5 / 74
© 2015 Dwellworks, LLC
Page 4
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