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|paved = 8,621 km (5,357 mi)
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'''Costa Rica''' is a country in [[Central America]]. It borders to [[Panama]] in the South and [[Nicaragua]] in the North.
While hitchhiking isn't customary for long distance rides among the local population, it works pretty well in fact, especially close to beaches and in remote areas where there is almost no public transport. For hitchhiking the [[Panamerican highway]], waiting times may be longer than on the beaches but are still not bad.
If you are hitch-hiking through Cost Rica on the North-south or South-north rout, it is well worth while not going down the Panamerican (highway 2) all the way and instead taking the 34 along the pacific coast. A lot of truckers go that way anyhow as it is less hassle and not so mountainous, so if you are lucky enough to find a ride that is crossing the country you might just go that way without having to ask.
== General ==
Like in all of Central America, the dirty-hippy look is not appreciated at all! People here wash every day, wear clean clothes and change them as often as possible. Not doing so is seen as a sign of the utmost disrespect and bad education, and is not recommended if you hope to get anywhere hitch-hiking, however hard it might be to find a shower and some place to dry clothes every day!
Compared to the rest of Central America, life in Costa Rica is very very expensive! This is due to the fact that Costa Ricans pay very high taxes on all purchased goods, and in exchange have good social services and pay hardly no taxes on anything else, including their salaries. Of course, it's a pain for the tourist who never uses anything else than purchased goods...