Costa Rica and its Economy

It seems unbelievable that this small country in Central America is among the 11 strongest economies in Central and South America. Costa Rica's economy is the 11th largest in Latin America after Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Venezuela, Chile, Peru, Dominican Republic, Guatemala and Ecuador.

The major source of income for this small country is tourism. Costa Rica is very careful to have an excellent image abroad.

That line of thinking just makes sense. Since 1999, tourism generates more income for the country that the export of traditional crops of banana, pineapple and coffee together.

The tourism boom began in 1987, with visitor numbers increasing from 329 000 in 1988, reaching one million in 1999, reaching a record high of 2.196 million foreign tourists in 2011.

Recent reported that exports from Costa Rica during the first four months totaled 3,870 million dollars, which represented an increase of 12.9 percent over the same period in 2011.

Economy

GDP (2011 est., official exchange rate): $40.02 billion.
GDP (2011 est., purchasing power parity): $54.52 billion.
Real growth rate (2011 est.): 4.0%.
Per capita income (2011 est., PPP): $11,562.
Inflation rate (2011 est.): 5.3%.
Unemployment (2011 est.): 6.5%.
Currency: Costa Rica Colon (CRC).
Natural resources: Hydroelectric power, forest products, fisheries products.
Agriculture (6.9% of GDP, 2010 est.): Products--bananas, pineapples, coffee, beef, sugar, rice, dairy products, vegetables, fruits, ornamental plants, corn, beans, potatoes, timber.
Industry (26.1% of GDP, 2010 est.): Types--electronic components, medical equipment, textiles and apparel, tires, food processing, construction materials, fertilizer, plastic products.
Commerce, tourism, and services (67% of GDP, 2010 est.): Hotels, restaurants, tourist services, banks, and insurance.
Trade (2010 est.): Exports--$9.385 billion: integrated circuits, medical equipment, bananas, pineapples, coffee, melons, ornamental plants, sugar, textiles, electronic components. Major markets (2010)--U.S. 37.4%, European Union (27) 17.9%, China (including Hong Kong) 4.8%, Panama 4.8%, Nicaragua 4.2%. Imports--$13.57 billion: raw materials, consumer goods, capital equipment, petroleum. Major suppliers (2010)--U.S. 46.8%, European Union (27) 7.9%, China 7.1%, Mexico 6.4%, Japan 3.6%.

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2019.htm

http://www.therealcostarica.com/costa_rica/economy_of_costa_rica.html

Costa Rica y su Economia

Costa Rica y su economia

Parece mentira pero este pequeño país en centro América esta entre las 11 economías más fuertes de centro y sur américa. La economía de Costa Rica es la 11° más grande en América Latina después de la de Brasil, México, Argentina, Colombia, Venezuela, Chile, Perú, República Dominicana, Guatemala y Ecuador.

La mayor fuente de ingresos de este pequeño país es el turismo. Costa Rica se cuida mucho de tener una buena imagen en el extranjero. Eso tiene una buena lógica ya que  desde 1999 el turismo genera para el país más ingreso de divisas que la exportación de sus cultivos tradicionales de banano, piña y café juntos.

La bonanza del turismo comenzó en 1987, con el número de visitantes aumentando de 329 mil en 1988, alcanzando un millón en 1999, hasta alcanzar un récord histórico de 2.196 millones de turistas extranjeros en 2011

Hace poco informo que las exportaciones de Costa Rica durante los primeros cuatro meses del año sumaron un total de 3.870 millones de dólares, lo que significó un incremento del 12,9 por ciento con respecto al mismo periodo del 2011, según informó este martes la Promotora de Comercio Exterior (Procomer).

http://www.correodelorinoco.gob.ve/economia/exportaciones-costa-rica-crecen-129-primer-cuatrimestre-ano/

Así que se esta hay personas en Costa Rica que se están haciendo ricas.

Costa Rica un Pais Sin Segregacio

Una cosa interesante de Costa Rica es que es como un bouquet de culturas. Mientras viajas por el país ves que no hay segregacion por clases sociales ni étnicas, tanto los ricos como los podres viven juntos. Blancos, Negros, Chinos, Italianos, Americanos, Indios, turistas y nacionales viven enamorados de la naturaleza.

Quizás sea la naturaleza el antídoto para el odio social que existe en tantas partes del mundo. Hasta ahora no he escuchado términos racistas como “Los Hispanos”, “los Negros”, “los mexicanos” como es tan común oír en los estados unidos.

Que lastima que esto se una realidad en tantos lugares del mundo.

Estuve en el supermercado y un hombre me escucho hablar y me identifico como extranjero, me dijo: “Usted no es de aquí, Verdad?”, A lo cual conteste que no. Después me dijo: “nos alegra tenerlo entre nosotros, espero que la valla bien”. Quien no se sentiría cómodo con esos comentarios?

En este país hay personas con un sentido de la familia muy desarrollado. La calidez de su gente hace de Costa Rica un país agradable para visitar y vivir.

Además me impresiono mucho que las clases sociales no están tan marcadas como en otros países. Por ejemplo si usted viaja a Rió De Janeiro en un lado vera las Favelas y del otro lado vera las casas con terminados muy bonitos y elegantes de gente de dinero. Mientras en un lado se mata por comer, en el otro lado no se percibe que exista la pobreza.

En Costa Rica se da muchas veces que los ricos tienen de vecinos a gente pobre; hay una casa muy bonita, obviamente de una persona acaudalada y al lado hay una casita bien pobre.

Los servicios de electricidad son del mismo precio tanto los ricos como los pobres pagan lo mismo en la agua y la electricidad. Cosa que no sucede en Colombia el país donde nací. En Colombia si tienes un medio de vida mejor te lo cobran. En que sentido? Los servicios de electricidad y de agua y teléfono son mas caros.

Claro esta Eso no significa que Costa Rica sea un país paradisiaco en todo el sentido de la palabra. Aquítambién hay problemas y crimen. Lo bueno es que no es cronico como en otras partes del mundo.

Lamentablemente hay personas desesperadas como lo hay en los países mas desarrollados del mundo. Hay tambien personas egoístas que roban con licencia.

Es triste decirlo que en este país hay personas que son una porquería porque roban a los turistas menos mal que son una minoria y hay mas personas sinceras que desean hacer lo correcto.

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No Segregation in Costa Rica

An interesting thing is that Costa Rica is like a bouquet of cultures. While traveling across the country you will be able to see that there is no segregation by social or ethnical class, both rich and poor live together.

In this small country you see Whites, Blacks, Chinese, Italians, Americans, Indians, tourists and nationals living in love with nature. Perhaps the love for nature is the antidote to social hatred. That social hatred that exists in many parts of the world. I have not heard racist's terms like "Hispanics," "Blacks," "Mexicans" as is so common to hear in the United States.

Too bad that is a reality in many parts of the world.

I was in the grocery store, and a man heard me speak, and he identified me as a foreigner, he said, "You're not from here, right?" To which I answer "No." Then he said, "We are happy to have you among us; I hope you do well here." Who would not feel comfortable with these type's comments?

In this country, there are people with a sense of family well developed. The warmth of its people makes Costa Rica a nice country to visit and live.

I was really impressed to see that social classes are not as marked as in other countries. For example, if you travel to Rio de Janeiro on one side, you will see the favelas, seriously poor neighborhoods and on the other side, you will see beautiful houses, obviously people with money.

In Costa Rica, quite often you see that the rich people have as a neighbor poor people, is quite normal to see this in almost every neighborhood.
The rich and the poor pay the same for utilities. This does not happen in Colombia the country where I was born. In Colombia if you have a better life, you have to pay for it, in what sense? You would pay the twice as much for the utilities.

Of course that does not mean that Costa Rica is a paradise in every sense of the word. Here, you will find crime and problems like another county.

There are desperate people here too as there is in most countries of the world. There are selfish people who steal and kill for money; unfortunately there is corruption here also. Although I must recognize the level of crime is not extreme like other parts of Latin America.

Golfito is it really beneficial?

If you have moved abroad to Costa Rica soon you will find out that the appliances cost twice as much here as they do in the United States. If you buy in San Jose the capital or elsewhere, for that matter, you will end up paying double.


In view of this situation, and in order to stimulate the economy and tourism in an area the Costa Rican government has established a free deposit for its citizens and tourists alike. The idea is to help them pay less when the purchase these this itmes, they will pay half of what they cost everywhere else, and they will also be tax free. Sounds good right?

They build this place call Golfito near the Panama border.


In Golfito, you can find all kinds of appliances, washers, dryers, refrigerators, cookware, curtains, tires, etc. All at a reduced price for Costa Rica citizens, but in reality equivalent to the United States.


We bought a washing and dryer machine for the same amount we could have bought it in the United States. Where is the saving? Well, you save on the shipping costs; it is much too expended to ship from United States. Besides you often have to pay taxes on these items too before thet enter into the country. Relatively speaking you are saving.


On the way to Golfito

The good news is that is very nice to travel along the seashore, there are some beautiful views and places to stop and take pictures.

The hotel where we stayed was clean with air conditioning. Breakfast is included in the price of the room. You pay for four people, including breakfast $ 79.00 Dollars. Lunch and dinner are between 8 and 14 dollars, same as the USA, Something to think about, right?

Within the site, there are many people trying to sell something or buy a card balance to buy liquor. You have to keep your eyes open. Be aware not everything you hear is true in that environment.

I would like to know your opinion. Golfito is it really beneficial?