Discovering Costa Rica

Facts about Costa Rica + Official Country Name: Republic of Costa Rica, Costa Rica, Republica de Costa Rica + Capital City: San José + Official Language: Spanish + Official Religion: Catholicism + Currency: Costa Rican Col ó n (CRC) (plural: colones), indicated by preceding the number with ¢ + Weights and Measurements: Metric System + Electricity/Voltage: Typically, 110V is used, but many new plugs now require three prongs. 220V needed for electric clothes dryers and stoves

General Information Business Hours

Typical business hours in Costa Rica are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. For banks, the normal hours of business are 9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. It is also common for retail stores to be closed on Sundays (except in shopping malls) with business hours being 9 a.m. to either 7 or 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Public Holidays Since Catholicism is the official religion of Costa Rica, several public holidays are based on religious observances. Provinces or cities might have their own specific public holidays, which are not included in the chart below. Holiday Date New Year Day January 1 Juan Santamaria Day April 11 Holy Thursday Thursday before Easter Good Friday Friday before Easter Labor Day May 1 Guanacaste Day July 25 Virgin of Los Angeles Day August 2 Assumption/Mother’s Day August 15 Independence Day September 15 Cultures National Day October 12 Christmas Day December 25

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Discovering Costa Rica