GENERAL INFORMATION

With only 51.100 km2 of land extension, only 0, 03% of the planet’s surface, Costa Rica holds about 6% of all living forms that inhabit the planet. Up to now, in this small territory, there have been identified more than nine thousand species of plants, eight hundred and fifty of birds, two hundred of mammals, and about thirty-five thousand of insects…and we are still counting.
San José is the capital city and the most populated province.

POPULATION
Costa Rica has a population of approximately 4.000.000 inhabitants

CLIMATE
Located between two oceans, Costa Rica is a tropical country with a complex geography, several climatic conditions and different types of forests that range from the dry tropical forest all the way to the Paramo.

LANGUAGE
The native language is Spanish. However, visitors Hill easily comunícate using other languages that are usually spolm here, such as English, French, German and Italian.

PROTECTED AREAS
In recognition of its pioneer work in the area of natural resources preservation, Costa Rica is since the year 1992 the world seat for the ´´COUNCIL OF EARTH´´.
Costa Rica is the country with most protected areas in the world: 1.342.900 hectares, which represents 26, 3% of the national territory.

CURRENCY
The official currency is the Colón. However dollars are widely accepted

BANKING
Visitors can make use of all local and international financial services by means of the National Banking System or the existing private banking sector. Banks open from 8:00 am to 3:00pm. Evening shifts are also available from 3:00pm to 8:00pm.Dollars may be exchanged at any bank of the National Banking System

THE COSTA RICAN’S
´´Ticos´´, the nickname Costa Ricans are known for, are proud to be famous for, are proud to be famous for being hospitable. They are educated and hard working .They love to smile and shake your hand. Costa Rican culture is a mirror of the mix of races existing in the country.
Pura Vida! Pure Life! This is one of our favorite phrases and it is an amazing summary, synthesizing the spirit of our people.

WELCOME TO COSTA RICA and we hope your time with us is PURA VIDA!

REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTRY AND EXIT
If you are a citizen carrying a passport from one of the following countries, you are allowed to remain in Costa Rica for 90 days without a visa:Argentina,Austria ,Belgium,Brazil,Canada, Denmark, Finland, France and its colonies,Germany, Greece, Holland and its colonies, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein,Luxemburg, Norway, Panamá,Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico,Rumania, South Korea, Spain, Sweden,Switzerland, Trinidad y Tobago, UK,USA, The Czech Republic and Uruguay.
If you are a citizen carrying a passport from one of the following countries, you are allowed to remain in Costa Rica for 30 days without a visa, and may request a ´´Tourist Extension´´at the Office of Migration, which will allow you to extend your stay up to a total of 90 days :Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Chile, Dominica, El Salvador, Granada, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Iceland, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Russia, San Cristóbal, San Marino, Santa Lucia, San Vicente, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Surinam, Taiwan, Turkey, The Vatican, Venezuela, Estonia y Monaco.
There is a uniform departure tax of US $26 for all passengers.

ELECTRICITY
Costa Rica uses the same 110 V-60 cycle system as the USA. European appliances will need adapters.

SANITARY MEASURE
Los problemas más comunes en salud suelen ser las derivadas de la exposición al sol sin la suficiente protección, los golpes de calor, los desarreglos intestinales y las afecciones de oídos. Recomendamos que durante su estadía consuma agua embotellada. La asistencia médica es muy buena y las medidas sanitarias son muy estrictas.
Se encuentran hospitales en todo el país. Es aconsejable contratar un seguro médico, pero algunas actividades ya cuentan con ellos.

TELEPHONE CODES
All Costa Rican towns and regions fall Ander the single (506) area code. To dial out of Costa Rica you need the international access code (00) plus the country code, area code and local number

BALLENA NATIONAL MARINE PARK

Balleña National Marine Park is located on the Southern Pacific coast in an area of incomparable beauty, in the Ballena Bay district between the mouth of Higuerón or Morete River and Piñuelas Point.

Created on February 6, 1989, Balleña National Marine Park became the first marine reserve in Latin America whose sole purpose was to protect important natural marine habitats. Among the protected habitats are sandy and rocky beaches, estuaries, mangroves, cliffs, rocky reefs, Punta Uvita's tombolo and the area's coral reefs. Each of these habitats is important for the reproduction of the diverse species of the Osa Peninsula. The total protected area consists of 5,375 marine acres and 110 acres of land, all possessing tremendous biological importance.

Humpback whales have been visiting Costa Rica's Pacific coast for thousands of years. During the months of August, September and October, whales arrive from the southern hemisphere. From December through April, they arrive from the northern hemisphere. Ballena Bay's warm, gentle and shallow waters, protected by islands and reefs, create perfect conditions for whales to reproduce and nurture their little ones before returning to the colder waters. The humpback whale (megaptea noveangleae) is included on the International List of Endangered Species. Costa Rica actively protects this impressive species, and that is one of the main reasons for the creation of the Ballena National Marine Par

Besides its great scientific and extensive scenic beauty, the marine park is a valuable resource for environmental education and ecological tourism development. Organic reefs, commonly known as coral reefs, are one of the region's most important marine resources. The reef's structure is porous and half empty inside. As the reef grows larger, cavities and canals begin to join one reef to the next, permitting a great variety of species to interact with each other within the marine ecosystem.

Coral reefs are tropical communities that grow in an atmosphere of 18 to 23 degrees Celsius, which makes them sensitive to temperature changes, exposure and sediment deposits, in particular.

Other protected marine life systems within the park are inhabited by species such as dolphins, turtles, manta rays, crabs, worms, lobsters, algae, various types of fish, sponges and mollusks such as cambute. Bird species found within the protected area include frigates, white ibises, pelicans, mot-mot and striped birds.

Additionally, researchers and visitors can marvel at a curious geologic formation found in the park, the "Tómbolo de Punta Uvita." Earth and sand deposited at the base of the rocky island peak over centuries of tides have connected the tombolo's head to the coast, creating this rare tombolo phenomenon.