|
|
|
|
At first sight, Costa Rica seems almost too good
to be true. The attractions of this tiny nation
are so many tat than estimated 30.000 North American
(about1% of Costa Rica’s population), attracted
by financial incentive and a quality of life among
the highest of Western Hemisphere standards, have
moved here in recent years, and now call Costa
Rica home.
For years the tourism industry has neglected this
exciting yet peaceful nation, based primarily
on a misapprehension of Central American politics.
While its neighbors have been racked by turmoil,
Costa Rica has been blessed with remarkable equilibrium:
few extremes of wealth and poverty, no standing
army, and a proud history as one of the region’s
most stable democracies.
|
|
| |
Ticos,
as the warmhearted Costa Ricans are known, pride
themselves on having more teachers than policemen,
a higher male life expectancy than in the United
States and a strong commitment to peace and
prosperity. Costa Rica seems to be bursting
onto the international beach-resort scene. The
coast offers miles of white beaches, resort,
hotels and rustic lodges basking in the constant
sun and winterless climate.
The country is a top choice for “green”
travel with 12 distinct ecological zone that
are home to an astonishing array of flora and
fauna, such a the coatimundi, jaguars sea turtles,
poison-arrow frogs and quetzals.
|
Passport/
Visa Requirements
Canadian
citizens |
Canadian
traveling with a valid passport will receive a
free visa at the border for visit up to 90 days.
Without a valid passport, Canadian travelers need
proof of identity, along with a photograph; entry
with these documents requires the purchase of
a tourist card.
Tourist card are available from any Costa Rican
embassy or consulate or from your airline on the
day of departure.
|
| E.U.
citizen |
A valid passport is required for stay of up to
90 days, except for nationals of France, who may
stay for only 30 days.
Nationals of Greece and Ireland may also stay
for only 30 days, and they are required to have
a tourist visa.
Japanese
citizen: A valid passport good for at least six
months from the date of entry is required for
stay of up to 90 days.
|
| U.S.
citizen |
Citizen
of the U.S. traveling with a valid passport will
receive a free visa for visits up to 90 days.
Without a valid passport, U.S. citizens need proof
of identity (such as an original birth certificate)
along with a photograph for visits up to 90 days;
Tourist cards are available from any Costa Rican
embassy or consulate or from your airline on the
day of departure.
|
| Others
|
The
requirements for nationals not listed in the
categories above vary.
At minimum, you will need a valid passport good
for at last six months from the anticipated
date of entry. Check with the nearest Costa
Rican embassy or consulate for further details.
|
| Phone
Code |
The
international telephone access code is 506.
City and area code do not exist. To place a direct-dialed
international call from Costa Rica, dial 001 followed
by the relevant country code number; to reach
an international operator, dial 116.
To reach a local information, dial 113.
|
| Time
Zone |
Costa
Rican time is 6 hours earlier than Greenwich mean
time (GMT) or six hours earlier than London, 14
hours earlier than Tokyo, 1 hours earlier than
New York, 7 hours earlier than Italy
Costa Rica has no daylight saving time.
|
| Business
Hours |
Banks
are open on weekdays 9AM-3PM. Shops are open fro
8 or 9 AM to 5 or 6 PM (closed for a lunch break),
Monday-Saturday.
|
| Weather |
Although
Costa Rica lies Wholly the tropics, is possesses
at least a dozen climatic zones. In general, the
coastal regions are hotter than the central valley
(for instance, in San Jose’) where temperatures
average 19°C (69°F) .
|
| Money |
The
Costa Rican Colòn is divided into 100 centimos
.
There are coins in 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, and 500
colònes and notes of 1000, 2000, 5000 and
10000 colones. Money can be changed at banks,
and hotel cash desks, or at the airport upon arrival.
Banks will usually cash traveler’s checks,
though they may accept only certain brands. Some
small towns may not have banks, so visitors are
advised to change money before traveling to these
areas and to carry small bills. Visitors from
countries outside the united States may wont to
consider buying U.S. dollars before arriving,
as those are easiest from of foreign currency
to change in Costa Rica. Changing money on the
street is also common. |
| Electricity |
Elecrtical
current in Costa Rica is 110/220 volts AC, 60
Hz.
Plugs with two flat, parallel pins are standard,
though you may also see three rectangular pins.
Visitors from abroad who wish to operate personal
small electronic items should bring a plug adapter
and a transformer.
|
| Driving |
Drivers
should be prepared for a variety of road conditions.
Generally roads are good (there are two-lane freeway
between major town in the Meseta Central) but
those in rural areas can be impassable during
the wet season. Resident and bus drivers are usually
good sources of information about road conditions.
You
must be 21 years of age to drive in Costa Rica.
A driver’s license from your home country
is valid for thee months.
Traffic proceeds on the right-hand side on the
road. Speed traps are common on the Pan-American
highway, and speed limits are enforced rigorously
in many areas of the country. Still, many Costa
Rican drivers are aggressive and even reckless,
and speeding is commonplace. |
| Emergencies |
Throughout
the country, dial 119 to contact police, reach
the Red Cross, and report medical emergencies,
fire or traffic accidents.
|
| What
to take |
Remember
that Costa Rica can be hot and cold. If you plain
to visit a volcano or cloud forest, pack a warm
sweater and/ or a warm windproof Jacket ; you’ll
want one for S.Josè and the highlands at
night , anyway. In the mountains, cold winds are
common , and it gets very chilly and wet when
the coulds set in . The lowlands are humid and
warm to hot. Decide how much film you think you’ll
need to bring, than double it. One roll per day
is a minimum, and film is very expensive in Costa
Rica. If you buy film in San Jose’, check
the expiration date; the film may be outdated.
Bring extra batteries for light meters and flashes.
Protect your lenses with a UV or skylight filter,
and consider buying “warming” , neutral-density,
and/or polarizing filters, which can dramatically
improve results. |
|
|
|
|
|
