Costa Rica is in the southern part of Central America, surrounded by Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south. The other countries forming Central America are Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador & Honduras. Costa Rica, whose official name is “Republic of Costa Rica”, means Rich Coast in Spanish. It has a population of approximately 5 million, its Capital city is San Jose, and its telephone dialing code is +506. Costa Rica’s currency is called the Costa Rican Colón (Symbol: ₡). Still the US dollar is also widely accepted, and you can withdraw either currency at most bank machines in the country.

Known for its beauty and its biodiversity, Costa Rica has two stunning and very different coasts; the Pacific and the Caribbean. The Pacific side of the country knows two primary seasons; the rainy season, also called winter and the dry season, also called summer. The dry season runs from December to May and grows more sweltering and arid as the May approaches. The rainy season, on the other hand, is slightly cooler, with regular rainfall, which helps keep everything lush and green. The population on the pacific side is mostly constituted of Costa Ricans, also called the Ticos, many of which are Nicaraguan descendants, especially in the Province of Guanacaste. The primary spoken language on the Pacific coast is Spanish.

The Caribbean side of Costa Rica has a very different climate; it is more like the rainy season all year round, with 2 or 3 rainy days per week regularly. The Atlantic coast is thus always luxuriant and green and has a diverse and thriving fauna and flora; it is a popular destination for animal and nature lovers. The population on the Caribbean coast has Jamaican and African roots, with the primary spoken language being Jamaican-Caribbean influenced English, especially in and around the town of Limon.