Where is Costa Rica located?

This is Costa Rica as seen from a satellite (http://209.15.138.224/inmotico/costarica.htm)

Costa Rica is part of Central America, bordered on the North by Nicaragua and the South by Panama. On the West you will find the beautiful white sand beaches of the Pacific Ocean and on the East you can experience the Caribbean. It takes about 2.5 hours to arrive in Costa Rica by airplane. (Costa Rica, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Costa_Rica&oldid=99874547  (last visited January 23, 2007).

Costa Rica is known as a “bridge of biodiversity” because it has flora and fauna from both North America and South America. “While the country has only about 0.1% of the world's land mass, it contains 5% of the world's biodiversity. Over 25% of Costa Rica is composed of protected forests and reserves”.

Where is San Carlos located and what’s it like?

San Carlos is considered the heart of the Zona Norte, or “Northern Region”. The county is part of the province of Alajuela, and has 13 districts: Quesada, Florencia, Buenavista, Aguas Zarcas, Venecia, Pital, Fortuna, La Tigra, Palmera, Venado (where we live), Cutris, Monterrey, Pocosol. It was founded in 1911 and is 3.347 Km squared. It boasts numerous rivers, extensive plains, and rich soil which make it one of the most productive areas in Costa Rica. Raising cattle is one of the primary industries as more than 65% of Costa Rica’s milk and more than 50% of the beef come from this area. The more than 30 sawmills demonstrate the size of the wood industry, although this economic activity has slowed in recent years because the extensive rain forests that had covered this area have practically disappeared. This is one of the very reasons why sustainable reforestation projects that can effectively promote caring for the economic as well as environmental well-being of this area are so necessary.  (Paraphrased from Wikipedia Jan. 23, 2007) Also see the Municipality of San Carlos’ web site (in Spanish) www.sirzee.itcr.ac.cr/modules.php?op=modload&name=MuniSC&file=inicio

What is the weather like in Costa Rica?
There are two seasons in Costa Rica: the wet season, which usually starts in April and ends in December and the dry season, which goes from mid-December to March. In the San Carlos area, during the wet season temperatures are generally higher and the dry season can be a bit chilly in the evenings in the highlands.

What kind of government structure does Costa Rica have?
Costa Rica became a free democratic republic in 1821 that was famous by banning the national army in 1948. Internationally it is known as a peaceful and neutral country. The current president is Oscar Arias for the four year term that ends in 2010.

How populated is Costa Rica?
Costa Rica has a relatively low population density with a total population of approx. 4,327,000 people as of 2005. In San Carlos, the largest “county” or canton in Costa Rica, where our reforestation projects are located, the total population of this county is about 130,000 (2004).

Where can I do my banking?
There are three banks that are state backed banks: Banco de Costa Rica www.bancobcr.com, Banco Nacional, and Banco Credito Agricola de Cartago.  There are many more private financial institutions, the most well known including Coocique, Banex and Scotiabank.

What kind of insurance is available in Costa Rica?
The National Insurance Institute (Instituto Nacional de Seguros – INS) is a government entity that provides insurance for different risks (home, auto, life, flood, crops).

Do I have to pay income taxes as a resident?
There is no income tax on money earned outside of Costa Rica by residents but if you earn money inside Costa Rica you do have to pay income taxes. E-mail us to request most recent percentages from the Ministerio de Tributacion.

If I become a resident what rights will I have?
Foreign residents are protected by the constitution, and have most of the rights of citizens. Historically the Costa Rican government has been excellent respecting these rights. They do not have the right to:

• Vote or participate in political activities
• Work for wages without a permit

How can I obtain Costa Rican residency?
There are four ways to obtain residency in Costa Rica: by marriage or birth(viniculo), by being a retiree (pensionado), by earning a certain amount of money from your home country per month (rentista), or by investment of $200,000 (inversionista). The forestry law 7575 indicates that investors of more than least $200,000 in reforestation can apply for residency.

Do you have another question not answered here? Feel free to ask us!