Costa Rica is a small in size and has an area of roughly 51,000 square kilometers (31,682 square miles). Even so, it is internationally famous and recognized for the diversity and density of its natural resources and for the fabled kindness of its inhabitants. These facts set it apart as an especially attractive destination for foreign tourists who, not incidentally, make far more than a million visits a year.

Entry documents
Anyone who wants to visit Costa Rica should contact the Costa Rica embassy or consulate in their country to determinate the necessary documents they need to enter the country.

Climate
Costa Rica really has two seasons: a "green" or rainy season that runs from May to November and a dry season that begins in December and ends in April. The average temperature in the Central Valley is 72° F (22° C), while on the coast and at the beaches it ranges from 70° to 90° F (21° to 32°).

Business hours
In general, businesses open at 9:00 a.m. and close at 6:00 p.m., although shopping centers are open from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. State banks usually operate 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., while private banks are open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Offices are generally open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Credit cards
The credit cards most commonly accepted by businesses and in tourist areas are: Visa, Master Card, American Express, and Diners Club.

Airports
The country possesses three major airports. The Juan Santamaría International Airport is located in Alajuela 10 minutes from the capital, and the Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport in Liberia, in the province of Guanacaste. In Pavas, just outside San José, there is the Tobías Bolaños Airport, which handles domestic fligths. In addition, there are numerous landing strips that serve the various tourist destinations.

Lodging
Costa Rica enjoys a wide variety of lodging types, from luxory hotels belonging to major worlwide chains, to ecological hostelsand the more modest Bed and Breakfast.

Ports
Visitors who want to enter the country by sea can do so at the ports of Limón and Moín on the Caribbean, Puerto Caldera and Puntarenas on the Pacific, and Central Pacific, Golfito, Quepos on the Southern Pacific side.

Rivers
River transport is possible on the Reventazón in the center of the country, the San Carlos, Río Frío, San Juan, and Sarapiquí on the northern plains, and the Grande de Térraba and the Sierpe on the souther pacific side.

Roadways
Costa Rica has an extensive network of roadways, mostly paved, that provide acess to most parts of the country.

Bus service
The national bus system provides comfortable, economic, and fast service to most parts of the country, especially to points of interest to tourists.

Rental cars
There is a broad offering of rental vehicles, due to the existence of many agencies that provide services to the international market.

Taxis
Taxi service to different points in the country is modern, efficient, and safe, although it is advisable that you only use the more well-known companies.

Conventions and meetings
The biggest challenge for a convention and meeting organizer is choosing the rigth places for his or her clients. In this field Costa Rica is particularly attractive because it offers all the necessary infraestructure as well as facilities and services that are always accessible at reasonable cost. Costa Rica has a very high-capacity sites for these types of event in the Central Valley and on the Papagayo Gulf.