Site MapContact UsLogin / Logout
 
 

Our free Newsletter








Live Chat

Tourism Information
About Costa Rica

 Mention Costa Rica and people think tropical paradise. Despite its small size, Costa Rica offers more beauty and adventure per acre than any other country on the planet. The waves and hot water temperature are perfect for year round surfing, the natural beauty is breathtaking and the peace you feel around relaxing.

Costa Rica is located in Central America, between Nicaragua and Panama. The country has access to both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Long stretches of oceanfront provide hundreds of uncrowded surf sports. The waves, are nicely shaped, long, and tubular, and in some places they seem never ending. Come and ride them in our CostaRicaSurfTour.

The highest point in the country is Cerro Chirripó, at 3,810 meters (12,500 ft), it’s the fifth highest peak in Central America.

Costa Rica is a place rich in natural wonders, home to a rich variety of flora and fauna. While the country has only about 0.1% of the world's landmass, it contains 5% of the world's biodiversity.

Costa Rica draws over $1.9 billion a year in the tourism industry. It is the most visited nation in the Central American region with over 1.9 million foreign visitors a year. Tourism is the number one industry in Costa Rica's economy. The country’s main exporting products are banana, coffee, and pineapple.

This nation is one of the oldest democracies in America. Independent since 1821, Costa Rica is a republic with a strong constitution and one of the most stable countries in the region. A country devoted to peace, in 1948, Costa Rica was the first and only country in the world to constitutionally abolish its army. The presidential elections are held every four years.

Costa Rica was a pioneer in Ecotourism and the country is recognized as one of the premier ecological vacation hotspots of the world. Ecotourism is extremely popular with the many tourists visiting the extensive national parks and protected areas around the country. As a leader against Global Warming, in 2007 the government of Costa Rica stated that they want to be the first country to become carbon neutral by 2021.

 Despite its size and being an under developed country, Costa Rica has positioned itself among the countries with the highest literacy rate and public healthcare development in Latin America. Health care in Costa Rica is attractive for international patients because of the low prices, high care standards and facilities, and the access to many tourist attractions.

Costa Rica has also emerged as one of the top destinations for singles and party lovers. The people are friendly, they love to have a good time and enjoy themselves. You will find many different restaurants, bars, clubs and nightlife options all over the country. The legal drinking age is 18. Casino gambling is legal. Prostitution is legal in Costa Rica, though pimping is not. Prostitution of minors is illegal, and the law does not tolerate any type of activity that includes minors, both male and female.

There are so many beautiful places to go to and things to do in this country that you will never get bored. But if you just want to chill and get away from the world, you can do it just as easily.  Please contact us if you have any more questions for your dream vacation. Sign up for our FREE newsletter and get a FREE Costa Rica Surf Map with detailed reports and locations of all the country’s surf breaks.

 
General Facts

Area: 51,100 km2

Population: 4,133,884

Time Zone: GMT -6

Provinces (States): San Jose, Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limón, Puntarenas.

Capital: San Jose

Climate: Tropical climate with two seasons. A Dry Season from December to April, Wet Season from May to November. Average temperature is 22 degrees C, 72 degrees F.

Official Language: Spanish

Currency: Colon

Exchange Rate:
1 Dollar = 555 colones 
1 Euro = 860 colones

Country Dialing Code: 506

Electrical Plugs: 110 V

Weights & Measures: Metric

Water: The water is potable in most of the country and safe to drink. We recommend using bottled water, in areas around the coast.

 
Safety Tips
  • We recommend the use of 4x4 cars.
  • If you are at the beach away from your car do not leave any valuables in it.
  • Use sunscreen with a high protection factor especially from 11am to 2pm.
  • Wetsuit is not necessary, the water temperature is warm.
  • Costa Ricans are peaceful friendly people, but always respect the locals when you are surfing. There are plenty of waves out there for every one.
  • Swimmers should beware, most beaches don’t have lifeguards. The best breaks have strong rip currents.
  • Emergency telephone number is 911.
 
Driving Times
From/To Time
(hours)
San José to Arenal 3
San José to Tamarindo 5
San José to Playa Grande 5
San José to Nosara 5
San José to Santa Teresa 4 to 5
San José to Jaco/Hermosa 2 to 3
San José to Manuel Antonio
San José to Dominical 4
San José to Pavones 8
San José to Puerto Viejo
 
4
 
Liberia to Tamarindo
Liberia to Nosara
Liberia to Santa Teresa
 

 
Tamarindo to San José 5
Tamarindo to Nosara 2 to 3
Tamarindo to Arenal 4 to 5
Tamarindo to Jaco/Hermosa 3
Tamarindo to Manuel Antonio
Tamarindo to Santa Teresa 4
Tamarindo to Dominical 5
Tamarindo to Pavones
 
10
 
Nosara to San José 5
Nosara to Tamarindo 2 to 3
Nosara to Santa Teresa 3 to 4
Nosara to Arenal 4 to 5
Nosara to Jaco/Hermosa 3
Nosara to Manuel Antonio 3 to 4
Nosara to Dominical 5
Nosara to Pavones
 
10
 
Santa Teresa to San José 4 to 5
Santa Teresa to Arenal 4 to 5
Santa Teresa to Tamarindo 4
Santa Teresa to Nosara 3 to 4
Santa Teresa to Jaco/Hermosa
Santa Teresa to Manuel Antonio 4 to 5
Santa Teresa to Dominical 5
Santa Teresa to Pavones
 
10
 
Jaco/Hermosa to San José 2 to 3
Jaco/Hermosa to Tamarindo 2 to 3
Jaco/Hermosa to Playa Grande 2 to 3
Jaco/Hermosa to Nosara 2 to 3
Jaco/Hermosa to Santa Teresa 2 to 3
Jaco/Hermosa to Arenal 4
Jaco/Hermosa to Manuel Antonio 1
Jaco/Hermosa to Dominical
Jaco/Hermosa to Pavones
 
5
 
Manuel Antonio to San José
Manuel Antonio to Tamarindo 5
Manuel Antonio to Playa Grande 5
Manuel Antonio to Nosara 5
Manuel Antonio to Santa Teresa 4 to 5
Manuel Antonio to Arenal 5
Manuel Antonio to Jaco/Hermosa 1
Manuel Antonio to Dominical 1
Manuel Antonio to Pavones
 
4
 
Dominical to San José 4
Dominical to Tamarindo 5
Dominical to Playa Grande 5
Dominical to Nosara 5
Dominical to Santa Teresa 5
Dominical to Arenal 6
Dominical to Manuel Antonio 1
Dominical to Jaco/Hermosa 1
Dominical to Pavones
 

 
Pavones to San Jose 8
Pavones to Arenal 8
Pavones to Tamarindo 10
Pavones to Nosara 10
Pavones to Santa Teresa 10
Pavones to Jaco/Hermosa 5
Pavones to Manuel Antonio 4
Pavones to Dominical
Pavones to Matapalo
 

 
Arenal to Tamarindo 4 to 5
Arenal to Playa Grande 4 to 5
Arenal to Nosara 4 to 5
Arenal to Santa Teresa 4 to 5
Arenal to Jaco/Hermosa 4
Arenal to Manuel Antonio 5
Arenal to Dominical 6
Arenal to Pavones 8
Arenal to San José 3
 
Important Phone Numbers

Important Phone Numbers

 

Emergency 911

Fire Department: 118
 

Red Cross: 128
 

Police: 911

 





Hospitals

Hospital San Juan de Dios: 2257-6282
 

Hospital Mexico: 2242-6700
 

Hospital Nacional de Ninos: 2222-0122
 

Hospital Cima San Jose: 2208-1000

Hospital Clinica Catolica:  2283-6616
 

Hospital Clinica Biblica: 2257-5252
 

Ambulances CR: 2286-1818

 




Embassies
 

USA:    2220-3050

Spain:    2222-1933

Canada:  2242-4400

Italy:    2234-2326

Argentina:  2224-8074

Mexico:  2257-0633

England:  2258-2025

France:  2234-4167

Holland:  2296-1490

Sweden:  2232-8549

Switzerland:  2221-4829

Ecuador:  2232-1503

Venezuela:  2224-4682

Brazil:  2295-6875

Panama:  2280-1570  or  2281-2472

Nicaragua:  2233-8747




Ferry

Naviera Tambor:  2661-2084


Peninsular2641-0515
 

 



Airlines

American Airlines2257-1266  or  1-800-601-6026    www.aa.com 
 

United Airlines:  2441-8025    www.united.com
 

Mexicana:  2295-6969    www.mexicana.com.mx
 

Continental Airlines:  2296-4920    www.continental.com
 

Delta Airlines:  2256-7909  or  0800-056-2002    www.deltaairlines.com
 

Copa Airlines:  2223-2672    www.copaair.com
 

Grupo Taca:  2296-9533    www.taca.com
 

Iberia:  2441-2591    www.iberia.com

Air Canada:  2243-1860  or  1-800-247-2262

Air France:  2280-0069    www.airfrance.co.cr

Alitalia:  2295-6820    www.alitalia.com

KLM:  2220-4111    www.klm.com

Lufthansa:  2243-1818

Martinair:  2232-3246

Air Madrid:  2296-4559

British Airways:  1-800-524-6975

 


 


Airport Information

Juan Santamaria:  2437-2400  or  2437-2626

Daniel Oduber:  2668-1032

 

 



Banks

BCR: 2287-9000
 

Lafise: 2246-0800
 

Banco National: 2212-2000
 

BAC: 2295-9595
 

HSBC: 2287-1000
 

Banco Popular: 2202-2020
 

Scotiabank: 800-172-6842
 

 
 
 
  © 2009 Costa Rica Surf Tour. All rights reserved.