Costa Rica

Higher education in Costa Rica has seen dramatic development. Although this kind of education has always figured high on the list of the country’s priorities, it was not until 70 years ago that this field really begun to flourish. The most important landmark in the recent history of education in Costa Rica was the reopening of the University of Costa Rica. Then came the founding of the National University and later, the creation of the Costa Rica Technological Institute followed by the Central American Autonomous University and the UNED. The existence of all these institutions as well as private universities and schools for vocational training, agreements concluded with the universities of other countries (particularly with the United States) has meant that national potential has been developed to the full. In fact, Costa Rica is self-sufficient as regards the liberal professions, and graduates grouped together in their professional colleges have become fully integrated into the country’s development. It is worth pointing out that students come from numerous countries all over the world to train in our higher education institutions, especially medical and paramedical areas, in different branches of engineering and business administration as well as agricultural sciences.

To talk about schools in Costa Rica is to talk about the most important institution. If it was said 50 years ago, and quite rightly, that in Costa Rica there were more teachers than soldiers, today it can be said that thanks to the law of the Republic there is no Army, and by the same law there is no population center which does not have its own school. Primary education is by law free and compulsory and paid for by the State. One of every four civil servants is a teacher; 25% of the national budget is earmarked for education. Many visitors to the country are surprised by the fact that during the frequent parades on the occasion of patriotic or protocol acts, our highest authorities, in an atmosphere of good citizenship, are surrounded by a veritable “army” of uniformed schoolchildren together with their bands of music and the national flag. The teaching year begins in February and ends in December, interrupted by a fortnight’s holiday in July.

There are numerous aerodromes scattered all over the country, most of which are in private hands and accommodate small aircraft, which generally are used in agricultural tasks but also transport local or foreign tourists. The Juan Santamaría international airport (called thus in memory of the national hero of the same name) stands only a few km from the capital and is equipped with the most up-to-date aerial navigation equipment, as well as service infrastructure which is comparable to that of the large world airports. This airport is the largest in the country.

The airport can handle aircraft of any size and can guarantee the highest standard of safety. There are two other alternative airports: one in the north-east of the country near Liberia, capital of the province of Guanacaste, and the other, on the Atlantic coast near the Port of Limón, capital of the province which bears its name. In the south –west of the country there are the airports of Palmar and Golfito, which can handle relatively large aircraft, particularly those of the local commercial airlines. Near the capital lies the Tobías Bolaños national airport, so called in memory of the pioneer of the Costa Rica aviation. This airport is the home base for the considerably large local and national private commercial aircraft fleet. The airport has all the necessary equipment and infrastructure required to provide a modern service. Costa Rica also has national companies which offer charter services as well as air taxis, both for domestic flights and flights from abroad. The country is linked to the rest of the world by means of airlines services, which are either national or North American, Mexican, Central American, Brazilian, Colombian, Venezuelan or else several European airlines. Thus, visiting the country by air is both easy, comfortable and safe; a fact which makes it a favorite form of travel for international tourism.