COVID-19 Update Costa Rica currently has no vaccination requirements in order to enter the country. Masking in indoor locations is no longer a requirement.
GEOGRAPHY Costa Rica is small country in Central America. It is bordered by Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south. The Caribbean Sea is to the east and the Pacific Ocean is to the west. Costa Rica is slightly smaller than the state of West Virginia. There are two major mountain ranges in the country: the Cordillera Volcanica and the Cordillera de Talamanca. As in many other Central American countries, Costa Rica suffers from occasional volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.
Costa Rica does not observe Daylight Savings. Therefore, we are on Mountain Time November-March, and Central Time March-November.
PEOPLE & CULTURE Family is very important in Costa Rica. Children often live with their families until they are married. Leisure is treasured above work in Costa Rica. While work is necessary to earn a living, Ticos, as Costa Ricans call themselves, believe people should enjoy their lives. Indigenous languages are spoken in communities such as the Bribri, the language of the people of the Talamanca region. English is often spoken as a second language. There are many festivals and holidays around religious events, including Holy Week and Christmas. Futbol, or soccer, is by far the most popular sport in Costa Rica. Even small towns have a soccer team.