General Info

Location: Central America:
Panama borders the southeast, Nicaragua borders the north, the Caribbean Sea on the east and the Pacific Ocean on the west.

Capital:
San Jose (1+ million people in the metropolitan area)

Area:
51,100 square kilometers (31,682 square miles)

Official Language:
Spanish, English widely understood in tourist areas

Official Religion:
Catholic (with freedom of expression of other beliefs)

Population:
3,622,171 as of January 2000 (the number is suspected to be higher due to undocumented immigrants)

National Flower:
Purple Guaria Orchid (Catteya Skinneri)

National Tree:
Guanacaste (Enterolobium ciclocarpum)

National Bird:
Yiguirro (Turdus grayi)

Business Hours (Generally):

• Government Sector: 8 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday
• Private Sector: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday through Friday
• National Parks: 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM Monday through Friday

Legal Holidays:

• January 1: First day of the year
• April 11: Juan Santamaria Day
• Easter Week: Thursday and Good Friday
• May 1: International Labor Day
• December 25: Christmas Day

Major Cities:
Alajuela, Heredia, Cartago, San Isidro del General, Ciudad Quesada, Liberia, Puntarenas, Limon