Travel Tips and Information

By Instituto de Turismo www.visitcostarica.com

Entry Requirements

Citizens holding valid passports from the following countries are permitted to stay in Costa Rica for 90 days without a visa:

Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France and Germany dependencies, Greece, Holland and dependencies, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad & Tobago, United Kingdom, United States of America, Czech Republic and Uruguay.

Citizens holding valid passports from the following countries are exempt from all visa requirements for stays of 30 days in Costa Rica, though once inside the country, they can apply for extension from the Immigration office, for an authorized period of stay of 90 days:

Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Chile, Dominica, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Iceland, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Russia, Saint Kitts/Nevis, San Marino, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Suriname, Taiwan, Turkey, The Vatican, Venezuela, Estonia and Monaco.

Citizens of all countries not listed above are required a visa from a Costa Rican embassy or consulate before traveling.

Custom regulations

No customs duties are charged on personal luggage, which includes a series of items for personal, professional, non-commercial use. Costa Rican laws require checked luggage to be screened and travelers to fill out customs declarations declaring the value of any item in their possession, including fruits, vegetables, meat and by- products, biological products such as vaccinations, serums, etc. The head of a family may make a joint declaration for all members residing in the same household and traveling together to Costa Rica.

Questions about Costa Rica

 

How to get to Costa Rica

Costa Rica is allready a well known tourism destination, especially for nature lovers and people seeking for uncrowded beaches and wonderful nature. In every Travel Agency in the world or airline office they will know hjow to fly to Costa Rica. There are now 2 International Airports, one located in the center of the country near the capital San Jose and anotherone located in Liberia, the north pacific coast Guanacaste and home to some of the best beaches, national parks and volcanoes there are in the cuntry. Both are known worldwide. Some of the airlines that are currently flying into Costa Rica are

AIR MADRID - DELTA - AMERICAN AIRLINES- CONTINENTAL - GRUPO TACA - NORTHWEST - TH0MAS COOK

Tipping

The Tips in service presonell is allready included in a 10 % Service Tax that the staff receives at the end of the day. However, usually you can still tip extra on that. It depends on wether the service was good or bad. However, the people are not expecting a tip from you like in other countries.

Electricity

Costa Rica`s electricity is 110 Volts

There a several ways to move around in Costa Rica

Car Rentals - best way to move aropund and save time

Semi Private and Private Mini - Van - You can also hire a Private Guide - Driver Mini - Van to travel around and visit the destinations you want. Also there is a Semi - Private Mini - Van network connecting almost any destination in Costa Rica. Here, you will not have the car at your service, but it is still saver and faster than the public bus.

Plane - If you want to reach a destination fast, there are two airlines ( local ) that combine many destinations in Costa Rica. The important thing is that you will miss the sightseing you could haveon the ground. Also, there are some destinations one can only reach by plane or boat.

Public Buses - There is a large network of public buses in the country. However, you loose much time by traveling in public buses. They are safe and connect the whole country. In almost all the cases, there are direct buses, so you will have to switch buses from town to town.

 

How can I pay in Costra Rica

The local coin and currency is the Colon ¢.

The major credit cars are accepted: VISA - MASTER CARD - AMERICAN EXPRESS. Also, almost in any place you can still pay in U$ Dollars. Or at the htels, you will be able to chance curecy. If you do so, we recopmmend you to not change too many dollares in colones ¢ since at the end of your trip, you might still have some colones left and you would have to change them back.

Banks

There are many banks , public and private. The opening hours are from MONDAY to FRIDAY from 08:30 - 3:00 P.M. Here you are able to changce dollars, make questions and make and receive wires..

Food and meals

The costarican cuisine is very simple. However, nowadays you basically find all kinds of international restaurants or specialized restaurants from all over the world. Also, in the hotels and tourist places, the menu is very rich, so there is not need of worrying about wether you are going to like to food or not.

Water

Water in Costa Rica is very clean. Still, we recommend you to buy bottled water at any store or supermarket for the lenth of your stay in Costa Rica.

Medical asistance and hospitals

There are many clinics, hospitals and medical center throuout the country. Most of the staff speaks english, and the people and medical staff as well as the doctors are extremely helpful and will take care of you very good. Also, Costa Rica is a pioneer in medicina among Latina America, so the medical quality is excelente.