Costa Rica: The perfect combination - Health & Wellness
The World Health Organization's ranking of the world's health systems ranks Costa Rica as number 36, right above the United States of America (#37). Costa Rica truly is Central America's jewel and is often referred to as "The Switzerland of Central America."
One of Costa Rica's main sources of income is tourism and nearly every Tico (the name they give themselves) goes out of their way to help tourists have a positive experience in the country they love and cherish. Costa Rica is a democratic and peaceful country, and it has not had an army since the year 1949. Although the country is small and it covers only 0.03 % of the surface of the globe, it proudly shelters a 6% of the existing biodiversity in the entire world. 25.58 % of the country is composed of conservation and natural protected territory.
Public health, education and social happiness indicators prove something is going right with the Tico's way of life. Costa Rica has become a Mecca for highly skilled cosmetic and reconstructive surgeons, dental surgeons, bariatric and orthopedic surgeons. Costa Rica's universal health care is considered one of the best healthcare systems in Latin America and provides an example to the world.
Private care providers are very reasonably priced and world class, with many doctors that speak excellent English and who have studied abroad in Europe, Canada or the USA. Prices for treatments in Costa Rica can be as much as 80% less than what you will find in the U.S., with the quality and physician skill essentially the same for those procedures appropriate for health tourism.
The Climate:
Located between 8° and 11° north of the equator, Costa Rica enjoys a temperate tropical climate marked by two seasons: the rainy (summer, verano) and the dry (winter, invierno) season. The rainy season generally runs from May until early December with April and November being months of transition. During the green season, mornings are usually sunny up until 1pm or so, with afternoon storms moving in later in the day. There is an average of four or more hours of sun per day during the rainy season. The dry season runs from mid-December through April.
Time Zone:
Costa Rica, Standard time zone: UTC/GMT -6 hours, does not observe Daylight Saving Time. From March through October, during U.S. Daylight Saving Time, Costa Rica's time zone is equivalent to Mountain Standard Time. November through March, Costa Rica's time zone is equivalent to Central Standard Time.
Currency:
The national currency is the Colon and both dollars and Euros are easily exchanged at banks. Major credit cards (visa preferred) are widely accepted throughout the country, however but once you fan out from San Jose, small businesses, restaurants, and hotels may ask for cash payment in Colones. Don't worry, ATMs are scattered throughout the country, and usually offer good exchange rates (plus no ATM fees).
Telephones:
The country code for Costa Rica is 506, and there is no area code inside the country. All calls within Costa Rica are considered local calls. Note: Effective March 20, 2008, all land-line phone numbers must have a 2 dialed first, and all cell phone numbers are preceded by 8. Calling from the USA: 011-506-number. The least expensive option to call home once you have arrived is via Skype (your computer or the many internet cafes), or to purchase a pre-paid phone card within Costa Rica available throughout the country. You may wish to rent a cell phone while in Costa Rica for your friends and family to call you, another good option.
Electricity:
Your North American appliances are compatible with Costa Rica's electrical system, which functions at 110 volts. If you bring 3-pronged appliances to Costa Rica, make sure to bring a converter, as many of Costa Rica's outlets are only USA style 2-pronged.
Language:
Costa Rica's official language is Spanish, though a large number of its citizens are at least moderately bilingual. In fact, all Costa Rican public and private schools require a second language and to graduate, all students must pass an English or French exam.
English, due to its status as the international language of tourists, is the most common second language in Costa Rica. In most areas visitors will find signs in English and employees who speak it fluently. In addition, the Caribbean coast considers its local Creole, which is very similar to Jamaican English, as one of its unofficial languages.
