About Costa Rica
Climate
Costa Rica has a tropical climate since it lies so near the equator. The country is famous for having one of the best climates in the world. Temperatures vary little from season to season and fluctuate only with altitude. Like other tropical places, Costa Rica only has two seasons. The summer is generally from late December to April. The rainy season, runs from May to November. The average annual temperatures range from 31.7°C (89°F) on the coast to 16.7°C (62°F) inland.
Travel
International Air Travel
International flights arrive at San José’s Juan Santamaría International Airport, though the airport in Liberia, 217km (135mi) northwest of San José, has been upgraded and now operates as a second-string international airport. There are good connections to US and Canadian cities and several Latin and South American countries. Scores of tour operators in North America and Europe run tours to Costa Rica. There is a departure tax of $26.00 on international flights.
Costa Rica is less than three hours by air from Miami, about 5 hours from New York City, seven hours from Los Angeles, and 8.5 hours from Toronto. More than 30 international flights arrive daily at Juan Santamaría International airport, 15 minutes northwest of San Jose. Presently you can choose from Air Canada, American Airlines, America West, Continental, Delta, LACSA, Mexicana, Northwest, TACA and United, not to mention charter flights.
Direct flights are available from many cities, including New York, Miami, Atlanta, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Chicago and Los Angeles. Other cities require a brief stop and sometimes a plane change, though every year it gets easier to get to San Jose quickly and painlessly.
Domestic Air Travel
There are two domestic airlines: Sansa and NatureAir. Demand for seats is high, so try to book as far in advance as possible. These small planes make their short hops (20 to 40 minutes) to places like Tortuguero, Golfito, Nosara, Quepos, or Tamarindo. Planes carry from four to fifteen passengers, and round trip costs US $80-200.
Climate
Costa Rica has a tropical climate since it lies so near the equator. The country is famous for having one of the best climates in the world. Temperatures vary little from season to season and fluctuate only with altitude. Like other tropical places, Costa Rica only has two seasons. The summer is generally from late December to April. The rainy season, runs from May to November. The average annual temperatures range from 31.7°C (89°F) on the coast to 16.7°C (62°F) inland.
Travel
International Air Travel
International flights arrive at San José’s Juan Santamaría International Airport, though the airport in Liberia, 217km (135mi) northwest of San José, has been upgraded and now operates as a second-string international airport. There are good connections to US and Canadian cities and several Latin and South American countries. Scores of tour operators in North America and Europe run tours to Costa Rica. There is a departure tax of $26.00 on international flights.
Costa Rica is less than three hours by air from Miami, about 5 hours from New York City, seven hours from Los Angeles, and 8.5 hours from Toronto. More than 30 international flights arrive daily at Juan Santamaría International airport, 15 minutes northwest of San Jose. Presently you can choose from Air Canada, American Airlines, America West, Continental, Delta, LACSA, Mexicana, Northwest, TACA and United, not to mention charter flights.
Direct flights are available from many cities, including New York, Miami, Atlanta, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Chicago and Los Angeles. Other cities require a brief stop and sometimes a plane change, though every year it gets easier to get to San Jose quickly and painlessly.
Domestic Air Travel
There are two domestic airlines: Sansa and NatureAir. Demand for seats is high, so try to book as far in advance as possible. These small planes make their short hops (20 to 40 minutes) to places like Tortuguero, Golfito, Nosara, Quepos, or Tamarindo. Planes carry from four to fifteen passengers, and round trip costs US $80-200.
Tourism
Costa Rica is truly one of the world’s most delightful and most exciting tropical vacation destinations. There are not only tropical rainforests and beautiful beaches but also some surprises – active volcanoes and windswept mountain tops.
Although Costa Rica is a small country, a large variety of tropical habitats are found within it, and they are protected by the best developed conservation program in Latin America.
There is no shortage of beaches. Some have been developed for tourism while others are more remote and rarely visited. Wherever one stays, one is likely to find a preserved area within driving distance where you will an array of wildlife.
Adventurous travelers will find the opportunity to snorkel on tropical reefs, surf the best waves in Central America, or raft some of the most thrilling white water in the tropics. Saltwater fishing is amongst the world’s best all year round, and fresh water anglers will find the rivers and lakes extremely rewarding.
Public transportation is inexpensive and covers the whole country, so Costa Rica is both one of the most beautiful and one of the easiest tropical countries in which to travel.
The People
Costa Rica’s unique people are probably the country’s most important resource. Costa Ricans proudly call themselves
‘ticos’. Though most of the country’s 3.3 million inhabitants descend from Spanish immigrants, many families originated in other parts of Europe, Asia, Africa and, indeed, Central America. Costa Ricans are healthy people and have a longevity rate on a par with most first world countries – 77.49. They have a great emphasis on education and have a 95% literacy rate which is among the highest in Latin America.
As people they are friendly and outgoing and will often go out of their way to help you even if you don’t speak Spanish. They are also very pro American and love anything American.
Government & Law
Costa Rica is a domestic republic and the government has been an outstanding example of an enduring democracy for almost fifty years. A neutral country, Costa Rica is compared to Switzerland because of its neutral political posture, with one exception; Costa Rica has no army.
There are three branches of government: Executive, which consists of the president, two vice presidents and cabinet; the Legislative Assembly, with 57 individually elected deputies; and, the Judicial Branch, which consists of civil, criminal, appellate and constitutional courts. The President and members of the Legislative Assembly are elected for four-year terms and the president can’t run for re-election, but can run again after having left office for four years. The current President is Mr. Abel Pacheco.
Communication
Costa Rica has one of the most advanced telecommunications systems in Latin America, with telephones and fax
machines all over the country, and an increasing number of businesses online. To call or fax Costa Rica, dial the country code 506 before the number. There is also mail service, and a wide selection of courier services in San Jose. Most large hotels in the San Jose area have cable TV, with US and European stations. Newspapers and magazines from North America and several European nations are sold in many shops and hotels in and around the capital.
Economy
Costa Rica’s basically stable economy depends on tourism, agriculture, and electronics exports. Poverty has been
substantially reduced over the past 15 years, and a strong social safety net has been put into place. Foreign investors remain attracted by the country’s political stability and high education levels, and tourism continues to bring in foreign exchange. Low prices for coffee and bananas have hurt the agricultural sector. The government continues to grapple with its large deficit and massive internal debt. The reduction of inflation remains a difficult problem because of rises in the price of imports, labor market rigidities, and fiscal deficits. Costa Rica recently concluded negotiations to participate in the US – Central American Free Trade Agreement, which, if ratified by the Costa Rican Legislature, would result in economic reforms and an improved investment climate.
The Costa Rican government has long dedicated a significant portion of its national budget to education and other social services, a policy whose result has been a healthy and educated populace. The country has a literacy rate and average life expectancy that are much closer to those of Western European nations than most Latin American countries.
Costa Rica has had a socialized medical system for nearly half a century, and while schools and clinics are found throughout the country, the Central Valley has several public universities and dozens of private universities.
Travelers are more likely to encounter educated people, and don’t have to worry about most of the diseases they would expect to encounter in a tropical country.
Tap water is safe to drink almost everywhere in the country, but bottled beverages are recommended in rural areas. For those few travelers that do become sick or injured while in Costa Rica, there are hospitals and private clinics in San Jose provide a level of care comparable to that found in the United States, and for considerably less money.
Public Services
Public Transport
The country has a large fleet of taxis easily identified by their red color. Bus services are readily available and efficient
both within and between provinces Electric Power Hydro-electric energy is Costa Rica’s main source of energy supply. Based on the National Institute of Stats and Census on June 2000, the production per head was 1816.6 kwh. As of Oct 31, 2002, 89.6% of the electric power utilized in Costa Rica was generated by ICE. The remainder of Costa Rica’s electric power was generated by other public sector entities and private sector power producers.
Electric Power
Hydro-electric energy is Costa Rica’s main source of energy. Based on the National Institute of Stats and Census on
June 2000, the production per head was 1816.6 kwh. As of Oct 31, 2002, 89.6% of the electric power utilized in Costa Rica was generated by ICE. The remainder of Costa Rica’s electric power was generated by other public sector entities and private sector power producers.
Water
The energy and water supply is guaranteed anytime. Electricity is generated from water, which exists in large quantities. The water throughout most of the country is pure and drinkable.
Road Network
In Costa Rica there are two road systems that cover 35.877 km throughout the whole national territory. First, the national road system that includes the most important roads, and second the rural road system comprises roads of local importance. With the exception of the cleared national parks or wildlife refuges, the national territory is connected through the road network, at least up to the main town of each country and each district of the country.
Banking
There is an ample selection of state owned and privately held banks in San Jose, and throughout the country. The 
official currency of Costa Rica is the Colon; however US dollars are widely accepted. US dollars and traveler’s checks can be changed in banks and hotels. Most major credit cards are widely accepted, and cash advances can be obtained at banks around the country and a variety of places throughout San Jose.
Government offices are generally open from 8 am to 4 pm, while banks close anytime between 3:00 and 6:00 pm, according to the bank and its branch. Most shops are open from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, while some open at 8:00 am and others close at 7:00 pm and most grocery stores close at 8:00 pm. Some shops also close for lunch, between noon and 1:00 or 2:00 pm.
Crystal Dolphin
Crystal Dolphin is a Panama Company that owns Commercial Real Estate sales offices throughout Central America. The offices in Costa Rica and Belize are the only Franchised, Dedicated Commercial sales offices in these countries.
Crystal Dolphin Holdings, Inc. Panama City, was formed by an American with extensive customer service experience serving the Executives of the Investment world after realizing the need for better client interface in this business in Central America.
We hope you enjoy our new website and have the opportunity to experience the highest level of customer service in the Real Estate Industry.