Experiencing Costa Rica
Culture
Costa Ricans often refer to themselves as tico (masculine) or tica (feminine). "Tico" comes from the popular local usage of "tico" and "tica" as diminutive suffixes (e.g., "momentico" instead of "momentito"). The phrase "Pura Vida" (literally "Pure Life") is a ubiquitous motto in Costa Rica. Some youth use mae, a contraction of "maje" (mae means "guy/dude"), to refer to each other, although this might be perceived as insulting to those of an older generation; maje was a synonym for "tonto" (stupid, ass).
Costa Rica boasts a varied history. Costa Rica was the point where the Mesoamerican and South American native cultures met. The northwest of the country, the Nicoya peninsula, was the southernmost point of Nahuatl cultural influence when the Spanish conquerors (conquistadores) came in the sixteenth century. The center and southern portions of the country had Chibcha influences. However, the indigenous people have influenced modern Costa Rican culture to a relatively small degree, as most of the Indians died from disease and mistreatment by the Spaniards.
The Atlantic coast, meanwhile, was populated with African workers during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Most afro Costa Ricans, however, derive from nineteenth-century Jamaican workers, brought in to work on the construction of railroads between the urban populations of the Central Plateau and the port of Limon on the Caribbean coast. Italian and Chinese immigrants also arrived at this time to work on railroad construction.
A person from the United States, is normally referred to as a Gringo. For Costa Ricans, the word "Gringo" is slang for a United States citizen as "Tico" is slang for a Costa Rican. This term is widespread as Americans constitute a significant percentage of tourists in Costa Rica. Tourists are almost always well-liked and treated hospitably. For the most part the souring of the American image abroad has not been reflected in Costa Rican attitudes towards American individuals. George Bush is unpopular for the crisis in Iraq, but Costa Ricans are cautious to dispute both because of the Costa Rican government's unpopular support of the Iraq war, and because of the "Pura Vida" mentality of getting along.
Aside from the Iraq War, other US actions have played parts in souring Costa Rican outlooks on the US government. The Tratado de Libre Comercio, or TLC, is an impending and unpopular American policy of trading with only countries lacking monopolies in what Americans consider to be public-access private sectors (electricity, for example), which threatens the government-owned monopolies AYA and ICE (water and electric services). A large portion of the country's infrastructure is derived from the revenues from these companies. Nevertheless, the majority of Costa Ricans consider the United States a friend and an ally and recognize the value of American contributions to Costa Rica on an individual and federal level.
Canadians and Europeans are becoming more common in the country and are sometimes but not often regarded as separate than Americans. However, most Westerners are largely treated as equals.
Nicaraguans, making up between 10 to 15 percent of Costa Rica's 4.43 million inhabitants, face more discrimination than most other groups, largely belonging to the lower class and sometimes living in the country illegally. Stereotypes of Nicaraguans are pervasive. Some Costa Ricans fear Nicaraguans and attribute unexplainable phenomena, unsolved crimes and general maladies to Nicaraguans. Part of the distrust of Nicaraguans is due to the illusion that they commit more crimes and that they can be attributed them responsibility for rising crime rates. However, most Costa Ricans are strongly integrated with Nicaraguan individuals and communities, and their language and ethnic differences are negligible, ergo few harbor any serious ill will towards them. Many Nicaraguans enter the country seasonally for coffee harvests, or work year round as maids, farmers, mechanics and other low-income jobs. Afro Costa Ricans are similarly frowned upon by select individuals.
Costa Rican cuisine does not have distinct or original styles to call its own. It is a combination of Spanish, Mexican, American, Caribbean and Southern American influences. This style of cuisine is shared by most of Central America, although local variations have appeared in each of the country.
The closest thing to a national dish is Gallo Pinto ("spotted rooster", although the name has no relation to the ingredients). It is mainly a combination of black beans and white rice (usually from the day before), and it is spiced with cilantro, onions, garlic, salt and a local condiment called Salsa Lizano. It is typically eaten at breakfast with eggs, meat, and/or natilla (sour cream). Fried plantains and either corn tortillas or bread, are also common. Gallo pinto is a common and typical dish in both Costa Rica and Nicaragua, being widely consumed in both countries the origin of the dish has been debated for many years.
Another typical dish is "Arroz con pollo" ("rice with chicken"). This dish basically consists of bite size chicken chunks mixed with rice and diced vegetables that include carrots, peas, corn and garbanzo beans (chickpeas).
"Olla de Carne" is another typical dish which is mainly prepared on weekends. It is basically a broth soup prepared by boiling water, meat and whole-to large sized vegetable pieces, with spices. Eating the soup usually requires a bowl with the broth, and separate plates for the vegetables and rice. Because preparation of the vegetables is tiresome and the size of the plate obligates using a large pot, it is prepared for family meetings and was usually prepared on Sundays after church.
"Casados" are also a typical dish. A casado is basically a one-plate meal, that at least includes black beans, rice, a meat and one or more side dishes. The meat can vary from chicken or beef, fish, tongue, liver, or hamburger patties. The side dishes can range from pasta salads, vegetable salads, fried eggs, potatoes, spaghetti, or "barbudos" (green beans wrapped in egg batter). Finally most casados include fried plantains.
A very common practice when sitting down to eat is to drink a fruit drink of some kind. These are called ("refrescos", "frescos", "naturales", or "batidos"). They are made with either water or milk and come in an endless variety: canteloupe, strawberry, tamarind, mango, papaya, lemon, blackberry (mora), guanabana, fruit punch, horchata, and a local favorite, cas.
Finally, there are some important regional differences. The Caribbean side of the country, because of its roots, enjoys Gallo pinto but adding Coconut oil. This is called "Rice an' Beans". This region also has "Pati", "Plantain tarts", "Rondon" and "Pan bon". The north-western part of the country, has a strong tendency towards corn products and is famous for large, cheese filled tortillas, corn snacks and other dishes.
Business Customs
Costa Rican business executives place great importance on personal contact with their foreign suppliers. Appointments should take place at the hosts' facilities instead of a hotel room, unless a special room has been arranged for the meeting. A business suit is appropriate for most business meetings. Handshaking is the common greeting used by visiting businessmen. Gifts are often exchanged on special occasions.
The U.S. company should have business cards, proposals, and other material printed in both English and Spanish. Titles are important and should be included on business cards. At least initially, you should address a person directly by using his or her title only. A Ph.D or a physician is called Doctor just as in the United States. For persons who do not have professional titles, it is common to show respect by calling a gentleman “Señor” (plus his first name) and a lady “Señora” (plus her first name). Children and subordinates refer to adults in this manner, and it is a sign of courtesy for people doing business with each other to refer to each other in this way unless otherwise requested by the person you are addressing.
Men should wear a conservative dark suit. In warmer climates, a jacket is optional. Women can wear a dress or skirt and blouse for formal business meetings, but it is far more common for women to wear pants to work. Costa Ricans are much more formal and serious than other Latin Americans. Therefore, you should keep jackets on during business meetings.
Travel Advisory
Demonstrations or strikes, related to labor disputes or other local issues, occur occasionally in Costa Rica. Past demonstrations have resulted in port closures, and roadblocks. These protests have not targeted U.S. citizens or U.S. interests, and are typically non-violent.
Crime is increasing and tourists are frequent victims. Costa Rica is currently rated as a “high” crime threat post. The increasing use of violence during the commission of a street crime is a threat to all visitors. While most crimes are non-violent, criminals, including juveniles, have shown a greater tendency in recent years to use violence. U.S. citizens are encouraged to use the same level of caution that they would exercise in major cities or tourist areas throughout the world. Jewelry should not be worn on the streets and cash should not be displayed.
The downtown area of San Jose should be avoided at night due to the increase in criminal activity that occurs there. When encountering a threatening or hostile individual, do not put up any resistance. If all that person wants is your belongings, give them up they are not worth your life or any serious injury. In case of emergency, call 911 from any telephone.
Credit card fraud and credit card “number skimming” is a rapidly growing crime. Visitors should avoid using debit cards for point-of-sale purchases, as a skimmed number can be used to clean out an account. Visitors should check their credit card accounts frequently. Visitors are advised to avoid unofficial moneychangers who may offer better rates but often trade in counterfeit currency. Accommodation exchange facilities are available at the airport.
Visitors are urged to exercise caution when driving in Costa Rica. There have been incidents of kidnappings, including those of foreigners, in recent years. Carjacking have also increased, and motorists have been confronted at gunpoint while stopped at traffic lights or upon arrival at their homes. Do not pick up hitchhikers, a common ploy by thieves involves the surreptitious puncturing of tires of rental cars, often close to the car rental agency itself. When the travelers pull over, "good Samaritans" quickly appear to change the tire and remove valuables from the car.
Travelers are recommended to use licensed taxis instead of using gypsy cabs because the latter do not carry insurance, are not registered as service providers, and do not adequately maintain their cars. When arriving in San Jose, the only taxis available are the Taxi Aeropuerto orange taxis found outside the arrival hall. Tickets for the orange taxis are also sold just outside the exit doors. Fares (payable in U.S. dollars or local currency) vary according to destination. Vans are also available at a higher price. Taxi Aeropuerto also offers pick-up service and transportation to the airport from departing passengers. Reservations can be made 24 hours a day by phoning (506) 221-6865. Elsewhere in San Jose, official taxis are considered safe, assuming standard security precautions. Official taxis have a yellow triangle on the door, an identification number, a taxi light on the roof of the car, and generally have working meters. Ask if the meter is functioning before entering the cab.
Travelers should ensure that they purchase an adequate level of locally valid theft insurance when renting vehicles. Visitors should never leave valuables in the vehicle, and should park in secured lots whenever possible The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Travelers should carry a copy of their passport data page and leave the passport itself in the hotel safe or other secure location. For more safety tips, visit the State Department Consular Information Sheet for Costa Rica at: http://travel.state.gov/travel/costa_rica.html.
Visa Requirements
Entry/Exit Requirements: U.S citizens need a valid passport to enter Costa Rica and are allowed to stay only for 90 days; an extension may be arranged only on arrival. All visitors must have a round-trip ticket as an entry requirement. The U.S. passport should be in good condition; any tears or visible damage to the identification page may jeopardize entry into the country.
Tourists who stay over ninety days without receiving a formal extension can expect to pay a higher departure tax at the airport or land border. Persons who have overstayed previous visas may be denied future entry into Costa Rica. A surcharge called a passenger facility fee of $5.50 has been included in airline tickets. If the airline has not included this charge, then the traveler may pay it at the ticket counter. The departure tax is $26 for short-term visitors, payable in colones / U.S dollars or by credit card (at airport bank agency).
U.S. companies that require travel of foreign businesspersons to the United States should be advised that visa interviews are handled through an appointment reservation system. Appointments can be arranged by calling 0-800-05211465. The waiting period has been greatly reduced in recent months but business visitors are advised to plan their trips as far in advance as possible. See the Consular Section of the U.S Embassy in Costa Rica website below. Visa applicants should go to the following links for more information:
State Department Visa Website: http://travel.state.gov/visa/index.html
United States Visas: http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov/
Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy: http://usembassy.or.cr/conseng.html
Telecommunications
ICE (Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad) is the sole provider of telecommunications, Internet and electricity services. As a result, most of the country is linked via land or cellular line. Telephone coverage is extensive. The dominant cellular systems are TDMA and GSM. However, many U.S. visitors have experienced difficulty in using their GSM phones in Costa Rica, due to its differences in frequency.
The accessibility and use of Internet is growing rapidly in the country, as the state of technology improves. Internet usage for cellular phones is being introduced in urban areas, Internet cafes are very popular (especially in San José) and wireless connectivity in hotels and restaurants continues to expand, particularly in the Central Valley. However, in more rural areas connectivity can be limited and slow. For more information, visit www.ice.go.cr of the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE). AT&T, Sprint, and MCI services are available in Costa Rica. ICE offers a limited international roaming for international cellular service.
Transportation
Although Costa Rica's infrastructure is better than most in the region, the road system requires constant maintenance, causing strain to both vehicle and driver. There are more than 7,000 kilometers (4,400 miles) of principal highways and roads, and some 16,000 kilometers (9,600 miles) of rural roads. However, some roads can only be driven with a 4-wheel drive vehicle. Signage is often lacking and sometimes confusing. Outside of downtown San Jose, few areas have formal addresses. Costa Rica has more than 500 kilometers (300 miles) of railway track, but little of it is currently in use, and only recently, was limited service established. All overland cargo, except bananas from the Pacific ports, is transported via truck.
There are also more than 100 small private landing fields serving approximately 300 registered aircrafts. Twenty international passenger airlines (including Delta, American, America West, Continental, and U. S. Airways) and fifteen cargo airlines serve San Jose's principal airport, Juan Santamaría International Airport Spirit Air recently announced serve to Costa Rica and press repeats that Frontier (Denver) is planning the same.
The Liberia International Airport (Daniel Oduber) began operations in 1995 to serve the Guanacaste beach resort area. While the Daniel Oduber has been upgraded to meet the current tourism boom in the Guanacaste/Gulf of Papagayo beach areas on the Pacific Coast, more needs to be done to accommodate the rising number of visitors in recent years and projections of more to come. The Government recently announced a tender to expand the visitor terminal there.
Regional airports offer regularly scheduled domestic flights to Golfito, La Fortuna, Liberia, Samara, Tambor, Tortuguero, Puerto Jimenez, Punta Islita, Nosara, Quepos, and Tamarindo. Nature Air now operates a flight to Grenada, Nicaragua. There is good taxi and public bus service in the capital city of San Jose. Official taxis are red and are the recommended means of travel for business visitors. Visitors should ensure that the taxi driver is using the meter. The official taxis have the name of the taxi company written on a yellow box on the top of the car.
Car rental service is also available from Avis, Hertz, and other well-known companies. Visitors are allowed to drive with their normal drivers license for three months. Costa Rica’s air safety oversight program is rated Category One. Costa Rica is in compliance with international aviation safety standards for oversight of Costa Rica’s air carrier operations. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation in the U.S. at 1-866-835-5322, or visit the FAA website http://www.dot.gov/. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign air carriers for suitability as official providers of air services. For information regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers, travelers may contact the Department of Defense at (703) 697-7288.
Language
Costa Rica is a Spanish-speaking country and English is often taught in schools. While many business professionals speak English, many foreign companies have remarked that the availability of available English-speaking personnel is shrinking.
Health
In general, medical services are good. All Costa Rican workers and their dependents are covered by a public health care system administered by the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social, or CCSS). Many doctors in both the national health system and private clinics have been trained abroad and are fluent in English. Specialists are available in almost all branches of medicine although recent press reports have pointed out a lack of specialists in certain sectors. Although seriously overcrowded, Hospital Mexico and the San Juan de Dios Hospital are considered to be well equipped. Private hospitals in San Jose such as CIMA (which has an affiliation with Baylor University) and Clínica Bíblica enjoy a good reputation and can facilitate payment. The Embassy maintains a list of specialized medical practitioners in case of emergencies.
Mosquitoes carrying malaria and dengue fever have been found in low-lying areas along both coasts. Although Dengue has been spreading beyond these regions, numerous eradication programs are presently in operation throughout Costa Rica. Travelers are urged to take adequate precautions.
In areas outside of San Jose, medical care is more limited. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. Supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage, including provision for medical evacuation, has proven useful in many emergencies. For additional health information, travelers may contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s international traveler’s hotline at (404) 332-4559 or website address at www.cdc.gov.
Business Hours & Holidays
Local time for Costa Rica is minus 6 hours Greenwich Mean Time (-6 GMT). Costa Rica is one hour behind Eastern Standard Time (EST), and two hours behind Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).
Typical working hours are 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Generally, the Costa Rican Government offices have a continuous working schedule from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Most public banks are open from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, while private banks are usually open until 6:00 P.M.
Business trips to Costa Rica should not be scheduled immediately before or immediately after local holidays. Costa Rican residents tend to take vacations during school holidays, for example, from mid-December to late January, and during the month of July. Securing business appointments during these times can be difficult. The Embassy is closed on U.S. and Costa Rican holidays.
Temporary Entry of Materials and Personal Belongings
Costa Rican laws require checked luggage to be screened and travelers to fill out customs declarations declaring the value of any item in their possession, including fruits, vegetables, meat and by-products, biological products such as vaccinations, serums, etc. The head of a family may make a joint declaration for all members residing in the same household and traveling together to Costa Rica. No customs duties are charged on personal luggage, which includes a series of items for personal, professional, non-commercial use. For more information, please visit the web page of the Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (ICT): www.ict.go.cr.
