Costa Rica Facts

• Official Name: Republic of Costa Rica

• Capital City: San José

• Location: Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south, with coastlines on both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.

• Size: Approximately 51,100 km² (19,730 sq mi).

• Population: Around 5 million people.

• Official Language: Spanish

• Currency: Costa Rican Colón (CRC)

• Country Code: +506

• Time Zone: Central Standard Time (GMT -6).

Fun & Interesting Facts About Costa Rica

• Costa Rica is home to about 5–6% of the world’s biodiversity, despite covering only a tiny fraction of the Earth’s surface.

• Around 26% of Costa Rica’s land is protected through national parks, reserves, and conservation areas.

• Costa Rica has both Pacific and Caribbean coastlines, making it one of the most geographically diverse countries in Central America.

• The country is famous for its “Pura Vida” lifestyle, a phrase that reflects happiness, simplicity, and enjoying life.

• Costa Rica abolished its army in 1949, becoming one of the few countries in the world without a standing military.

• It is recognized worldwide as a leader in eco-tourism and sustainable travel.

• Visitors can experience rainforests, volcanoes, cloud forests, beaches, rivers, and incredible wildlife all within a relatively small country.