Costa Rica has become one of the most desirable
travel destinations on Earth. Its climate, topography, friendly
people, environmental sensitivity, and welcoming traditions create a
memorable experience for most foreign travelers. Visitors often
return a number of times, and an increasing number become investors
and residents in order to live the Costa Rican experience. This is
particularly true for visitors to Guanacaste Province, home of
Tamarindo, Flamingo, and the unspoiled beaches of Costa Rica’s
northern Pacific coast. Whether you are a first time Costa Rica
visitor or a veteran, there are smart travel moves to keep in mind.
Prepare
A valid passport is required to enter
the country. It must NOT EXPIRE within the next 6 months of
your arrival. US Airlines should ask to your passport before
leaving for Costa Rica. If you arrive with less than 6 valid months
left on your passport, you will be denied entry and put back on the
plane for an immediate return to the US.
Once you pass through Immigration you
are permitted to travel with a photocopy of your passport that shows
your photo, passport number and entry stamp. When traveling with
both, keep the passport and copy in separate locations on your
person.
As a tourist, you are permitted to remain
in Costa Rica for 90 days from the date of your last entry. It was
stamped in your passport when you passed through Immigration. Your
most recent entry date stamp will be checked as you leave the
country and, if you have overstayed your 90 days, you can be
prevented from re-entering for a long time. You must leave Costa
Rica on or before your 90th day in the country and not return for 3
days. After 3 days, you can re-enter and are welcome to stay for
another 90 days.
There are strict protocols about bringing
food, plant matter, animals, cash or cash equivalents, and goods
destined for commercial activity into Costa Rica. All such items are
to be declared at Immigration and could be seized, if not properly
documented. It is possible to bring a family pet with you, but this
requires advance preparation in your home country. Consult with your
veterinarian and the nearest Costa Rican embassy or
consulate a couple of months before your trip.
If
you have any concerns about restrictions for traveling to Costa Rica
from your home (or any other country), please with the
nearest, official Costa Rican representative for information.
Entry Points
Numerous airlines provide links to Costa Rica
from many international cities. It is also possible to arrive at
land border crossings with Nicaragua and Panama. Most tourists
arrive by air at San Jose, the national capital in the Central
Valley, or at Liberia, a new destination in the northwest province
of Guanacaste. Its proximity to the northern Pacific Ocean beaches
has made the Liberia connection very popular with tourists from
North America. Several scheduled and charter airlines provide
flights each day from departure cities in the USA and Canada. If you
are looking for flights on the internet, the 3-letter international
airport code for Liberia is “LIR” and for San Jose it is “SJO”.
Ground Transportation
Upon arrival, you will have many options for
ground transportation to your accommodation and throughout Costa
Rica.
Rental Cars
You can rent cars in many locations and at both
international airports. You can usually reserve a car on-line before
leaving for Costa Rica. For travel in Guanacaste, it is recommended
that you rent a mid-size (or larger) 4-wheel drive vehicle. Many of
the roads can be rough or are simply dirt and can become a
challenge, particularly the months when it rains (see weather).
Unless you prefer a manual transmission, request an automatic. Call
the rental location directly in Costa Rica to confirm the request
for an automatic transmission.
You must have a valid driver’s license and a credit
card to rent a vehicle. The current standard security deposit is
$1500.00 (USD), which will be posted to your account as a “hold”
until you return the vehicle. Be sure to have this much available
credit on a card before you arrive. Unless you credit card provides
complete insurance coverage, take the insurance from the rental
company.
Do not rent the cheapest car (tiny compact) and
expect to drive it across the entire country. You will regret it.
Taxis
You can take taxis throughout the country. Your
accommodation may also arrange a taxi driver to meet you at the
airport when you arrive. If you are not sure you will need a rental
car for the entire time, you can take a taxi to your vacation condo
or hotel and rent one later near where you are staying. Negotiate
the cost of trips from the airports in advance. You can also hire a
taxi driver by the day for side trips. Simply negotiate a fee for
the day before you leave on the side trip. Also, confirm if gasoline
costs will be charged in addition to the fee. With the rise in
gasoline prices, this is increasingly common.
In the bigger cities, short trips can be charged
by the meter or negotiated in advance. Make sure whether the meter
is working before getting into a cab and starting your trip. Rates
have been recently raised, but should be posted in each cab.
Buses
Costa Rica has an extensive bus system that
services not only the metropolitan areas, but travels to most
sections of the country. Fares are relatively cheap. There is a
point-to-point minivan system called Interbus that can be very
convenient for side trips taking longer than one day. It can be
ordered by telephone. Ask your vacation rental service or
accommodation for assistance.
Do not hitchhike, nor pick up
hitchhikers if you are driving.
Seasons/Weather
Costa Rica has two basic seasons with some variations:
Dry/High Season
This starts in late November and lasts through
April. Days are usually dry and sunny. It is also the season of
flowering trees in multiple colors all over the country. This is the
most popular season, because it corresponds to North American
winter. Reservations need to be made well in advance and expect
travel-related prices to be more expensive. The highest prices for
anything needed by tourists will be charged during the weeks of
Christmas, New Years and Easter. These are traditional holiday
periods for Costa Ricans, as well, and demand for beach locations,
for example, is at its highest. These weeks are when people from San
Jose make a special effort to go to the beach for a vacation. The
children are out of school for 6 weeks and most government offices
are closed for a month after December
15th.
Special Features of Dry Season
Dec-Feb is “Fiesta Season”, which means rodeos and
carnivals are held in rural cities. The national rodeo is held in
Santa Cruz, Guanacaste in January.
February is the windiest month at the beach. The
prevailing easterly winds come down the central mountains and blow
out to the Pacific. There can be days when it is somewhat more
difficult to enjoy the beach, because of blowing sand. On some
beaches you can rent chairs or simply enjoy calmer conditions around
a pool.
April is the hottest month of the year as the dry
season peaks before the rains in May.
Wet/Low/Mid
Season
The season (of many names) starts in May and runs
into November. Rain may come daily during the afternoon, but the
sunny mornings and temperate evenings are very welcome. It is also
the period when Costa Rica makes a magical transition to a
completely lush, green paradise. Roads can be muddy, potholes more
numerous, and a 4-wheel vehicle is strongly recommended. Most rates
for tourist services and activities are reduced, making this the
bargain season.
Veranillo (“Little Summer”) occurs in July and
August when the weather dries up for a few weeks. Schools are out
for 3 weeks and Costa Ricans take long weekends at the beach. North
American families with children are more noticeable during
Veranillo, as it corresponds to summer vacation there, too.
In later September and all of October, the rains
come in earnest. It can be cloudy for days at a time. The weather is
the mildest of the year and Costa Ricans consider it “winter”. It
can be 60 degrees in San Jose at night and you will see people in
gloves, scarves and heavy coats. The beach is always warmer, but it
is the coolest part of the year there, too.
Money
Cash
The Costa Rican “Colon” and the US Dollar are
used interchangeably in Costa Rica. If you travel with cash in US
Dollars, there is no need to exchange money in advance, or at
currency exchanges. Each vendor will take them and convert them at
each transaction. Your change everywhere will almost always be in
colones and you will accumulate them quickly after arrival. It is
wise to travel within Costa Rica with both currencies, just in case
a small vendor wants colones.
There is a strong reluctance to accept anything
larger than a US $20, because of the existence of counterfeit US
currency around the world. Do not bring damaged or soiled bills
either. If you are traveling with any other national currency, only
exchange it at banks, your hotel or reputable currency exchanges,
such as those at airports. To exchange your money you must show your
passport or the photocopy.
The best rates with no fees are
usually found at the national (government-backed) banks. The hours
for the two national banks (Banco Nacional and Banco Costa Rica) are
Monday through Friday from 9 am to 3 PM, 4PM, or 5 PM, depending
upon location. They both have branches and ATMs throughout the
country. All banks are usually closed on weekends.
If you
want exchange currency at a bank, be prepared for the possibility of
long lines, especially on Monday. Costa Rica is organized so that a
wide number of public payments (utilities, taxes, deposits) are
handled by the national banks, so people are frequently there – and
with many things to complete. The best times are usually
mid-afternoon on mid-week days.
The exchange rate as we begin October, 2006, is surpassing 520
Colones to the US Dollar. The government is going to allow the Colon
to "float" soon, so exchange rates will fluctuate, perhaps daily.
Most business establishments will have the exchange rate
posted.
Credit Cards/ATMs
ATM’s (Cirrus, Star, Plus, etc.) are
available variously accepting Visa, Master Card, Amex, some US bank
cards, and a few foreign credit cards. Always confirm that you got
the correct amount. When using an ATM, make sure it is in a well lit
area. Do not count your money until you are in a safe place.
AMEX, VISA and Master Card
credit/debit cards can be used in retail establishments,
restaurants, hotels, and gas stations, with VISA being the most
widely accepted. When paying at a gas station with a credit card,
always follow the attendant and observe the swiping of your card.
Recently, unscrupulous attendants have swiped some cards more than
once without the cardholder being aware – until it is too late.
Checks
Foreign checks are very reluctantly accepted
because Costa Rican banks put a “hold” on the funds for up to 5
weeks, while they physically send them out of the country to clear.
This includes traveler’s checks. You can exchange traveler’s for cash at a bank, or perhaps at your accommodation, more easily
than at most business establishments.
Taxes
There is a 13% sales tax on most services and goods. There is
also an extra 3% tourist tax on hotel bills. These taxes should be
clearly identified on any bill.
When you leave Costa Rica, there
is a departure tax of U.S. $26. (Note: This may increase at random
intervals.) This can be paid at the airport, but be sure to go early
to get into line. Cash or your VISA card will be accepted at the
airport. Recently, the procedure has been made more flexible. You
can also pay at certain banks a few days before departure, if that
is more convenient.
Tipping
In general, if someone provides a special or superior
service, they deserve a tip. The average Costa Rican worker, bag
handler, bell hop, and maid are all probably working for less than
$2 per hour, including benefits. Making a living can depend on tips
earned by providing good service. Please encourage them
appropriately.
Restaurants automatically add a 10% service charge. Read
your bill before leaving a tip. It should already be identified,
along with the tax. If you receive unusually good service or are
especially pleased with your server, you might feel good about
slipping them another 5%. The good karma will follow
you.
Tour guides are tipped anywhere from $3 to $20 depending
on the tour and quality of service provided. Hotel maids and tour
drivers are also sometimes left a tip, if service is
satisfactory.
Porters and bellhops get $1 per
bag.
Time
Time Zone
Costa Rica is the same longitude as Chicago, so it is
in Central Standard Time for the entire year. When Daylight Savings
time goes into affect, Costa Rica does not follow, so it is in
Mountain Daylight Time during those months. This changes flight
schedules into the country from North America.
Sunrise/Sunset Costa Rica is at approximately 10 degrees north
latitude, which means the number hours of day and night do not vary
as much as more northerly zones over the course of the year. Most
laborers are working by 6AM, because it always starts getting light
around 5AM.
Packing/Luggage
Packing for a trip to Costa Rica is very similar to preparing to
visit any other tropical climate. Cooler temperatures do prevail at
higher elevations (San Jose), but the differential with the beach or
valley rainforests is barely more than 10 degrees most of the time.
Bring clothes and accessories that are appropriate to the season and
region you plan to visit:
Lightweight fabrics which are cool to wear or will dry quickly,
if you are caught in a shower.
Rain gear in wet season.
Sturdy shoes and sandals for walking on rough terrain to get to a
beach or surfing location. Hiking boots may be in order for volcano
visits or rainforest treks.
Casual wear (shorts, t-shirts, tank tops) for most of the time.
Nicer shirts, blouses, sandals and slacks for evenings at nicer
restaurants, parties, or days in San Jose.
Sun protection in the form of hats, sunglasses, and sun block.
You will burn your skin in 20 minutes on the first day, if you do
not come prepared.
Insect repellents in sprays, lotions or creams.
Electrical devices (hair blowers, shavers, toothbrushes) will
work here, if they operate on 110 volts.
DO NOT BRING expensive jewelry or sentimental personal items that
will draw the attention of petty thieves. Keep your jewelry securely
on your person or in a safe at your accommodation at all times.
Laundry: Most vacation rental units come with a washer and
dryer, or access to common facilities. If not, ask your
accommodation to connect you with a personal laundry. Do not bring
anything you will need to dry clean while traveling, unless you will
be in San Jose for a few days or staying at a 5-star resort. Dry
cleaners are not available anywhere else.
Health
Issues
Costa Rica has excellent heath care and sanitary standards are
high. Hospitals and private clinics are similar in quality to those
in the United States, but not as expensive. Some foreign health
insurers have participating providers in Costa Rica. You may want to
confirm with yours before you leave. Costa Rica's socialized
medicine and public education has served to effectively control
those illnesses and diseases that typically affect tropical
countries.
Vaccinations are not required, nor are they considered necessary.
If you are current with the prevailing preventative medical practice
on your home country, you will likely be fine in Costa
Rica.
Costa Rica can have seasonal outbreaks of
Dengue Fever, which can be spread by mosquitoes. It is similar to a
bad cold or flu and is treatable, but can be more serious, if you
are infected more than once. While this may be unlikely in the case
of tourists, it is best to be informed. There are active abatement
programs and widespread public information efforts. Please look for
descriptions of symptoms and wear insect repellents in
mosquito-infested areas.
Be sure to bring with you a medical
history if you have any health condition that would require special
attention or consideration in the event of illness or accident.
Costa Rica does use a 911 emergency call system that uses bilingual
operators.
Driving
You need a valid driver's license before operating any motorized
vehicle in Costa Rica. This does include ATVs, but some vendors
allow teenagers over 14 to drive one with a parent riding in it, as
well. Please note that it is illegal to drive any vehicle on the
beaches and enforcement is increasing.
You should always carry your license and passport with you, while
driving.
Costa Rica has very tough driving laws, especially
concerning wearing your seatbelt or operating a vehicle while
intoxicated.
Speed traps are also set regularly on main highways. Oncoming
drivers will typically warn you of speed traps by flashing their
lights. If you are caught in one, please follow the policeman’s
directions to pull over and provide your IDs. The officer will
explain the infraction and methods of resolving the fine.
WARNING! Costa Rica has one of the highest accident
rates in the world; drivers can be very aggressive, or inordinately
slow - so be prepared to avoid a collision at all times.
Night time driving is particularly risky. Many
trucks and farm vehicles have few or no lights. People often gather
on the edge of the road to chat with neighbors. Bicyclists do not
routinely wear bright or reflective clothing. Farm animals often
wander loose in the countryside and can suddenly appear on the road
without warning. Buses stop right on the highway to pick up or drop
passengers. Potholes are a constant hazard in the rural areas.
If you need to stop suddenly (night or day) put on your
flashers immediately (if you can) as you slow down to warn drivers
who are following you. Do the same if you are already stopped and
are the last vehicle at the end of a line of traffic.
Fuel prices have kept pace with the rest of the
world. Currently it is approximately $1.00 per liter or
approximately $3.50 per gallon. Filling the tank can easily total
$70.00.
Beaches
The beaches of Costa Rica are truly
wonderful and will provide great times and memories for all who
experience them – as long as you are an informed beach goer. There
are risks in anything involving swimming or the ocean, and it is
best to be aware before you begin.
Lifeguards: Costa Rica’s
beaches generally lack the services of lifeguards around the
country. Some of the most popular, like Tamarindo, are staffed in
high season, but it is best to not expect immediate assistance as
you plan a beach excursion.
Rip Tides: Of the 200 people that drown in
Costa Rica every year about 90% are caused by currents also called
rip tides. They pull the swimmer out into the sea and can occur in
shallow water. Most of the deaths are caused because of exhaustion
by the swimmer trying to fight the tide. Remember the tide will only
pull you out but not under! If you are caught, just float with the
tide or try to swim parallel to the coast line and not towards the
coast. Suddenly the tide will disappear and you can swim back at a
45 degree angle to the coast. It will not carry you out for miles!
Some of the most beautiful Beaches of Costa Rica, like Playa Bonita
in the Cahuita National Park are famous for its Rip Tides, as well
as Playa Dominical, Playa Barranca, and Playa Espadilla near Manuel
Antonio.
Pollution/Cleanliness: Costa Rica has
a very active “Blue Flag” program. If a beach has a Blue Flag, it
has passed a series of reviews for water pollution, litter, and
regular oversight. Most communities near popular tourist beaches
work hard to retain their Blue Flags and have committees for beach
management. As you travel, you may want to stay aware of local news
about the beaches and their condition. See our link to The Beach
Times for weekly news about Costa Rica’s North Pacific Coast and
beaches.
Low-risk Beaches: Beaches ideal for
families with small children or bad swimmers can be found in bays or
Bahias, like the Golfo de Papagayo, Bahia Potrero or la Isla
Tortuga. Some of these beaches have no waves or currents at all.
“No See Ems” – These tiny insects can be in the dry sand,
especially on remote or primitive beaches with few human visitors.
They exist throughout the Caribbean and Central American Coasts.
They are as small as the sand grains. You will know you were bitten,
because you will have very itchy bumps, usually on your feet and
ankles for a couple of days. Do not scratch them! Just put an
anti-itch cream on them until the discomfort subsides.
To minimize the risk of being bitten, use a
beach blanket, large towel, or mat to sit on while at the beach,
particularly if you find that remote, private spot where clothes and
cares may seem unnecessary. “No See Ems” are not particular about
where they bite you.
Radio/TV
Costa Rica has a wide range of radio stations which can be heard
throughout the country, because it is only as large as West
Virginia. Scan the FM band for your favorite. “Smooth Jazz” is
available on 95.5FM.
There are cable and satellite television
services. You accommodation will have at least one. Most cable
services have at least one local network station from the US, as
well as a wide variety of English language programming.
Telephone
Telephones: Direct dial to most countries is available. You may
also use telephone credits cards through the appropriate operators
including ATT, MCI, Sprint, and Bell Canada or simply dial the
access code to your carrier and then the number.
AT&T operator by dialing 0-800-011-4114, MCI by calling
0-800-012-2222, Sprint by dialing 0-800-013-0123, Canada Bell by
dialing 0-800-015-1161, British Telecom by dialing
0-800-044-1044
To make a collect call from any phone,
dial 09, the international access code of the country being called,
and then the number. If you ever need an English speaking operator,
simply dial 116.
Making international calls from pay phones
is possible with calling cards that are sold in stores. There are
two types of cards, so be sure to buy one for international calls.
Rental car companies now offer rental cell phones
for the duration of your trip. This may be a wise investment,
particularly if you plan to venture into remote
locations.
Electricity
Standard current is 110 volts, 60 Hertz. It is
the same as in the US and you will find the same wall outlets.
Sometimes outlets only have 2 slots w/o the 3rd 'ground' receptacle,
so an adapter can be handy.
Water
Unlike most Latin American countries, Costa Rica
has a reputation for good clean drinking water. Most tap water is
pure. Salads are safe in most restaurants because crops are grown
with clean irrigated water. In rural areas, you may want to play it
completely safe and stick with cooked vegetables as side dishes.
Even though the water quality is good, you still may want to drink
the readily available, relatively inexpensive, bottled
water.
Food
The main Costa Rican dish is rice and beans which
can be eaten for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Costa Ricans enjoy a
lot of meat, mostly beef, chicken, and pork. Costa Rica is not known
for an exotic cuisine, just very stable, satisfying fare.
At breakfast, a “typical” Costa Rican meal you will
find at a restaurant will include eggs prepared to your liking, rice
and beans, plantains, perhaps bread and/or fruit, and coffee.
The coffee is delicious and very high-octane, so
be careful if you are sensitive to caffeine. If you find that you
have trouble falling asleep at night, cut back on your coffee
consumption during the day. If you adjust to the coffee in Costa
Rica, be ready for a little caffeine withdrawal when you return
home.
At lunch or dinner, a “casado” is a typical meal.
Casado means “married” and the name implies the entree is “married”
to the rest of the dish. You can have casados with beef, pork,
chicken, fish, seafood, etc, etc. The other parts of this plate
include rice, beans, salad, plantains or another vegetable.
Of course, as a major international travel
destination, Costa Rica’s larger cities and resorts have many
restaurants serving a variety of cuisines. San Jose, in particular,
has evolved great restaurants in its more fashionable areas like
Escazu and the emerging areas around Santa Ana. Ask at your
accommodation for recommendations in whatever area you visit. There
is good sushi in San Jose. Email us and we will tell you
where……………
Culture/Customs
The Costa Rican people are affectionately known as
"Ticos" (male) or “Ticas” (female). They are very generous,
welcoming people. As with any country, the residents of the cities
and the tourist zones have a cosmopolitan attitude and are curious
about visitors. More traditional attitudes prevail in some of the
provincial towns and a certain degree of “standoffishness” may be
felt.
Language: South American Spanish
is the primary language of Costa Rica, but is used interchangeably
with European Spanish. Pronunciations can be mixed, so listen
carefully, if you are a Spanish-speaker. English is spoken in many
areas, especially those visited by tourists.
Education:
Costa Ricans value education very highly and the country has a 98%
literacy rate. There has been a recent emphasis on teaching English
as a second language and now high school students cannot graduate
without passing a verbal English test.
Family: Mothers are regarded as the leading family
figures. Mother’s Day is a national holiday and everyone gets off
work. Grandparents and the elderly are also highly respected.
Pastimes: 1) "Football" (soccer): Most activity
stops when the Costa Rican football team is on television. 2)
Fiestas (rodeos): In fiesta season, most regular activity ceases in
each town that holds one. The banks even close on a spot basis. 3)
Politics: The Costa Rican people are quite proud of their democracy.
It has been independent since 1821. They last had a civil war in
1948; the resolution of which led to the abolition of the national
military. They now only have national police and coast guard.
Women: Although it is safe for women
to travel in Costa Rica , some locals are unaccustomed to
seeing women traveling alone. Males will see unaccompanied females
as not spoken for and will traditionally "hiss" and express
compliments. (This can happen anywhere in the world.) It is just a
macho cultural thing and appropriate to ignore if unwelcome.
Dress: Costa Rican men are rarely seen in shorts or bright
colors. Men in shorts are not seen as serious, particularly in
business dealings. Men are also quite modest when it comes to
swimming attire, as well. Women, on the other hand, may dress (and
swim) with a little more style and daring.
Dancing: Costa Ricans love to dance! Males
typically lead the dance...if you want to woo a “tica”, you would be
wise to take a couple of salsa lessons first.
Other Central
Americans: Nicaraguans are present in large numbers in Costa Rica.
They perform many of the manual tasks, particularly in construction.
Nicaragua is a more undeveloped country and its people are looking
for work in countries like Costa Rica.
Adult Notes
Costa Rica has a very unique public posture toward physical intimacy. It is a
predominantly Catholic country with active programs that educate its
people on safer practices and family planning. In spite of the
general sense of modesty you will perceive, you will likely see (in
the course of your stay) more than one billboard about illegality of
being intimate with minors.
Individual
intimacy in exchange for money is legal for anyone of legal age (18
years). Each Costa Rican citizen has a “cedula”, or ID, that states
their age. To get into a bar you must be of legal age, so anyone you
might meet in a bar should have the cedula and be of legal age. If
you are seeking someone, it is very unwise to pick up anyone without
a cedula or someone who looks obviously younger than the age on the
cedula they are carrying.
Any intimacy with anyone under the age of
18 is considered a very serious offense and public notices of the
consequences are posted throughout the country. Private tours and
vacations organized for this purpose, particularly with minors, run
a very high risk of arrest and imprisonment, if discovered or
exposed by a disgruntled participant. Providing someone for intimacy
of any age is illegal.
As in any country, there are the
common sense dangers of seeking intimacy with strangers. It
potentially exposes you to serious diseases and/or crimes such as
robbery.
Security
Costa Rica is truly a wonderful place to visit,
but all wise and seasoned travelers know that whether you are at
home or abroad, there are always common sense precautions you can
take to insure your safety and well-being. Do not be discouraged by
the need to review security in our travel tips. Much of it is advice
needed by any international traveler going to most countries in the
world. Tourists are often quite noticeable and, unfortunately, can
become targets.
Personal Space
Always be alert to what is going on around you. Never go for a
stroll alone, or as a couple, at night on the beach or in the
wilderness. Always move in a large group or stay within easy sight
of other people at night.
If you carry a purse or backpack,
keep it close and secured to your body, tucked under your arm. Never
carry a wallet in your back pocket. If there is a sudden commotion
in a restaurant, bar, or store, make sure your purse or backpack is
firmly in hand. It could be a planned distraction (caused by the
release of an iguana, for example) to draw attention away from
persons taking your possessions.
Driving
Drive with doors locked and seat belt on. Look for a visible
public area (service station), hopefully with other people present,
if 1) your vehicle is bumped form behind, 2) if you think you are
being followed, 3) if you are lost and or need assistance, 4) if
someone tries to tell you there is something wrong with your car, or
5) if someone is trying to get you to stop by flashing their
headlights. Only the police will try to stop you with flashing
lights and those will be red or blue.
If you are stopped in heavy traffic, particularly in or near San
Jose, watch the ground next to your car through the rear view
mirrors. Someone may be on the ground letting the air out of your
tires. If someone suspicious approaches your car while stopped at a
light or stop sign, sound your horn until they leave.
Always keep your doors and windows closed and locked, especially
while parked. Don’t leave anything that even looks potentially
valuable in the car, ever. Never leave your keys in the car, even
for a moment. Always park in well-lit areas.
Valuables/Papers
Leave your suitcases in your hotel; take only what you need when
you go out and keep a close eye on your possessions. Keep your
passport in the safe at your accommodation and carry a copy with
you, a laminated copy would be fine; the copy should include your
photo, passport number, and entry stamp.
LASTLY: Ticos are arguably the friendliest people in the world.
They are family-oriented and physically affectionate -but only when
they get to know you! With strangers, although they are more than
kind with directions, advice and such, they do not touch. Even your
handshake is accepted timidly. Therefore: if you are approached on
the street by an overly friendly stranger who wants to shake your
hand, put his arm around you or get physical, be cautious! If you
are not getting tagged for a cigarette or money, you are possibly
being distracted so an accomplice can snatch your valuables.
Bottom-line: Be aware - but do not be paranoid. This is a great
place where the vast majority of people are kind, generous, and
helpful.
Enjoy Costa Rica and Return
Often!
Home Country Help
All foreign representatives are based in San Jose.
United
States Embassy, in front Centro Comercial, on the road to Pavas,
(506) 220-3939
Canadian Consulate: Oficentro
Ejecutivo la Sabana, Edificio 5, (506) 296-4149
British
Embassy: Paseo Colon between Calles 38 and 40, Centro San Jose,
(506) 258-2025
CONTACT US IN COSTA RICA:
Tamarindo - Sunrise Commercial Center #6
Tamarindo, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Costa Rica Phone 011-506-653-1810
Costa Rica Fax 011-506-653-1815
Brasilito - Hitching Post #1
Brasilito, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Costa Rica Phone: 011-506-654-5460
Costa Rica Fax: 011-506-654-5467
