new constitution in 1953. Since then, Costa Rica has held 13 presidential elections, the latest being in 2010. All of them have been widely regarded by the international community as peaceful, transparent, and relatively smooth transitions.^ The wide flanged buttress mangroves are Pellicera rhizophorae, a mangrove endemic to Costa Rica and Panama.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ In New Orleans, we visited the Aquarium of the Americas on our way to Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ The TREC 98 Class (Melissa, Tara and Susan) takes their first walk in the Banana Plantation, SW Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

Geography

Main article: Geography of Costa Rica
See also: List of volcanoes in Costa Rica, Islands of Costa Rica, and Category:Waterfalls of Costa Rica
Chatham beach at Isla del Coco.
.Costa Rica is located on the Central American isthmus, 10° North of the equator and 84° West of the Prime Meridian.^ Hot Gecko Sex in SW Costa Rica (TREC 99) In 2005, we went north along the coastal highway to reach San Jose.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ A remarkable QUICKTIME MOVIE of an American Crocodile ( Crocodylus acutus ) along the banks of the Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica near the Pacific coast.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ A freshwater American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus), 2 m long, Sierpe River, SW Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 .It borders the Caribbean Sea (to the east) and the North Pacific Ocean (to the west), with a total of 1,290 kilometres (800 mi) of coastline, 212 km (132 mi) on the Caribbean coast and 1,016 km (631 mi) on the Pacific.^ SE Costa Rica near the Panama Border along the Caribbean coast ( TREC 06 ) NOTE: Just "Click" on the IMAGE to view the largest photo!
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ (TREC 99) A spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean (looking west) from Corcovado.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ A picture that begins to adequately demonstrate the extremely rough seas at the mouth of the Sierpe River as it enters the Pacific Ocean.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
Costa Rica also borders Nicaragua to the north (309 km or 192 mi of border) and Panama to the south-southeast (639 km or 397 mi of border). .In total, Costa Rica comprises 51,100 square kilometres (19,700 sq mi) plus 589 square kilometres (227 sq mi) of territorial waters.^ The bill seems straighter to me than found in my Birds of Costa Rica field guide, Plate 28.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Here, you will find a vast array of tropical ecosystem images, photos, and movies taken while teaching my Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica course.
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 ^ Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica My Best Pictures and Movies from Costa Rica .
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The highest point in the country is Cerro Chirripó, at 3,819 metres (12,530 ft), and is the fifth highest peak in Central America. The highest volcano in the country is the Irazú Volcano (3,431 m or 11,257 ft). .The largest lake in Costa Rica is Lake Arenal.^ (TREC 99) We stopped and ate at many fine restaurants in towns across Costa Rica .This was after our hike to Arenal.
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 ^ Earth Expeditions 06 ) NOTE: Just "Click" on the IMAGE to view the largest photo Here are the birds of note we saw in the Arenal Volcano region from the Earth Expeditions 2006 Costa Rica course.
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 ^ Summer 2007 ) Here are some of the birds I photographed on a spring 2007 trip to Costa Rica to Arenal and Monteverde ( Spring 2007 ).
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.Costa Rica also comprises several islands.^ For the last several years, we stayed in the Hotel Amarillo in Palmar Sur in SW Costa Rica.
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 ^ Near Gandoca in extreme SW Costa Rica, we spotted several Northern Jacanas ( Jacana spinosa ) in the fields adjacent to the road in a variety of poses.
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 ^ TREC 03 ) This impressive Common Black Hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus) lived on Cano Island in SW Costa Rica.
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 Cocos Island (24 square kilometres / 9.3 square miles) stands out because of its distance from continental landmass, 300 mi (480 km) from Puntarenas, but Calero Island is the largest island of the country (151.6 square kilometres / 58.5 square miles). .Costa Rica protects 23% of its national territory within the Protected Areas system.^ (TREC 01) A close-up of the protective eye membrane pattern of a gaudy tree frog from the lowland Carribean rainforests at Almonds and Corals, Costa Rica.
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 ^ TREC 04 ) A spectacular male Scarlet-rumped Tanager ( Ramphocelus passerinii ) near the Sierpe River System in SW Costa Rica.
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 ^ Clay-colored robins ( Turdus grayi ) are the national bird of Costa Rica.
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 It also possesses the greatest density of species in the world.[18] .Costa Rica is also a great place to vacation.^ Summer 2007 ) A beautiful Roadside Hawk ( Buteo magnirostris ) found alongside the road of all places near the Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica.
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Climate

.Because Costa Rica is located between nine to ten degrees north of the Equator, the climate is tropical year round.^ Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica has been taught for the last 18 years.
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 ^ For the last several years, we stayed in the Hotel Amarillo in Palmar Sur in SW Costa Rica.
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 ^ Costa Rica can have as many as 800 species of resident and migratory birds present during certain times of the year.
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 However, the country has many microclimates depending on elevation, rainfall, topography, and by the geography of each particular region.[citation needed]
.Costa Rica's seasons are defined by how much it rains during a particular period and not to the four seasons in the Northern Hemisphere.^ Costa Rica can have as many as 800 species of resident and migratory birds present during certain times of the year.
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 ^ In Tortuguero along the NE Costa Rica coast, I hoped to find male and female Northern Jacanas Jacana spinosa ) along with their chicks.
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 ^ The entire landscape of Costa Rica has been shaped by plate tectonics and much of the overall ecologic diversity of the country is due to highly variable geography.
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 .The year can be split into two periods, the dry season known to the residents as summer, and the rainy season, known locally as winter.^ NOTE: Note: This species was recently split into two,one inCentralAmerica & one in South America.
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 ^ Summer 2007 ) Cruising the Tortuguero Canals in NE Costa Rica, we frequently run into Two-toed sloths ( Choloepus hoffmanni ).
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 The "summer" or dry season goes from December to April, and "winter" or rainy season goes from May to November, which almost coincides with the Atlantic hurricane season, and during this time it rains constantly in some regions.[citation needed]
The location that receives the most rain is the Caribbean slopes of the Central Cordillera mountains, with an annual rainfall of over 5,000 mm (196.85 in). Humidity is also higher on the Caribbean side than on the Pacific side. The mean annual temperature on the coastal lowlands is around 80 °F (27 °C), 69 °F (21 °C) in the main populated areas of the Central Cordilera, and below 50 °F (10 °C) on the summits of the highest mountains.[citation needed]

Government

Main article: Politics of Costa Rica
See also: Military of Costa Rica
Óscar Arias, Nobel Peace Prize winner and President of Costa Rica (1986–1990, 2006–2010).
.Costa Rica is a democratic republic with a strong constitution.^ (TREC 98) These bananas are the product of the hard work of workers of democratic Costa Rica.
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 .The country has had at least 59 years of uninterrupted democracy, making it one of the most stable countries in the region, and the only Latin American country included in the list of the world’s 22 older democracies since at least 1950.[5] Costa Rica has been able to avoid the widespread violence that has plagued most of Latin America.^ For the last several years, we stayed in the Hotel Amarillo in Palmar Sur in SW Costa Rica.
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 ^ Costa Rica can have as many as 800 species of resident and migratory birds present during certain times of the year.
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 ^ Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica has been taught for the last 18 years.
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.Costa Rica is a republic with three powers: executive responsibilities are vested in a president, legislative power is vested on the Legislative Assembly, and Judicial power is vested on the Supreme Court.^ We encountered this beautiful three-toed sloth ( Bradypus variegatus ) in the mangroves along the Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica!
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 ^ A three-toed sloth ( Bradypus variegatus ) in the mangroves along the Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica.
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 ^ This Three-toed Sloth, with Moths in tow, was found in the early evening along the SE Costa Rica Caribbean coast.
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 There are two vice presidents as well as a cabinet designated by the president. The president, vice presidents, and 57 Legislative Assembly delegates are elected for four-year terms. A constitutional amendment approved in 1969 limited presidents and delegates to one term, although delegates were allowed to run again for an Assembly seat after sitting out a term.
The Supreme Electoral Body, the Office of the Comptroller General, the Office of the Procurator General of the Republic and the Office of the Ombudsman also enjoy a lot of independence.
.The Supreme Court is divided into four chambers, one dealing with Constitutional Law, one dealing with Criminal Law and two dealing with Civil Law, Merchant Law and the like.^ NOTE: Note: This species was recently split into two,one inCentralAmerica & one in South America.
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In April 2003, the constitutional amendment ban on presidential re-election was reversed, allowing Óscar Arias (Nobel Peace Prize laureate, 1987) to run for president for a second term. In 2006, Óscar Arias was elected in a tight and highly contested election, running on a platform of promoting free trade. He took office on May 8, 2006. He will be succeeded by Laura Chinchilla who won the February 7, 2010 election. She is also from the National Liberation Party and is the first woman to be elected president of the country.
In 2009, the state monopoly on insurance and telecommunications were opened to private-sector competition. .Certain other state agencies enjoy considerable operational independence and autonomy; they include the electrical power, the nationalized commercial banks (which are open to competition from private banks), and the social security agency, all of which have played an important role in the development of the Costa Rican high-indexed quality of life.^ This year, we saw all four Costa Rican Primate species--Howler, Spider, Squirrel, and White-face Capuchins.
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 ^ At La Sirena in Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica, we spotted a flock of Mealy Parrots ( Amazona farinosa ) high in the canopy above us.
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 ^ Life is good!'97) Costa Rican Coffee (Coffea arabica) is world renown and grows quite well in Costa Rica's highlands.
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Costa Rica has no military by constitution.

Provinces, cantons, and districts

Provinces of Costa Rica.
Main articles: Provinces of Costa Rica, Cantons of Costa Rica, and Districts of Costa Rica
Costa Rica is composed of seven provinces, which in turn are divided into 81 cantons ("cantón" in Spanish, plural "cantones"), each of which is directed by a mayor. Mayors are chosen democratically every four years by each canton's people. There are no provincial legislatures. The cantons are further divided into districts (distritos). The provinces are:
  1. Alajuela
  2. Cartago
  3. Guanacaste
  4. Heredia
  5. Limón
  6. Puntarenas
  7. San José

Economy

Intel microprocessor facility in Costa Rica is responsible for 20% of Costa Rican exports and 4.9% of the country's GDP.
A coffee plantation in the Orosi Valley.
Main articles: Economy of Costa Rica and Tourism in Costa Rica
.According to the World Bank, Costa Rica's GDP per capita is US$11,240 PPP (as of 2008); however, this developing country still faces the fourth highest inflation rate in Latin America, lack of maintenance and new investment in infrastructure, a poverty rate estimated to be 16% to 24%,[19][20] a 5.6% unemployment rate (2008 est.^ Our Costa Rica hosts, Aurora and Marco , had us over to dinner on our last night in San Jose, Costa Rica.
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 ^ A fantastic juvenile Little Blue Heron ( Egretta caerulea ) along the banks of the Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica.
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 ^ A Yellow-headed Caracara ( Milvago chimachima ), Family Falconidae, sideview along the banks of the beautiful Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica.
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 ),[19], and a trade deficit of 5.2%. For the fiscal year 2007, the country showed a government surplus. Economic growth in 2008 diminished to a 3% increase in the face of a global recession (down from 7% and 9% growth in the prior 2 years).[19][21]
.Costa Rica's inflation rate was an estimated 9.3% in 2007 and increased to 13.9% in 2008, Latin America's 4th highest inflation rate for both years.^ For the last several years, we stayed in the Hotel Amarillo in Palmar Sur in SW Costa Rica.
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 ^ Costa Rica can have as many as 800 species of resident and migratory birds present during certain times of the year.
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 ^ In New Orleans, we visited the Aquarium of the Americas on our way to Costa Rica.
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 [19] On October 16, 2006, a new currency exchange system was introduced, allowing the value of the CRC colón to float between two bands as done previously by Chile. The idea is that by doing so the Central Bank will be able to better tackle inflation and discourage the use of U.S. dollars. But, as of August 2009, the value of the colón against the dollar has decreased to 86% of its late-2006 value (see commonly available forex trading charts). The unit of currency is the colón, which trades around 575[22] to the U.S. dollar; currently about 710 to the euro.
The central government offers tax exemptions for those who are willing to invest in the country. Several global high tech corporations have already started developing in the area exporting goods including chip manufacturer Intel, pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline, and consumer products company Procter & Gamble. In 2006 Intel's microprocessor facility alone was responsible for 20% of Costa Rican exports and 4.9% of the country's GDP.[23][24] Trade with South East Asia and Russia boomed during 2004 and 2005, and the country obtained full Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC) membership in 2007 after becoming an observer in 2004.
In recent times pharmaceuticals, financial outsourcing, software development, and ecotourism have become the prime industries in Costa Rica's economy. High levels of education among its residents make the country an attractive investing location. Since 1999, tourism earns more foreign exchange than the combined exports of the country's three main cash crops: bananas, pineapples and coffee.[25] .Coffee production has played a key role in Costa Rica's history and economy and by 2006 was the third cash crop export.^ Here are the birds of note we saw in the La Selva Tropical Research Center area from the Earth Expeditions 2006 Costa Rica course.
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 ^ (TREC 98) These bananas are the product of the hard work of workers of democratic Costa Rica.
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 ^ Life is good!'97) Costa Rican Coffee (Coffea arabica) is world renown and grows quite well in Costa Rica's highlands.
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 [25]
The largest coffee growing areas are in the provinces of San José, Alajuela, Heredia, Puntarenas, and Cartago. .Costa Rica is famous for its gourmet coffee beans, with Costa Rican Tarrazú among the finest Arabica coffee beans in the world used for making espresso coffee, together with Jamaican Blue Mountain, Guatemalan Antigua and Ethiopian Sidamo.^ A fantastic juvenile Little Blue Heron ( Egretta caerulea ) along the banks of the Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica.
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 ^ Bananas are transported by Ship from Panama and Costa Rica to the rest of the world.
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 ^ Sierpe River ( TREC 03 ) The road to San Jose from the Caribbean coast goes through some of the steepest mountains in Costa Rica.
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 [26][27][28][29]
.There are also numerous gambling casinos in Costa Rica, and a national lottery.^ There were hundreds of individuals that were working on a somewhat disorganized web in SE Costa Rica!
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 ^ Clay-colored robins ( Turdus grayi ) are the national bird of Costa Rica.
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 ^ While on the way to Costa Rica, we stopped and visited Jean Lafitte National Park.
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 Some internet online gambling companies are also based there, causing a dispute with the USA at the World Trade Organization. .In a settlement, as compensation for refusing online gambling companies based in Costa Rica to have access to U.S. customers, the United States offered Costa Rica greater access to other service markets, including research and development, storage, technical testing and analysis.^ Use "Pop-Ups" below to select other Costa Rica 2003 Slideshows and Videos!
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 ^ Here are the birds of note we saw in the La Selva Tropical Research Center area from the Earth Expeditions 2006 Costa Rica course.
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 ^ More frogs from the Manzanillo region can be seen HERE (TREC 02) showing a potpourri of creatures, including frogs, from SE Costa Rica, Almonds and Corals.
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.Costa Rica's location provides access to American markets as it has the same time zone as the central part of the United States and direct ocean access to Europe and Asia.^ A remarkable QUICKTIME MOVIE of an American Crocodile ( Crocodylus acutus ) along the banks of the Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica near the Pacific coast.
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 ^ A ctenosaur, NW Costa Rica, Dry Forest , Ctenosaurus similis Another juvenile Ctenosaur (Ctenosaurus similis), this time a Greenie on a Rock While the adults are dark colored, the juveniles are green.
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 ^ Costa Rica can have as many as 800 species of resident and migratory birds present during certain times of the year.
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 A countrywide referendum has approved a free trade agreement with the United States. .In the referendum on October 7, 2007, the voters of Costa Rica narrowly backed the free trade agreement, with 51.6% of "Yes" votes.^ Summer 2007 ) Here are some of the birds I photographed on a spring 2007 trip to Costa Rica to Arenal and Monteverde ( Spring 2007 ).
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 ^ Summer 2007 ) A beautiful Roadside Hawk ( Buteo magnirostris ) found alongside the road of all places near the Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica.
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 ^ Local Costa Ricans often use dugouts with small engines on the back when traveling in the Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica.
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 [30]
Poás Volcano Crater is one of the country's main tourist attractions.
.With a $2.2 billion per year tourism industry, Costa Rica stands as the most visited nation in the Central American region, with 2.0 million foreign visitors in 2008,[31] which translates into a relatively high expenditure per tourist of $1,100 per trip, and a rate of foreign tourists per capita of 0.46, one of the highest in the Caribbean Basin.^ Leg 1: SE Costa Rica--Caribbean Coast National Museum in San Jose and trip to SE Costa Rica Slides of our overflight into San Jose, loading the top of our bus, visiting the Costa Rica National Museum (thanks Chico!
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 ^ For the last several years, we stayed in the Hotel Amarillo in Palmar Sur in SW Costa Rica.
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 ^ Costa Rica can have as many as 800 species of resident and migratory birds present during certain times of the year.
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 Most of the tourists come from the U.S. and Canada (46%), and Europe (16%).[32] In 2005, tourism contributed 8.1% of the country's GNP and represented 13.3% of direct and indirect employment.[33] .Tourism now earns more foreign exchange than bananas and coffee combined.^ I learned more from these fantastic paintings than from my past six visits combined.
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 [25][34]
.Ecotourism with the many tourists visiting the extensive national parks and protected areas around the country.^ While on the way to Costa Rica, we stopped and visited Jean Lafitte National Park.
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 ^ Corcovado National Park is one of the most fascinating natural areas remaining in Costa Rica.
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 ^ (TREC 99) After a long hike in Corcovado National Park, many of us went swimming in a stream on the Pacific shoreline.
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 .Costa Rica was a pioneer in this type of tourism, and the country is recognized as one of the few with real ecotourism.^ A Male Ringed Kingfisher ( Ceryle torquata ) perches on one of the many canals in the Tortuguero region of NE Costa Rica.
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 ^ Corcovado National Park is one of the most fascinating natural areas remaining in Costa Rica.
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 ^ One focuses on Rincon de la Vieja Volcano in NW Costa Rica while the Tico Times provides a weekly update of Costa Rica happenings.
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 [35] .In the 2009 Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index, Costa Rica ranked 42nd in the world and first among Latin American countries.^ Local Costa Ricans often use dugouts with small engines on the back when traveling in the Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica.
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 ^ A remarkable QUICKTIME MOVIE of an American Crocodile ( Crocodylus acutus ) along the banks of the Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica near the Pacific coast.
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 ^ The TREC 98 Class (Melissa, Tara and Susan) takes their first walk in the Banana Plantation, SW Costa Rica.
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 [36] .Just considering the sub-index natural resources, Costa Rica ranks 6th worldwide in terms of the natural resources pillar, but 89th in terms of its cultural resources.^ Chico shows the the secret of happiness with the Costa Rica stone spheres , Natural Museum of Costa Rica.
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 ^ (TREC 99) Chico shows the the secret of happiness with the Costa Rica stone spheres , Natural Museum of Costa Rica.
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 ^ Corcovado National Park is one of the most fascinating natural areas remaining in Costa Rica.
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Foreign affairs

.Costa Rica is an active member of the United Nations and the Organization of American States.^ Clay-colored robins ( Turdus grayi ) are the national bird of Costa Rica.
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 ^ While on the way to Costa Rica, we stopped and visited Jean Lafitte National Park.
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 ^ A freshwater American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus), 2 m long, Sierpe River, SW Costa Rica.
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 The Inter-American Court of Human Rights and the United Nations University of Peace are based in Costa Rica. .Costa Rica is also a member of many other international organizations related to human rights and democracy.^ Costa Rica can have as many as 800 species of resident and migratory birds present during certain times of the year.
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 ^ Use "Pop-Ups" below to select other Costa Rica 2003 Slideshows and Videos!
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 ^ (TREC 99) We stopped and ate at many fine restaurants in towns across Costa Rica .This was after our hike to Arenal.
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.A main foreign policy objective of Costa Rica is to foster human rights and sustainable development as a way to secure stability and growth.^ While on the way to Costa Rica, we stopped and visited Jean Lafitte National Park.
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 ^ In New Orleans, we visited the Aquarium of the Americas on our way to Costa Rica.
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 ^ (Image shot from our bus in SW Costa Rica) Another Shipment of Sugar Cane on the way to the processing plant in SW Costa Rica.
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 [citation needed]
.Costa Rica is a member of the International Criminal Court, without a Bilateral Immunity Agreement of protection for the United States military (as covered under Article 98).^ (TREC 01) A close-up of the protective eye membrane pattern of a gaudy tree frog from the lowland Carribean rainforests at Almonds and Corals, Costa Rica.
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 ^ (TREC 98) A close-up of a beautiful unidentified tree frog at Almonds and Corals, SE Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ The TREC 98 Class (Melissa, Tara and Susan) takes their first walk in the Banana Plantation, SW Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
.Costa Rica also has a long-term disagreement with Nicaragua over the San Juan River which denotes the border between the two countries; the disagreement originates from the fact that the river, being Nicaraguan soil, is the only way of access to several communities in Costa Rica which need to be served by armed Costa Rican police forces.^ Hot Gecko Sex in SW Costa Rica (TREC 99) In 2005, we went north along the coastal highway to reach San Jose.
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 ^ Along the way, we stopped on the bridge over the Tarcoles River which forms the Northern border of Carara Biological Reserve.
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 ^ Local Costa Ricans often use dugouts with small engines on the back when traveling in the Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica.
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.On June 1, 2007, Costa Rica broke diplomatic ties with the Republic of China in Taiwan, switching recognition to the People's Republic of China.^ Summer 2007 ) Cruising the Tortuguero Canals in NE Costa Rica, we frequently run into Two-toed sloths ( Choloepus hoffmanni ).
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 ^ Summer 2007 ) Here are some of the birds I photographed on a spring 2007 trip to Costa Rica to Arenal and Monteverde ( Spring 2007 ).
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 ^ Summer 2007 ) A beautiful Roadside Hawk ( Buteo magnirostris ) found alongside the road of all places near the Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica.
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 [37][citation needed]
.Costa Rica just finished a term on the United Nations Security Council, having been elected for a non-renewable two-year term in the 2007 election.^ For the last several years, we stayed in the Hotel Amarillo in Palmar Sur in SW Costa Rica.
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 ^ Costa Rica can have as many as 800 species of resident and migratory birds present during certain times of the year.
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 ^ Visit two wonderful Costa Rica web sites.
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 .Its term expired on 31 December 2009; this was Costa Rica's third time on the Security Council.^ A ctenosaur, NW Costa Rica, Dry Forest , Ctenosaurus similis Another juvenile Ctenosaur (Ctenosaurus similis), this time a Greenie on a Rock While the adults are dark colored, the juveniles are green.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Costa Rica can have as many as 800 species of resident and migratory birds present during certain times of the year.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ One focuses on Rincon de la Vieja Volcano in NW Costa Rica while the Tico Times provides a weekly update of Costa Rica happenings.
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Flora and fauna

An anhinga drying its feathers.
Heliconius doris Linnaeus butterfly of Costa Rica
See also: Wildlife of Costa Rica and List of birds of Costa Rica
.Costa Rica is home to a rich variety of plants and animals.^ (Image shot from our bus in SW Costa Rica) Another Shipment of Sugar Cane on the way to the processing plant in SW Costa Rica.
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 ^ Near Gandoca in extreme SW Costa Rica, we spotted several Northern Jacanas ( Jacana spinosa ) in the fields adjacent to the road in a variety of poses.
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 ^ Banana Plantation Artwork (SW Costa Rica Banana Processing Plant) .
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 While the country has only about 0.25% of the world's landmass, it contains 5% of the world's biodiversity.[38][39] .Around 25% of the country's land area is in protected national parks and protected areas,[40][41] the largest percentage of protected areas in the world.^ Corcovado National Park is one of the most fascinating natural areas remaining in Costa Rica.
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 ^ Corvovado National Park in the Osa Peninsula--San Pedrillo trail ( TREC 06 ) NOTE: Just "Click" on the IMAGE to view the largest photo!
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 ^ At Drake Bay near Corcovado National park, we found the largest beetle I have ever seen in my life!
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 [42][43]
One national park that is internationally renowned among ecologists for its biodiversity (including big cats and tapirs) and where visitors can expect to see an abundance of wildlife is the Corcovado National Park.[44][45] .Corcovado is the one park in Costa Rica where all four Costa Rican monkey species can be found.^ Costa Rica can have as many as 800 species of resident and migratory birds present during certain times of the year.
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 ^ (TREC 01) Black Vultures (Coragyps atratus) hanging out at one of the Corcovado Nat'l Park trail entrances.
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 ^ Chiquita--All of the bananas leave Costa Rica from Limon on the Caribbean Coast .
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 [46] These include the White-headed Capuchin, the Mantled Howler and the endangered Geoffroy's Spider Monkey.[46][47] .They also include the Central American Squirrel Monkey, which is found only on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica and a small part of Panama, and was considered endangered until 2008 when its status was upgraded to vulnerable.^ Includes squirrel monkeys, tapirs, etc.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Local Costa Ricans often use dugouts with small engines on the back when traveling in the Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica.
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 ^ A remarkable QUICKTIME MOVIE of an American Crocodile ( Crocodylus acutus ) along the banks of the Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica near the Pacific coast.
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 [48]
Costa Rican colibrí
.Tortuguero National Park—the name Tortuguero can be translated as "Full of Turtles"—is home to spider, howler, and white-throated Capuchin monkeys; the three-toed sloth; and two-toed sloth 320 species of birds; and a variety of reptiles.^ (TREC 01) Howler Monkeys (Alouatta palliata) relaxing along the banks of the Tempisque River, Palo Verde National Park.
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 ^ (TREC 01) A Three-toed sloth ( Bradypus variegatus ) takes up a classic pose in a Cecropia tree along the Caribbean coast near Cahuita National Park ( TREC 03 ) A Two-Toed sloth (Choloepus hoffmanni) browses in an Almond Tree along the SE Caribbean coast near Cahuita National Park.
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 ^ We saw two ferdelances in Corcovado National Park!
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 The park is recognized for the annual nesting of the endangered green turtle and is the most important nesting site for the species. .Giant leatherback, hawksbill, and loggerhead turtles also nest there.^ Slides the morning after our visit to Gandoca and the leatherback sea turtle nesting beach.
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.The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is home to about 2,000 plant species,[49] including numerous orchids.^ (TREC 01) There are hundreds of orchid species in the cloud forests of Monteverde.
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 ^ (Monteverde Cloud Forest) Wild Pineapples are common in Corcovado (TREC 00) Heliconias are a very important Neotropical plant.
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 ^ My favorite orchid species Orchid Quicktime Movie Monteverde Cloud Forest (On a typical cloudy, misty, summer day).
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 Over 400 types of birds and over 100 species of mammals can be found there.[49]
As a whole, around 800 species of birds have been identified in Costa Rica. The Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad is allowed to collect royalties on any biological discoveries of medical importance.
Costa Rica and parts of Panama are home to the vulnerable Central American Squirrel Monkey. Deforestation, illegal pet-trading, and hunting are the main reasons for its threatened status.
.Costa Rica is a center of biological diversity for reptiles and amphibians, including the world's fastest running lizard, the spiny-tailed iguana (Ctenosaura similis).^ Here, a Long-tailed Hermit ( Phaethornis superciliosus ) hummingbird catches insects on an outdoor wall at Almonds and Corals in SE Costa Rica.
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 ^ A ctenosaur, NW Costa Rica, Dry Forest , Ctenosaurus similis Another juvenile Ctenosaur (Ctenosaurus similis), this time a Greenie on a Rock While the adults are dark colored, the juveniles are green.
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 ^ Beautiful Amphibian Pictures --Check out this beautiful Quicktime Movie (~700k) " A Costa Rica Frog Potpourri " .
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 [50]

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Costa Rica
.As of 2010, Costa Rica has an estimated population of 4,640,000[51].^ Costa Rica Course Syllabus 2010: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica .
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 ^ Year 2010 Syllabus of Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica Travel & facilities handled by Geo Expediciones Be Sure to Visit: .
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 Whites and mestizos make up 94% of the population , while 3% are Black/Afro-Caribbean, 1% Amerindian, 1% Chinese, and 1% other.[52] The white population is primarily of Spaniard ancestry[53] with significant numbers of Costa Ricans of Italian, German, English, Dutch, French, Irish, Portuguese, Lebanese and Polish families, as well a sizable Jewish community.
Just under 6% of the population is of black African descent. .The majority of the Afro-Costa Ricans are Creole English-speaking descendants of nineteenth century black Jamaican immigrant workers, as well as slaves who were brought during the Atlantic slave trade.^ Life is good!'97) Costa Rican Coffee (Coffea arabica) is world renown and grows quite well in Costa Rica's highlands.
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The indigenous or native American population numbers around 1.5%, or over 60,000 individuals. Most of them live in secluded reservations.
.They are distributed in 8 ethnic groups: Quitirrisí (In the Central Valley), Matambú or Chorotega (Guanacaste), Maleku (Northern Alajuela), Bribri (Southern Atlantic), Cabécar (Cordillera de Talamanca), Guaymí (Southern Costa Rica, along the Panamá border), Boruca (Southern Costa Rica) and Térraba (Southern Costa Rica).^ A fantastic juvenile Little Blue Heron ( Egretta caerulea ) along the banks of the Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica.
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 ^ One focuses on Rincon de la Vieja Volcano in NW Costa Rica while the Tico Times provides a weekly update of Costa Rica happenings.
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 ^ A Yellow-headed Caracara ( Milvago chimachima ), Family Falconidae, sideview along the banks of the beautiful Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica.
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There is also an expatriate community of people from the United States, Canada, Germany, Netherlands, Britain, and other countries.
.Costa Rica hosts many refugees, mainly from Colombia and Nicaragua.^ Costa Rica can have as many as 800 species of resident and migratory birds present during certain times of the year.
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 ^ (TREC 99) We stopped and ate at many fine restaurants in towns across Costa Rica .This was after our hike to Arenal.
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 ^ A Male Ringed Kingfisher ( Ceryle torquata ) perches on one of the many canals in the Tortuguero region of NE Costa Rica.
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 As a result of that and illegal immigration, an estimated 10-15% (400,000–600,000) of the Costa Rican population is made up of Nicaraguans.[54][55] There are also, some Nicaraguans that migrate for seasonal work opportunities and then return to their country. .Costa Rica took in many refugees from a range of other Latin American countries fleeing civil wars and dictatorships during the 1970s and 80s—notably from Chile and Argentina, as well as El Salvador who fled from guerrillas and government death squads.^ Costa Rica can have as many as 800 species of resident and migratory birds present during certain times of the year.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ (TREC 99) We stopped and ate at many fine restaurants in towns across Costa Rica .This was after our hike to Arenal.
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 ^ A freshwater American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus), 2 m long, Sierpe River, SW Costa Rica.
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 [56] .According to the World Bank, about 441,000 immigrants live legally in the country, the majority of them Nicaraguans and 127,060 Costa Ricans are living abroad, mostly in the US.^ Check out these slides from a "Bog" habitat and, just about 300 meters higher, Costa Rican "Paramo."
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 ^ Life is good!'97) Costa Rican Coffee (Coffea arabica) is world renown and grows quite well in Costa Rica's highlands.
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 [57]

Religion

Main article: Religion in Costa Rica
Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles (Church of Our Lady of the Angels), during 2007 pilgrimage.
Christianity is the predominant religion, and Roman Catholicism is the official state religion according to its 1949 Constitution, which at the same time guarantees freedom of religion.
.According to the most recent nationwide survey of religion, conducted in 2007 by the University of Costa Rica, 70.5% of Costa Ricans are Roman Catholics, 44.9% of the population are practicing Catholics, 13.8% are Evangelical Protestants many of them Pentecostal, 11.3% report that they do not have a religion, and 4.3% belonged to another.^ Local Costa Ricans often use dugouts with small engines on the back when traveling in the Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica.
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 ^ A ctenosaur, NW Costa Rica, Dry Forest , Ctenosaurus similis Another juvenile Ctenosaur (Ctenosaurus similis), this time a Greenie on a Rock While the adults are dark colored, the juveniles are green.
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 ^ Costa Rica can have as many as 800 species of resident and migratory birds present during certain times of the year.
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Because of the recent small but continuous immigration from Asia and the Middle East, other religions have grown, the most popular being Buddhism (because of a growing Chinese community of 40,000), and smaller numbers of Jewish, Muslim, Bahá’í, and Hindu adherents.
.There is a Jewish synagogue, the Sinagoga Shaarei Zion,[58] in San José, near La Sabana Metropolitan Park.^ We came across several Black-headed Trogons ( Trogon melanocephalus ) near the San Pedrillo Station in Corcovado National Park.
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 ^ TREC 03 ) A remarkable QUICKTIME MOVIE of the La Fortuna waterfalls near Arenal Volcano NW of San Jose, Costa Rica.
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 ^ (TREC 00) In Corcovado Nationla Park, we encountered an extremely long Coloubrid ~2.5 meters in a tree near San Pedrillo.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 Several homes in the neighborhood east of the park are festooned with the Star of David and other recognizable Jewish symbols.[59]
.The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has seen modest growth in Costa Rica in the last 40 years and has built one of only two temples in Central America in the San Antonio de Belén region of Heredia.^ Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica has been taught for the last 18 years.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Slides from our last days in Costa Rica A Quicktime Slideshow!
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Hot Gecko Sex in SW Costa Rica (TREC 99) In 2005, we went north along the coastal highway to reach San Jose.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 [60]

Languages

The primary language spoken in Costa Rica is Spanish. .Some native languages are still spoken in indigenous reservations, and a Creole-English language (also known as "Mekatelyu"), is spoken in the Caribbean coast.^ Sierpe River ( TREC 03 ) The road to San Jose from the Caribbean coast goes through some of the steepest mountains in Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 .Around 10.7% of Costa Rica's adult population (18 or older) also speaks English, 0.7% French, and 0.3% speaks Portuguese or German as a second language.^ A ctenosaur, NW Costa Rica, Dry Forest , Ctenosaurus similis Another juvenile Ctenosaur (Ctenosaurus similis), this time a Greenie on a Rock While the adults are dark colored, the juveniles are green.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica has been taught for the last 18 years.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 [61]

Culture

Main article: Culture of Costa Rica
See also: Costa Rican cuisine
Inside of the Teatro Nacional de Costa Rica, the Costa Rican national theater.
Costa Rican breakfast with gallo pinto.
Costa Rica boasts a varied history. .Costa Rica was the point where the Mesoamerican and South American native cultures met.^ A remarkable QUICKTIME MOVIE of an American Crocodile ( Crocodylus acutus ) along the banks of the Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica near the Pacific coast.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ A remarkable QUICKTIME MOVIE of an American Crocodile ( Crocodylus acutus )along the banks of the Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica near the Pacific coast.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ The goal of this course is to introduce students to the structure and function of Neotropical ecosystems, as well as to geological, biological, cultural, and economic forces affecting the biodiversity of Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 The northwest of the country, the Nicoya peninsula, was the southernmost point of Nahuatl cultural influence when the Spanish conquerors (conquistadores) came in the sixteenth century. The central and southern portions of the country had Chibcha influences. The Atlantic coast, meanwhile, was populated with African workers during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.
.Today Costa Rican culture is a peculiar variety of Latin American culture in that pre-Columbian influences are almost non-existent today, since most of the indigenous population was virtually erased by epidemics in the first century of Spanish colonization.^ (TREC 99) Most of the Costa Rican Plantations are multipurpose facilities.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 As a result the immigration of Spaniards and their 16th-Spanish culture and its evolution marked everyday life and culture until today, with Spanish language and the Catholic religion as main cultural pillars.
The Department of Culture, Youth, and Sports is in charge of the promotion and coordination of the cultural life. The work of the department is divided into Direction of Culture, Visual Arts, Scenic Arts, Music, Patrimony and the System of Libraries. Although the department creates many initiatives, they are constrained by the lack of resources..June 2009" style="white-space:nowrap;">[citation needed] Permanent programs, nevertheless, are constantly high quality, such as the National Symphony Orchestra of Costa Rica and the Youth Symphony Orchestra, brilliant conjunctions of two areas of work: Culture and Youth.^ There were hundreds of individuals that were working on a somewhat disorganized web in SE Costa Rica!
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Clay-colored robins ( Turdus grayi ) are the national bird of Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ While on the way to Costa Rica, we stopped and visited Jean Lafitte National Park.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 [citation needed]
Dance-oriented genres like soca, salsa, bachata, merengue, cumbia and Costa Rican swing have been increasingly shifting toward an older demographic. The guitar is a popular instrument especially as an accompaniment to folk dances, however, the marimba was given the status of the national instrument. .The Costa Ricans say that it is sacred that the woman wears a red dress when in Costa Rica while doing the Salsa.^ Local Costa Ricans often use dugouts with small engines on the back when traveling in the Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Life is good!'97) Costa Rican Coffee (Coffea arabica) is world renown and grows quite well in Costa Rica's highlands.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

Education

Main article: Education in Costa Rica
.The literacy rate in Costa Rica is 97%,[62] one of the highest in Latin America.^ A Male Ringed Kingfisher ( Ceryle torquata ) perches on one of the many canals in the Tortuguero region of NE Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Corcovado National Park is one of the most fascinating natural areas remaining in Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ One focuses on Rincon de la Vieja Volcano in NW Costa Rica while the Tico Times provides a weekly update of Costa Rica happenings.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 Elementary and high schools are found throughout the country in practically every community. Universal public education is guaranteed in the constitution. Primary education is obligatory, and both preschool and high school are free. There are only a few schools in Costa Rica that go beyond the 12th grade. Students who finish 11th grade receive a Costa Rican Bachillerato Diploma accredited by the Costa Rican Ministry of Education.
.There are both state and private universities, with public universities being traditionally regarded as the best quality available in the country, as well as being historically one of the greatest social mobility tools available, given the large budget percentage committed to subsidize economically challenged students.^ The goal of this course is to introduce students to the structure and function of Neotropical ecosystems, as well as to geological, biological, cultural, and economic forces affecting the biodiversity of Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 In recent years private universities and colleges have largely consolidated and now very well rival, quality-wise, that of the public sector.

International rankings

Main article: International rankings of Costa Rica
Index (Year) Author / Editor / Source Year of
publication		 Countries
sampled		 World
Ranking(1)		 Ranking
Latin
America(2)
Happy Planet Index (2009) New Economics Foundation[63]
2009
143
1
1
Environmental Performance (2010) Yale University[7]
2010
163
3
1
Human Poverty, HPI-1 (2005)(3) United Nations (UNDP)[64]
2007–08
108
5
4
Poverty below $2 a day (1990–2005)(4) United Nations (UNDP)[65]
2007–08
71
8
3
Press Freedom (2007) Reporters Without Borders[66]
2007
169
21
1
Democracy (2006) The Economist[67]
2007
167
25
1
Global Peace (2008) The Economist[68]
2008
140
34
3
Quality-of-life (2005) The Economist[69]
2007
111
35
3
Prosperity Index (2008) Legatum Institute[70]
2008
104
38
4
Travel and Tourism Competitiveness (2009) World Economic Forum[71]
2009
133
42
1
Corruption Perception (2009) Transparency International[72]
2009
180
43
7
Economic Freedom (2008) The Wall Street Journal[73]
2008
162
49
5
Human Development (2007) United Nations (UNDP)[6]
2009
182
54
6
Global Competitiveness (2009) World Economic Forum[74]
2009–10
133
55
2
Income inequality (1989–2007)(5) United Nations (UNDP)[75]
2007–2008
126
100
5
Life Satisfaction Index (2006–2007) (6) Inter-American Development Bank[76]
2008
24
n.a(6)
1
(1) Worldwide ranking among countries evaluated. See notes (3) and (4) also
(2) Ranking among the 20 Latin American countries (Puerto Rico is not included).
(3) Ranking among 108 developing countries with available data only.
(4) Ranking among 71 developing countries with available data only. Countries in the sample surveyed between 1990–2005. Refers to population below income poverty line as define by the World Bank's $2 per day indicator
(5) Because the Gini coefficient used for the ranking corresponds to different years depending of the country, and the underlying household surveys differ in method and in the type of data collected, the distribution data are not strictly comparable across countries. The ranking therefore is only a proxy for reference purposes.
(6) The Life Satisfaction Index study was performed by the Inter-American Development Bank among 24 countries in the Latin American and the Caribbean region, based on IDB calculations based on Gallup World Poll 2006–2007 and World Development Indicators. Therefore, it is a regional index.

See also

Latin America portal
Main article: Outline of Costa Rica

References

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  12. ^ The Story Of... Smallpox
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  18. ^ estudiofi
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  21. ^ "Costa Rica: Economy". U.S. State Department. http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2019.htm. Retrieved 2007-11-02. 
  22. ^ Banco Central de Costa Rica
  23. ^ "Intel supone el 4,9 por ciento del PIB de Costa Rica" (in Spanish). El Economista. 2006-10-06. http://eleconomista.es/empresas-finanzas/noticias/81837/10/06/Intel-supone-el-49-por-ciento-del-PIB-de-Costa-Rica.html. Retrieved 2008-04-13. 
  24. ^ "Intel fabrica el procesador "más veloz del mundo" en Costa Rica" (in Spanish). La Vanguardia. 2007-11-13. http://www.lavanguardia.es/premium/publica/publica?COMPID=53410660334&ID_PAGINA=22088&ID_FORMATO=9&turbourl=false. Retrieved 2008-04-13. 
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  26. ^ Revista VEJA (2008-07-31). "Os melhores grãos do mundo" (in Portuguese). Editora Abril. http://veja.abril.com.br/300708/p_140.shtml. Retrieved 2008-07-29.  Edition 2071. Print edition pp. 140
  27. ^ Betty Fussell (1999-09-05). "The World Before Starbucks". The New York Times. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9400E0D7173BF936A3575AC0A96F958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=2. Retrieved 2008-07-29. 
  28. ^ Florence Fabricant (1992-09-02). "Americans Wake Up and Smell the Coffee". The New York Times. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CE3DB153FF931A3575AC0A964958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=1. Retrieved 2008-07-29. 
  29. ^ "Ferris Gourmet Coffee Beans: Single origin coffees". Ferris Coffee & Nuts. http://www.ferriscoffee.com/coffee.html. Retrieved 2008-07-29. 
  30. ^ Latinamerica Press
  31. ^ Hassel Fallas (2008-12-18). "Llegada de turistas dejará $2.200 millones este año" (in Spanish). La Nación. http://www.nacion.com/ln_ee/2008/diciembre/18/economia1815172.html. Retrieved 2009-04-27. 
  32. ^ "Informe de Encuestas IV Trimestre 2006. Aeropuerto Internacional Juan Santamaria" (in Spanish). Instituto Costarricense de Turismo. 2006. http://www.visitcostarica.com/ict/paginas/modEst/estudios_estadisticas.asp?idIdioma=2. Retrieved 2008-06-06.  2006 Annual Survey from the Costa Rican Board of Tourism (ICT)
  33. ^ Altés, Carmen (2006), El Turismo en América Latina y el Caribe y la experiencia del BID, Inter-American Development Bank; Sustainable Development Department, Technical Paper Series ENV-149, Washington, D.C. available at http://idbdocs.iadb.org/wsdocs/getdocument.aspx?docnum=984876,+p. 9 and 47 
  34. ^ José Enrique Rojas (2004-12-29). "Turismo, principal motor de la economía durante el 2004" (in Spanish). La Nación. http://www.nacion.com/ln_ee/2004/diciembre/29/economia0.html. Retrieved 2008-04-13. 
  35. ^ Honey, Martha (1999), Ecotourism and Sustainable Development: Who Owns Paradise?, Island Press; 1 edition, Washington, D.C., p. 5, ISBN 1559635827 
  36. ^ Jennifer Blanke and Thea Chiesa, Editors (2009). "The Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report 2009" (PDF). World Economic Forum, Geneva, Switzerland. http://www.weforum.org/pdf/TTCR09/TTCR09_Rankings.pdf. 
  37. ^ Boston.com
  38. ^ Leo Hickman (2007-05-26). "Shades of green". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2007/may/26/saturday.costarica. Retrieved 2008-06-08. 
  39. ^ Honey, Martha (1999) (in Inglés), Ecotourism and Sustainable Development: Who Owns Paradise?, Island Press; 1 edition, Washington, D.C., pp. 128–181, ISBN 1-55963-582-7  Chapter 5. Costa Rica: On the Beaten Path
  40. ^ United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. "Issues relating to reducing emissions from deforestation in developing countries and recommendations on any further process" Table 1
  41. ^ Earth Trends (2003). "Biodiversity and Protected Areas – Costa Rica" (PDF). World Resources Institute. http://earthtrends.wri.org/pdf_library/country_profiles/bio_cou_188.pdf. Retrieved 2008-06-08. 
  42. ^ "Costa Rica National Parks and Reserves". World Headquarters. 2007. http://www.worldheadquarters.com/cr/protected_areas/. Retrieved 2008-06-08. 
  43. ^ Leonardo Coutinho and Otávio Cabral (2008-05-21). "O desafio da economia verde" (in Portuguese). Revista Veja. http://planetasustentavel.abril.com.br/noticia/desenvolvimento/conteudo_280147.shtml?func=2. Retrieved 2008-06-08.  Published on website "Planeta Sustentável"
  44. ^ Corcovado National Park
  45. ^ Diversity of Corcovado National Park
  46. ^ a b Hunter, L. & Andrew, D. (2002). Watching Wildlife Central America. Lonely Planet. p. 97. ISBN 1-86450-034-4. 
  47. ^ Cuarón, A.D., Morales, A., Shedden, A., Rodriguez-Luna, E. & de Grammont, P.C. (2008). Ateles geoffroyi. In: IUCN 2008. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 20 February 2009.
  48. ^ Wong, G., Cuarón, A.D., Rodriguez-Luna, E. & de Grammont, P.C. (2008). Saimiri oerstedii. In: IUCN 2008. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 20 February 2009.
  49. ^ a b Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
  50. ^ Garland, T., Jr. (1984). "Physiological correlates of locomotory performance in a lizard: an allometric approach". American Journal of Physiology 247: R806-R815. http://www.biology.ucr.edu/people/faculty/Garland/Garl1984.pdf. 
  51. ^ http://esa.un.org/unpp/p2k0data.asp
  52. ^ Costa Rica: Ethnic groups
  53. ^ White Settlement in Costa Rica
  54. ^ www.state.gov Background Note: Costa Rica – People
  55. ^ http://articles.latimes.com/2006/mar/23/world/fg-costa23
  56. ^ Biesanz, Karen Zubris; Biesanz, Mavis Hiltunen; Biesanz, Richard (1998). The Ticos: Culture and Social Change in Costa Rica. Boulder: Lynne Rienner Publishers. pp. 118. ISBN 1-55587-737-0. 
  57. ^ http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTPROSPECTS/Resources/334934-1199807908806/CostaRica.pdf
  58. ^ Link to the Costa Rican Jewish Community
  59. ^ Jewish Community in Costa Rica
  60. ^ San José Costa Rica LDS (Mormon) Temple
  61. ^ Jairo Villegas (2008-03-11). "Solo 1 de cada 10 adultos habla un segundo idioma". La Nación (Costa Rica). http://wvw.nacion.com/ln_ee/2008/marzo/11/pais1457622.html. Retrieved 2010-03-13. 
  62. ^ CIA World Factbook, January 2009
  63. ^ New Economics Foundation. "The Happy Planet Index". http://www.happyplanetindex.org/public-data/files/happy-planet-index-2-0.pdf. Retrieved 2009-07-05. 
  64. ^ UNPD Human Development Report 2007/2008. "Table 3: Human poverty index: developing countries" (PDF). http://hdr.undp.org/en/media/hdr_20072008_en_indicator_tables.pdf. Retrieved 2008-03-20.  page 240
  65. ^ UNPD Human Development Report 2007/2008. "Table 3: Human poverty index: developing countries" (PDF). http://hdr.undp.org/en/media/hdr_20072008_en_indicator_tables.pdf. Retrieved 2008-03-20.  page 238-240
  66. ^ Reporters Without Borders. "Worldwide Press Freedom Index 2007". http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=19387. Retrieved 2008-03-13. 
  67. ^ The Economist Intelligence Unit. "The World in 2007, Democracy Index 2006" (PDF). http://www.economist.com/media/pdf/DEMOCRACY_INDEX_2007_v3.pdf. Retrieved 2008-03-13. 
  68. ^ The Economist Intelligence Unit et al. (Vision of Humanity website). "Global Peace Index Rankings". http://www.visionofhumanity.org/gpi/results/rankings/. Retrieved 2008-05-28. 
  69. ^ The Economist Intelligence Unit. "Pocket World in Figures 2008" (PDF). http://www.economist.com/media/pdf/QUALITY_OF_LIFE.pdf. Retrieved 2008-03-13. 
  70. ^ "The 2008 Legatum Prosperity Index Table 2008" (PDF). Legatum Institute. http://www.prosperity.com/downloads/2008LegatumPItable.pdf. Retrieved 2008-10-14. 
  71. ^ Jennifer Blanke and Thea Chiesa, Editors (2009). "The Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report 2009" (PDF). World Economic Forum. http://www.weforum.org/pdf/TTCR09/TTCR09_Rankings.pdf. Retrieved 2009-03-05. 
  72. ^ Transparency International. "2008 Corruption Perception Table". http://www.transparency.org/news_room/in_focus/2008/cpi2008/cpi_2008_table. Retrieved 2008-09-28. 
  73. ^ The Heritage Foundation and The Wall Street Journal. "Index of Economic Freedom 2008". http://www.heritage.org/research/features/index/countries.cfm. Retrieved 2008-03-14. 
  74. ^ World Economic Forum. "Table 4: The Global Competitiveness Index 2009–2010 rankings and 2008–2009 comparisons". http://www.weforum.org/pdf/GCR09/GCR20092010fullrankings.pdf. Retrieved 2009-09-09. 
  75. ^ UNPD Human Development Report 2007/2008. "Inequality in income or expenditure". http://hdrstats.undp.org/indicators/147.html. Retrieved 2008-08-05. 
  76. ^ Inter-American Development Bank. "Faster Economic Growth Hurts Life Satisfaction in Latin America and the Caribbean". http://www.iadb.org/NEWS/detail.cfm?id=4859. Retrieved 2008-11-23. 

Further reading

  • CIA World Factbook. Costa Rica.
  • Edelman, Marc. .Peasants Against Globalization: Rural Social Movements in Costa Rica Stanford: Stanford University Press, 1999.
  • Sebastian Huhn: Contested Cornerstones of Nonviolent National Self-Perception in Costa Rica: A Historical Approach, 2009.
  • Lara, Sylvia Lara, Tom Barry, and Peter Simonson.^ (TREC 00) Palo Verde National Park, NW Costa Rica .
    • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

     ^ Clay-colored robins ( Turdus grayi ) are the national bird of Costa Rica.
    • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

     ^ While on the way to Costa Rica, we stopped and visited Jean Lafitte National Park.
    • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

     .Inside Costa Rica: The Essential Guide to Its Politics, Economy, Society and Environment London: Latin America Bureau, 1995.
  • Lehoucq, Fabrice E. and Ivan Molina.^ In New Orleans, we visited the Aquarium of the Americas on our way to Costa Rica.
    • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

     ^ Costa Rica Birds : A Field Guide, Picture Guide, part 2!
    • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

     ^ Costa Rica Birds : A Field Guide, Picture Guide!
    • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

     .Stuffing the Ballot Box: Fraud, Electoral Reform, and Democratization in Costa Rica Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2002.
  • Lehoucq, Fabrice E. Policymaking, Parties, and Institutions in Democratic Costa Rica, 2006.
  • Palmer, Steven and Iván Molina.^ (TREC 98) These bananas are the product of the hard work of workers of democratic Costa Rica.
    • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

     ^ Here are the birds of note we saw in the La Selva Tropical Research Center area from the Earth Expeditions 2006 Costa Rica course.
    • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

     .The Costa Rica Reader: History, Culture, Politics Durham and London: Duke University Press, 2004.
  • Sandoval, Carlos.^ The goal of this course is to introduce students to the structure and function of Neotropical ecosystems, as well as to geological, biological, cultural, and economic forces affecting the biodiversity of Costa Rica.
    • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

     .Threatening Others: Nicaraguans and the Formation of National Identities in Costa Rica Athens: Ohio University Press, 2004.
  • Wilson, Bruce M. Costa Rica: Politics, Economics, and Democracy: Politics, Economics and Democracy. Boulder, London: Lynne Rienner Publishers, 1998.
  • Blake, Beatrice.^ Use "Pop-Ups" below to select other Costa Rica 2003 Slideshows and Videos!
    • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

     ^ (TREC 00) Palo Verde National Park, NW Costa Rica .
    • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

     ^ Clay-colored robins ( Turdus grayi ) are the national bird of Costa Rica.
    • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

     "The New Key to Costa Rica" Berkeley, California: Ulysses Press, 2009.

External links

Government and administration
General
Travel & tourism


Travel guide

Up to date as of January 14, 2010

From Wikitravel

noframe
Location
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Flag
Image:cs-flag.png
Quick Facts
Capital San Jose
Government Democratic Republic
Currency Costa Rican colon (CRC)
Area 51,100 km2
Population 4,075,261 (July 2006 est.)
Language Spanish (official), English (creole) spoken around Puerto Limon
Religion Roman Catholic 76.3%, Evangelical 13.7%, other Protestant 0.7%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.3%, other 4.8%, none 3.2%
.Costa Rica [1] is a country in Central America.^ In 1838, long after the Central American Federation ceased to function in practice, Costa Rica formally withdrew and proclaimed itself sovereign.
  • Comparative Criminology | North America - Costa Rica 17 September 2009 3:03 UTC www-rohan.sdsu.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
  • Costa Rica (07/09) 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC www.state.gov [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ AMERICA CENTRAL, and just below it near the top of the coat of arms is a white ribbon with the words, REPUBLICA COSTA RICA .
  • CIA - The World Factbook -- Costa Rica 19 January 2010 8:49 UTC www.umsl.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Costa Rica is a Central American success story: since the late 19th century, only two brief periods of violence have marred its democratic development.
  • CIA - The World Factbook -- Costa Rica 19 January 2010 8:49 UTC www.umsl.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 .In the north it borders Nicaragua and in the south Panama.^ The main highland cities in the country's Central Valley are connected by paved all-weather roads with the Atlantic and Pacific coasts and by the Pan American Highway with Nicaragua and Panama, the neighboring countries to the North and the South.
  • Comparative Criminology | North America - Costa Rica 17 September 2009 3:03 UTC www-rohan.sdsu.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ There were occasional problems of statelessness in the border areas with Panama and Nicaragua.
  • Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC www.state.gov [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Costa Rica is located in the Central American isthmus, bordered by Panama to the south and Nicaragua to the north, with coastline on the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.
  • Learn Spanish Course in Costa Rica - Language school on the beach 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC www.studyglobal.net [Source type: General]

 .To the west, there is the Pacific Ocean and to the east, the Caribbean Sea.^ Costa Rica extends majestically from the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean Sea, just 200 miles across.
  • Costa Rica Vacation Packages - Apple Vacations - Vacations for Families, Weddings, Luxury, Groups, Golf, Honeymoons,Spa and more 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC www.applevacations.com [Source type: General]

 ^ Costa Rica is a small country, about the size of West Virginia , and about as close to heaven; at its widest part it is only about 150 miles from the Caribbean Sea in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west.

 ^ There are lowlands on both coastlines, swampy on the Caribbean coast, with grassland savannah on the Pacific side merging into swamps towards the south.
  • Learn Spanish Course in Costa Rica - Language school on the beach 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC www.studyglobal.net [Source type: General]

Understand

.Costa Rica is Spanish for rich coast.^ Spanish is the main language of Costa Rica.
  • Learn Spanish Course in Costa Rica - Language school on the beach 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC www.studyglobal.net [Source type: General]

 ^ Costa Rica has oil deposits off its Atlantic Coast, but the Pacheco administration (2002-2006) decided not to develop the deposits for environmental reasons.
  • Costa Rica (07/09) 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC www.state.gov [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Barcelo Palacio, Aurola Hotel San José is located in the central highlands of Costa Rica, midway between the Atlantic and Pacific coasts.
  • Costa Rica Tours | All Inclusive, Fully Escorted 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC www.caravan.com [Source type: General]

 .As such, one can expect to find this place to be the ideal tropical paradise.^ Most of the time, it is paradise found and one of my favorite places on the planet.

 .A native song says that the Virgin Mary came down to Costa Rica and never went back to Heaven.^ Hot Gecko Sex in SW Costa Rica (TREC 99) In 2005, we went north along the coastal highway to reach San Jose.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Local Costa Ricans often use dugouts with small engines on the back when traveling in the Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Plus, when you get something like the nice weather of Costa Rica you get the ultra-rainy season to be the down side (and when it stops you can’t get around due to the flooding).
  • 'Costa Rica' tagged at Gary Said... 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC garysaid.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
.Costa Rica has bewilderingly diverse landscapes, flora, and fauna.^ AMAZING MOUNTAIN SCENERY SAN JOSE COSTA RICA # 51001-01160 3 BD, 2 BA, - $425,000.00 - Beautiful landscaping.
  • Costa Rica Properties - Your Source For Costa Rica Real Estate 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC www.unitedcountry.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Although Manuel Antonio National Park is Costa Rica's smallest national park, the diversity of wildlife in its 6.83 km is unequaled with 109 species of mammals and 184 species of birds.

 ^ The entire landscape of Costa Rica has been shaped by plate tectonics and much of the overall ecologic diversity of the country is due to highly variable geography.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 .From rain forests, to dry tropical and temperate forests, to volcanoes, to Caribbean and Pacific beaches, to high mountains, and marshy lowlands.^ Bicycle riding in Costa Rica is like nowhere else in tropical the Americas: our routes feature active volcanoes, high mountain passes, lush tropical forests, waterfalls, river crossings and a lot of fun descents.

 ^ Weekends are ideal for visits to beaches, national parks, volcanoes, rain forest and rafting excursions.
  • Learn Spanish Course in Costa Rica - Language school on the beach 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC www.studyglobal.net [Source type: General]

 ^ After breakfast, you will board the riverboat for a 3-hour voyage through the quiet river and canal system that connects it with Costa Ricas rich tropical rain forest.

Flora and fauna

.Costa Rica is one of the world's most popular destinations for eco-tourists because of its biodiversity.^ Costa Rica is a great vacation destination!” .
  • Costa Rica Tours | All Inclusive, Fully Escorted 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC www.caravan.com [Source type: General]

 ^ Most popular tour to Costa Rica visiting the Jungles of Tortuguero, .

 ^ One-fourth of Costa Rica's land is dedicated to national forests, often adjoining picturesque beaches, which has made the country a popular destination for affluent retirees and eco-tourists despite increasing crime.
  • Costa Rica (07/09) 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC www.state.gov [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 .It has been stated in various places that Costa Rica may contain as much as 6% of the worlds plant & animal species in a country that is only as large as the States of Vermont and New Hampshire (combined) in the U.S.A. Both tropical plant and animal species abound in Costa Rica.^ Costa Rica on a Budget ...8 days New .

 ^ The place is Costa Rica, where the unexpected is commonplace.

 ^ Vermont and New Hampshire combined.
  • Costa Rica (07/09) 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC www.state.gov [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 .Some of the more impressive plants range from huge ficus trees with epiphytes abounding on their limbs to approximately 1500 different orchids.^ (TREC 99) In addition to huge trees in Corocvado, we encountered some strange mushrooms and we even heard the sound of a falling tree off in the distance!
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Some more close-ups (high-quality) of the long-nosed bats perched in the same tree this year.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 .The animals are equally as impressive whether it's a Jaguar the largest cat of the new world or the ever illusive Margay or the wonderful birds like the Green or Scarlet Macaws ("Lapas" in the Costa Rican Spanish.^ The resort has a new 150-person theatre for nightly live shows, a Kids Club, Costa Rican dance classes, ceramic making classes, cooking and painting classes.

 ^ Every summer our partner offers a Spanish immersion program for Teens which allows adolescents to learn Spanish and immerse themselves in Costa Rican culture .
  • Learn Spanish Course in Costa Rica - Language school on the beach 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC www.studyglobal.net [Source type: General]

 ^ Your experience will deepen your understanding of both your own and Costa Rican culture, and it will undoubtedly change the way you see the world and your place in it.
  • Learn Spanish Course in Costa Rica - Language school on the beach 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC www.studyglobal.net [Source type: General]

 ) .The amphibians are equally as impressive, the Poison dart frogs with their bright colors are bound to catch your attention or the giant Cane toads.^ TREC 03 ) (Quicktime Slideshow) A MPEG-4 Quicktime video of Poison Dart Frogs found along the SE Caribbean Coast.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Beautiful Strawberry Poison Dart Frogs ( Dendrobates pumilio ) were abundant in the island archipelago.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ The only frog I saw other than D. pumilio was D. auratus , the Turquoise, or Green & Black Poison Dart Frog.
  • The Sights and Sounds of Costa Rica, Sounds List 19 January 2010 8:49 UTC www.naturesongs.com [Source type: General]
Image:Great_Green.jpg
Costa Rica regions
Costa Rica regions
Caribbean Costa Rica
The least visited region of the country, owing to its relative isolation (and mosquitoes), which has great opportunities for whitewater rafting and sea turtle spotting
Central Valley
The population center of Costa Rica
Central Pacific
Home to the lion's share of Costa Rica's beaches
Guanacaste
The "dry region" of Costa Rica, with few rains any time of year, fabulous beaches and surfing, and some large volcanic and dry forest parks in the North by the Nicaraguan border
Plains of the North
A sparsely populated, but beautiful and mountainous region, most famous for its active volcano, Arenal, and the surrounding hot springs and volcanic lakes
South Costa Rica
Enter the Costa Rican rainforest; one of the most biodiverse environments on the planet, full of exotic endemic flora and fauna, and some of the planet's most beautiful and remote tropical beaches
  • San José - The capital.
  • Alajuela - location of Juan Santamaría International Airport
  • Cartago - Costa Rica's first capital
  • Dominical - the South Pacific coast's largest city, among incredibly biodiversity and natural beauty
  • Heredia - Coffee plantations
  • Liberia - Location of Daniel Oduber International Airport and gateway to the beaches of Guanacaste, such as Samara, Nosara, Carillo
  • Puerto Limón - Main city on the Caribbean side
  • Puntarenas - Ferry to Nicoya Peninsula
  • Quesada - the largest city by far in the country's North, surrounded by hot springs popular with Costa Rican vacationers

Get in

.Most vistors can get into Costa Rica without the need of a Visa and can stay in the country for 90 days.^ Canadians arriving in Costa Rica may remain for a period of up to 90 days without a visa.
  • Costa Rica Travel Advice and Advisories | Government of Canada 19 January 2010 8:49 UTC www.voyage.gc.ca [Source type: News]

 ^ Costa Rica on a Budget ...8 days New .

 ^ If you are unsure of where in Costa Rica you would like to live and do not want to jump into making the very important decision of purchasing property without being 100% then you should definitely consider renting.

By plane

.Juan Santamaría Airport (SJO) is located close to the cities Alajuela, Heredia and the capital San José.^ Heredia: from San José incl.
  • Learn Spanish Course in Costa Rica - Language school on the beach 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC www.studyglobal.net [Source type: General]

 ^ Examples of activities/excursions : Heredia : walking tour of the city, latin dance classes, hiking at the Barva Volcano, San José, forest trip, etc.
  • Learn Spanish Course in Costa Rica - Language school on the beach 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC www.studyglobal.net [Source type: General]

 ^ It is also located just 15 minutes from San Jose International Airport.
SJO is currently under remodeling, and in July 2009 its operation was taken over by the same organization that runs the airports in Houston, Texas. .An otherwise pleasant airport features the normal assortment of duty-free shops, interesting souvenir and bookshops, but an inadequate selection of overpriced restaurants (Church's Chicken, Burger King, Poás Deli Cafe and Papa John's pizza).^ Something fun about this airport is that they have a duty free shop in baggage claim.

 ^ Gallo Pinto is omnipresent and served in virtually every restaurant in the country, from the fanciest hotel to the Burger King at the airport.

 .SJO is serviced daily by Air Caraibes, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Iberia, Thomas Cook, LTU, Mexicana Airlines, Spirit Airlines, United Airlines, US Airways, Air Canada as well as Taca, Copa Airlines and AirPanama [2].^ Departs Thursdays via American or Taca Airlines .

 ^ Airfare from select cities via TACA American Airlines.

 ^ International airfare from Miami via American or Taca Airlines; 7 night hotel accommodations of your choice in Manuel Antonio; Transfer on arrival and departure; local airfare San Jose-Quepos-San Jose; room taxes and services charges.

 .Connecting the airport with cities such as: Los Angeles, New York, Houston, Dallas, Miami, Philadelphia, Charlotte, Atlanta, Phoenix, Orlando, Chicago, Newark, Toronto, Montreal, Madrid, Frankfurt,Mexico City, Bogota, Caracas, Lima, Guayaquil, Quito, and all Central America.^ Located in Central America with direct flights from many US cities, this small piece of paradise is the place to go for your next vacation.
  • Costa Rica Hotels: Book Your Costa Rica Hotel Online | BookIt.com 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC www.bookit.com [Source type: General]

 ^ Ambassador Tomas DUENAS chancery: 2114 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 234-2945 FAX: [1] (202) 265-4795 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Durham (North Carolina), Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Phoenix, San Antonio, San Francisco, St. Paul, and Tampa consulate(s): Austin .
  • CIA - The World Factbook -- Costa Rica 19 January 2010 8:49 UTC www.umsl.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ The main highland cities in the country's Central Valley are connected by paved all-weather roads with the Atlantic and Pacific coasts and by the Pan American Highway with Nicaragua and Panama, the neighboring countries to the North and the South.
  • Comparative Criminology | North America - Costa Rica 17 September 2009 3:03 UTC www-rohan.sdsu.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 Frontier Airlines begun non-stop service from Denver on November 30th, 2007 and flies to SJO 5 days a week.
.There is a US $26 exit fee at the Juan Santamaría Airport.^ USA airport departure /security /fuel surcharges/ taxes -from USA $88.00; Costa Rica airport departure tax of US$26.00.

 ^ Costa Rica airport departure tax of US$26.00.

 This must be paid in cash, or by Visa (in which case it will be processed as a cash advance). .The fee can also be paid in advance at some hotels or banks (Banco Credito Agricola de Cartago and Banco de Costa Rica).^ For the last several years, we stayed in the Hotel Amarillo in Palmar Sur in SW Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Barcelo Palacio, Aurola Hotel San José is located in the central highlands of Costa Rica, midway between the Atlantic and Pacific coasts.
  • Costa Rica Tours | All Inclusive, Fully Escorted 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC www.caravan.com [Source type: General]

 ^ He sold the bar and hotel to new owners, well before I ever even dreamed of visiting Costa Rica.
.Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) is near Liberia in the Guanacaste province.^ Travel to and from Costa Rica/Guanacaste uses the LIR - Liberia Airport .
  • Costa Rica/Guanacaste Vacation Packages - Apple Vacations - Vacations for Families, Weddings, Luxury, Groups, Golf, Honeymoons,Spa and more 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC www.applevacations.com [Source type: General]

 This airport is closest to the Pacific Northwest coast. .Liberia receives flights from Delta, American, United, Continental, Air Canada, Sky Service (charter), and First Choice (charter).^ While American Airlines is absolutely my least favorite carrier, they have a flight to Liberia that goes through Dallas.

 .Connecting the airport with cities like: Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, Houston, Dallas, Newark, Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, London, etc.^ That would eliminate the opportunity, if needed, to fly home into any of the other Los Angeles area airports.
  • Randy Lewis - Costa Rica - Part 1 12 September 2009 7:52 UTC www.ranlayracing.com [Source type: General]

 ^ I had considered all five Los Angeles area airports for my departure.
  • Randy Lewis - Costa Rica - Part 1 12 September 2009 7:52 UTC www.ranlayracing.com [Source type: General]

By car

.The Interamericana (Panamerican Highway) runs through Costa Rica and is the main entry point by car.^ Hot Gecko Sex in SW Costa Rica (TREC 99) In 2005, we went north along the coastal highway to reach San Jose.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Terms and conditions of car rentals in Costa Rica are unlike most North American contracts.
  • Costa Rica Travel Advice and Advisories | Government of Canada 19 January 2010 8:49 UTC www.voyage.gc.ca [Source type: News]

 ^ There are five main levels within Costa Rica's judicial system.
  • Comparative Criminology | North America - Costa Rica 17 September 2009 3:03 UTC www-rohan.sdsu.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 The border post in the north (to Nicaragua) is called Peñas Blancas and in the south (to Panamá) Paso Canoas. Virtually all travel out of the capital (except to the Caribbean side) will involve traveling this road. .The locals call the highway "Via Muerta" and after you have been on it a while you understand why.^ On this profile photo, can you see why these Howler Monkees are called Mantled Howlers?
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 .Near San Jose and other major cities, the road is paved and has excellent signage.^ Puntarenas is just south of the nation's once great coffee shipping port and it is the closest beach to the capital city, San Jose.

 ^ TREC 03 ) A remarkable QUICKTIME MOVIE of the La Fortuna waterfalls near Arenal Volcano NW of San Jose, Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ The three lower courts are distributed throughout the seven provinces of Costa Rica, with the appeals and magistrates seated only in the capital city, San Jose.
  • Comparative Criminology | North America - Costa Rica 17 September 2009 3:03 UTC www-rohan.sdsu.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 Outside of the major cities, however, the road is gravel in places with fairly tight turns and substantial changes in elevation. .You will see more large truck traffic on this road than in any part of Costa Rica.^ Costa Rica has what you are looking for...

 ^ Costa Rica Attractions Information on the top Costa Rica attractions to see when you visit.
  • Costa Rica Hotels: Book Your Costa Rica Hotel Online | BookIt.com 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC www.bookit.com [Source type: General]
  • Costa Rica Vacations and Costa Rica Vacation Packages | BookIt.com 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC www.bookit.com [Source type: General]

 ^ It is the only way to see Costa Rica.” .
  • Costa Rica Tours | All Inclusive, Fully Escorted 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC www.caravan.com [Source type: General]

 .There are many speed traps along this major artery, as well as some random police checks for seat belts and, especially near the borders, for valid travel documents.^ Abuse appears highest in the Central Valley (including the major cities of San Jose, Alajuela, Cartago, and Heredia), the port cities of Limon and Puntarenas, the north near Barro del Colorado, and along the southern border.
  • Comparative Criminology | North America - Costa Rica 17 September 2009 3:03 UTC www-rohan.sdsu.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ SE Costa Rica near the Panama Border along the Caribbean coast ( TREC 06 ) NOTE: Just "Click" on the IMAGE to view the largest photo!
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Be sure to check when high tide is, you don’t want to get trapped out there.
  • 'Costa Rica' tagged at Gary Said... 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC garysaid.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 The highway speed is 80km/h, but since the Interamericana (a.k.a. .Highway #1) passes through innumerable small towns the speed frequently drops to 50 or even 30 km/h as you suddenly find yourself in a school zone.^ It may be the case that countries you pass through en route to your destination may require a separate transit visa.
  • Costa Rica Visa : Application, Requirements. Apply for Costa Rican Visas Online. 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC costa-rica.visahq.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ As volume continues to rise, we then receive even better prices from our suppliers, and we pass even greater savings on to you.
  • Costa Rica Tours | All Inclusive, Fully Escorted 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC www.caravan.com [Source type: General]

 ^ You have to navigate a little in town, but if you can find the statue of several Campesinos, you are on the right track.

 Most of the highway is not divided. A common indicator that a police checkpoint is ahead is that oncoming cars flick their lights at you. Drivers also appear to flick their lights sometimes when someone has overtaken them. .A speeding ticket is at the most 20,000 Colones (US $40), and although the police are generally congenial, foreign drivers are occasionally illegally offered an "on the spot" fine that is half that or less.^ He offered to give me a “warning” if I paid 20,000 colons on the spot.

 ^ First, if I was stopped for speeding I was not to “ pay for my ticket ” by giving money to the police.
  • Randy Lewis - Costa Rica - Part 1 12 September 2009 7:52 UTC www.ranlayracing.com [Source type: General]
.Many Costa Rican roads are in terrible shape, and short distances can take a very long time.^ This was my first introduction, in a very long time, to Costa Rican roads.
  • Randy Lewis - Costa Rica - Part 1 12 September 2009 7:52 UTC www.ranlayracing.com [Source type: General]

 ^ Gustavo, thank you very much for your Costa Rican hospitality.
  • Randy Lewis - Costa Rica - Part 1 12 September 2009 7:52 UTC www.ranlayracing.com [Source type: General]

 ^ A lot of times we get the question: Where are Costa Ricans buying?

 .Even the only road in and out of popular tourist destinations are riddled with major potholes.^ There is good paved road leading out of town, and only the last twenty kilometers (twelve miles) are unpaved.

 ^ Check out this Major Road Washout from the rains of Hurricane Cesar (1996) Note the truck for scale!
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 To avoid potholes, drivers will often snake through the left and right lanes, usually returning to the right when oncoming traffic approaches. While this may seem erratic, you can become quickly accustomed to it. .If you see a tree branch or pole poking out of the middle of a road, that is a "sign" that there is a deep sinkhole, pothole or manhole without a cover.^ K) A Striped Cuckoo calls in a tree in a field on the road leading out of Bribri, near Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, 6/22/99.
  • The Sights and Sounds of Costa Rica, Sounds List 19 January 2010 8:49 UTC www.naturesongs.com [Source type: General]

 ^ There was a nest nearby with a chick in a telephone pole along the road.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ What you will see most is misty forest with dense vegetation and majestic trees..

 Stay away from it.
Driving at night is highly inadvisable due to the unpredictability of road conditions and lack of safety features such as guard rails on the many hairpin turns in the hills.
.Many roads are unpaved, and even the paved roads have lots of unpaved sections and washed out or unfinished bridges.^ There is good paved road leading out of town, and only the last twenty kilometers (twelve miles) are unpaved.

 Bridges are often only wide enough for one vehicle; one direction usually has priority. Do not expect to get anywhere quickly, supposed 3 hour journeys can turn into 5 or more hours easily: there are always slow cars/buses/trucks on the road. .This causes a lot of crazy driving, which you begin to emulate if you are in-country for more than a day.^ Costa Rica has more than 800 species of birds, more than all of the United States and Canada combined, and your guide will help you identify them.

 ^ In the more remote areas (such as Montezuma) they probably don’t come more than every two hours so if you miss the bus it’s a pain.
  • 'Costa Rica' tagged at Gary Said... 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC garysaid.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Now I can see it’s a lot more fun to trackchase in foreign countries where the experience is so much different than trackchasing at the same old track formats, again and again, in the United States.
  • Randy Lewis - Costa Rica - Part 1 12 September 2009 7:52 UTC www.ranlayracing.com [Source type: General]

 The government does not seem to be fixing the infrastructure well (or at all!) .50km/hr is good over unpaved roads.^ There is good paved road leading out of town, and only the last twenty kilometers (twelve miles) are unpaved.

 Some hotels, in the mountains, require a four-wheel-drive vehicle to reach the destination. Call ahead. This is more for the ground clearance then the quality of the road. .Four-wheel-drive vehicles are widely available at the car rentals near the airport, but call ahead.^ The better rental car companies tend to buy brand new vehicles, and turn them over before they put too many miles on them.

 ^ The roads can be tough on rental cars to begin with, and customers tend to drive them harder than they would a vehicle they actually own.
Navigation can prove challenging. Road signs are relatively few, and those that do exist can be inaccurate. .It is recommended that you have a good road map with the small towns listed, since road signs will often only indicate the next town, not the direction of the next major city.^ I’ll (probably) tell more about the Open Street Map project in a future post, but it’s one of the few maps only zoomable map with all the roads in and out of town that actually shows some detail of “downtown” Montezuma.
  • 'Costa Rica' tagged at Gary Said... 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC garysaid.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Located in Central America with direct flights from many US cities, this small piece of paradise is the place to go for your next vacation.
  • Costa Rica Hotels: Book Your Costa Rica Hotel Online | BookIt.com 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC www.bookit.com [Source type: General]

 ^ In the bigger cities this doesn’t appear to be a problem, if you miss a bus another one will be by soon and if it’s not the right bus it’s still heading in the correct direction, just hop on.
  • 'Costa Rica' tagged at Gary Said... 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC garysaid.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 .Towns generally do not have town-limit signs; you are best to look at the names on the roadside food stores and restaurants to determine the place you are passing.^ It’s kind of the centralized place for the bus transfers, a few more restaurants, way faster Internet and some larger stores.
  • 'Costa Rica' tagged at Gary Said... 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC garysaid.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Just going into a restaurant is a new experience, almost like when your parents let you order your own food for the first time.
  • 'Costa Rica' tagged at Gary Said... 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC garysaid.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Caravan delivers volume to our suppliers, who in turn reward us with their very best prices, we in turn pass these savings on to you, and you reward us by buying our tours.
  • Costa Rica Tours | All Inclusive, Fully Escorted 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC www.caravan.com [Source type: General]

 Stop and ask, practice your Spanish. .The center of town is usually a public park with a Catholic Church across from it.^ Religious education teachers in public schools must be certified by the Roman Catholic Church Conference, which does not certify teachers from other denominations or faiths.
  • Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC www.state.gov [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Besides notaries public, only officials of the Roman Catholic Church may perform marriages that are automatically recognized by the state.
  • Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC www.state.gov [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
.There are no formal street addresses in Costa Rica, but two informal systems exist.^ There is also a respectable wine list, featuring a variety of Chiliean and Argentine wines that are popular in Costa Rica.

 ^ (There is a deductible of $1,000 to US$1,500 -by law in Costa Rica that will be charged to your credit card in case of damage or theft done to the car).

 ^ I first visited Costa Rica almost two decades ago.

 The first (often used in tourist information) indicates the road on which the establishment is located (e.g. "6th Avenue") together with the crossroad interval (e.g. "between 21st and 23rd Streets"). .In practice, street signs are virtually non-existent, and locals do not even know the name of the street they are on.^ It wasn’t the local group that I’ve seen do street shows before but they were excellent.
  • 'Costa Rica' tagged at Gary Said... 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC garysaid.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 The second system, which is much more reliable and understood by locals, is known as the "Tico address", usually involving an oriented distance (e.g. "100 meters south, 50 meters east") from a landmark (e.g. "the cathedral").
.It is worth noting the particular road naming system in San Jose.^ It probably is not worth the extra drive from San Jose.

 Avenues run east-west and streets run north-south. The numbering is less straighforward. Starting at Central Avenue going South are 2nd, 4th, 6th Avenue, etc. while going North are 1st, 3rd, 5th, etc. Streets use even numbers going west, and odd numbers going east. This means that if you are at 7th Avenue and 4th Street, and looking for 6th Avenue and 5th Street, you are on the wrong side of town.
.Gas stations are full service and the guys there are very cool about taking dollars or Colón(es).^ He was a very nice younger guy and obviously passionate about food.

 .The interesting thing is that Costa Rica is small so you do not burn a lot of gas getting places even though it seems like forever.^ If you are unsure of where in Costa Rica you would like to live and do not want to jump into making the very important decision of purchasing property without being 100% then you should definitely consider renting.

 ^ Shopping excursions, scenic drives and relaxing boat rides are among the many activities you will find in our assortment of Costa Rica vacations.
  • Costa Rica Tours, Costa Rica Travel, Costa Rica Vacations, Travel Costa Rica, Costa Rica Vacation Packages 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC www.tourvacationstogo.com [Source type: General]

 ^ Have you always dreamed of getting away from the "big smoke" and settling in a lush tropical country like Costa Rica?

 .Costa Rica is also land of the traffic circles so people from Europe should have no problem but North Americans should make sure they know how they work.^ As I write this, I don’t even know where Costa Rica is for sure.
  • Randy Lewis - Costa Rica - Part 1 12 September 2009 7:52 UTC www.ranlayracing.com [Source type: General]

 ^ They are fairly ubiquitous in Costa Rica.
  • The Sights and Sounds of Costa Rica, Sounds List 19 January 2010 8:49 UTC www.naturesongs.com [Source type: General]

 ^ If you are unsure of where in Costa Rica you would like to live and do not want to jump into making the very important decision of purchasing property without being 100% then you should definitely consider renting.

 .The gas stations really are full service, and you can have your oil checked, water filled, and tire pressure topped off.^ You can do the really important things in your life after a relaxing Trackchaser Report read, right?
  • Randy Lewis - Costa Rica - Part 1 12 September 2009 7:52 UTC www.ranlayracing.com [Source type: General]

 ^ Save up to 7.5% off the land price of a Trafalgar tour if you book and pay at least 10 months prior to your departure date.
  • Costa Rica Tours, Costa Rica Travel, Costa Rica Vacations, Travel Costa Rica, Costa Rica Vacation Packages 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC www.tourvacationstogo.com [Source type: General]

 ^ Did you lose your top and had to substitute a bottom from a different pair?
  • 'Costa Rica' tagged at Gary Said... 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC garysaid.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 The state owns a gasoline company and the private companies raise their prices to the level of the state set price. It is recommendable to always use super gas and not regular, the regular is soiled. If not you will have to change the gas filter and clean the injectors after 5000 miles.

By bus

.There are bus services from the neighboring countries of Panamá, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Mexico and Guatemala.^ While evidence suggested that most trafficked persons remained in the country, some transited to Canada, Guatemala, Mexico, Japan, and the United States.
  • Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC www.state.gov [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
.There is an extensive network of bus routes within the country with reasonable fares.^ In practice the government provided protection against refoulement, the return of persons to a country where there is reason to believe they feared persecution.
  • Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC www.state.gov [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ There is also a good network of hiking trails within the national park.

 ^ But there isn’t any reason for me to be at the bus stop at 11:30 if the bus isn’t until 12:30 (especially if it’s going to be late), it’s certainly not going to leave early.
  • 'Costa Rica' tagged at Gary Said... 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC garysaid.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 Departures are very punctual, though routes often take longer than expected. .Stop by the Tourist Office downtown (underneath the Gold Museum in the Plaza--ask anyone and they'll be able to help you out).^ If you compare the location and quality of these units with anything else in Jaco you'll see why they won't last.

 ^ In Costa Rica if you don’t ask for the check (la quintaff cuenta) they’ll never bring it to your table.
  • 'Costa Rica' tagged at Gary Said... 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC garysaid.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ It is already good, but the secret here is that if you ask, they will let you add some pizza ingredients.

 .The bus system is a safe and even fun way to see a lot of the country cheaply and not have to worry about car rentals.^ I figure I could probably hire a taxi for about the same money as one day’s rental car charges.
  • Randy Lewis - Costa Rica - Part 1 12 September 2009 7:52 UTC www.ranlayracing.com [Source type: General]

 ^ When I arrived at the counter I was directed to follow another fellow outside to wait for the rental car bus that would take me to the remote car pickup location!
  • Randy Lewis - Costa Rica - Part 1 12 September 2009 7:52 UTC www.ranlayracing.com [Source type: General]

 ^ It is something to think about when your rental car is broken down in Northern Guanacaste.

 .Getting around without Spanish is no problem.^ I’ve been having a hard time getting my head around some of the damage, I found some photos at Inside Costa Rica and a video clip (in Spanish).
  • 'Costa Rica' tagged at Gary Said... 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC garysaid.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

By boat

.There is twice daily boat service from Los Chiles (in NE Costa Rica), former home of the Contras, to San Carlos, Nicaragua.^ (There is a deductible of $1,000 to US$1,500 -by law in Costa Rica that will be charged to your credit card in case of damage or theft done to the car).

 ^ There is also a respectable wine list, featuring a variety of Chiliean and Argentine wines that are popular in Costa Rica.

 ^ Steps that you can take: Check the current validity of your passport and the availability of blank visa pages All travelers will need a valid passport for their travels to Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Visa : Application, Requirements. Apply for Costa Rican Visas Online. 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC costa-rica.visahq.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 The cost is about $5, plus a $1 fee. .The boats usually leave San Carlos at 10:30 am and 4 pm.^ They also turn the electricity off after 10:30 PM, but I was told that this was being remedied soon.

 ^ San Carlos Prison reduced the number of inmates by 7 percent, which put it at capacity as of June 30.
  • Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC www.state.gov [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
.Small ship cruises carrying less than 100 passengers begin in Panama and end in Costa Rica or reverse.^ Bananas are transported by Ship from Panama and Costa Rica to the rest of the world.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ RESTAURANT IN FANCY MALL FOR SALE SAN JOSE COSTA RICA # 51001-01506 - $100,000.00 - Financing Available!
  • Costa Rica Properties - Your Source For Costa Rica Real Estate 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC www.unitedcountry.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ While the appearance of this place was much hipper than I will ever be, in the end it was still a little slice of Costa Rica.

 .These cruises visit popular National Parks such as Manuel Antonio but also visit remote beaches and coastline not accessible by road.^ These were recorded in the forest at Manuel Antonio.
  • The Sights and Sounds of Costa Rica, Sounds List 19 January 2010 8:49 UTC www.naturesongs.com [Source type: General]

 ^ Two Black-hooded Antshrikes ( Thamnophilus bridgesi )(110K) These two males competed for song supremacy at Manuel Antonio for hours !
  • The Sights and Sounds of Costa Rica, Sounds List 19 January 2010 8:49 UTC www.naturesongs.com [Source type: General]

 ^ Manuel Antonio National Park, is a small National Park in the Central Pacific Conservation Area located on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, just south of the city of Quepos, Puntarenas, and 132 km from the national capital of San Jos.

 .Prices range from $2000-$6000 per person for 7-10 day tours.^ Plus USA departure taxes/fuel surcharges/security of US$100 to 200 per person (please call it changes every day) .

 ^ From Dec.10 to Dec.22 -please add $200 per person.

 ^ Tour rates per person including airfare from Miami .
Larger cruise ships occasionally dock or anchor at Porto Caldera and Puntarenas for a day or so, usually to begin, end or continue cruises with itineraries through the Panama Canal to or from Caribbean or U.S. ports.
Cocos Island coastline
Cocos Island coastline
.Keep in mind the pet peeve most tourists have with tico kindness: often times when a tico has no idea where a certain destination you may have had in mind is, he or she will simply direct you to a random location.^ It may be the case that countries you pass through en route to your destination may require a separate transit visa.
  • Costa Rica Visa : Application, Requirements. Apply for Costa Rican Visas Online. 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC costa-rica.visahq.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ The Tico Times has a lot of the earthquake coverage (you do have to do some clicking and scrolling, they’re mostly a subscription service).
  • 'Costa Rica' tagged at Gary Said... 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC garysaid.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Why all those others thought it was 11:30 and 12:00, I have no idea, they said those times with no hesitation.
  • 'Costa Rica' tagged at Gary Said... 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC garysaid.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 .Often simply incomprehensible, these directions are a reflection on the cultural approach to kindness many Costa Ricans adopt.^ Local Costa Ricans often use dugouts with small engines on the back when traveling in the Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ I’m not sure many of my Costa Rican friends can even comprehend cold that cold… .
  • 'Costa Rica' tagged at Gary Said... 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC garysaid.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Check out these slides from a "Bog" habitat and, just about 300 meters higher, Costa Rican "Paramo."
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 Ask for directions from several different people if you aren't convinced by the first answer you get.

Public bus

.Most major tourist destinations in Costa Rica are serviced by at least two daily buses from and to San Jose.^ The two most logical choices were Atlanta or San Jose, Costa Rica.
  • Randy Lewis - Costa Rica - Part 1 12 September 2009 7:52 UTC www.ranlayracing.com [Source type: General]

 ^ Atlanta, GA – San Jose, Costa Rica – 1,628 miles .
  • Randy Lewis - Costa Rica - Part 1 12 September 2009 7:52 UTC www.ranlayracing.com [Source type: General]

 ^ HOTEL: GET IN ON THE BOOMING TOURISM OF COSTA RICA SAN JOSE COSTA RICA # 51001-01001 - $2,950,000.00 - Approximately 1,000 rooms are required to accommodate the number of tourists constantly flowing into Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Properties - Your Source For Costa Rica Real Estate 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC www.unitedcountry.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 .The advantages of public transportation in Costa Rica are that tickets are cheap (rarely more than $7 US per person) and they cover most towns around the country.^ From US$ 1850 per person .

 ^ They are fairly ubiquitous in Costa Rica.
  • The Sights and Sounds of Costa Rica, Sounds List 19 January 2010 8:49 UTC www.naturesongs.com [Source type: General]

 ^ (There is a deductible of $1,000 to US$1,500 -by law in Costa Rica that will be charged to your credit card in case of damage or theft done to the car).

Rental car

.One great advantage of renting a car is that you can visit many of the secluded beaches and mountain areas.^ I figured a few short taxi rides would be equal to or less than $35 I would spend renting a car for one day.
  • Randy Lewis - Costa Rica - Part 1 12 September 2009 7:52 UTC www.ranlayracing.com [Source type: General]

 ^ One of the most fun nights you can have here, is a visit to “Salsipuedes.” This loosely translates as “get out if you can”.

 ^ A few of the ones in the woman in costume I pulled from video I took so the quality might not be so great but I wanted you to see… .
  • 'Costa Rica' tagged at Gary Said... 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC garysaid.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 .And with the power of the Internet, you can now rent just about any vehicle online and have it waiting for you when you arrive.^ It’s better if you just wonder about it.
  • Randy Lewis - Costa Rica - Part 1 12 September 2009 7:52 UTC www.ranlayracing.com [Source type: General]

 ^ You can eat the food and drink the water just about everywhere.

 ^ (TREC 01) After a while, the fruit was just about gone (TREC 01) This white face monkey seems to be saying: "It's mine, and, you can't have it!"
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
.For 350-700 USD a week you can rent a econocar/mid size 4WD. Insurance is the majority of this cost and it is not optional.^ Size: 93m2 (1000 square feet) including terrace Rent $700 includes monthly maintenance, water, cable and internet!

 4 wheel drive is good for extensive traveling outside the Central Valley, especially in the wet season. .In the dry season going from La Fortuna to Monteverde via a direct route was over a boulder strewn 15-30 MPH road.^ K) A White-ringed Flycatcher , ( Conopias albovittata ) calls along the dirt road to Fortuna Falls, near La Fortuna, 6/12/98, in the early evening.
  • The Sights and Sounds of Costa Rica, Sounds List 19 January 2010 8:49 UTC www.naturesongs.com [Source type: General]

 ^ K) An Eastern Meadowlark ( Sturnella magna ) sings in a hilly field about 10 miles outside Monteverde on the road to Arenal, Mid-afternoon 6/15/99.
  • The Sights and Sounds of Costa Rica, Sounds List 19 January 2010 8:49 UTC www.naturesongs.com [Source type: General]

 ^ My Autodromo La Guacima contact had directed me to go to the office at gate 2 to pickup up my track credentials.
  • Randy Lewis - Costa Rica - Part 1 12 September 2009 7:52 UTC www.ranlayracing.com [Source type: General]

 4WD was also useful on the Nicoya coast.(above based on 2001 roads). .Driving in Costa Rica is, by American standards, dangerous. Costa Rica has one of the highest deaths by car accidents in the world.^ (There is a deductible of $1,000 to US$1,500 -by law in Costa Rica that will be charged to your credit card in case of damage or theft done to the car).

 ^ Contact the nearest embassy or consulate of Costa Rica Take advantage of our extensive embassy and consular database to find the nearest one.
  • Costa Rica Visa : Application, Requirements. Apply for Costa Rican Visas Online. 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC costa-rica.visahq.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ TROPICAL CONDOMINIUM SAN JOSE COSTA RICA # 51001-01242 - $274,500.00 - Built to accommodate the taste and styles of North American people and standards at affordable Costa Rican prices!
  • Costa Rica Properties - Your Source For Costa Rica Real Estate 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC www.unitedcountry.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 .And the roads are usualy not in very good conditions.^ Also, until recently the road has not been very good.

 ^ Even then, this road is in very good condition and is generally not as scary as the other road up from the Pan Am.

 ^ There is a very good paved road from the Pan American highway that leads into Los Juntas.

 .It's often possible to rent a car with a local driver from the various tour companies, if driving yourself seems a bit daunting.^ K) This sample is a bit better , but these guys always seem to sing in the noisiest possible environs!
  • The Sights and Sounds of Costa Rica, Sounds List 19 January 2010 8:49 UTC www.naturesongs.com [Source type: General]

 ^ The cars are sold at auction, often to other rental car companies.
.Due to the condition of most roads outside San Jose, car insurance, even with a zero-deductible option, generally does not cover tires and rims.^ Best location in Escazu, the most exclusive area in San Jose.

 ^ If I have a car at the end of my trip when I come back to San Jose to leave I’ll do it… .
  • 'Costa Rica' tagged at Gary Said... 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC garysaid.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Then, after a big, family style breakfast, return by boat/car to San Jose with transfer to the hotel Irazu (B).

 .Car rental companies requires a guaranty deposit from 750 USD during the rental period and a credit card is necessary for this process.^ Choosing a reputable rental car company .

 ^ (There is a deductible of $1,000 to US$1,500 -by law in Costa Rica that will be charged to your credit card in case of damage or theft done to the car).

 ^ This might be the shortest distance I have ever traveled during an entire trip with a rental car.
  • Randy Lewis - Costa Rica - Part 1 12 September 2009 7:52 UTC www.ranlayracing.com [Source type: General]

 .Using an insurance program provided by some types of gold or platinum credit cards is a good advantage since these credit cards would cover small scratches, small dents as well as the entire rented vehicle in case of collision or theft.^ (There is a deductible of $1,000 to US$1,500 -by law in Costa Rica that will be charged to your credit card in case of damage or theft done to the car).

 ^ In addition, 1,619 primary schools and 132 secondary schools had programs to provide some support to students with disabilities.
  • Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC www.state.gov [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ If you are going to be using a credit card, it is a good idea to let your provider know.

 .Reliable companies are Dollar [3], Wild Rider[4] with competitive rates and the cheapest one is Explorer Car Rental[5], great cars and good service.^ Choosing a reputable rental car company .

 ^ A good rental car is essential for a positive travel experience.

 ^ I figure I could probably hire a taxi for about the same money as one day’s rental car charges.
  • Randy Lewis - Costa Rica - Part 1 12 September 2009 7:52 UTC www.ranlayracing.com [Source type: General]
.You have to exercise caution when renting a car in Costa Rica, where it is not uncommon for rental companies to claim for "damage" they insist you inflicted on the vehicle.^ Choosing a reputable rental car company .

 ^ You can just pay them to your rental car company.

 ^ Costa Rica has what you are looking for...

 .It is by far the best policy to rent a car through a Costa Rican travel agent.^ For other tour programs to Costa Rica, have your Travel Agent call Tara Tours .

 ^ For other tour programs to Costa Rica, have your Travel Agent call Tara Tours.

 ^ Local Costa Ricans often use dugouts with small engines on the back when traveling in the Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 .If you are traveling on a package, your agent will sort this out.^ For other tour programs to Costa Rica, have your Travel Agent call Tara Tours .

 ^ Please consult with your travel agent before departure or send us an e-mail to tara@taratours.com .

 ^ We recommend that you have at least two free pages in Visas section of your passport before any international travel.
  • Costa Rica Visa, Canada: Application for Costa Rican Visa for Canadians. 19 January 2010 8:49 UTC costa-rica.visahq.ca [Source type: General]

 .Otherwise, go into an ICT-accredited travel agent in San Jose and ask them to arrange rental for you.^ Transfer to the airport for flight to San Jose where you will be connecting with flight back to USA. (B) .

 ^ Then, after breakfast transfer by boat to the local airport for flight to San Jose where your naturalist tour guide will be waiting for you.

 ^ On that trip, we were able to tour the city of San Jose and go out in the country to see the coffee plantations.
  • Randy Lewis - Costa Rica - Part 1 12 September 2009 7:52 UTC www.ranlayracing.com [Source type: General]

 .This should be no more expensive than renting on your own and will help guard against false claims of damage and other accusations; rental companies will be less willing to make trouble with an agent who regularly sends them clients than with individual customers who they may not see again.^ It was more expensive than what I paid in Manhattan!

 ^ Other than the company’s own testimonials, what kind of references do they have?

 ^ I figured a few short taxi rides would be equal to or less than $35 I would spend renting a car for one day.
  • Randy Lewis - Costa Rica - Part 1 12 September 2009 7:52 UTC www.ranlayracing.com [Source type: General]
.Make sure to check the car carefully before you sign off the damage sheet.^ If you get the chance, make sure you visit the heart of Corcovado!
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ If Carol dropped me off now and went home, and I didn’t make the flight, I would be stuck in San Diego without a car.
  • Randy Lewis - Costa Rica - Part 1 12 September 2009 7:52 UTC www.ranlayracing.com [Source type: General]

 ^ If you are going to be drinking alcohol at the hot springs, make sure you hydrate!

 .Check the oil, brake fluid, fuel gauge (to make sure it's full) and that there is a spare tire with a good air pressure and a jack.^ Mike runs the bar, and makes sure that everyone has a good time and meets the other patrons.

 ^ Be sure to check when high tide is, you don’t want to get trapped out there.
  • 'Costa Rica' tagged at Gary Said... 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC garysaid.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Sure, I have had some good pizzas there, and my wife tells me that they have the best vegetarian pizza that she has ever eaten.

 .Look up the Spanish for "scratches" (rayas) and other relevant terminology first, so you can at least scrutinize the rental company's assessment.^ The cars are sold at auction, often to other rental car companies.

 ^ I’m talking about “ road to Hana ” ( http://www.hanamaui.com/ ) type potholes that the rental car companies tell you are off-limits to rental cars.
  • Randy Lewis - Costa Rica - Part 1 12 September 2009 7:52 UTC www.ranlayracing.com [Source type: General]

 ^ Here is another perpsective And, if you look closely, this "blow-up" gets us even closer still!
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 .Ask them to write down all the minor damages, not only to check on the drawing and keep a copy of this document on you.^ You will be asked to place all of your luggage on a conveyor belt at the x-ray machines.

 ^ Although chances are slight that you will ever be asked to produce it, the copy works just fine.
.Take the maximum insurance (around $15-20 per day); because of the country's high accident rate, you need to be covered for damage to the vehicle, yourself, any third party and public property.^ If you wait long enough, one will fly out and take a look around occasionally.
  • The Sights and Sounds of Costa Rica, Sounds List 19 January 2010 8:49 UTC www.naturesongs.com [Source type: General]

 ^ The rates are very reasonable with standards going for around $80.00 per night, plus tax.

 ^ If you are part of a large group, figure $5.00 per person, per day.

Rental motorcycle

For about 420 USD a week, depending on the bike and the season, you can rent a dual sport bike or a chopper. A motorcycle rental company requires a guaranty deposit from 600 USD during the rental period. .Reliable companies are Wild Rider (www.wild-rider.com) and Maria Alexander (www.mariaalexandra.com) with competitive rates, great bikes and good service.^ I’m talking about “ road to Hana ” ( http://www.hanamaui.com/ ) type potholes that the rental car companies tell you are off-limits to rental cars.
  • Randy Lewis - Costa Rica - Part 1 12 September 2009 7:52 UTC www.ranlayracing.com [Source type: General]

Taxi

.Another easy way to get around Costa Rica is to use the services of mini-vans.^ Local Costa Ricans often use dugouts with small engines on the back when traveling in the Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ A ctenosaur, NW Costa Rica, Dry Forest , Ctenosaurus similis Another juvenile Ctenosaur (Ctenosaurus similis), this time a Greenie on a Rock While the adults are dark colored, the juveniles are green.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Use "Pop-Ups" below to select other Costa Rica 2003 Slideshows and Videos!
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 At most of the hotels, the receptionist is able to assist travelers who want to travel across the country by arranging for the services of a driver. .Rates are reasonable (US$29 per person, for example, to get from San Jose to Tamarindo in April 2007) The drivers know the roads well; the vans are clean and comfortable; and they take you from door to door.^ Local air from Tamarindo to San Jose.

 ^ Rates per person: .

 ^ Hotels -Rates per person for 2010 .
Taxis are available in most large cities. .They are usually inexpensive, charging only a few dollars to get most anywhere within the city.^ They are better than most rustic accommodations, but it would be easy to make a few improvements.

 .The meter is called "la maria"; ask the driver to turn it on immediately upon getting in the car, or he may leave it off and make up his own, more expensive, price when you get to your destination.^ If you lose your passport, a good copy will make things a heck of a lot easier at the embassy.

 ^ You cannot make this decision based on price alone.

 ^ Volcanos tend to follow fault lines and Costa Rica is right off of the one that becomes the San Andreas fault (if you follow it up a map you’ll see it).
  • 'Costa Rica' tagged at Gary Said... 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC garysaid.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 Official taxis are red with a yellow triangle on the side. .If you are alone, especially if you are female, ride in the back seat as riding in the front with the driver can be seen as suggestive.^ I was excited because I would get the front seat, the back seat makes me a little nauseous, especially in Costa Rica.
  • 'Costa Rica' tagged at Gary Said... 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC garysaid.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Band-backed Wrens ( Campylorhynchus zonatus ) almost never "sing" alone - if you can call what they do singing!
  • The Sights and Sounds of Costa Rica, Sounds List 19 January 2010 8:49 UTC www.naturesongs.com [Source type: General]

 Caution sould be exercised when using this service,extra caution.

Hitching

.Although illegal, hitchhiking is far more common in rural areas than in urban areas.^ Bellbirds sit high, high in the canopy and are heard far more than seen.
  • The Sights and Sounds of Costa Rica, Sounds List 19 January 2010 8:49 UTC www.naturesongs.com [Source type: General]

 ^ The Rufous Piha ( Lipaugus unirufus ) is a common lowland Cotinga that I hear more often than see (of course this is true of most Costa Rican birds!
  • The Sights and Sounds of Costa Rica, Sounds List 19 January 2010 8:49 UTC www.naturesongs.com [Source type: General]

 ^ But this kind of thing is more common than folks like to admit.

 .If you choose to hitchhike, Costa Ricans are generally very friendly and helpful, particularly in more rural areas where traffic on the dirt roads can be light.^ Mike is Costa Rican, and from this area.

 ^ This was my first introduction, in a very long time, to Costa Rican roads.
  • Randy Lewis - Costa Rica - Part 1 12 September 2009 7:52 UTC www.ranlayracing.com [Source type: General]

 ^ Please refer to Costa Rican Embassy website for more information.
  • Costa Rica Visa : Application, Requirements. Apply for Costa Rican Visas Online. 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC costa-rica.visahq.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 As always, be gracious and offer a bit of money, which will probably be declined.

By plane

There are two internal airlines that connects the major tourist towns. .You are limited to 25 or 30 pounds of carry on person, depending on the airline, Nature Air allows more luggage per person as their planes are larger and also twin engines.^ Because I was nearly the last person on the flight, they didn’t have any overhead storage for my carry-on rolling bag by the time I got on the plane.
  • Randy Lewis - Costa Rica - Part 1 12 September 2009 7:52 UTC www.ranlayracing.com [Source type: General]

 ^ If you are part of a large group, figure $5.00 per person, per day.

 The main airlines are NatureAir[6] and Sansa[7].

Talk

Spanish is the main language in Costa Rica. All major newspapers and official business are conducted in Spanish. English is used widely in areas populated by international tourists, and information for tourists is often bilingual or exclusively in English. A number of businesses operated by European proprietors can accommodate guests in Spanish, English and their native languages.
Some Costa Rican expressions:
  • Ma'e, used akin to the English word "dude", although literally meaning something more like "idiot". Generally spoken among friends. .It's pronounced 'my'.
  • Pura vida, literally translated as "pure life," is an expression endemic to Costa Rica.^ This is an old standard, and I have been coming here since my first visit to Costa Rica twenty years ago.

     ^ Here, you will find a vast array of tropical ecosystem images, photos, and movies taken while teaching my Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica course.
    • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

     ^ However, my original plan did not call for trackchasing in Costa Rica ( http://www.centralamerica.com/cr/maps/mapcosta.htm ) .
    • Randy Lewis - Costa Rica - Part 1 12 September 2009 7:52 UTC www.ranlayracing.com [Source type: General]

     It can be used in several contexts, as an expression of enthusiasm, agreement, or salutation. It's pronounced 'poora veeda'.
  • Pulpería, a general store.
  • Tuanis, means "OK" or "cool." Taken from English phrase "too nice".
.A prevalent version of slang in Costa Rica, and other regions of Latin America, is called "pachuco" or "pachuquismo," and is used by across social classes and understood as a "friendly" way of speaking.^ Costa Rica calling cards .
  • Costa Rica phone cards from USA | Costa Rica calling cards | Low rates to Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC www.comfi.com [Source type: Academic]

 ^ Calling cards to Costa Rica .
  • Costa Rica phone cards from USA | Costa Rica calling cards | Low rates to Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC www.comfi.com [Source type: Academic]

 ^ I love about Costa Rica with others .
.The "tu" form is not commonly used in Costa Rica (or in Central America generally), yet they understand it and have no problem using it with gringos or others who may have learned it.^ I love about Costa Rica with others .

 ^ They are fairly ubiquitous in Costa Rica.
  • The Sights and Sounds of Costa Rica, Sounds List 19 January 2010 8:49 UTC www.naturesongs.com [Source type: General]

 ^ All illustrations are copyright 1999 to Dana Gardner, who illustrated Gary Stiles and Alexander Skutch's " A Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica ", and many other books.
  • The Sights and Sounds of Costa Rica, Sounds List 19 January 2010 8:49 UTC www.naturesongs.com [Source type: General]

 Some people use the alternate informal "vos" but others consider it impolite and simply always use the "usted" form even with close friends. "Vosotros" is practically nonexistent.

Limónese Creole

.As well as Costa Rican Spanish, there is also an English-based creole language spoken in Limón Province (Puerto Limón) on the Caribbean Sea coast of Costa Rica.^ There is also a respectable wine list, featuring a variety of Chiliean and Argentine wines that are popular in Costa Rica.

 ^ (There is a deductible of $1,000 to US$1,500 -by law in Costa Rica that will be charged to your credit card in case of damage or theft done to the car).

 ^ Local Costa Ricans often use dugouts with small engines on the back when traveling in the Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 It is called Limónese Creole (also called Limón Creole English or Mekatelyu) Limón Coastal Creole is similar to varieties such as Colón Creole, Mískito Coastal Creole, Belizean Kriol language, and San Andrés and Providencia Creole. The name Mekatelyu is a transliteration of the phrase "make I tell you", or in standard English "let me tell you".

See

.Wildlife - Costa Rica is world famous for having an incredibly high level of biodiversity throughout its tropical forests (this covers what you may hear referred to as rain forests, cloud forests, and dry forests).^ Costa Rica has what you are looking for...

 ^ Once you have chosen your hotel why not investigate the extensive excursions and activities that this part of Costa Rica offers.
  • Costa Rica/Guanacaste Vacation Packages - Apple Vacations - Vacations for Families, Weddings, Luxury, Groups, Golf, Honeymoons,Spa and more 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC www.applevacations.com [Source type: General]

 ^ A ctenosaur, NW Costa Rica, Dry Forest , Ctenosaurus similis Another juvenile Ctenosaur (Ctenosaurus similis), this time a Greenie on a Rock While the adults are dark colored, the juveniles are green.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 .There are tropical mammals such as monkeys, sloths, tapirs, and wild cats as well as an amazing assortment of insects and other animals.^ Central American squirrel monkey, white-faced capuchin), anteaters, sloths, southern river otter, crab-eating raccoon, 5-6 cat species (e.g.

 ^ Take a look at people, crocodiles, birds, monkeys, sloths, and, yes, even a mother-daughter pair of tapirs!
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 .There are many many birds (both migratory and resident) - more on that below.^ Costa Rica can have as many as 800 species of resident and migratory birds present during certain times of the year.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 .With 25% of the country being national parks and protected areas, there are still many places you can go to see the abundant wildlife and lush vegetation of the country.^ It is widely considered the crown jewel in the extensive system of national parks and biological reserves spread across the country.

 ^ Have you always dreamed of getting away from the "big smoke" and settling in a lush tropical country like Costa Rica?

 ^ However, there aren’t that many countries where I can trackchase.
  • Randy Lewis - Costa Rica - Part 1 12 September 2009 7:52 UTC www.ranlayracing.com [Source type: General]

 .Just like anywhere, the farther you get off the beaten path, the more likely you are to see a wide variety of flora and fauna.^ I'd like to see more of the bird though.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ (TREC 98) Just when you thought there was no more room, algae colonies made the scene!
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Example 1 (201K) Example 2 (163K) If you are aware of mimicry in this species, I'd like to hear more about it from you.
  • The Sights and Sounds of Costa Rica, Sounds List 19 January 2010 8:49 UTC www.naturesongs.com [Source type: General]
.There is such biodiversity in Costa Rica not only because it's a land bridge between North and South America, but also because the terrain is so varied and there are weather patterns moving in from both the Pacific and Atlantic/Caribbean.^ There is also a respectable wine list, featuring a variety of Chiliean and Argentine wines that are popular in Costa Rica.

 ^ (There is a deductible of $1,000 to US$1,500 -by law in Costa Rica that will be charged to your credit card in case of damage or theft done to the car).

 ^ Hot Gecko Sex in SW Costa Rica (TREC 99) In 2005, we went north along the coastal highway to reach San Jose.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 .There are impressive volcanoes, mountain areas, rivers, lakes, and beaches all throughout the country.^ Prostitution is legal for persons over the age of 18 and was practiced openly throughout the country, particularly in areas with heavy concentrations of foreign tourists.
  • Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC www.state.gov [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 .There are many beautiful beaches - most of the popular ones are on the Pacific side but the Caribbean has many excellent beaches as well.^ There is a small observation deck there that looks out over the tops of the trees and on to one of the earth's most gorgeous beaches several hundred feet below - butterflies are everywhere, incredible flowers abound, and the peace is breathtaking!
  • The Sights and Sounds of Costa Rica, Sounds List 19 January 2010 8:49 UTC www.naturesongs.com [Source type: General]

 ^ The gated community, one of the most exclusive ones in the area boasts excellent common areas including; a club house, a swimming pool, children's playground and basketball court.

 ^ A side-view of the "blue and yellow suspenders" of this most beautiful of frogs!
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
Costa Rica Colibrì Amasilla Saucerrottei.
Costa Rica Colibrì Amasilla Saucerrottei.
.Bird Watching - One of the most wonderful activities for people who love nature is bird watching.^ Corcovado National Park is one of the most fascinating natural areas remaining in Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ And, one more wonderful Black-faced Solitaire view of this beautiful bird!
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Cherrie's Tanagers ( Ramphocelus costaricensis ) are common birds throughout the Pacific Slope (happily, since they are also one of the most strikingly beautiful!
  • The Sights and Sounds of Costa Rica, Sounds List 19 January 2010 8:49 UTC www.naturesongs.com [Source type: General]

 .You can enjoy bird watching in many areas of Costa Rica.^ Costa Rica has what you are looking for...

 ^ Once you have chosen your hotel why not investigate the extensive excursions and activities that this part of Costa Rica offers.
  • Costa Rica/Guanacaste Vacation Packages - Apple Vacations - Vacations for Families, Weddings, Luxury, Groups, Golf, Honeymoons,Spa and more 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC www.applevacations.com [Source type: General]

 ^ All illustrations are copyright 1999 to Dana Gardner, who illustrated Gary Stiles and Alexander Skutch's " A Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica ", and many other books.
  • The Sights and Sounds of Costa Rica, Sounds List 19 January 2010 8:49 UTC www.naturesongs.com [Source type: General]

 .Due to the great diversity of climates, temperatures and forest types in Costa Rica, there is a wonderful variety of birds, with over 800 species.^ All illustrations are copyright 1999 to Dana Gardner, who illustrated Gary Stiles and Alexander Skutch's " A Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica ", and many other books.
  • The Sights and Sounds of Costa Rica, Sounds List 19 January 2010 8:49 UTC www.naturesongs.com [Source type: General]

 ^ There is also a respectable wine list, featuring a variety of Chiliean and Argentine wines that are popular in Costa Rica.

 ^ A ctenosaur, NW Costa Rica, Dry Forest , Ctenosaurus similis Another juvenile Ctenosaur (Ctenosaurus similis), this time a Greenie on a Rock While the adults are dark colored, the juveniles are green.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 .Some helpful books available on bird watching are Birds of Costa Rica by F. Gary Stiles and Alexander Skutch (Cornell University Press) or An Illustrated Field Guide to Birds of Costa Rica, illustrated by Victor Esquivel Soto.^ All illustrations are copyright 1999 to Dana Gardner, who illustrated Gary Stiles and Alexander Skutch's " A Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica ", and many other books.
  • The Sights and Sounds of Costa Rica, Sounds List 19 January 2010 8:49 UTC www.naturesongs.com [Source type: General]

 ^ Costa Rica can have as many as 800 species of resident and migratory birds present during certain times of the year.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Steps that you can take: Check the current validity of your passport and the availability of blank visa pages All travelers will need a valid passport for their travels to Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Visa : Application, Requirements. Apply for Costa Rican Visas Online. 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC costa-rica.visahq.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 .These books can be found at certain bookstores in San José or before coming to Costa Rica.^ These wasps were found in SW Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ All illustrations are copyright 1999 to Dana Gardner, who illustrated Gary Stiles and Alexander Skutch's " A Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica ", and many other books.
  • The Sights and Sounds of Costa Rica, Sounds List 19 January 2010 8:49 UTC www.naturesongs.com [Source type: General]

 ^ Costa Rica can have as many as 800 species of resident and migratory birds present during certain times of the year.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 .They are both heavy books; many people tear out the plates of the Stiles & Skutch book to carry into the field and leave the rest of the book in their car or room.^ All illustrations are copyright 1999 to Dana Gardner, who illustrated Gary Stiles and Alexander Skutch's " A Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica ", and many other books.
  • The Sights and Sounds of Costa Rica, Sounds List 19 January 2010 8:49 UTC www.naturesongs.com [Source type: General]

 .Plastic cards with the most common birds are available for many areas and are sold at gift shops.^ The gated community, one of the most exclusive ones in the area boasts excellent common areas including; a club house, a swimming pool, children's playground and basketball court.
Costa Rica's list of birds includes:
.
  • 16 species of parrots including the fabulous scarlet macaw.
  • 50 species of hummingbirds.
  • 10 species of trogons with the resplendent quetzal as the jewel.
  • 6 species of toucans, including the keel-billed and chestnut-mandibled.
  • Half the bird species in Costa Rica are passerines including warblers, sparrows and finches.
  • 16 species of ducks, including the fulvous whistling, white-faced ruddy and American wigeon.
  • 13 species of falcons, including the peregrine falcon, merlin and American kestrel.
  • 36 species of prey, including the gray hawk, swallow-tailed kite, solitary eagle and northern harrier.
  • 6 species of cracidae which look like turkeys.
  • 8 species of new world quails.
  • 15 species of rallideas including the rufous-necked wood-rail, American coot and ruddy crake.
  • 19 species of owls including the black-and-white, Costa Rican pygmy, central American pygmy and striped.
  • 3 species of potoos including the great, northern and common.
  • 16 species of woodpeckers, including cinnamon, chestnut-colored and pale-billed.^ K) Chestnut-mandibled Toucans ( Ramphastos swainsonii ) are one of the two large toucans in Costa Rica.
    • The Sights and Sounds of Costa Rica, Sounds List 19 January 2010 8:49 UTC www.naturesongs.com [Source type: General]

     ^ Blue-gray Tanagers ( Thraupis episcopus ) are also common in Costa Rica.
    • The Sights and Sounds of Costa Rica, Sounds List 19 January 2010 8:49 UTC www.naturesongs.com [Source type: General]

     ^ Surely the most impressive parrot (and possibly the most impressive bird in Costa Rica is the Scarlet Macaw ( Ara macao ).
    • The Sights and Sounds of Costa Rica, Sounds List 19 January 2010 8:49 UTC www.naturesongs.com [Source type: General]

     [8]
The coastal list of birds includes:
.
  • 19 species of herons & wading birds such as the great blue heron, great egret, boat-billed heron, reddish egret and yellow-crowned night-heron.
  • 2 species of recurvirostraide which are waders and include the black-necked stilt and American avocet.
  • 2 species of jacans including the northern and wattled.
  • 34 species of scolopacidae including the short-billed dowitcher, spotted sandpiper, wandering tattler, surfbird, and red phalarope.
  • 9 species of gulls including the gray, Heermann's and ring-billed.
  • 14 species of sternidae (terns) including the gull-billed tern, Forster's tern, least tern and white tern.
  • 4 species of vultures including the the king culture.
  • 24 species of doves and pigeons.
  • 11 species of swifts including the black, spot-fronted and Costa Rican.
  • 6 species of kingfishers including the green, Amazon and American pygmy.
  • 5 species of threskiornithidaes including the roseate spoonbill and white-faced ibis.
  • 2 species of ciconiidae including the wood stork and jabiru.^ Black Spiny-tailed Iguana, Green Iguana, Common Basilisk, White-nosed Coati and many snake and bat species are also common in the park.

     ^ There are at least 400 other bird species here, including the Three-Wattled Bellbird - not easily seen but frequently heard, over 100 species of mammals and over 2500 species of plants.

     ^ Costa Rica can have as many as 800 species of resident and migratory birds present during certain times of the year.
    • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

     [9]
Good Bird watching spots include:
.
  • Monteverde Cloud Forest has more than 400 species of birds, including resplendent quetzals.
  • Tortuguero National Park has 300 species of birds.
  • Santa Rosa National Park has more than 250 species of birds.
  • Cahuita National Park has toucans, parrots, rufous kingfishers; the park is on the beach.
  • La Sevla Biological Station in the northern lowlands has 420 species of birds.
  • Helconia Island has 228 species of birds.
  • Corcovado National Park has 400 species of birds and 1,200 scarlet macaws.
  • Huedal Nacional Terraba-Sierpe has a myriad of birds along the coast and swamps.
  • Carara National Park has 400 species of birds.
  • Tárcoles has 400 species of birds and great river tours highlighting crocodiles.
  • Whale Marine National Park has frigate birds, boobies, ibises and pelicans.
  • La Amistad National Park has 500 species of birds including resplendent quetzals.
  • Manuel Antonio National Park has 350 species of birds and three lovely beaches.^ An offshore island houses magnificent frigates, pelicans and boobies near Corcovado National Park.
    • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

     ^ These were recorded in the forest at Manuel Antonio.
    • The Sights and Sounds of Costa Rica, Sounds List 19 January 2010 8:49 UTC www.naturesongs.com [Source type: General]

     ^ (TREC 99) Scarlet Macaws (Ara macao) fly along the coast in Corcovado National Park .
    • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

     [10]
.Most hotels, as well as tourist information centers, will provide bird watching guides, maps and other essentials for bird watching.^ All illustrations are copyright 1999 to Dana Gardner, who illustrated Gary Stiles and Alexander Skutch's " A Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica ", and many other books.
  • The Sights and Sounds of Costa Rica, Sounds List 19 January 2010 8:49 UTC www.naturesongs.com [Source type: General]

 Unless you are an experienced neotropical birder, it can be a lot more productive to go out with an experienced birding guide. Do not forget to bring a hat, rain gear, boots, binoculars and camera. In hot areas, an umbrella can be more useful than a poncho or jacket. .Southern Costa Rica is generally considered the better option for bird watching.^ All illustrations are copyright 1999 to Dana Gardner, who illustrated Gary Stiles and Alexander Skutch's " A Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica ", and many other books.
  • The Sights and Sounds of Costa Rica, Sounds List 19 January 2010 8:49 UTC www.naturesongs.com [Source type: General]

 ^ Costa Rica can have as many as 800 species of resident and migratory birds present during certain times of the year.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ The Great Tinamou ( Tinamus major ) is the most ancient of birds in Costa Rica.
  • The Sights and Sounds of Costa Rica, Sounds List 19 January 2010 8:49 UTC www.naturesongs.com [Source type: General]
Arenal Volcano in Guanacaste, March 2007
Arenal Volcano in Guanacaste, March 2007
.Volcanoes -Costa Rica is one of the most seismologicly active countries in the western hemisphere, and as a result several volcanoes have sprouted over the years- most notably volcanoes Poas, Irazu, and Arenal.^ Costa Rica has over 600 extinct and active volcanoes.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ After lunch continue on to Arenal, one of the youngest and most active volcanoes of Costa Rica.

 ^ Contact the nearest embassy or consulate of Costa Rica Take advantage of our extensive embassy and consular database to find the nearest one.
  • Costa Rica Visa : Application, Requirements. Apply for Costa Rican Visas Online. 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC costa-rica.visahq.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

Do

Beaches

.Costa Rica is a country with an extraordinary wealth of things to do, but regardless of your travel interests, you're going to want to spend time at one of the country's great beaches.^ Costa Rica has what you are looking for...

 ^ Once you have chosen your hotel why not investigate the extensive excursions and activities that this part of Costa Rica offers.
  • Costa Rica/Guanacaste Vacation Packages - Apple Vacations - Vacations for Families, Weddings, Luxury, Groups, Golf, Honeymoons,Spa and more 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC www.applevacations.com [Source type: General]

 ^ If you are unsure of where in Costa Rica you would like to live and do not want to jump into making the very important decision of purchasing property without being 100% then you should definitely consider renting.

 .The lion's share of beach tourism is concentrated on the Pacific side, in the Central Pacific region near San José, the Nicoya Peninsula, and in the dry tropical forests of Guanacaste.^ TREC 04 ) Three views near the Continental Divide in Monteverde: Looking toward the lower preserve ; a view from within the forest to the wooded lower elevations and a striking view of the extreme deforestation on the Pacific side.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ TREC 04 ) We also found a beautiful Crested Guan ( Penelope purpurascens ) in the Pacific Lowland forests of Corcovado National Park near Sirena Field Station.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Paradisus Playa Conchal lies on one-and-a-half miles of white-sand beaches and is framed by surrounding tropical forests.

 .Less touristed, but no less beautiful are the beaches in the tropical rainforest of the southern Pacific coast near Corcovado National Park, or on the exotic, rastafarian, eco-tourism paradise of the Caribbean side.^ Found in Corcovado National Park near Sirena!
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ A typical trail in Corcovado National Park .
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ The epicenter was near Limon on the Caribbean coast.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
While some of the best beach vacations will be found on tiny quiet beaches off the beaten path, or even at exclusive resorts, here's a quick list of the country's biggest and most popular beach destinations:
  • Corcovado — the main beach on Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula, with black sand beaches fronted by the thick Costa Rican tropical rainforest
  • Dominical — probably the biggest surfing destination in the country, with a good nightlife scene
  • Jacó — the party beach city right by San José, a surfer's paradise full of nightlife and casinos
  • Montezuma — the bohemian option, on the Nicoya Peninsula, full of dreadlocks, surfers, and what you would expect would come along with them (known as "monte fuma" by the locals)
  • Playa Grande — this tranquil white sand beach is home to the largest nesting site for the leatherback sea turtle on the Pacific coast, as well as, one of the best surfing waves in the Guanacaste Province
  • Tamarindo — the upscale option, with beautiful beaches complemented by boutique shopping and high class dining
  • Tortuguero — the Caribbean side's most famous beach, which caters to eco-tourists looking to explore the rainforest and spot some manatees

Rafting

.Costa Rica is one of the countries, with more rivers per square kilometer, in the world.^ TREC 04 ) A spectacular male Scarlet-rumped Tanager ( Ramphocelus passerinii ) near the Sierpe River System in SW Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ More frogs from the Manzanillo region can be seen HERE (TREC 02) showing a potpourri of creatures, including frogs, from SE Costa Rica, Almonds and Corals.
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 ^ A freshwater American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus), 2 m long, Sierpe River, SW Costa Rica.
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 .Anywhere you go you will find some kind of float trip to enjoy nature from a very unique point of view.^ Enjoy your stay, you are going to a very special place.

 ^ Kind of makes you go Hmmm......Boulders were rolling down the slopes like huge Bowling Balls.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ K) If you get really close to a singing Slaty-backed Nightingale Thrush, the song can lose some of the ethereal quality that it gains from reverberation and natural acoustics.
  • The Sights and Sounds of Costa Rica, Sounds List 19 January 2010 8:49 UTC www.naturesongs.com [Source type: General]
.For many years, the rafting Mecca of Costa Rica was Turrialba, a large town embedded in the mountains near the Reventazon and Pacuare Rivers, on the Caribbean slope of Costa Rica.^ All illustrations are copyright 1999 to Dana Gardner, who illustrated Gary Stiles and Alexander Skutch's " A Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica ", and many other books.
  • The Sights and Sounds of Costa Rica, Sounds List 19 January 2010 8:49 UTC www.naturesongs.com [Source type: General]

 ^ Local Costa Ricans often use dugouts with small engines on the back when traveling in the Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ A remarkable QUICKTIME MOVIE of an American Crocodile ( Crocodylus acutus ) along the banks of the Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica near the Pacific coast.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 .Second in popularity was always the Sarapiqui River shed which pushed the opening of rafting companies near the Arenal Volcano.^ Today you will have a choice of 2 full day exciting trips River rafting the Reventazon River (Class III The most popular rafting trip in Central America.

 ^ Here is a Fantastic array of Heliconia Flowers near Arenal Volcano.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ La Fortuna Waterfall near Arenal volcano.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 Then, rivers such as the Penas Blancas (now dammed) and Toro started delighting rafting enthusiasts in the northern slopes of the country.
.Nowadays there are a wide variety of exciting river trips offered in Costa Rica.^ (There is a deductible of $1,000 to US$1,500 -by law in Costa Rica that will be charged to your credit card in case of damage or theft done to the car).

 ^ There is also a respectable wine list, featuring a variety of Chiliean and Argentine wines that are popular in Costa Rica.

 ^ Today you will have a choice of 2 full day exciting trips River rafting the Reventazon River (Class III The most popular rafting trip in Central America.

 .On the Pacific slope is the largest volume river, El General.^ (TREC 00) Rio General River Valley This is a major river system that eventually flows into the Pacific Ocean.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Bay Wrens ( Thryothorus nigricapillus ) occupy the same niche on the Carribrean slope as the Riverside Wren (below) occupies in the South Pacific slope - dense river and stream galleries.
  • The Sights and Sounds of Costa Rica, Sounds List 19 January 2010 8:49 UTC www.naturesongs.com [Source type: General]

 .This river is famous for multi-day adventures and for being an incredible playground for kayakers.^ Active Costa Rica 8 days River Rafting, Biking, Rain forest & Beach Adventure .

 As part of this watershed is the Coto Brus River. .Further north, in the central pacific coast, are the Savegre and Naranjo Rivers.^ (TREC 00) The Sierpe River is one of the more important estuaries on the Pacific coast.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ A remarkable QUICKTIME MOVIE of an American Crocodile ( Crocodylus acutus )along the banks of the Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica near the Pacific coast.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ A remarkable QUICKTIME MOVIE of an American Crocodile ( Crocodylus acutus ) along the banks of the Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica near the Pacific coast.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 .In this area you have the opportunity to enjoy both half day trips on the Naranjo River and 1-2 day trips on the Savegre River.^ Today you will have a choice of 2 full day exciting trips River rafting the Reventazon River (Class III The most popular rafting trip in Central America.

 ^ Day 02: MOUNTAIN BIKING Enjoy a full day of Mountain Biking in the Cartago or Turrialba area.

 ^ Day 03: PACUARE WHITEWATER RAFTING, CLASS III-IV Trip of unsurpassed beauty, exuberant wildlife and ravishing rapids, the quintessential tropical river.

 Near Canas, Guanacaste there is the Corobici River widely known for being an excellent nature float trip and the Tenorio River, which started running commercially soon after the new millennium.
.As for recommendations, the quintessential Pacuare River (Class III-IV) is on the top of the list and even better if you have time for a 2 or 3 day adventure.^ Day 03: PACUARE WHITEWATER RAFTING, CLASS III-IV Trip of unsurpassed beauty, exuberant wildlife and ravishing rapids, the quintessential tropical river.

 ^ Today you will have a choice of 2 full day exciting trips River rafting the Reventazon River (Class III The most popular rafting trip in Central America.

 ^ Topping the list was our first nesting female, and, the next day, witnessing the hatching, and assisting in the release, of 40 baby leatherbacks.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 .If you are interested in similar trips, the Savegre River (Class III-IV) is an excellent alternative for an overnight.^ Today you will have a choice of 2 full day exciting trips River rafting the Reventazon River (Class III The most popular rafting trip in Central America.

 ^ Day 03: PACUARE WHITEWATER RAFTING, CLASS III-IV Trip of unsurpassed beauty, exuberant wildlife and ravishing rapids, the quintessential tropical river.

 ^ After the trip, return to San Jose for overnight at Hotel Don Carlos B&B or similar.
.If you want more adrenalin, the Chorro Section (Class IV+) of the Naranjo River, near Manuel Antonio, Quepos is the most exhilarating rafting trip of the country.^ You will certainly find this to be true in the Quepos / Manuel Antonio area.

 ^ Today you will have a choice of 2 full day exciting trips River rafting the Reventazon River (Class III The most popular rafting trip in Central America.

 ^ I had an office in Quepos / Manuel Antonio for almost two years.

 This section is run from December to May.
.As for nature oriented trips, the Penas Blancas river would be the perfect example of the biodiversity of the country.^ And of course, no river trip would be complete without wonderful looks at Green-backed Herons ( Butorides striatus ) Here are a few larger images of Green-backed Herons--- IMAGE A , IMAGE B , IMAGE C .
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 .Most likely, any of these rafting trips will be the highlight of your active vacations, don’t miss your chance to paddle one.^ Today you will have a choice of 2 full day exciting trips River rafting the Reventazon River (Class III The most popular rafting trip in Central America.

 ^ K) Don't miss this one!
  • The Sights and Sounds of Costa Rica, Sounds List 19 January 2010 8:49 UTC www.naturesongs.com [Source type: General]

Fishing

.Costa Rica has some of the best Sport Fishing in the world and is the first country to practice catch and release fishing.^ Here, a Long-tailed Hermit ( Phaethornis superciliosus ) hummingbird catches insects on an outdoor wall at Almonds and Corals in SE Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ I first visited Costa Rica almost two decades ago.

 ^ Have you always dreamed of getting away from the "big smoke" and settling in a lush tropical country like Costa Rica?

 .The Pacific side has incredible fishing for Sailfish, Marlin, Dorado, Tuna, Wahoo, Roosterfish, Snapper, and more.^ The fish that live in these waters are Sailfish, Marlin, Yellowfin, Tuna, Wahoo, Roosterfish, Mackerel, Dorado, and Red Snapper.

 .The Caribbean side and Northern regions of Costa Rica are famous for big Tarpon and big Snook.^ In Tortuguero along the NE Costa Rica coast, I hoped to find male and female Northern Jacanas Jacana spinosa ) along with their chicks.
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 ^ Here, I caught a Keel-billed Toucan ( Ramphastos sulfuratus ) in flight , Tortuguero region in NE Costa Rica.
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 ^ Marco and Hays in the Banana Plantation region near Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica.
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 .Over sixty-four world records have been caught in Costa Rica.^ (TREC 98) A worker at Drake Bay, SW Costa Rica, caught another green snake (Leptophis ahaetulla) .
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Bananas are transported by Ship from Panama and Costa Rica to the rest of the world.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Here, I caught a Keel-billed Toucan ( Ramphastos sulfuratus ) in flight , Tortuguero region in NE Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 .Half day, Full day and Multi-Day Trips are available.^ Today you will have a choice of 2 full day exciting trips River rafting the Reventazon River (Class III The most popular rafting trip in Central America.

Surf

.Costa Rica has many surfing hotspots.^ All illustrations are copyright 1999 to Dana Gardner, who illustrated Gary Stiles and Alexander Skutch's " A Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica ", and many other books.
  • The Sights and Sounds of Costa Rica, Sounds List 19 January 2010 8:49 UTC www.naturesongs.com [Source type: General]

 ^ Costa Rica can have as many as 800 species of resident and migratory birds present during certain times of the year.
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 ^ (TREC 99) We stopped and ate at many fine restaurants in towns across Costa Rica .This was after our hike to Arenal.
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 The best time of year to surf is from November - August.
.The Pacific coast, particularly in the Central Pacific and Guanacaste, has some of the best surfing in Central America.^ Just south of Quepos on the central Pacific coast.

 ^ Titled Beach Front Residences on the Central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica .
.In the Guanacaste there are several beaches to choose from if you intend to go surfing.^ There are several restaurants to choose from.

 Among them, Playa Negra and Playa Grande are two stand out breaks. Playa Negra breaks over a shallow lava reef producing fast hollow waves for advanced surfers only. .Playa Grande is the most consistent break in the area with surfable conditions most days of the year.^ (B) Day 04 ARENAL- GUANACASTE In the morning shuttle transfer to Tamarindo beach one of the most beautiful and popular beach area in Costa Rica.

 [11] It breaks over a sandy bottom and is good for beginner and experienced surfers.
.Tamarindo is a good beach to learn how to surf, whilst Playa del Coco offers advanced surfers the chance to surf at Witches Rock and Ollie´s Point.^ In the morning transfer by car to Guanacaste beaches (Tamarindo, Playa Conchal, Papagayo, Samara, Puntarenas...

 ^ Tamarindo is home to steady surfing waves, perfect Pacific sunsets, an a great variety of dining options, and a very good nightlife, Tamarindo is an ideal destination for people that enjoy beaches and relaxation.

 On the Caribbean side there are beautiful beaches, but limited surfing prospects.
.The southern Costa Rica area has two very good spots for surf: Dominical and Pavones Beach.^ I first visited Costa Rica almost two decades ago.

 ^ Good news if tourist visa is the correct choice for the purpose of your trip to Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Visa, Canada: Application for Costa Rican Visa for Canadians. 19 January 2010 8:49 UTC costa-rica.visahq.ca [Source type: General]

 ^ Corcovado National Park is one of the most fascinating natural areas remaining in Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 Pavones Beach has thick, heavy waves which consistently barrel and can get really big. It's little known, but picturesque and untamed; Definitely not for the light hearted.

Biking

.Costa Rica has great mountain biking routes, particularly near Irazu, Turrialba and Arenal Volcanoes.^ A remarkable QUICKTIME MOVIE of an American Crocodile ( Crocodylus acutus ) along the banks of the Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica near the Pacific coast.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Overnight at hotel Arenal Paraiso or Arenal Lodge, with great views of the Volcano.

 ^ Costa Rica Fishing -Great New offer from US$1850 for 6 days-5 nights, 3 full day fishing, 5 nights hotel, air from Miami & more..!

 .There is popular dirt road that connects Irazu Volcano and the foothills of Turrialba Volcano that is perfect for mountain biking, as it traverses the mountain and presents great views of the Cartago Valley (weather permitting, of course).^ Day 02: MOUNTAIN BIKING Enjoy a full day of Mountain Biking in the Cartago or Turrialba area.

 ^ (TREC 00) Here is a view of the Tempisque River Valley from an elevated mountain peak.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Overnight at hotel Arenal Paraiso or Arenal Lodge, with great views of the Volcano.
.The area around Lake Arenal is also a great spot to bike.^ Just outside of Tilearn along the shores of Lake Arenal near Tileran, we also spotted a beautiful Brown Jay ( Psilorhinus morio ) .
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ On the road adjacent to Lake Arenal, we spotted numerous Gray-headed Chachalacas ( Ortalis cinereiceps ) in Cecropia trees.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ TREC 04 ) A White Hawk ( Leucopternis albicollis ) was spotted in the trees along the shoreline of Lake Arenal.
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 .You can circle the lake in one long day, or break up the ride in two sleeping in Tilarán or Nuevo Arenal.^ (B) Day 04 ARENAL- GUANACASTE In the morning shuttle transfer to Tamarindo beach one of the most beautiful and popular beach area in Costa Rica.

 ^ If you wait long enough, one will fly out and take a look around occasionally.
  • The Sights and Sounds of Costa Rica, Sounds List 19 January 2010 8:49 UTC www.naturesongs.com [Source type: General]

 ^ This one was recorded on a very windy day at the Arenal visitor's center.
  • The Sights and Sounds of Costa Rica, Sounds List 19 January 2010 8:49 UTC www.naturesongs.com [Source type: General]

 The use of mountain bikes is a must, since the southern shore of the lake is unpaved.
The Nicoya Peninsula also has great riding, particularly the stretch between Sámara, Puerto Coyote and Malpais. There is a coastal road that connects these three beachtowns.

Golf

.Costa Rica is also know as a haven for some of the most lush, tropical golfing environments in the world.^ Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica has been taught for the last 18 years.
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 ^ Summer 2007 ) Here are some of the birds I photographed on a spring 2007 trip to Costa Rica to Arenal and Monteverde ( Spring 2007 ).
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ After breakfast, you will board the riverboat for a 3-hour voyage through the quiet river and canal system that connects it with Costa Ricas rich tropical rain forest.

 At any course, you can expect to an ensemble of exotic, indigenous animals; jungle; mountainous terrain; and a surreal, blue ocean painting a brilliant, seclusive experience. .Courses include Reserva Conchal, Four Seasons, Hacienda Pinilla, Papagayo Golf in Guanacaste; Los Delfines and Marriott Los Sueños in mid Pacific Coast and Valle del Sol, Cariari, Los Reyes and Monteran in San Jose.^ (B) Day 08 GUANACASTE-SAN JOSE-U.S.A: Transfer to the local airport for flight to San Jose where you will be connecting with flight back to USA. (B) .

 ^ Day 08 GUANACASTE-SAN JOSE-U.S.A: .

 ^ Four bedrooms; an open, spacious living area; and views of the valley and San Jose make the this apartment, in the beautiful city of Santa Ana, the perfect haven.

Other Active/Extreme Sports

Wind surfing in the Tilarán area is some of the best in the world.

Buy

The local currency is Colón(es) named after Columbus (Spanish: Colón). The rate of change is about 592 Colones for 1 US Dollar (April 2009 in state Banks). Money exchange is provided at most banks, however it is recommended to do so at the state banks, especially the Banco Nacional, since they have lower rates. .Scotia Bank offered rates of 580 (buying), 590 (selling) on 2 Nov 2009. There is also a money exchange service at the airport, but it is outrageously expensive.^ RENT A CAR RATES FROM DEC.01, 2009 to NOV. 30, 2010 .

 But note that the use of US Dollars is quite common; in the tourist setting, almost everything is priced in Dollars (but sometimes prices are cheaper in colones). Note that when a price is quoted in "dollars", the speaker may be thinking of a dollar as 500 Colones; so it is always worth checking whether this is what is meant.
You can find ATMs in most places. They normally dispense US Dollars and Colones. With VISA you get money at almost all ATMs. .If you've got a MasterCard try the ATM´s in the AM/PM supermarkets, they give you up to 250,000 Colones (~500 US$).^ (There is a deductible of $1,000 to US$1,500 -by law in Costa Rica that will be charged to your credit card in case of damage or theft done to the car).

 ^ NOTE: If you already have your international airfare -please deduct US$500 .

 ^ NOTE: If you have your own air, please deduct US$500 from the air/land tour cost.

 .Another option are the ATH-ATM´s but they just give you up to 100,000 Colones (~200 US$) each transaction.^ They were just as curious of us as we were of them.
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 ^ In fact, they are so beautiful that I thought I'd give you another look at these Roseate Spoonbills (Tortuguero region in NE Costa Rica).
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 ^ Plus USA departure taxes/fuel surcharges/security of US$100 to 200 per person (please call it changes every day) .
You might get a discount (usually between 5% and 10%) when paying in cash.
Traveler's checks are rarely used. When paying with Traveler's checks, unless for hotel nights, change them first at a bank. .Expect long delays with Traveler's checks at the bank, lots of stamping, the higher up the official at the bank the more stamps they have.^ Some more close-ups (high-quality) of the long-nosed bats perched in the same tree this year.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 Dollars are easier.
The most common souvenirs are made from wood. .Unless it's marked as responsible (plantation grown wood), it is most likely not and may be contributing to the deforestation of Costa Rica — or even Nicaragua or Panama!^ Corcovado National Park is one of the most fascinating natural areas remaining in Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Bananas are transported by Ship from Panama and Costa Rica to the rest of the world.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ (B) Day 04 ARENAL- GUANACASTE In the morning shuttle transfer to Tamarindo beach one of the most beautiful and popular beach area in Costa Rica.
Most visitors returning home are not allowed to bring back any raw foods or plants. Accordingly, the single most desirable commodity for visitors to take home may be roasted (not green) coffee...considered by many as some of the world's best. Numerous web sites explain the fine qualities of various growing regions, types of beans, types of roasting and sources for purchase. Best prices come by purchasing several (sealed) bags of 12 ounces or so. .The stores in San Jose airport will sell you excellent coffee, but other good quality blends can be found in local supermarkets and direct from the roasters.^ Local air from Tamarindo to San Jose.

 ^ Then, after breakfast transfer by boat to the local airport for flight to San Jose where your naturalist tour guide will be waiting for you.

 ^ If you have your own air-please deduct US$450 for the international portion Miami-San Jose-Miami.

 It can be an expensive but delicious habit. .If you're serious about your coffee, bring at least a partially-empty suit case and fill it with perhaps a year's supply (web sites explain how to store it that long).^ We recommend that you have at least two free pages in Visas section of your passport before any international travel.
  • Costa Rica Visa, Canada: Application for Costa Rican Visa for Canadians. 19 January 2010 8:49 UTC costa-rica.visahq.ca [Source type: General]

 Take care with tourist outlets where small quantities may cost as much as ordering on the Internet.

Eat

Costa Rican cuisine can be described as simple but wholesome. .The spiciness often associated with Latin America has typically originated in Mexico, most Costa Rican foods are not spicy, but, as they simmer in a large pot, the flavors are blended.^ Local Costa Ricans often use dugouts with small engines on the back when traveling in the Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica.
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 ^ (TREC 99) Most of the Costa Rican Plantations are multipurpose facilities.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
Gallo pinto is a mixture of rice and beans with a little cilantro or onion thrown in. While more common at breakfast, it can also be served at lunch or dinner.
.Casado, which means married, is the typical lunch in Costa Rica, containing rice and beans with meat, chicken or fish, always served with salad and fried plantain.^ The Pacific Ocean provides Costa Rica with consistently exciting fishing.

 ^ Costa Rica Fishing -Great New offer from US$1850 for 6 days-5 nights, 3 full day fishing, 5 nights hotel, air from Miami & more..!

 ^ After lunch continue on to Arenal, one of the youngest and most active volcanoes of Costa Rica.
Plato del dia, is the 'Plate of the Day' and is often a Casado, but has the meat or fish selection of the day. Usually around 5.00 USD and includes a natural juice.
Good, fresh fruit is abundant in variety and low in cost. .Mercados provide an excellent place to sample fruit and other Costa Rican fare, with many including sit-down snack bars.^ Slow down and relax in this beautiful place and youll see why so many guests have described it as a "paradise on earth".

 ^ (TREC 99) The Corcovado Understory (TREC 00) Many small Costa Rican towns have a central square surrounded by churches, schools, and homes.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ USA airport departure /security /fuel surcharges/ taxes -from USA $99-151, Costa Rica departure tax $30, insurance...and any other service not mentioned in the including section.

 You are encouraged to experiment because some of the local fruits do not "travel well" as they are bruised easily and or have a short shelf life. .The mango found in store in North America are much more fibrous and less sweet than the mangos found in Costa Rica.^ Hot Gecko Sex in SW Costa Rica (TREC 99) In 2005, we went north along the coastal highway to reach San Jose.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Costa Rica Fishing -Great New offer from US$1850 for 6 days-5 nights, 3 full day fishing, 5 nights hotel, air from Miami & more..!

 ^ In New Orleans, we visited the Aquarium of the Americas on our way to Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 .The fingerling bananas are much more creamy and less tart than the ones found in North America.^ We found a Quetzal nest not more than 5 minutes from the park entrance .
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Be sure to stop off at a restroom along any of the roads: a casado and beer will cost ~$3.
Don't forget to try the Salsa Lizano that you will surely find at any restaurant. It is a mild vegetable sauce that has a hint of curry and is slightly sweet. .It's often referred to as Costa Rican ketchup.^ Local Costa Ricans often use dugouts with small engines on the back when traveling in the Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 It tastes good on just about anything! Bring some home with you! You can find smaller sized bottles at any market.
Also as per usual in Central America standard breakfast fare is a ham sandwich, so people averse to eating pork might be advised to check out a grocery market for something else. Many Ticos will go to a local bakery and buy a loaf of white bread.
.Vegetarians will find it surprisingly easy to eat well in Costa Rica.^ In Tortuguero along the NE Costa Rica coast, I hoped to find male and female Northern Jacanas Jacana spinosa ) along with their chicks.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Here, you will find a vast array of tropical ecosystem images, photos, and movies taken while teaching my Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica course.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ The goal of this course is to introduce students to the structure and function of Neotropical ecosystems, as well as to geological, biological, cultural, and economic forces affecting the biodiversity of Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
.Don't forget to tip tour guides, drivers, bellboys and maids.^ Tips to tour guides.

 ^ Passports or entry documents; Tips to tour guides.Insurance.

 .Restaurant bills include a 10% gratuity but leave an extra tip for good service.^ Prices do not include; taxes, tips or extra alcoholic beverages.

 Americans often get better service because they are used to tipping separately, but it's not necessary.
The beef cattle are raised on grass; the meat will taste differently from corn fed cattle. The cuts of meat at the local restaurants are also different. Chicken tastes like chicken.

Drink

Most places have potable water, so don't worry about drinking tap water. Bottled water is also available at low prices.
Refrescos are beverages made from fresh fruit (cas, guanabana, sandia/watermelon, mora/blackberry, fresa/strawberry, granadilla/passion fruit), sugar and either water or milk. All sodas (mom and pop diners) serve these. You can also easily buy the standard international soda pops. 'Fresca', 'Canada Dry' and the local 'Fanta Kolita' (fruit punch) are recommended.
The national drink is called guaro, which is made from fermented sugar cane. It is similar to vodka, and is usually drunk with water and lemon. Note that it's not a very "clean" liquor, so exercise caution.
There are approximately 8 different national beers available (and most international), which are sold in cans, bottles and even kegs. The most common beers in the country are Pilsen and Imperial: all bars and restaurants serve both. .Bavaria, "Bavaria Negra" (dark) and Bavaria Light are considered higher quality but more expensive, Rock Ice and Rock Ice Limón (lemon flavor) has a higher alcohol percentage and is less common in rural areas.^ TREC 03 ) Cecropia are common plants in light gaps and in other disturbed areas, Corcovado Natl Park.
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 Heineken is locally made under license and is more expensive as well.
Ready-to-drink coffee is excellent and considered (again) to be among the best in the world.

Sleep

.You can find many places to stay all over Costa Rica, including hotels, aparthotels, condos, vacation rentals, and cabinas.^ Costa Rica has what you are looking for...

 ^ For the last several years, we stayed in the Hotel Amarillo in Palmar Sur in SW Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Costa Rica can have as many as 800 species of resident and migratory birds present during certain times of the year.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 .Vacation Homes, Cabinas, and Condos can be less expensive than hotels and provide more flexibility in your adventure to Costa Rica.^ (There is a deductible of $1,000 to US$1,500 -by law in Costa Rica that will be charged to your credit card in case of damage or theft done to the car).

 ^ For the last several years, we stayed in the Hotel Amarillo in Palmar Sur in SW Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Good news if tourist visa is the correct choice for the purpose of your trip to Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Visa : Application, Requirements. Apply for Costa Rican Visas Online. 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC costa-rica.visahq.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 Free accommodation (or hospitality exchange) networks such as the "Hospitality Club" or "Couchsurfing" are also becoming increasingly popular. They offer a great way to save money by not paying for accommodation but getting to know the local culture through the locals' eyes.

Learn

.You can learn Spanish in Costa Rica.^ Costa Rica has what you are looking for...

 ^ Steps that you can take: Check the current validity of your passport and the availability of blank visa pages All travelers will need a valid passport for their travels to Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Visa : Application, Requirements. Apply for Costa Rican Visas Online. 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC costa-rica.visahq.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Costa Rica has more than 800 species of birds, more than all of the United States and Canada combined, and your guide will help you identify them.

 .Reflecting the higher living standard, it's a little more expensive than other countries such as Guatemala, but then again, the education level of your teachers will be much higher.^ Costa Rica has more than 800 species of birds, more than all of the United States and Canada combined, and your guide will help you identify them.
.Costa Rica is a great place to learn Spanish as the "ticos" have a dialect that is easy to understand and digest for someone just starting to learn the language.^ Summer 2007 ) A beautiful Roadside Hawk ( Buteo magnirostris ) found alongside the road of all places near the Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica.
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 ^ One focuses on Rincon de la Vieja Volcano in NW Costa Rica while the Tico Times provides a weekly update of Costa Rica happenings.
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 ^ SE Costa Rica near the Panama Border along the Caribbean coast ( TREC 06 ) NOTE: Just "Click" on the IMAGE to view the largest photo!
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 There are many language schools that provide intensive instruction with group classes lasting 4 hours per day, Monday to Friday. Almost all Spanish schools will also offer host family accommodations and possibly some alternative such as a student residence or discounted hotel rates.
.The key factor when going to study Spanish in Costa Rica is to decide what is the right location for you.^ Costa Rica has what you are looking for...

 ^ Costa Rica has more than 800 species of birds, more than all of the United States and Canada combined, and your guide will help you identify them.

 ^ Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to Gran Hotel Costa Rica.

 .The beach locations tend to be on the touristy side so they do not necessarily give the greatest immersion experience, however there are many Spanish schools near the beach as students like to split their time between studying Spanish in the classroom combined with activities on the beach or just relaxing on their time away from work.^ (TREC 98) There were many elevated individual shoreline homes near Bocas.
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 ^ They look like lava frozen in time .
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 There is a growing trend of these Spanish schools at the beach also offering Surfing or Photography classes due to the environment around the school and the proximity to good surf.
.Studying in the San Jose area has many benefits.^ (B) Day 06 ARENAL/ SAN JOSE : Morning at leisure to explore the area on your own.

 .There is the luxury aspect of city life since it tends to be much more modern than the rustic beach locations.^ There were a tremendous number of Sponge Brittle Stars (Ophiothrix suensonii) on Sponges and Coral , more than I'd ever seen before.
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 Host families and Spanish schools tend to have nicer facilities. .San Jose also has fewer tourists so it is great from an immersion point of view as you can practice your Spanish in a setting where people are not automatically switching to English to accommodate your native language.^ Then, after breakfast transfer by boat to the local airport for flight to San Jose where your naturalist tour guide will be waiting for you.

 ^ Morning at leisure until transfer to San Jose and to your hotel.

 ^ If you have your own air-please deduct US$450 for the international portion Miami-San Jose-Miami.

 It is much better that you struggle with your Spanish and force your brain to think in a different language so your communication becomes much smoother.
.There are also a number of language schools that can be found throughout the Central Valley, particularly in Heredia and its surrounding cantons.^ (TREC 99) The Corcovado Understory (TREC 00) Many small Costa Rican towns have a central square surrounded by churches, schools, and homes.
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 These langauge schools typically offer only Spanish to foreign students from the United States and Europe but some, including the Instituto Norte Americano in Heredia, offer Spanish to foreign students, and English and Mandarin to local ones. .Many of these language schools are also instrumental in helping the surrounding community, either through monetary donations or educational opportunities that otherwise may not have existed for the local Costa Rican population.^ Local Costa Ricans often use dugouts with small engines on the back when traveling in the Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Check out these slides from a "Bog" habitat and, just about 300 meters higher, Costa Rican "Paramo."
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ (TREC 99) The Corcovado Understory (TREC 00) Many small Costa Rican towns have a central square surrounded by churches, schools, and homes.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 .Schools such as IAC (Instituto de Apredizaje de Costa Rica) in Manuel Antonio, La Escuela Armonia in Guanacaste, as well as the Instituto Norte Americano in Heredia have frequently acted as educational hubs for their surrounding communities, giving free English classes to teachers of nearby schools and helping to raise money for worthy causes.^ The TREC 98 Class (Melissa, Tara and Susan) takes their first walk in the Banana Plantation, SW Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ An interesting QUICKTIME MOVIE of Bullet Ants ( Paraponera clavata ) near La Selva, Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Summer 2007 ) Cruising the Tortuguero Canals in NE Costa Rica, we frequently run into Two-toed sloths ( Choloepus hoffmanni ).
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
.Some hostels offer packages that include Spanish lessons and daily home-stays with the locals (in addition to your room and board).^ Does not include gasoline, drop-off charges, additional drivers (US$5.00 daily), Child seats (US$5.00 daily).
.Costa Rica is also a good place to become proficient in ocean sports like surfing and scuba diving.^ Non motorized water and land sports included with the exception of Scuba diving.

 ^ The Pacific Ocean provides Costa Rica with consistently exciting fishing.

 There are numerous surf shops, that provide surfing lessons and surf camps throughout the coastal areas.

Work

The local newspaper, La Nación, has an extensive jobs listing every Sunday and Monday. .You must be a resident or be sponsored by a company to work legally in Costa Rica.^ Costa Rica has what you are looking for...

 ^ Costa Rica can have as many as 800 species of resident and migratory birds present during certain times of the year.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ There were hundreds of individuals that were working on a somewhat disorganized web in SE Costa Rica!
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
The print and online versions of the Tico Times, the Yahoo! group ."Costa Rica Living" and the online newspaper AM Costa Rica are other great resources for people considering long term stays in Costa Rica.^ Here, a Long-tailed Hermit ( Phaethornis superciliosus ) hummingbird catches insects on an outdoor wall at Almonds and Corals in SE Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ For the last several years, we stayed in the Hotel Amarillo in Palmar Sur in SW Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Costa Rica Fishing -Great New offer from US$1850 for 6 days-5 nights, 3 full day fishing, 5 nights hotel, air from Miami & more..!

 .There's also a book called Living Abroad in Costa Rica by Erin Van Rheenan that would be very helpful.^ Costa Rica calling cards .
  • Costa Rica phone cards from USA | Costa Rica calling cards | Low rates to Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC www.comfi.com [Source type: Academic]

 ^ Calling cards to Costa Rica .
  • Costa Rica phone cards from USA | Costa Rica calling cards | Low rates to Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC www.comfi.com [Source type: Academic]

 ^ (There is a deductible of $1,000 to US$1,500 -by law in Costa Rica that will be charged to your credit card in case of damage or theft done to the car).
.Costa Rica is an open business country and investors are always welcome, so if you or your company is interested in founding a new or buying a business in Costa Rica, it is best to contact a Costa Rican lawyer about your interest in investing.^ Costa Rica on a Budget ...8 days New .

 ^ Costa Rica has what you are looking for...

 ^ (There is a deductible of $1,000 to US$1,500 -by law in Costa Rica that will be charged to your credit card in case of damage or theft done to the car).

Volunteering

.There are several opportunities to engage in volunteer work in Costa Rica.^ (There is a deductible of $1,000 to US$1,500 -by law in Costa Rica that will be charged to your credit card in case of damage or theft done to the car).

 ^ For the last several years, we stayed in the Hotel Amarillo in Palmar Sur in SW Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ There were hundreds of individuals that were working on a somewhat disorganized web in SE Costa Rica!
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 .Volunteer projects range from turtle conservation, building houses, teaching English and community development work.^ (TREC 98) Our hostess, Karen , educated us on the mission of the Sea Turtle Conservation Project at Gandoca.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ (TREC 98) Lalo Matute, Community Director of the Gandoca/Manzanillo Sea Turtle Conservation Project, was our guide the next day.
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 ^ Quicktime Movies of the Gandoca/Manzanillo Sea Turtle Conservation Project .
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.Affordable organizations such as ISV Costa Rica [12], Travel to Teach [13], International Cultural Youth Exchange [14] and Volunteer Visions [15] are able to arrange work for international volunteers in Costa Rica and other countries in the region.^ Local Costa Ricans often use dugouts with small engines on the back when traveling in the Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Use "Pop-Ups" below to select other Costa Rica 2003 Slideshows and Videos!
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ There were hundreds of individuals that were working on a somewhat disorganized web in SE Costa Rica!
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 Other volunteer programs can be found at Tico Times Science and Environment [16]

Stay healthy

Costa Rica has one of the highest levels of social care in the world. Its doctors are known worldwide as some of the best. Many people from U.S, Canada and Europe go there to be treated, not only because the quality of the service but for the cost. First class Hospitals can be found in the capital. There is a public/private hospital system. There is excellent care in each. The public system has much longer waits, while the private system has shorter waits. If you are unfortunate enough to have a very sick child requiring hospitalization, the child will be transferred to the only children's hospital in CR, located in the capital. This children's hospital is public.
There have been outbreaks of dengue fever in some areas of the country and an outbreak of malaria was reported in November 2006 from the province of Limon but just a few cases. Protection against mosquito bites is very important, wearing lightweight long pants, long sleeved shirts and using insect repellents with high concentrations of DEET is recommended by the CDC. If you are going to be in very rural areas known to be malaria-infested areas, you might want to consider an anti-malarial med. .However, most travelers to Costa Rica do just fine with updated childhood immunizations and taking preventative measures against mosquito bites (rather than take anti-malarial medication).^ For other tour programs to Costa Rica, have your Travel Agent call Tara Tours .

 ^ Costa Rica has more than 800 species of birds, more than all of the United States and Canada combined, and your guide will help you identify them.

 ^ (B) Day 04 ARENAL- GUANACASTE In the morning shuttle transfer to Tamarindo beach one of the most beautiful and popular beach area in Costa Rica.

Stay safe

With 1.9 million travelers visiting Costa Rica annually, more than any Latin American country, travel is quite popular and common. .Still, travelers to Costa Rica should exercise caution.^ Local Costa Ricans often use dugouts with small engines on the back when traveling in the Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Year 2010 Syllabus of Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica Travel & facilities handled by Geo Expediciones Be Sure to Visit: .
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 The emergency number in Costa Rica is 911.
  • Traffic in Costa Rica is dangerous, so be careful. Pedestrians in general do not have the right of way. Roads in rural areas may also tend to have many potholes. Driving at night is not recommended.
  • Robbery at knife point is not altogether uncommon. There is no army and the police have been known to be corrupt.
  • Buses - especially those destined for San Jose - are frequent locations for robbery. Any bus rider who falls asleep has a good chance of waking up and finding his baggage missing. .Don't trust anyone on the buses to watch your things, especially near San Jose.
  • Like any other tourist destination, watch out for pickpockets.
  • Purse snatchings, armed robberies and car-jackings have been on the rise lately.^ Then, after breakfast transfer by boat to the local airport for flight to San Jose where your naturalist tour guide will be waiting for you.

     ^ Morning at leisure until transfer to San Jose and to your hotel.

     ^ Then, after a big, family style breakfast, return by boat/car to San Jose with transfer to the hotel Irazu (B).

     .Stay alert and protect your valuables at all times, especially in the San Jose area.
  • "Smash and grabs" of car windows are very common all over the country so do not leave valuables in your vehicle.
  • Another common robbery scheme includes slashing your tires, then when you stop to fix the flat, one or two "friendly" people stop to help and instead grab what valuables they can.
  • If you are motioned to pull over by anyone, do not do so until you are at a well-lit and safe place.
  • Make use of hostel or hotel lock boxes if they are really secure – this is great when you want to swim or kick back and really not worry.
  • Do have a few beers and enjoy yourself, but never drink so much that you won't be alert and aware of what's going on.
  • On a long trip, it's advised that you make back-up CDs (or DVDs) of your digital photos and send a copy back home.^ Morning at leisure until transfer to San Jose and to your hotel.

     ^ After lunch on site, return to San Jose and your hotel.

     ^ Transfer to the airport for flight to San Jose where you will be connecting with flight back to USA. (B) .

     In the event that you are robbed, you will thank yourself!
  • When encountering a new currency, learn the exchange rate from a reliable source (online ahead of time or a local bank, preferably) and create a little cheat sheet converting it to US dollars or the other Central American currency you are comfortable with. .Travel with small denominations of US dollars (crisp 1s, 5s, 10s) as back-up...^ Local Costa Ricans often use dugouts with small engines on the back when traveling in the Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica.
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     usually you'll be able to use them if you run out of local currency.
  • Go to a bank to change money when possible and practical. .If you find yourself needing to use the services of a person who is a money changer (Sunday morning at the border, for instance) make sure to have your own calculator.^ The jungle of the national park reaches down to the beach so you can stroll through the park on your own or take a guided tour.

     ^ If you have your own air-please deduct US$450 for the international portion Miami-San Jose-Miami.

     ^ NOTE: If you have your own air, please deduct US$500 from the air/land tour cost.

     Do not trust money changers and their doctored calculators, change the least amount of money possible and take a hard look at the bills – there's lots of false ones out there. .Always insist that your change be in small bills – you'll lose more at one time if a large bill is false, plus large bills are hard to change (even the equivalent of $20 USD in Costa Rica or $5 USD in Nicaragua can be difficult in some small towns, believe it or not!^ One more time!
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     ^ Costa Rica has what you are looking for...

     ^ (TREC 99) And, one more time .
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     )
    • .
  • Traveling alone is fine and generally safe in Costa Rica, but carefully consider what kind of risks (if any) you are willing to take.^ Costa Rica has what you are looking for...

     ^ Local Costa Ricans often use dugouts with small engines on the back when traveling in the Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica.
    • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

     ^ (TREC 99) We stopped and ate at many fine restaurants in towns across Costa Rica .This was after our hike to Arenal.
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     Always hike with other people and try to explore a new city with other people. On solo forays, if you feel uncomfortable seek out a group of other people (both women and men). A well lighted place with people you can trust is always a plus. A busy restaurant or hostel is a great source of local info as well as a great place to relax and recharge.

Narcotics

Marijuana traffic, distribution and commerce is illegal in Costa Rica. There is absence of law when you carry marijuana for personal use quantities only (up to 3 joints) and police could try to get money from you or keep you in the local comisary for up to 12 hours. .The US DEA is also present in Costa Rica and has been known to pretend to be a tourist.^ (There is a deductible of $1,000 to US$1,500 -by law in Costa Rica that will be charged to your credit card in case of damage or theft done to the car).

 ^ Costa Rica can have as many as 800 species of resident and migratory birds present during certain times of the year.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Costa Rica Fishing -Great New offer from US$1850 for 6 days-5 nights, 3 full day fishing, 5 nights hotel, air from Miami & more..!

 .There is a Costa Rican equivalent of the DEA as well.^ Life is good!'97) Costa Rican Coffee (Coffea arabica) is world renown and grows quite well in Costa Rica's highlands.
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 It is not advised to do illegal drugs in Costa Rica. It is also not advised to bribe a police officer. Do so at your own risk.

Prostitution

.Prostitution is legal in Costa Rica and can be a destination for those looking for more than sun and surf on their vacation.^ The bill seems straighter to me than found in my Birds of Costa Rica field guide, Plate 28.
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 ^ More frogs from the Manzanillo region can be seen HERE (TREC 02) showing a potpourri of creatures, including frogs, from SE Costa Rica, Almonds and Corals.
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 ^ In fact, they are so beautiful that I thought I'd give you another look at these Roseate Spoonbills (Tortuguero region in NE Costa Rica).
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 .Unfortunately, some of the sex tourists coming to Costa Rica sexually abuse children who are held hostage in the sex tourism industry.^ Summer 2007 ) Here are some of the birds I photographed on a spring 2007 trip to Costa Rica to Arenal and Monteverde ( Spring 2007 ).
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 ^ Sierpe River ( TREC 03 ) The road to San Jose from the Caribbean coast goes through some of the steepest mountains in Costa Rica.
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 ^ Hot Gecko Sex in SW Costa Rica (TREC 99) In 2005, we went north along the coastal highway to reach San Jose.
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 .Prostitution with minors (less than 18 years old) is considered a crime in Costa Rica.^ Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica has been taught for the last 18 years.
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 ^ For the last several years, we stayed in the Hotel Amarillo in Palmar Sur in SW Costa Rica.
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 ^ Costa Rica can have as many as 800 species of resident and migratory birds present during certain times of the year.
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 .The majority of sex tourists in Costa Rica are from the United States, and are prosecutable by the Protect Act of 2003. This act gives the US government the power to prosecute US citizens who travel abroad to engage in sex tourism with children under the age of 18. Several other countries including France, Canada, the UK, Netherlands, and Australia have similar laws.^ For the last several years, we stayed in the Hotel Amarillo in Palmar Sur in SW Costa Rica.
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 ^ Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica has been taught for the last 18 years.
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 ^ More frogs from the Manzanillo region can be seen HERE (TREC 02) showing a potpourri of creatures, including frogs, from SE Costa Rica, Almonds and Corals.
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 .Arrests, warrants and prosecutions are being made under these laws.^ These bananas were being prepared for shipment to Japan under the Imperial label.
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Bus travel tips

.Below is a list of suggestions for traveling by bus in Costa Rica and neighboring countries.^ For other tour programs to Costa Rica, have your Travel Agent call Tara Tours .

 ^ (View from the bus on the way to Sierpe, SW Costa Rica) Another Rio General View (A Larger Image) Landslides are common on the major road in the country, Hwy 1, particularly during the rainy season.
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 ^ For other tour programs to Costa Rica, have your Travel Agent call Tara Tours.

 These are overcautious tips, but the bottom line is that they can help prevent being ripped off. Nearly all thefts on the bus are preventable thefts!
  • Travel with someone else when possible. .A trusted friend is best, of course - not just someone you met last night at the hostel, but he or she will do in a pinch.^ (TREC 00) Five Interdisciplinary Studies students and 2 faculty participated in the course (TREC 00) Gastropod on a Night Walk I know, you don't really think it is really that large.
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     ^ Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to hotel Irazu Best Western (4stars) .

     (Trust your gut feeling with new friends – most are great, but some may be con artists!) Traveling with a friend makes the journey more entertaining and more fun... you can talk and share travel stories and each of you can take turns sleeping on long bus rides. .Also, there is the fact that "two heads are better than one" and it's always good to be able to brainstorm if you aren't sure what the answer to your travel question or concern is.
  • Make sure to wear a money belt with your passport, cash, credit/debit cards and ticket (bus or plane).^ (There is a deductible of $1,000 to US$1,500 -by law in Costa Rica that will be charged to your credit card in case of damage or theft done to the car).

     ^ If you get the chance, make sure you visit the heart of Corcovado!
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     .Even if all your other belongings are stolen, you would still be able to get to your next destination.^ Costa Rica has more than 800 species of birds, more than all of the United States and Canada combined, and your guide will help you identify them.

     ^ Here is another perpsective And, if you look closely, this "blow-up" gets us even closer still!
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     The waist belts are best; a neck pouch can be lifted while you are asleep. A thief would really have to disturb you and your personal space to get a waist belt.
  • On any bus ride (1st, 2nd, 3rd class, whatever!) try to sit above the luggage compartment so that you can watch that your bag doesn't "walk away" when others get off the bus. Costa Rican buses usually have one compartment for those heading to the main destination, and a separate one for people getting off along the way to avoid problems. .Be aware if the "destination" compartment is opened en route!
  • Try not to fall asleep or take turns with a travel partner (when you are lucky enough to have one.^ En route stop at the Rainforest Aerial Tram where you will travel through the forest canopy by choosing either a tram ride or an adventurous canopy zip line tour, entrance fees included.

     ^ After a guided walk to the lava flows of Arenal Volcano, you depart mid-morning for Monteverde with lunch en route arriving in the late afternoon.

     ) Best way to snooze alone is with your bag on your lap and your hands crossed over it. .Don't leave valuables in outside compartments.
  • Make conversation with locals on the bus so that they can see that you are competent in Spanish and comfortable in the Spanish speaking environment.^ In case you don't believe me , see for yourself!!
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     ^ If you look carefully, you can see the plastic bag catching the eggs as they are layed.
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     ^ Usually you don't see many lying around.
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     .(You'll enjoy yourself plus this may make them feel friendly towards you and more willing to alert you if someone is snooping in your stuff.^ Costa Rica has more than 800 species of birds, more than all of the United States and Canada combined, and your guide will help you identify them.

     Or it might warn them that if they steal from you, you will talk to the bus driver and police and make a full report.) .Even some Spanish is better than none – use what you have!^ (TREC 99) But, even better than that, we found a red-eyed (horizontal pupil) tree frog (Litoria chloris ?
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     It's great practice and the more you improve the safer you'll be!
  • Don't bring anything that you are not willing to lose. .Keep your day pack attached to you at all times when traveling – the straps get wrapped around your leg and the bag squeezed between your knees or feet.^ Costa Rica has more than 800 species of birds, more than all of the United States and Canada combined, and your guide will help you identify them.

     .You don't want to lose your travel notes, camera, etc.
  • NEVER EVER leave anything in the overhead bins.^ NOTE: If you already have your international airfare -please deduct US$500 .

     ^ NOTE: If you already have your won airfare -please deduct US$500.

     ^ NOTE: If you have your own air, please deduct US$500 from the air/land tour cost.

     Almost 100% of all thefts on buses are from the overhead bins. Keep it on your lap!!!

Beaches, weather and wildlife

.The coasts of Costa Rica are known for strong currents and rip-tides in some areas but most of them are great to be with the family.^ A remarkable QUICKTIME MOVIE of an American Crocodile ( Crocodylus acutus ) along the banks of the Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica near the Pacific coast.
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 ^ In Tortuguero along the NE Costa Rica coast, I hoped to find male and female Northern Jacanas Jacana spinosa ) along with their chicks.
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 ^ One of the most spectacular estuaries in SW Costa Rica can be found along the Sierpe River.
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 .Costa Rica has some of the best beaches in the world.^ Sierpe River ( TREC 03 ) The road to San Jose from the Caribbean coast goes through some of the steepest mountains in Costa Rica.
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 ^ Volcano World compiles the latest information on volcanic eruptions in Costa Rica and also specific volcanoes such as Rincon de la Vieja.
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 ^ Life is good!'97) Costa Rican Coffee (Coffea arabica) is world renown and grows quite well in Costa Rica's highlands.
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 .Atlantic coast is just five hours away from the Pacific one and both offer different views and landscapes.^ On the two hour downhill journey to the Pan American Highway along the Pacific coast, we spotted a beautiful Turquoise-browed Motmot ( Eumomota superciliosa ).
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 ^ SE Costa Rica near the Panama Border along the Caribbean coast ( TREC 06 ) NOTE: Just "Click" on the IMAGE to view the largest photo!
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 ^ (TREC 00) The Sierpe River is one of the more important estuaries on the Pacific coast.
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 There are no signs indicating an unsafe beach due to riptides, so take precautions and listen to the locals on where it is safe to swim. The public beaches do not have life guards. A traveler should learn how to swim out of a rip tide and not swim alone. There are some active volcanoes in Costa Rica and they are dangerous, so follow the warning signs posted. The slopes of the Arenal volcano invite visitors to climb closer to the summit, but there have been fatalities in the past with unseen gas chambers. Also be wary of the climate of Costa Rica. It is very hot in the daytime, but in the morning and evening it becomes very cool, so you should bring a light weight jacket.
.
  • Crocodiles are quite common in certain parts of Costa Rica and, although not as dangerous as the Nile or Saltwater species, are still considered occasional man-eaters and can grow to lengths of up to 20 feet.^ A remarkable QUICKTIME MOVIE of an American Crocodile ( Crocodylus acutus ) along the banks of the Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica near the Pacific coast.
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     ^ Costa Rica can have as many as 800 species of resident and migratory birds present during certain times of the year.
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     ^ Use "Pop-Ups" below to select other Costa Rica 2003 Slideshows and Videos!
    • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

     Great care should be taken when swimming or snorkeling, especially near areas where fishing is common or near river mouths.
.When you go to the Guanacaste beaches on the Pacific you can see some crocodiles over the Terraba river.^ A remarkable QUICKTIME MOVIE of an American Crocodile ( Crocodylus acutus )along the banks of the Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica near the Pacific coast.
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 ^ A remarkable QUICKTIME MOVIE of an American Crocodile ( Crocodylus acutus ) along the banks of the Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica near the Pacific coast.
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.
  • While large, the beautiful Jaguar is extremely rare and even most locals have never seen the very large predatory cat.^ These are very large, beautiful woodpeckers.
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     ^ WOW! A Beautiful Caribbean Tree Frog , very large and bold.
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     ^ Predatory Cricket Eating a Moth (Monteverde: I never knew some crickets are very cagey predators!
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     .They appear to be very shy and elusive; there is very little risk of attack.
  • Bull sharks share much of the same territory as the crocodiles and probably account for more shark related attacks in the world than any other species.
  • Dogs are trained to be protective of property and people (perro bravo) and there are also many strays.^ There are many species of Cecropia .
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     ^ There were also a few other notable species as well ( Spring 2007 ).
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     ^ There were also, what appeared to be, Tawny-winged Woodcreepers ( Dendrocincla anabatina ) They were busy at work!
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     Dog bites are not uncommon. Do not approach an unknown dog.

Gay and lesbian

.Costa Rica is widely known as the most tolerant of Latin American countries for gay and lesbian travelers but caution should still be exercised.^ A freshwater American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus), 2 m long, Sierpe River, SW Costa Rica.
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 ^ Corcovado National Park is one of the most fascinating natural areas remaining in Costa Rica.
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 ^ A remarkable QUICKTIME MOVIE of an American Crocodile ( Crocodylus acutus )along the banks of the Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica near the Pacific coast.
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 .More and more Costa Ricans are getting out of the closet.^ Check out these slides from a "Bog" habitat and, just about 300 meters higher, Costa Rican "Paramo."
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 .There is a thriving gay scene in San Jose with many gay and lesbian options for nightlife (La Avispa, Club Oh!, Bochinche among others).^ TREC 03 ) A remarkable QUICKTIME MOVIE of the La Fortuna waterfalls near Arenal Volcano NW of San Jose, Costa Rica.
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 ^ A remarkable QUICKTIME MOVIE of the La Fortuna waterfalls near Arenal Volcano NW of San Jose, Costa Rica.
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 The Manuel Antonio, Jaco, and Quepos area is also a favorite spot with several gay hotels and a gay bar.
There are a good number of Gay/lesbian or Gay-Friendly accommodations in Costa Rica. Accommodations seem to be of the higher quality offering a variety of services and of course, discretion. Many hotels, travel agencies, and resorts are run by gays and/or are gay-friendly.

Medical Tourism

.According to the Costa Rica Tourism Board, about 200 medical procedures are performed every month at the nation's hospitals for medical tourists.^ Clay-colored robins ( Turdus grayi ) are the national bird of Costa Rica.
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 ^ While on the way to Costa Rica, we stopped and visited Jean Lafitte National Park.
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 ^ Corcovado National Park is one of the most fascinating natural areas remaining in Costa Rica.
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 Among the procedures done are cosmetic surgery, knee and hip replacement, cataract removal and other eye treatments, weight loss surgery and dental care. .Health care in Costa Rica is attractive for international patients because of the low prices, high care standards, and access to tourist attractions.^ A Bare-throated Tiger-heron ( Tigrisoma mexicanum )on its nest high in the trees along the Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica.
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 ^ At La Sirena in Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica, we spotted a flock of Mealy Parrots ( Amazona farinosa ) high in the canopy above us.
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 For example, a hip replacement costs around US$12,000 and a tummy tuck costs around US$4,400.

Contact

.The international calling code/country code for Costa Rica is 506.
A postage stamp to Europe is 125 Colones (around 21 US cents).^ Our Costa Rica hosts, Aurora and Marco , had us over to dinner on our last night in San Jose, Costa Rica.
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 ^ In the Distance is a Lake Probably formed by an Extinct Volcano ('95) In the rugged volcano country of NW Costa Rica, spectacular waterfalls are common.
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 ^ (TREC 00)) Chico Corrales, head of Anthropology and Archeology at the National Museum of Costa Rica, accompanies us and shares his knowledge for part of the trip.
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The primary means of outside contact are through email and public pay telephones.
Internet cafes are fairly easy to find in tourist areas, with prices all over the place. Some of these offer long distance calls over the internet.
Public phones are accessed with calling cards (tarjetas telefonicas) which can be purchased at most shops, even in outlying areas.
There are four different types of pay-phones:
  • Coin phones. Note that these only accept the older silver-colored coins.
  • Chip phones. .These phones allow you to insert a chip-type calling card into them and make your calls.
  • Colibri phones.^ These birds really put themselves into their territorial call!
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     ^ On this profile photo, can you see why these Howler Monkees are called Mantled Howlers?
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     These phones have a small swipe bar for a scratch off type calling card referred to as a Colibri calling card which are available from 500 colones and up. The swipes often don't work--you always have to enter the calling card access code on the keypad. Despite this, the Colibri calling card is the recommended one to buy as you can use it any of the types of phones whereas with a chip card you must search for a chip phone.
  • Multipago (multi-pay) phones. These phones accept coins, chip cards and colibri cards. Most public phones around the country have been changed for this type of phones. They also allow you to send SMS messages and emails as well.
.Both types of calling cards are typically available in pharmacies and other locations where you see the sticker on the door.^ On this profile photo, can you see why these Howler Monkees are called Mantled Howlers?
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Domestic calls are quite cheap and the price is the same wherever you call. Calls to cellular phones are charged significantly more though.
International calls are fairly expensive. The cheapest way to make them is over the internet using a service such as Skype at an Internet café. .But making short calls using the domestic calling cards (you can make international calls using these but the denominations of the calling cards are quite small so your call with be short!^ On this profile photo, can you see why these Howler Monkees are called Mantled Howlers?
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ) or the international calling cards available within Costa Rica (all from the government phone monopoly ICE) is the next best deal. Certainly better than credit card calls or using a US calling card generally.
.Mobile phone service in Costa Rica is provided by Grupo I.C.E. [17] using GSM technology at 1800 MHz.^ Local Costa Ricans often use dugouts with small engines on the back when traveling in the Sierpe River in SW Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Use "Pop-Ups" below to select other Costa Rica 2003 Slideshows and Videos!
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Use "Pop-Ups" below to select Costa Rica Slideshows and Videos!
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 Roaming is possible with a GSM handset but can be expensive. .Several US companies including Intouch Smartcards offer discount global roaming SIMs for Costa Rica that can provide service in Costa Rica at reasonable rates.^ For the last several years, we stayed in the Hotel Amarillo in Palmar Sur in SW Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ More frogs from the Manzanillo region can be seen HERE (TREC 02) showing a potpourri of creatures, including frogs, from SE Costa Rica, Almonds and Corals.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Our Costa Rica hosts, Aurora and Marco , had us over to dinner on our last night in San Jose, Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 .Note that the GSM phone systems in the United States and Canada use different frequencies and that travelers from there will need a "world" handset.^ Note the link to the United States, (TREC 98) This worker in the fields is trimming the banana plants with his machete.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 You should check with your provider beforehand. Prepaid Sim cards are now starting to be available in Costa Rica.
All reports indicate that most of the country has very good GSM coverage (including most of the capital), and that TDMA coverage is much better. .Non-residents may rent cell phone service, and of course anyone can buy a cell phone, but you must be a documented resident of the country to own your own cell phone number, and even then you will only get one if there are numbers available.^ Each banana fruiting stalk, and there are literally tens of thousands of them, must be bagged like this one.
  • Costa Rica Ecology, Photo Images, and Movies: Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica 10 February 2010 13:45 UTC jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 There usually are not. Prior to establishing residence a corporation can be formed and the corporation can receive a number. The fee for establishing a corporation should be no more than 300 dollars. Grupo ICE is a government-sanctioned monopoly, and they prefer not to overextend their resources.
This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!

1911 encyclopedia

Up to date as of January 14, 2010
(Redirected to Database error article)

From LoveToKnow 1911

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Wiktionary

Up to date as of January 15, 2010

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents

English

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Wikipedia has an article on:

Etymology

From Spanish rica (“‘rich’”), costa (“‘coast’”)

Pronunciation

  • enPR: kŏstə rēkə; IPA: /ˈkɒstə ˈriːkə/, SAMPA: /%kQst@ %ri:k@/
  • (US) enPR: kōstə rēkə; IPA: /ˈkəʊstə ˈriːkə/, SAMPA: /%k@Ust@ %ri:k@/

Proper noun

Singular
Costa Rica
Plural
-
Costa Rica
  1. Country in Central America; Official name: Republic of Costa Rica.

Translations

country

Derived terms

See also

Anagrams

Breton

Proper noun

  1. Costa Rica

Danish

Proper noun

  1. Costa Rica

Dutch

Pronunciation

Proper noun

  1. Costa Rica

Finnish

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Finnish Wikipedia has an article on:
Costa Rica
Wikipedia fi

Proper noun

Costa Rica
  1. Costa Rica

Declension

Declension of Costa Rica (type kala)
singular plural
nominative Costa Rica –
genitive Costa Rican –
partitive Costa Ricaa –
accusative Costa Rica
Costa Rican		 –
inessive Costa Ricassa –
elative Costa Ricasta –
illative Costa Ricaan –
adessive Costa Ricalla –
ablative Costa Ricalta –
allative Costa Ricalle –
essive Costa Ricana –
translative Costa Ricaksi –
instructive – –
abessive Costa Ricatta –
comitative – –
1) Rare.   

French

Proper noun

  1. Costa Rica

German

Proper noun

  1. Costa Rica

Hungarian

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Hungarian Wikipedia has an article on:
Costa Rica
Wikipedia hu

Proper noun

Costa Rica
  1. Costa Rica

Interlingua

Proper noun

  1. Costa Rica

Italian

Wikipedia-logo.png
Italian Wikipedia has an article on:
Costa Rica
Wikipedia it

Proper noun

Costa Rica m.
  1. Costa Rica

Derived terms

Anagrams

Norwegian

Proper noun

  1. Costa Rica

Related terms

Portuguese

Proper noun

  1. Costa Rica

Romanian

Proper noun

  1. Costa Rica

Spanish

Proper noun

  1. Costa Rica

Derived terms

See also

  • tico

Swedish

Proper noun

  1. Costa Rica

Citable sentences

Up to date as of December 11, 2010

Here are sentences from other pages on Costa Rica, which are similar to those in the above article.








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