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Studying abroad is a critical element in enabling Students to become global citizens
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Specialized services and lectures for Educational Tours |
Visit Costa Rica is honored with having the following companies and distinguished professionals among...
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Tourism services |
Visit Costa Rica is a travel agency that can provide any type of tourism service in Costa Rica, including....
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Customized itineraries for specialized travelers |
During the last 10 years, we have served many different specialized travelers. Among our clients we have had...
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| :: About Costa Rica |
 About the size of West Virginia and with a population of almost 4 million, Costa Rica is an example of conservation of natural resources and economic sustainability.
Almost one-third of its land is protected by land management laws, more than any other country on Earth.
Costa Rica’s traditional agricultural export economy (including coffee and bananas) has been supplanted by tourism and high tech exports. Eco-tourism thrives in Costa Rica's 12 distinct ecological zones that include rainforests, rugged mountains, active volcanoes, and beaches along two oceans.
The country has become a model for nations that hope to encourage economic development within a framework of environmental protection and sustainability. |
| :: The "Ticos" |
 Ticos is the common name Costa Ricans refer to themselves. More specifically, a Tica is a female Costa Rican and a Tico is a male. The name comes from a preference Ticos have of using the diminutive in their speech, changing everything so it means 'little something'. For instance, a Tico might call his grandmother (abuela), abuelita, or her house (casa) her casita. A kiss (beso) becomes a besito! This goes on and on and covers almost everything. In fact, it makes learning Costa Rica style Spanish a bit harder as you have to learn these diminutives even if you don't use them. So why Tico? Because many people pronounced the diminutive saying momentito (meaning just a short moment), as "momentico"
Costa Ricans (Ticos) are generally gentle, spirited, friendly, educated, polite, and kind people. Most seem to like visitors from other countries and treat them well. The Costa Rican national slogan, "Teachers—not soldiers," is indicative of the peaceful nature of the Costa Rican people; they are among the friendliest and most social people in the world. Spanish is the country's official language, though English is a workable lingua franca in the capital city of San Jose, as well as the more touristy areas. Ticos are a mixing of races. Though most of the country’s 4 million inhabitants descend from Spanish immigrants, many families originated in other parts of Europe, Asia, Africa and Central America. A large number are fair-skinned, especially in the Central Valley. |
| :: Costa Rica Information |
Population
3,896,092 (July 2003 est.)
Location
Middle America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, situated between Nicaragua and Panama.
Climate
Costa Rica's tropical and subtropical climate is responsible for this Central American country's vast rainforests and rich biodiversity. Temperatures in Costa Rica vary primarily with elevation, not with seasons. The coastal areas remain warm year-round, while the mountain regions tend to have a more temperate climate. Costa Rica has two seasons: the rainy season, “winter,” lasts from May to mid-November; the dry season, “summer,” lasts from mid-November to April. During the rainy season, days often start out sunny with rain falling in the afternoons and evenings. The dry season, because of its lack of rain, tends to be Costa Rica’s high season for tourism. |
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