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Costa Rica is Central America's special jewel considered by
many the Switzerland of the Americas. It has a reputation
for being an oasis of calm, but there is more to Costa Rica
than environment. The country's natural attractions, wildlife
and reputation for enlightened conservation draw tourists
from all over the world, and the ticos know it. Successive
governments have made a real effort to preserve the country's
image as ecotourism heaven, making Costa Rica one of the best
places to experience the tropics naturally and with minimal
impact “Costa with no artificial ingredients”.
Weather
Costa Rica is a tropical country and experiences only two
seasons: wet and dry. The dry season is generally between
late December and April, and the wet season lasts the rest
of the year. The Caribbean coast tends to be wet all year.
Temperatures vary little between seasons; the main influence
on temperature is altitude. San José at 1150m (3772ft)
has a climate which the locals refer to as 'eternal spring':
lows average 15°C (60°F); highs average 26°C (79°F).
The coasts are much hotter, with the Caribbean averaging 21°C
(70°F) at night and over 30°C (86°F) during the
day; the Pacific is a few degrees warmer still. The humidity
at low altitudes can be oppressive.
Local Currency
The currency of Costa Rica is the "colon", named
after Christopher Columbus himself. In most tourist areas
U.S. dollars will be accepted. We recommend carrying with
you small amounts of cash in dollars in small bills or colones.
In some places you can use your credit card to get cash out
of an ATM machine. Of course in most large restaurants, souvenir
shops, and hotels, major credit cards are accepted. For meals,
drinks, entry fees, souvenirs, and such you can count on approximately
two hundred dollars a week. Of course this is an average and
depends on your own spending patterns. This amount also includes
the entry fees of the national parks, which amount to about
forty dollars for the entire trip. It is always sensible to
bring a little extra money for unexpected expenses, such as
special souvenirs or medical expenses. It is customary in
Costa Rica to tip. This quite often forms a part of the monthly
income of most people in the service industry.
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