As ‘The Switzerland of Central America’ Costa Rica is, and has been for decades, a unique destination. While most countries in the region were involved in wars, dictatorships, and poverty, Costa Rica was already a beacon of peace and prosperity, and even without an army. Moreover, this tropical country is rich with natural beauty; there is no country in the world where you will find more biodiversity per square meter. Wherever you travel, the ‘pura vida’ feeling is dominant: this is an enthusiastic expression which means ‘pure life’. It is also used as a greeting, or to express anything positive!
Climate and Seasons
The tropical climate of Costa Rica is characterized by the heat. Throughout the year the maximum temperature is about 30°C degrees during the day, and about 20°C degrees at night. In the mountains the temperatures are cooler. In the west and centre of the country there is a dry season from December to April. The rest of the year thunderstorms and rain showers can fall during the afternoons. Fortunately, the rain showers do not last long and afterwards it is sunny again. In the west and centre of the country, most rain falls in September and October. Conversely, on the east coast of Costa Rica it is very sunny during this period.
The Country
The beautiful nature and exotic atmosphere contribute significantly to Costa Rica’s flourishing (eco) tourism, which is by far the largest economic sector of the country. Tour operators receive tourists from all over the world. Highlights include the numerous National Parks and Reserves where you can easily encounter exotic flora and fauna. In addition, the country is rich with beautiful tropical beaches. The major differences in nature can be found in the agricultural sector. Apart from typical tropical products, such as coffee, pineapple, bananas and mangoes, ‘Dutch’ species can also be found, i.e. potatoes, onions, broccoli and even cauliflower. In addition, flowers are cultivated on the bottom of the volcanoes and numerous forestry projects have been established.
The relatively high level of development has resulted in a significant industrial and services sector in Costa Rica. Costa Rica also has all kinds of sustainable projects (utilizing sun, water, wind, and even volcanic, energy), government projects, and technological projects. According to the New Economics Foundation, Costa Rica is the greenest country in the world.
Fast Facts
Location Costa Rica is located in Central America and borders Nicaragua (north), the Caribbean Sea (east), Panama (south) and the
Pacific Ocean (west).
Surface area Costa Rica is about the size of the Benelux
Coastline 1290 km
Climate Tropical climate, cooler in the mountains
Highest point Chirripó, 3810 meters
Population 4.6 million
Population density 77 inhabitants per square kilometer
Language Spanish
Minimum Wage Approximately €250 per month
Religion Mainly Roman Catholic
Constitutional form Republic
Capital San José
Interesting fact Demographic figures are similar to Western Europe.
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/maps/central-america/costa-rica/
Spare time
Of course you will be here for your internship/voluntary work and/or Spanish course, but it is good to know that you can do plenty of activities in your spare time. From the capital busses leave to all directions in the country. Distances can be long; you may spend up to a day traveling. It is also possible to make use of domestic flights (www.natureair.com). Besides all the spectacular National Parks and Reserves, there is a wide range of high-adrenaline activities, such as rafting, canopy tours (zip line), jungle hikes, hanging bridges, horseback riding, boat tours, quad tours, snorkeling, diving, kiting, and surfing. The tourist who likes relaxation can enjoy the restaurants, beach bars, thermal baths, spas & yoga resorts, or simply spend time in a hammock. For more information about what Costa Rica has to offer, visit the website www.visitcostarica.comor consult a travel guidebook.
Tips
Visa: Upon arrival in Costa Rica a tourist visa is provided. After 3 months you can prolong your visa. Ask On-Stage how you can do this in an efficient way.
Insurance:Attention! Regular travelers insurance is often not sufficient for longer stays abroad and does not cover your liability for any internship/volunteer work activities. Make sure you are properly insured during your entire stay and during your internship/ volunteer work. In collaboration with Joho, On-Stage offers reliable insurance options.
On-Stage always takes into account the travel advice from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
More useful tips and information will be given after your registration on the website.
General costs Costa Rica
item
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Costa Rica
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Frequency
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Airline ticket from Europe
|
+/- € 1050
|
once
|
Insurances
|
+/- € 40
|
Per month
|
Vaccinations
|
€0
|
In case covered by insurance
|
Taxi
|
US$ 2,75
|
$per ride per person at daytime within town
|
Bus within town
|
|
Per trip per person
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Bus out of town
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US$ 1,50
|
Average for an hour of travelling time
|
Soda/ beer
|
US$ 2,00
|
Per bottle
|
Water 1,5 L
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nvt
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You can drink most tap water or use purification drops
|
Traditional warm meal
|
US$ 5,50
|
Per meal
|
Western meal
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US$11
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Per meal
|
Other costs: How much money you spend depends a lot on your lifestyle and on how you spend your spare time. To get more information on cost of living and prices for tourist activities, On-Stage advises you to consult a travel guide such as Lonely Planet or Footprint.
"The world is a book and those who don’t travel read only one page" - Aurelius Augustinus