Costa Rica operates on Central Standard Time (CST), which is 6 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC-6). Costa Rica does not observe daylight saving time, so the time remains consistent throughout the year.
All of Costa Rica follows the same timezone. The capital San José, beach destinations like Manuel Antonio and Tamarindo, and the Arenal volcano region all observe Central Standard Time. Costa Rica is a popular destination for eco-tourism and digital nomads.
Costa Rica has no military - it was abolished in 1948, and the funds are instead directed toward education and healthcare. The country contains about 5% of the world's biodiversity despite covering only 0.03% of the Earth's surface. Costa Rica's national motto is "Pura Vida" (Pure Life), which reflects the country's laid-back lifestyle.