Categories
General Information
- Where is Costa Rica?
- What is the weather like in Costa Rica?
- What is the geography of Costa Rica?
- What is the population and ethnic makeup?
Infrastructure of Costa Rica
- What do I need to enter Costa Rica?
- Is the Costa Rican government stable?
- Is the electricity standard North American voltage?
- Are there modern medical facilities in Costa Rica?
Investment & Finance Information
- Is Costa Rica a safe country to invest in?
- Is an investment in land suitable for me?
- What are the taxes like in Costa Rica?
- What are the country’s income tax laws?
- What is the cost of living in Costa Rica?
General Information
Where is Costa Rica?
Costa Rica is located in Central America with Nicaragua bordering to the North and Panama to the South. It is bordered on the East and West by the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans (In the Carribean Sea). Costa Rica is situated north of the equator at just 10 degrees latitude.
What is the weather like in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica’s year round climate is pleasant with naturally occurring breezes cooling down most of the coastal areas. Temperatures in the highlands and the mountains are warm by day and brisk at night, giving a feeling “eternal springtime”. The average annual temperatures range from 89F (31.7C) on the coast to 62F (16.7C) inland. The rainy, or “green season” lasts from approximately May to December with noticeably drier days during the rest of the year.
What is the geography of Costa Rica?
Rugged highlands are found throughout most of the country, ranging from approximately 3,000 to 6,000 ft. (1,000-2,000m) above sea level. The Cordillera de Guanacaste, Cordillera Central, and Cordillera de Talamanca are the principal mountain ranges extending across the length of the country. There are several active volcanoes (Volcan Arenal, Volcan Irazu, Volcan Rincon de la Vieja and Volcan Turrialba) and the country’s highest mountain (Cerro Chirripo) reaches a height of 3,819 m (12,530 feet). The country has a relatively long coastline in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, as well as a number of rivers and streams that attract expert kayakers and whitewater rafters. Costa Rica’s land area covers 51,100 square kilometers, making it slightly smaller than West Virginia in the United States or two thirds the size of Scotland with over 750 miles (1200 km) of coastline.
What is the population and ethnic makeup of Costa Rica?
Ticos, as Costa Ricans are commonly known, are a diverse group. Though the majority of the country's 4.2 million inhabitants are the descendants of Spanish immigrants, many families originated from other parts of Europe, Asia, Africa and, of course, Central America. You may be surprised by the number of fair-skinned people you will see in the country, especially in the Central Valley. In the lowlands, more people are mestizo: a mixture of European and Indigenous blood, whereas the majority along the Caribbean coast are of African lineage, while much of the Talamanca Mountain Range is inhabited by full-blooded Native Indians of various tribes.
Infrastructure
What do I need to enter Costa Rica?
A valid passport is required. Upon entry, each tourist is issued a 90-day tourist visa. If you plan to stay beyond the 90 days, make sure you leave the country for 72 hours and then re-enter for a new 90 day visa or receive special permission / work visa before you arrive. It is also a good idea to have several copies of the picture page of your passport with you when you travel. If you are not a U.S. citizen, please check with your Costa Rican Embassy regarding travel requirements as travelers from some countries (China, for example) need to have a visa to enter prior to arrival in addition to their passport.
Is the Costa Rican government stable?
If you have read any of the many guidebooks on Costa Rica, then you are probably aware that Costa Rica is a diplomatic, peaceful country with NO standing military. Costa Rica has been fortunate to have never had a single war or major political turmoil. It is considered by many political experts to be the most stable country in Central America and among the elite of Latin America. An impressive public healthcare system and strong emphasis on education (Costa Rica is the most literate of all Latin American countries) have resulted in a happy, affluent culture. Like in most developing nations, there is a degree of unrest with the political corruption and shortage of strict law enforcement, but by and large Costa Rica is a country whose people seem quite content with their political leadership.
Is the electricity standard North American voltage?
You can plug any normal electric-powered device (hair dryers, shaver, laptop computer, etc.) into an electrical wall outlet in Costa Rica. Back to Top
Are there modern medical facilities in Costa Rica?
Health care in Costa Rica is excellent and there are several ultra-modern hospitals with English speaking Doctors (some are North Americans) in the greater San José area. For emergency assistance in Costa Rica, dial 911.
Investment & Finance Information
Is Costa Rica a safe country to invest in?
Costa Rica has a long history of stable democracy. It has no army and is protected by treaties with the United States. It is often referred to as the 'Switzerland' of Cental America. This is reason enough for Daimler Benz (Mercedes) and NASA to establish their headquarters for the region in Costa Rica. Multinational companies like Intel have also recently set up a large factory in the country and Unilever has decided to house a large part of their Central American production in Costa Rica.
Is an investment in land suitable for me?
Our investment opportunities are suitable for anyone who wishes to have a significant return on their investment. Whether you decide to build and/or live on the land that you purchased or if you simply wish to use your property as a pure investment to diversify your financial portfolio, all the options are open to you.
What are the taxes like in Costa Rica?
Out-of-country income is not taxed in Costa Rica, and if you are employed in this country, income tax is minimal. Basic property taxes are six-tenths of one percent of the property stated value, which is nominal by North American standards.
What are the country's income tax laws?
Clearly, the most enticing factor for foreign investors has been the country's income tax laws, which allow complete exoneration of taxes on an average of 8 to 10 years, and 50 percent exoneration for 4 more years depending on the investment. There is virtually no screening of foreign investment in most areas
What is the cost of living in Costa Rica?
The cost of living is probably one of the most important issues concerning prospective full-time residents. Although the cost of living here is less than that of the United States, the difference is not dramatic. Housekeeping and gardening help is very affordable, as are other conveniences, which are often considered a luxury. On average, a monthly income between $1,500 to $2,500 with established accommodations will provide for quite a comfortable lifestyle.
