Costa+Rica

Costa Rica
 * __ Attractions __**
 * A natural attraction in Costa Rica you can go to is the Else Kientzler Botanical Garden. It is located in Sarchi Norte, Alajuela province. It has several green houses that produce high quality cuttings and a labroratory for cultivation of in-vitro plants. [[image:http://www.northerncostarica.com/images/costa-rica-botanical-garden.jpg width="196" height="148" align="right" caption="This is a picture of the Botanical Garden in Costa Rica."]]
 * A choice attraction in Costa Rica is the Arenal Volcano. It is Costa Rica’s most active volcano. There is an abundance of wildlife around the volcano, which is interesting to observe. Also there is hiking trails, horseback riding, and helicopter rides at this wondrous attraction, plus you can get yourself wet in a steamy spring.
 * A historical site you can visit is Cartago City. It was the first spanish city to be in Costa Rica. It was established in 1563 by Juan Vasquez de Coronado. It has a lot of historical buildings to look at also.
 * A museum in Costa Rica that you can visit is the National Museum of Costa Rica. It is located on 17th St. on Moras Hill next to Plaza de la Democracia. The old Bellavista Barracks, today the Nacional Museum, houses natural history, Pre-Colombian gold, and native archeological collections. Its walls hold more than 120 years of history where you can learn about the abolition of the military in 1948 and the opening, in 1910, of the national herbal exhibit and its hundreds of collections.
 * An activity you can do there, is go to a Costa Rica national team soccer game. The stadium is located in San Jose. The inauguration day is March 26. The first game in the new stadium is March 29 versus Argentinian. I would suggest to wear a Costa Rica jersey to the soccer game.

__** Transportaon **__
 * = Departure Airports ||= Airline Name ||= Length of Flight ||= Price ||= Distance ||
 * = LAX ||= Aeromexico ||= 15:15 ||= $628.73 ||= 2737 Mi ||
 * = JFK ||= TACA ||= 7:12 ||= $607.43 ||= 2223 Mi ||
 * = MSP ||= US Airways ||= 26:25 ||= $858.43 ||= 2483 Mi ||

|||||||||||||||||||||||||| ** COSTA RICA AVERAGE TEMPS., RAINFALL, AND SUNSHINE ** **Temp.** || 80.6 || 80.6 || 82.4 || 82.4 || 80.6 || 80.6 || 80.6 || 80.6 || 78.8 || 78.8 || 78.8 || 78.8 || **Temp.** || 62.6 || 64.4 || 64.4 || 64.4 || 64.4 || 64.4 || 64.4 || 64.4 || 62.6 || 64.4 || 64.4 || 64.4 || **(Inches)** || 0.248031 || 0.401574 || 0.543307 || 3.14566 || 10.5354 || 11.0275 || 7.14566 || 10.9015 || 13.9803 || 13.0157 || 5.33464 || 1.31889 || **__Food__** Costa Rica's main food revolves around rice and beans. Costa Rican food also involves many fresh fruits and vegetables. The main meal for Costa Ricans is Lunch, they beleive this so they have energy for the rest of the day.
 * **Months** || Jan. || Feb. || March || April || May || June || July || August || Sep. || Oct. || Nov. || Dec. ||
 * **High**
 * **High**
 * **Low**
 * **Precip.**
 * **Avg. % sunshine** || 40% || 37% || 39% || 33% || 25% || 20% || 21% || 22% || 20% || 22% || 25% || 34% ||

**__Main Meals/Drinks__**


 * // Arroz con polo // - rice with chicken and vegetables
 * Galo Pinto-black beans and rice
 * Refrescos-liquified fruits diluted with milk or water
 * Russian Salad-beets, potatoes, hard boiled eggs, and mayo

__** Currency **__ One US dollar is the same amount as 512.400 ₡ (Colon) The Colon got its name from Christopher Columbus.

**__Flag__** The Costa Rican flag was adopted on November 27, 1906. Costa Rica's First Lady, Paci'fica Ferna'ndez Oreamuno, designed the flag in 1848. It was designed after the ideals of the French Revolution. RED=Freedom, WHITE=equality, and BLUE=brotherhood. **FUN FACT!** the law in Costa rica forbids citizens from flying any Costa Rican flags other than on national holidays, but it is not enforced as others laws.

__** Lodging **__ For $330 per night at the 5 star Hotel Islista this comes with an ocean veiw with spa and hot tub and large pool, cable tv, and A/C.
 * Contact info: Phone (506)2656-3036 at 10Km Al Sureste De Playa Carrillo
 * For $412 per night you can stay at the 5 star hotel Paradisus Playa Conchal ALL Suite beach & golf. This includes spa golf corse hot tubs in the pool area large pool with complementy breakfest, A/C, game room, fullsize beds in 80% of the rooms, and cable tv.

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 * __ Other Information __**
 * Crime is increasing in Costa Rica and U.S. citizens are frequent victims. Be careful when you are traveling alone. Try to stay near the area you are staying.
 * Spanish is the most popular language they speak in Costa Rica.
 * Cattle Exhibit is a festival in wich there are livestock shows bullfights and parades, and this all happens in February.
 * Sun Festival happen in the last week of February is and annual gathering to help promote the use of solar energy, explore new solar energy devices, make food that is cook from a solar powered oven, and a fire ceremony to celebrate the Maya New Year.
 * All Soul's Day on November 2 Also known as Day of the Dead which they visit their love ones that have past.
 * Carrera De San Juan is a cross country race that is hosted in San Juan on May 17 it is 22.5km.
 * Caribbean Music Festival is March-April and they celebrate by playing music.
 * Be sure to hail and official taxi from the airport or your hotel many people try to kidnap visitors.
 * __ Resources __**