Study, Work or Volunteer in Costa Rica

In 1502, on his 4th and last voyage to the New World, Christopher Columbus made the first European landfall in Costa Rica. Settlement began in 1522. For nearly 3 centuries, Spain administered the region as part of the Captaincy General of Guatemala under a military governor. The Spanish optimistically called the country “Rich Coast.” Costa Rica achieved independence in 1821 but was absorbed for 2 years by Agustin de Iturbide in his Mexican empire. It became a republic in 1848. Costa Rica is one of the oldest democracies in the Americas. Its first election was held in 1889. It has 3 branches of government (Executive, Legislative and Judicial). The President (Oscar Arias Sanchez) is the head of state and it has 2 Vice President (Laura Chinchilla and Maria Elena Carballo).

Costa Rica’s economy is 64.8% free, according to official assessment which makes it the world’s 49th freest economy. Its GDP as of 2007 is $26.23 billion. The services sector is booming with high levels of employment in customer service call centers, back office services and software development companies. Some of Costa Rican in demand agriculture products are bananas, pineapples, coffee, beef and sugar. The pending implementation of CAFTA, or the TLC as it called by locals, promises to open up opportunities for increased trade with the United States and other Central American countries. Increased trade relations with the European Union and emerging markets like China are also areas with great potential for future growth.