Country Dossier for Costa Rica ALL prices stated in this dossier are given as a guide only and are subject to change. Visas Health The following countries are considered at risk of yellow fever transmission: South America: Boliva, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guyana, Peru, Venezuela. Africa: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Sudan. Money Important: In Latin America you will have problems changing the US$100 CB B2 2001 series notes and it is better not to bring them. The serial number is located in the top left hand corner and bottom right hand corner on the side with the President’s face. This serial number starts with CB and then a few more numbers and then directly under that B2. At the bottom of the note near the signature of the Treasurer it says which series of notes it is and it is there that it says 2001 series. Local Currency Remember that once out of Costa Rica you will generally not be able to use or exchange colones (except at the border towns). Therefore you must make sure you spend/exchange/donate any left-over money before leaving the country. US dollars and travellers cheques can be changed at; Change Houses (Casas de Cambio), banks and border crossings. Your tour leader will give you details of when and where to change money. Change Houses and privately owned banks usually have longer opening hours and attend to you faster than the public banks. In San José you may find change houses that exchange currencies other than US$ (but it’s definitely safer to have US$). Hotels/restaurants will sometimes change US$ cash, (and in some cases cheques) though at a poorer rate. Debit and Credit Cards You should also be able to get a cash advance at the bank (usually only possible for Visa) although most banks will require a copy of your passport. Credit cards are accepted in some shops/restaurants/hotels. The most accepted credit card is Visa, although authorisation can sometimes be denied due to poor computer connections or other problems! Note there may sometimes be commission charged when paying by credit card (up to 8%).and you will often get a discount if paying by cash instead. IMPORTANT NOTE: There have been reported problems with Mastercard in Costa Rica, so please do not rely on this type of card. Working Out Your Budget Entrance Fees Optional Excursions Local Transport Approx fares (all prices are per taxi) from our hotel in San José to: Jungle Wildlife Geography & Weather Costa Rica's weather is influenced by altitude. The Pacific coast is drier while the Atlantic coast has the most rainfall - about 300 days a year. The temperature in San José ranges from a high of 27C to a low of 14C. The wet season is from May to October. The hottest months are March and April. Check the weather chart on our website or visit www.worldclimate.com to get an idea of what the weather will be like on your tour. Security Communication For international calls you can buy a local phone card (tarjeta de telefono - readily available in San José). These cards can be used from any phone in Costa Rica. There are ´199´and ´197´cards. You just dial these numbers, enter your code on back of card and dial the number you wish to call. A 3000 colones (US$7) card will give you approx 10 minutes talk time. Local Food & Drink All drinks such as water, soft or alcoholic drinks are at your own expense at all times. The following is a guideline for drinks bought in a shop in the street. Prices in restaurants and hotels can sometimes be more than double the prices specified below; 1 litre of water US$1 Food Local cuisine is simple, tasty and not too spicy, but heavy on oil at times! “Gallo pinto”, the national dish of fried rice and black beans is commonly served with breakfast. A gallo pinto made in coconut milk (on the Caribbean side) is particularly good. At lunch gallo pinto becomes “casado” – rice and beans supplemented with cabbage and tomato salad, fried platains (sweet bananas), and meat. Other common meals include “arroz con pollo” (rice with chicken) or “arroz con atun” (with tuna). Vegetables do not form a large part of the diet, but there is always salad. Vegetarians Drinks Costa Rican fruit is really fresh, and really cheap. Go to one of the many juice stands and ask for a “batido de fruta” (fruit smoothie) or “jugo de naranja y zanahoria” (orange & carrot). Papaya, melon, watermelon, mango, and pineapple are very popular, but you can also get fun things like “cas” (a tasty sour guava fruit) and “mora” (blackberry). Batidos (also sometimes called “refrescos”) can be made with either water or milk. Always specify if you don’t want sugar (“sin azucar”). Latin Americans have a very sweet tooth and will usually automatically add the sugar! Most restaurants use purified (purificado) water and ice (hielo) to make batidos, but if unsure, just ask. Generally speaking it’s best not to expect good coffee/tea in this part of the world (unfortunately the good stuff is exported!). Coffee is traditionally served strong and mixed with hot milk. Cappuccino is usually good and comes with cinnamon on top unless you ask ‘sin canela’ (without cinnamon). If you ask for tea (“té negro”) you will get teabags. Always ask for “leche fria seperado” (cold milk on the side) as the alternative is likely to be a hot cup of milk with a tea bag inside! If you only learn one word in Spanish it’s bound to be “Cerveza” – beer! There are countless lagers, and a few dark beers. The most common are Bavaria and Imperial. Costa Rica has no national drink, but “horchata”, a cinnamon flavoured cornmeal drink, “chan”, a slimy drink made of seeds, and “fresco de frutas”, a fruit salad floating on a base of cola and water are very popular. Also popular is “guaro”, a clear spirit distilled from fermented sugarcane which is almost tasteless, yet very potent! Tipping National Holidays Tucan Travel Cuzco Please note that these numbers are a service for emergency calls only. We respectfully request that you consider the urgency of your enquiry. Non-urgent enquiries should be made during office hours. Please be considerate of time zones. Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-5.30pm; Sat 9am-1 pm. Last Updated 20/03/09
The Facts
Brief History
Costa Rica has had democratic elections since the 19th century and is now one of the most peaceful nations in the world. Armed forces were abolished in 1948 and the country has avoided much of the troubles faced by other Central American nations. Sometimes dubbed the "Switzerland of Central America", its citizens enjoy one of the highest life expectancy levels in the Western hemisphere and higher living standards than its neighbours. Although still a largely agricultural country, it has expanded its economy to include strong technology and ecotourism sectors.
Most nationals do not need a visa to enter Costa Rica, but it is important to check the rules for your nationality with your nearest embassy or consulate. Entry is granted on production of a passport valid for more than 6 months and proof of funds to support yourself (although proof not usually requested). As a tourist you are entitled to 30 days, however depending on the immigration official you may be allocated less days. You will probably be asked to fill out an immigration card. A copy of this card should stay in your passport until you exit the country.
Yellow fever
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers coming from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission. No certificate is required for travellers below the age of 9 months and over the age of 60, pregnant or lactating women, persons with immunosuppression or a history of adverse reactions associated with the yellow fever vaccine.
The local currency is the colon. Usually a ‘C’ sign is used as an abbreviation and often the C will have a stroke through it. For up to date exchange rates with your own currency visit www.oanda.com.
US dollars (cash) are accepted for some purchases in Costa Rica and many prices are quoted in US$ however you will need colones for most purchases. Even if you have the choice of paying for things in US$ it will be in your favour to use local currency. Therefore we advise you to obtain a considerable amount of local currency as soon as you enter the country. San José is the easiest place (and sometimes the only place) for you stock up on money. There is no restriction on the amount of foreign currency that you may bring into Costa Rica, however very large sums should be declared on arrival.
Often the easiest way to obtain local currency is to use the ATM machines (‘cajeros automaticos’) located in San José (finding an ATM that will accept your card can be very difficult in the rest of Costa Rica). Visa, Plus and Cirrus/Maestro are accepted in most ATMs in San José, as long as you have a 4 digit pin number. Some ATM machines will give you US$ OR local currency however you should not rely on this.
Our pre-departure information and tour dossiers include a general list of all the things you should take into consideration when budgeting and an estimate of what you should allow per day for spending money. Below are some specific notes relevant to our tours in Costa Rica.
Generally speaking most entrance fees and inexpensive activities will be covered by the recommended spending money. For example the Jade and Gold Museums in San José (US$2 and US$5 respectively) and the hiring of snorkels/bicycles or surf/boogie boards (US$3-8 per hour). Also the entrance to small animal centres such as the Frog Farm, Butterfly Garden and Ecological Farm in Monteverde (US$5-8 each entry).
For a detailed list of optional excursions and activities visit tucantravel.com and download our optional excursions guide.
Taxis are recommended for most journeys in San José. All taxis should have a meter but it’s a good idea to be aware of what the approximate price should be before getting in the taxi. In other Costa Rican towns and cities, walking is basically the best and cheapest way to see the sights.
Airport -US$10-15
Bus Terminals - US$2-3 (depending on traffic)
Most of El Centro - US$1-2 (more at night)
If your tour includes a visit to a jungle/rainforest region you should be prepared to encounter an array of wildlife – including many insects and spiders etc. Most creepy crawlies are completely harmless and will cause you no problems at all – in fact this is all part of the jungle experience. If you find something it your room it certainly doesn't mean that the room is unclean – rather that you are in the jungle and it is completely normal. If you are uncomfortable with creepy crawlies it is a good idea to bring plenty of insect repellent spray and coils to place in your room and of course don't leave any food lying around.
Costa Rica is the second smallest country in Central America after El Salvador. It is bordered by Nicaragua and Panama, and has coastlines on the Caribbean and the Pacific. A low, thin line of hills between Lake Nicaragua and the Pacific reaches into northern Costa Rica, broadening and rising into high, rugged mountains in the centre and south. The capital city, San José, lies in a central basin set in these highlands.
Crime in Latin America is not as bad as its reputation as long as you are sensible and alert. Costa Rica is one of the safer countries in Central America but like anywhere in the world, you can be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Care should be taken, especially whilst walking around the larger cities. Try to keep away from dark quiet areas if on your own, particularly late at night and try to always take a taxi. We suggest that whenever possible you leave all of your important documents in the safe (“caja fuertes”). However you should always carry some form of ID or a photocopy of your passport.
The easiest and cheapest form of communication is via Internet. You will find internet cafés in every major Costa Rican town/city. The average cost is approx. US$1 per hour. Connection is generally slower and prices higher in the smaller more remote places, so it is best to use the Internet in San José.
As a guideline a simple snack (e.g. a sandwich or pastry) can cost as little as US$0.60, and a cheap local meal will cost between US$1.50 -3. Even a meal in one of the best restaurants in San José costs very little in comparison to what you would expect to pay at home (usually around US$15 - 30). Obviously this depends on what you order and if you have wine or other drinks which will certainly increase the bill. In cheaper restaurants (called ‘Sodas’) you can get meals for as little as US$1.50.
30cl bottle of soft drink US$1
30cl bottle of beer US$1.50
50cl bottle of beer US$2
There’s a lot of different food to choose from in Costa Rica and travellers are often surprised by the quality and variety on offer. This is partly due to the number of ex-pats who have opened up a range of different international restaurants. There is also local cuisine to suit every budget.
If you are a strict vegetarian you may experience a distinct lack of variety in the food available, especially in small towns. You might find that you are eating a lot of omelettes, rice, beans, and salad dishes. Our tour leaders will do their best to provide interesting vegetarian alternatives for included meals but your patience and understanding is requested.
You should be wary of drinking the local tap water, especially in small towns. Bottled water and carbonated soft drinks are widely available. If you want still bottled water, ask for agua natural, sin gas (no gas).
In most restaurants a 10% service charge is included on the bill. There is also a tax of 13% added to restaurant bills in Costa Rica. This may or may not be included in the menu prices, so make sure you ask if you are unsure. Often they will automatically add 23% to your bill (13% tax plus 10% tip) and if you want to tip extra on top of this it is optional. You do not need to tip taxi drivers, etc but you should tip people who assist you with your luggage at hotels (don’t over-tip – 50 cents or so is fine). Tipping guides at the end of excursions is always appreciated and your tour leader will advise you on this.
Shopping
Costa Rican coffee is world renowned and plentiful throughout the region. Often local supermarkets are the best and cheapest places to buy it. Make sure you get “puro” (no added sugar). There are some great markets to explore in San José. Bargaining is expected while shopping in the markets, but in shops it is usually considered rude to bargain. You may however ask for a ‘discount’ (“descuento” in Spanish).
Jan 1 - New Years Day
Mar 19 - Feast of Saint Joseph (San José’s patron saint)
Apr 11 - Anniversary of the Battle of Rivas
Easter - Maundy Thursday to Easter Sunday)*
May 1 - Labour Day
Jun 10 - Corpus Christi*
Jun 29 - Saint Peter and Saint Paul
Jul 25 - Anniversary of the Annexation of Guanacaste Province
Aug 2 - Our Lady of the Angels
Aug 15 - Assumption/Mother's Day
Sep 15 - Independence Day
Oct 12 - Columbus Day/Dia de las Culturas
Dec 8 - Immaculate Conception
Dec 24 - Christmas Eve
Dec 25 - Christmas Day
Dec 28-31 - Christmas Holiday
*Variable dates.
Emergency Contact
In the case of an emergency before you meet your tour leader, please contact our local office in South America:
Avenida El Sol 616,
Office 202,
Cuzco
(Opposite the Qoricancha in the Maximo Nivel building)
AP0637, Cuzco, Peru
Tel: (+51) 084 241123
Fax: (+51) 084 248691
sacrew@tucantravel.com
Keiko Fernandez (+51) 84 984 65 3726
or (+51) 84 984 74 88 05
or Zac Lanham (+51) 84 984 76 21 64
This office is not a sales office- it is for operations only.
ometepe express NSA