Frequent Asked Questions about Costa Rica
What are the entry requirements?
All visitors are required to have a passport valid for at least six months beyond the dates of the trip.
Visitors from the following countries are allowed to stay for 90 days without a visa:
Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Israel, Japan, Panama, Paraguay, Uruguay, United States and all European countries except from Albania, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Czech Republics, Iceland, Ireland, Lithuania, Malta, Slovakia and Slovenia.
Visitors from these countries are allowed to stay for 30 days without a visa:
Australia, Belice, China, Guatemala, Honduras, Iceland, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia, Singapore, The Philippines and Venezuela.
What are the customs regulations?
No customs duties are charged on personal luggage, which includes an array of items for personal and professional use, as long as they do not appear in quantities that suggest commercial intent. Costa Rican law requires that baggage be examined and that travelers submit customs declarations listing all articles acquired abroad, including fruit, vegetables, meat, meat products, biological products such as vaccinations, serums, etc. In the case of families, one declaration can be filled out by the family head.
When is the best time to travel?
The travel industry designates several business seasons during the year: High Season (related to the dry season, from December until April), Peak season (Christmas, New Year and Easter), and the Green Season (also called the Low Season -related to the rainy season, from May until November). If you live in the Northern Climates, you will probably consider winter the only time to visit. However, persons from others areas of North America and Europe find the rest of the year equally pleasant. They also find it quite a bit more affordable. Other vacationers just prefer the country when there are fewer tourists -during the Green Season.
What should I bring?
A pocket-size English/Spanish dictionary, a small first aid kit, binoculars - camera and film, walking shoes, sunscreen, travelers checks - cash or/and credit cards, swim suits, casual clothes for nightlife and fine dining, insect repellent, copies of your favorite Costa Rica travel guide, sandals - sunglasses & hat, necessary medications, rain jacket, passport/birth certificate & drivers license.
What is the time zone in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica is the same as U.S. central standard time, but does not observe daylight savings time.
What are the business hours?
Most banks are open from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. and do not close for lunch. Credit cards are widely accepted, with Visa, MasterCard, Dinners and American Express being the most popular. Government offices are open from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Most commercial business open from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Stores and other businesses at commercial centers from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Most restaurants open from 10:00 am to 11:00 pm. Hotels and some restaurants are open 24 hours.The option you choose will depend upon the type of project involved, the reliability of your builder/general contractor, and the amount of time you are willing to dedicate to the construction project. All told, phases 1 and 2 can range from 9 percent to 18 percent of the estimated value of the construction project, depending on the amount of services required.
Before you sign any contract, we make sure that you understand the fee structure and know exactly what is and is not included in the fee. It will also clearly define the responsibilities that Tropical Coast Properties and Development is going to assume.
Is there a good communication system?
Direct-dial telephone service, facsimile, telex, radio and cable television are all available. Bilingual operator assistance for international calls is: 116, local information: 113, long distance information: 124. Internet cafes are available in most towns and hotels.
What taxes should I pay?
Travelers must be at the airport two hours before departure. There is a departure tax of US$26.00. There is a 13% sales tax at hotels, restaurants and most service industries, and an additional 3% tourist tax at hotels.
Is driving a good idea?
Many people love driving and visiting the country at their own pace. Car Rentals are available from the major rental companies. To rent one you must be at least 21 years old, have a valid drivers license and a major credit card. Gasoline is available at stations throughout Costa Rica, most are open 24 hours. Auto insurance is a MUST, which is included in your contract with the car rental because most insurance companies explicitly exclude foreign countries from their coverage. If you have a question, contact your carrier. When the rented car is given to you, the contract will explain both parts responsibilities. If you are involved in a traffic accident: Do not loose your temper, do not leave the place of the accident, do not move the car, cooperate with the legal authorities, do not sign any agreements nor accept any liability, and contact your rental car company immediately.
Is bus transportation available?
Costa Rica has a bus system that offers inexpensive, timely and convenient transportation in the Central Valley. It is the primary means of transportation to natives. On the countryside, sometimes buses do not run frequently, in some places they operate only once a day. Another possibility is arranging transfers with tourism transportation agencies which would give you a first class service at reasonable rates.
What are the medical concerns and suggested vaccines?
Health care in Costa Rica is very good and sanitary standards are high. First class hospitals are found throughout San José and some of the other largely populated areas. Since long ago, diseases such as malaria, paludismo, and yellow fever were eradicated in Costa Rica. There are no plagues like in other countries, and no special vaccine recommendations for travelers more than the influenza and the tetanus vaccines. Hospitals and the Red Cross will provide any medical treatment in case of emergency.
How much should I tip?
A 10% tip in a restaurant is appropriate but most restaurants will add it to your bill so read your bill before paying a tip. Taxi drivers generally do not receive a tip. If you are satisfied with the service you receive, private drivers, tourist guides, maids and bell boys would be glad to receive a tip. The amount would be totally up to you.
Do I need to have any special precautions?
Please consider the following precautions during your trip, that are the same wherever you travel around the world:
Do not leave your luggage unattended at the airport or with a stranger, do not carry any strangerīs luggage through customs or immigration, and always carry your money within an inside pocket or a body pouch, or money belt.
Daily spending money could be carried in your bag or front pocket. Credit cards and travelersīchecks are good tools when you travel. Carry a separate package with the following information: a copy of the identifying pages of your passport, the number of your credit cards, traveler checks, bank accounts, airplane tickets, and emergency phone numbers. Valuable items should be left in a safe box. Avoid crowds as well as dark and lonely places, and deal with well-known tourism agencies instead of unknown persons. In other words, take the same precautions you would have when visiting any other country, but do not let that decrease your enjoyment of this experience.
How about crime?
Compared with other countries, crime-rates here are very low. The main problem is theft. Keep a close eye on you belongings and rented car. Do not repair a flat tire on the road. Drive to the next Gas Station or other safe place (with the flat). Keep your belongings in sight in buses and beware that conversations are not decoys. Use the safety box in the hotels. Never stop for hich-hikers or anybody else trying to stop you unless its an official police control. Dont keep valuables in the parked car. Most deadly crimes here have to do with drugs, vengance or family disputes.
Do you have final suggestions?
Plan your trip well in advance so you have more options to choose from. Since your eating and drinking habits are often radically different during a trip, be sure to drink lots of fluids, especially the day before arriving. Try not to go overboard your first night giving your body a chance to acclimate. The water is safe to drink in all areas of the country; nevertheless we suggest you to buy bottled water for drinking. When buying fresh fruits and vegetables, wash them with water before eating.
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