COSTA RICA CAPITAL:              SAN  JOSE

 

CURRENCY:                                   COLON

 

OFFICIAL LANGUAGE:                 SPANISH

 

BORDERS:                                NORTH:  NICARAGUA

                                                     SOUTHEAST:   PANAMA

                                                     WEST:   PACIFIC OCEAN

                                                     EAST:    CARIBBEAN SEA

 

AREA:                                         51,100 Km 2

 

HIGHEST PEAK:                    CERRO CHIRRIPO (3820 M)

 

LARGEST CRATER:               POAS VOLCANO (1 KM DIAMETER)

 

POPULATION:                         4,857,000 (2016 ESTIMATE)

 

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION:  7 PROVIDENCES:  (LARGEST TO SMALEST)

                                                            SAN JOSE

                                                            ALAJUELA

                                                           GUANACASTE

                                                           LIMON

                                                           PUNTARENAS

                                                           HEREDIA

                                                           CARTAGO

 

NATIONAL BIRD:                      YIGUIRRO (TURDUS GRAYII)

 

NATIONAL TREE:                      GUANACASTE

 

NATIONAL FLOWER:               GUARIA MORADA (GUARIANTI SKINNERI)

 

CLIMATE & WEATHER:     DRY SEASON (DECEMBER TO APRIL)

                                                   RAINY SEASON (MAY TO NOVEMBER)

 

NOTE:  In Costa Rica expect different climates depending upon where and when you visit this beautiful country.  Generally, if you are in the northwest beaches (Guanacaste) the temps are 24 C - 32 C (80F - 90 F), while the beaches of the Atlantic side and South Pacific the temps are similar, but expect more humidity. At the higher altitudes the climate is fresh with temperatures ranging from 10 C to 20 C (50F to 70F) and in the central valley like San Jose the temps are usually 20 C - 24 C (70F to 80 F).  Most of these temps are year round.