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HEALTH SERVICES
The social security system was established in 1941 and provides services to over 80% of the population.

Approximately 10% of the national budget is used for public health matters.

There are 30 hospitals and 116 clinics (providing a total of over 7,000 beds) in a network of public and private institutions.

Life expectancy is between 72 and 77 years.

The public water system provides good quality water around all major cities.

Although most medications are available here, as a security measure you should pack sufficient quantities of any prescription drugs that you may be taking.

RELIGION
Around 90% of Costa Ricans are Catholic.

Most other religious beliefs are freely practiced and all are protected by the constitution.

ECONOMY
An agricultural country by tradition.

Exports and tourism are the mainstays of the Costa Rican economy.

Coffee and bananas comprise 50% of the country's exports and are at the top of the list for national revenue earners.

Tourism is rapidly becoming the number one economic earner. In the first trimester of 1996, 308,860 tourists visited Costa Rica, a 3.4 percent increase over the same period in 1995. They brought more than 300 million dollars into the national economy.

Non-traditional exports such as ornamental and cut flowers have given the economy a big boost in recent years.

The system of State and private banks is stable and modern. It includes most contemporary services like credit cards, automatic teller machines and computerized banking.

Official currency is the colon. As of May 31, 1997, the official rate was 230.46 colones to one US dollar. The current rate is posted on Cocori's Money Matters page.

The Costa Rican Central Bank issues all currency in the country and regulates the exchange rate of the colon. The rate is currently on a controlled continual devaluation.