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Costa Rica ¤ Introduction ¤ Why Costa Rica? ¤ Recreation ¤ Leisure ¤ General Information ¤ Request for Proposal |
Introduction
Costa Rica is one of the most delightful countries in the world. Its scenic heritage includes a rugged Pacific Coast, a tropical Caribbean Coast, majestic rainforests, white sand beaches, and nine active volcanoes. The climate is tropical with an average annual temperature between 70-90 degrees Fahrenheit (22-30 Celsius). Its dry season is generally from December to April.
World Incentive Nexus can recommend a company to handle all details of a program in Costa Rica. For a recommendation, more information or a request for proposal, use the form found below.
Costa Rica also has an enlightened approach to conservation: 27% of the country is protected and over 11% is within the national park system. Even though it is a small country with only 19,720 square miles (51,060 square km or two-thirds the size of Scotland), it has several regions which offer a great diversity of landscapes and activities.
Why take an incentive group to Costa Rica?
- Unique adventure and ecological programs for all ages
- Moderate climate all year
- Variety of accommodations
- Informal dress code and relaxed life style
- Sizes of groups are best from 10 to 300 people
- Age range for groups between 18 to 70 years old
- Experienced, quality suppliers, including CRT Destination Marketing & Management Services, an excellent Destination Management Company that can arrange all hotel accommodations, excursions, and special programs.
Recreation & Sports
Whether your preference is for the thrill of bungee jumping, viewing wildlife in a rainforest as you traverse the treetops with a cable and harness, or some other exotic activity, you will find it in Costa Rica. While enjoying your favorite sport or outdoor activity you can also experience howler monkeys, the chattering of dozens of tropical birds, and unparalleled scenery.
Costa Rica has something for everyone:
- Ballooning
- Bird watching
- Bungee jumping
- Canopy Tours
- Fishing - ocean and freshwater
- Golf
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Mountain Biking
- Sailing
- Scuba diving
- Sea Kayaking
- Skywalking
- Snorkeling
- Surfing
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Volleyball
- Whitewater rafting
- Wind surfing
Leisure
From the museums of cosmopolitan San José to the mysterious Cloud Forest of Monteverde, Costa Rica can provide a myriad of relaxing activities.
Whether you choose to explore nature during a walk in a cloud forest or a visit to a pre-Colombian archeological site, there are professional guides available to explain the amazing diversity of the flora and fauna. When complete relaxation is desired, you may choose to take an aerial tram through a rainforest or visit Tabacón Hot Springs, a natural, open-air hot springs, with waterfalls, pools, and chutes all fed by Arenal Volcano, which you can hear rumbling nearby.
- Guided Tours
- Museums
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Spa Treatments
General Information
Accommodations
The range of accommodations varies greatly from luxurious hotels and all-inclusive resorts, to unique inns, cabins, and wilderness lodges. There are also small, distinctive, luxury eco-hotels perched onto the hillside within the rain forest where private balconies overlook the spectacular jungle and the deep blue ocean below. As the sun sets, gourmet cuisine in a quaint restaurant will complement the splendor of nature. Eco-hotels utilize solar energy, water conservation and recycling, as well as food composting. Additionally, few, if any trees, are removed during construction.
Climate
The dry season, or verano (summer), is from late December to April. Invierno (winter) lasts the rest of the year and tends to be wet. The high temperature range is from 70-90 Fahrenheit (22-30 Celsius).
Communications
Direct-dial telephone service, facsimile, telex, radio, and cable television are all available. Most major hotels also have Internet access, and some have business centers for guest usage. Bilingual operators are available for international calls.
Ecology & Environment
Costa Rica has the best-developed conservation system in Latin America.
About 27% of the country is designated as protected Conservation Areas and over 11% is within the National Park system. The rest of the protected land is privately owned with many of the private reserves open to the public. Costa Rica boasts over 850 varieties of birds and over 200 varieties of mammals. Throughout the country one can spot macaws, monkeys, armadillos, iguanas, dolphins and even the endangered manatee.
Electricity
110V at 60 Hz
Food & Beverage
Food is good, and tends to be more savory than spicy. Common elements include rice, beans, plantains, beef and chicken. Restaurants serve a variety of foods including French, Italian, Mexican, North American and Chinese.
Government
Costa Rica is a democratically elected republic, with elections every four years. Additionally, it has the most stable political climate in Central America and abolished its armed forces in 1948.
Holidays
| Jan 1 | New Year's Day |
| Apr 11 | Anniversary of the Battle of Rivas |
| Apr | Holy Thursday and Good Friday |
| May 1 | Labor Day |
| Jul 25 | Guanacaste Annexation |
| Aug 2 | Our Lady of the Angels |
| Aug 15 | Mother's Day |
| Sep 15 | Independence Day |
| Nov 2 | All Soul's Day |
| Dec 25 | Christmas Day |
Languages
Spanish is the official language, although English is widely spoken, and also some French, German, and Italian.
Money
The unit of currency is the Costa Rican Colón.
Nightlife
San José offers modest entertainment in the form of cinemas, theaters and nightclubs, but most other locations offer relatively few nighttime diversions.
Passports & Visas
To enter Costa Rica, citizens of other countries need a passport. In addition, visas are required for citizens of some countries.
Special Events
The following is just a selection of yearly special events.
| December-January | Fiestas del Fin del Año (week-long festivities) |
| February-March | Orchid Show, Cartago |
| March (middle) | Dia del Boyero (Day of the Oxcart Drivers), San Antonio de Escazú |
| March (middle) | National Craft Fair, San José |
| July-August | Green Turtles' nesting season in Tortuguero Nat'l Park |
| August | Arrival of Pilgrims, Cartago |
| October | Carnival Week, Puerto Limón |
| November-February | Leather-Back Turtles' nesting in Tamarindo (Pacific Coast) |
| December | Arts Festival |
Time
Costa Rica is six hours behind GMT, and does not observe daylight savings time.
Tipping
- Restaurants - 10% tip is appropriate, most restaurants will add it to your bill.
- Taxis - usually no tip is given.
Topography
Costa Rica is located in the tropics and is bordered to the north by Nicaragua, to the south by Panama, to the West by the Pacific Ocean and to the East by the Atlantic Ocean. There is a series of volcanic mountain chains, which runs from the northwest border to the southeast border, splitting the country into two regions. In the center of these ranges is a Central Valley or high-altitude plain, with coastal lowlands on either side. Over half of the population lives on this plain, with San José, the Capital, as the main city.
Travel into Costa Rica and within the country
- International - 17 airlines, including major carriers, such as American, British Airways, Condor, Continental, Delta, Iberia, KLM, Martinair, Mexicana, and United.
- Internal - 7 airlines.
- Road conditions: Most roads are two lane roads, with very few larger highways. Traffic conditions vary depending upon the region and weather
- Cruise Lines - 8 domestic cruise lines.
Above photos are courtesy of ICT (Instituto Costarricense de Turismo).
