About Costa Rica

There is no better place on earth than Costa Rica to fully embrace, feel and live what sustainable development is about, and how it can positively change society and the world around us.
Read more on this topic in the Resource section of the website.

Why Costa Rica?

„Costa Rica is the first country to bet its entire economic future on the power of sustainable development.”
David Tenenbaum, the Greening of Costa Rica, in Technology Review (published by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

Costa Rica is famous for its natural beauty with an immense variety of flora and fauna. It is known for its love for peace and Nobel prize awarded president Oscar Arias. And it is also the country most famed for its unparalleled efforts towards sustainable development. Simply put, there is no better place on earth than Costa Rica to fully embrace, feel and live what sustainable development is about, and how it can positively change society and the world around us. And still Costa Rica is a developing country facing many social and economic challenges… that’s why we chose it as the perfect place to study – and to support the locals in their endeavor towards sustainability. Although serving as a role model there is much more that can be done with our help.

Below we are listing only a fraction of what has been done in Costa Rica so far and is done at this very moment. We have become very knowledgable about this paradisiacal stretch of land, but please still don’t take our word for it… feel free to click throught the links and see what other wrote about this country on its way from a poor developing nation to the world’s leader in ecological business and sustainable developments:

1. Costa Rica has implemented the world’s most serious Sustainable Tourism program. Regulated by a national commission Costa Rican businesses in the tourism industry receive CST certifications for their achievements in ecological ways of doing business and improvements in the areas of infrastructure, interaction with clients and local communities as well as its surrounding natural habitat. Renowned for its environment-friendly approach to business this industry has grown to a $1,9 billion-a-year industry, contributing 8,1% of the country's GNP and representing 13,3% of direct and indirect employment.
   • The Rainforest Alliance on Costa Rica’s Sustainable Tourism.
   • Partnerships for Sustainable Development of the United Nations
   • Costa Rica's leading newspaper La Nacion on ecotourism
     
     
2. In 2008 the Fourth Meeting of the International Work Group regarding the Development of Sustainable Tourism will be held in Costa Rica. Countries from around the world, the EU, UNESCO, WTO and representatives of professional and nongovernmental organizations will all be participating in this international gathering to project and value “good practices” in sustainable tourism that are respectful towards local cultural identities, the environment, and that allow a harmonious development of small towns.
   
   
3. Costa Rica hosts the Earth Charter’s Center for Education for Sustainable Development and plays a central role in its initiative of building a just, sustainable, and peaceful global society for the 21st century.
   
   
4. Costa Rica is member of an abundance of partnerships for sustainable development and business, e.g.:
   • United Nations ERP Sustainability Program: a call for a collaborative action to address rural-urban disparities by targeting the educational needs of rural people.
   • Coalition for Rainforest Nations: a coalition of tropical countries and industrialized nations to reconcile forest stewardship with economic development
   • Energy and Environment Partnership with Central America: partnership of EU and Central American countries to promote the use of renewable energy sources and clean technologies in Central America in a sustainable manner, and to make energy services more accessible to the poor, particularly to those in rural areas.
   • Program for South-South cooperation: program to promote sustainable development, implementation of agenda 21 and the Johannesburg Plan of implementation based on the principles of equality, participation and reciprocity.
   • SHRIMPS: partnership to provide training on the relationship between human rights and sustainable development so as to encourage consultation with intergovernmental organizations and major groups possessing expertise in human rights for guidance in sustainable development activities undertaken pursuant to Agenda 21 and the UN Millennium Declaration.
     
     ...and hosts dozens of organizations in the areas of economic, social and environmental development.
     
     
5. In 1994 Costa Rica’s president (who has then been CEO of the World Economic Forum) José María Figueres formulated the vision of becoming a model of sustainable development. Since then Costa Rica has worked with the United Nations (e.g. within the Capacity 21 Program) and many other organizations and created a comprehensive national Sustainable Development strategy combining sound macroeconomic indicators, together with strategic investment in human development, and a strong alliance with nature through the implementation of innovative environmental policies.
   
   
6. Sustainable agriculture has helped crop growing business in Costa Rica to increase revenues by taking care of the environment. The Rainforest Alliance lists Costa Rica as one of the countries with the most developed sustainable agriculture projects. Examples include multinational cooperations such as Chiquita as well as small companies supplying international businesses.
   
   
7. Costa Rica is home to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights as well as the United Nations University of Peace. The country is an active member of the United Nations and the Organizations of American States and a member of many other international organizations related to human rights and democracy. Costa Rica's main foreign policy objective is to foster human rights and sustainable development as a way to secure stability and growth.
   
   
8. Costa Rica has gained a worldwide reputation for its stunning biodiversity – 5-7% of the world's total within 0.1% of its landmass - varied terrain and at least six distinct types of ecosystem. About 23% of Costa Rica is composed of protected forests, national parks and reserves.

Country Details

• Flora and Fauna
• Climate
• The Capital - San Jose
• Its People - the Ticos
• Politics
• Business environment
• Culture - Pura Vida
• Facts and Figures
• Link Collection

Covering only 0.03% of the surface of our planet, Costa Rica hasapproximately 6% of theworld's biodiversity. It is characterized not only by impressive scenic beauty and a consolidated system of protected areas but also by social and political stability, a high educational level, as well as an efficient infrastructure and services, and one of the most business-friendly environments in Latin America.

Flora and Fauna
The land – especially the flora and fauna – is extremely diverse and has countless natural wonders to see and experience. With 10,000 species of plants, 850 of birds, 218 of reptiles, 205 of mammals, 160 of amphibians and 160 of continental fish, Costa Rica deserves its name, “The Rich Coast”.

Climate
The climate is tropical and subtropical, depending on the region, and very pleasant throughout the year. It is hot in the level coasts, the climate is more moderate in the Central Plateau, and the highest places are quite cool. In San Jose students can usually expect warm temperatures during days and cool temperatures at night. The city is blessed by a moderate climate where it never gets really hot but also nothing more than a sweater or lightweight jacket and an umbrella are all the protection from the elements you'll need.

The Capital - San Jose
San Jose is for sure not as beautiful as some of Europe’s cities, but with its slightly bedraggled office towers, shopping malls and restaurants, busy main streets, universities and schools, well-kept parks and excessive traffic, San José is more cosmopolitan than other Central American capitals. INEX has chosen San Jose for its comparatively high living standard and safety, its good infrastructure, great eateries, museums, theatres and cinemas and know that many students also enjoy the vibrant nightlife of the city. Some might need a second look to discover the city’s charm, but it is the hub of Costa Rican life and has proven to be an ideal spot for our academic programs in Latin America.

Its People - the Ticos
Costa Rica’s society is well educated considering the rate of alphabetization, which is the highest within Central America. People are extremely friendly and hospitable, and the country displays a great number of races and creeds. Family tradition is very important and many activities revolve around the family. We are convinced that you will enjoy staying with the locals and spending time with them!

Politics
Costa Rica is proud of its peaceful political situation, of being one of the oldest and most stable democracies in Latin America and of being the only country in the world (other than Iceland) without an army. This has allowed the country to achieve positive indicators in health and education while remaining a neutral country with a tradition of non-violence. Costa Rica’s President Oscar Arias received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987 for the work during his first presidency and has been reelected in 2006. Taking a look at the website of the Arias Foundation for Peace and Human Progress will show the reader one of his key statements: “Because our country is a country of teachers, we closed the army camps, and our children go with books under their arms, not with rifles…”
Arias' presidency saw the transformation of Costa Rica's economy from one based on traditional cash crops (such as coffe and bananas) to one focused on non-traditional agriculture, tourism and technology. Costa Rica’s economy flourishes, and especially electronics, pharmaceuticals, financial outsourcing, software development and ecotourism have become the prime industries in Costa Rica's economy. High levels of education among its residents make the country an attractive investing location.

Business environment
Costa Rica's location provides easy access to American markets as it has the same time zone as the central part of the United States and direct ocean access to Europe and Asia. Costa Rica is an active member of the United Nations and the Organization of American States. Costa Rica is seat of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and seat of the United Nations University of Peace and many other international organizations related to human rights and democracy. The country's strategic position in the heart of the western hemisphere, the government's positive attitude towards foreign investment, its infrastructure, access to international markets, and the quality and cost of labor make Costa Rica an ideal place to establish commercial operations.

Culture - Pura Vida
The very popular Costa Rican expression “Pura Vida!” derives from a movie named Pura Vida which was first shown in 1956. Nowadays you hear this expression at every corner in Costa Rica. People use these two short words to express the state of happiness, peace and tranquility that the political stability and freedom in Costa Rica brings. It has become a meaningful expression in informal Spanish and has even been added to the dictionaries. By using these magic words, Costa Ricans identify themselves with their beautiful country, and addressing people with these words brings a smile to their faces. Use it in business and private situations and you will spread friendliness everywhere you go!

Facts and Figures

• Country name: Republic of Costa Rica
• Capital: San José
• Total area: 51,100 sq km
• Population: 4.327,000 inhabitants
• Location: Central America
• Climate: tropical and subtropical
• Highest point: Cerro Chirripo; 3,810 m
• Currency: Costa Rican colon (CRC)
• Exchange rate: 1 USD = ~500 CRC
• GDP per capita: $ 11,100
• Exports/Imports: $ 7.005 billion/$ 9.690 billion
• Major exports: coffee, bananas
• Major imports: raw materials, consumer goods
• Unemployment rate: 6.6%
• Literacy rate: 96%
• Major ethnic group: white 94%
• Major religion: Roman Catholic 76.3%

Link Collection

Program related links:
ULACIT - The Latin American University of Science and Technology
LOGOS Language Institute
Costa Rica Green Travel

Costa Rican Newspapers:
La Nacion
Ticotimes
Tiempos del Mundo

General Information about Costa Rica from third parties:

Wikipedia on Costa Rica

CIA - The World Factbook on Costa Rica
Features a map and brief descriptions of geography, economy, government, and people.

Costa Rica - No Artificial Ingredients
The official website of the Costa Rican Institute of Tourism ICT with information in many different languages.

Lonelyplanet travel information on Costa Rica
Including facts and figures, culture, history and tourist information.

Costa Rica Travel Blog
This website has a blog about Costa Rica, talks about feelings and adventures of Costa Rica and features free wallpapers.