56 Facts About Costa Rica

Costa Rica, officially the Republic of Costa Rica, is a country in Central America. 

Costa Rica has an area of 51,100 square km. 

San José is its capital and largest city. 

Spanish is the official language of Costa Rica and Costa Rican colón is its official currency. 

Costa Rica's land bordering countries are Nicaragua and Panama.

Costa Rica is synonymous with paradise, with beautiful sandy beaches lined with rows of magnificent palm trees, plenty of wildlife reserves ideal for outdoor adventures, and world-class beach resorts.

Call it literacy or a passion for learning. Costa Rica has the highest rural literacy rate for children, with 96%.

While the rest of the world knows Soda as a soft drink, this is a small restaurant in Costa Rica that serves cheap food such as rice, chicken, salad, and beans for only US $3 per plate.

While you may refer to your lover or spouse as "my better half," Costa Ricans refer to theirs as "the other half of the orange" (Media Naranja).

You can call it superstition or whatever you want, but all Catholic churches in Costa Rica face west.

In Costa Rica, streets are not named after people, but rather by the distance between them and the next landmark.

If you give birth in Costa Rica, the locals will refer to you as having "given light" (Ella dio a luz).

Costa Ricans refer to speed bumps as dead people, or son muertos.

If you ask a taxi driver to take you to a nightclub in Costa Rica, you will be taken to a strip club! Costa Ricans refer to strip clubs as nightclubs.

Costa Rica's national flower is the orchid.

A Greek physician named Dioscorides named the orchid after male genitals. This flower, he claims, resembles male genitals.

A coffee taster in Costa Rica is just as important as a wine taster in France. These coffee tasters are trained for five years to distinguish between these flavours.

Escazú, San Jose's richest suburb, was built on the site of a witchcraft practise, according to legend.

Costa Rica's independence story includes mail. It took a month for the people to learn about the country's independence in 1821 because news had to be conveyed via mail by a mail courier on a mule, which took a month to reach the people.

The Monteverde rainforest reserve is home to the endangered golden toad. As a result, it was chosen as one of the symbols of this Costa Rican town.

Costa Rica's main airport was named after Juan Santamaria, who volunteered to torch Fort Rivas in Nicaragua and succeeded. Though he was killed in the process, he lives on as Costa Rica's national symbol of freedom.

Costa Ricans have a plasma substitute. They believe the liquid contained within fresh, green coconut is pure enough to serve as plasma in an emergency.

It is known as the hummingbird capital of the world. Costa Rica is home to one-quarter of the world's 300 hummingbird species.

Costa Ricans refer to themselves as Ticos and Ticas.

Costa Rica has no standing military forces.

From April to December, you can see turtle eggs at Ostional National Wildlife Refuge. During this season, over 100,000 Olive Ridley turtles lay nearly 10 million eggs on the Refuge's beaches.

Driving your car into San Jose on the day of the week that corresponds to the last number on your licence plate is illegal.

Government officials closed Corcovado National Park in the 1980s to evict farmers. This was after a 25-pound gold nugget was discovered in the park, sparking a gold rush that transformed farmers into prospectors.

Christ is the name of a species of lizard native to Costa Rica. When alarmed, this lizard known as the Basilisk can run across the surface of the water. Perhaps this is why it is known as the Jesus Christ lizard.

Costa Rica has a small unofficial country called Airrec, which was founded in 1995. This country, though not recognised by the Costa Rican government or the UN, has 5,000 citizens, a flag, soldiers, and a national anthem.

Dr. Franklin R. Chang-Diaz of Costa Rica has travelled to space with NASA.

Geovanny Escalante of Costa Rica set the world record for the longest single saxophone note in 1998. The duration of this note was 90 minutes and 45 seconds.

Costa Rica translates to Rich Coast.

Costa Rican rain has at least twelve different names.

Costa Ricans first tasted coffee in 1779, only three years after the United States declared independence. The coffee was imported from Jamaica.

Costa Rica is the world's second largest banana exporter.

Over 80% of deadly snakebites in Costa Rica are caused by the fer-de-lance long pit viper.

If you enjoy liquor, consider the Guaro while in Costa Rica. This is a fairly sweet and effective moonshine rum made from distilled sugar cane.

Lake Arenal is Costa Rica's largest freshwater manmade lake.

Costa Rica is where penicillin was discovered. Costa Ricans, on the other hand, claim that Dr. Clodomiro Picado discovered it in 1927.

Costa Rica has the world's second highest number of rivers and water bodies in relation to its size. This number of rivers can be attributed to the presence of a rainforest, which causes massive rains.

A quarter of Costa Rica's land area has been set aside for national parks and refuges, making it an excellent destination for wildlife viewing.

Costa Rica does not have a winter, but rather a dry season that lasts from December to April.

Many Americans choose to retire in Costa Rica.

Most Costa Ricans are expected to live past the age of 77.

Most door locks in Costa Rica work backward, so if you open a door lock and it appears to be stuck, simply turn the key backward.

Costa Ricans are generally short. So, if you go there, expect to see smaller furniture than you are used to.

In Costa Rica, children are addressed by their father's name.

Children from impoverished families who are unable to attend school are taught through radio lessons.

Do not expect a Costa Rican woman to take your surname if you marry her. They keep their mother's and their maiden names.

In Costa Rica, greetings are formal enough but not too casual. Hugs, for example, are reserved for family and very close friends.

Costa Ricans celebrate cow herders' day. This day, known as Dia de los Boyeros, is observed to honour cow herders.

Costa Rican men show their appreciation for beauty by whistling, complimenting, or staring. So, if you visit Costa Rica, be courteous when this occurs.

Costa Ricans value peace and are not afraid to disappoint others. A Costa Rican, for example, will say maybe instead of no.

Avoid giving lilies as a gift because they are only appropriate for funerals.

The Nativity Scene, or El Portal, is traditionally displayed during Christmas in Costa Rica. This sculpture depicts the birth of Jesus.