- Travel Essentials

International Access & Entry Requirements

Costa Rica is accessible by land, sea and air. There are two international airports: Juan Santamaría in Alajuela, near San José, and Daniel Oduber Quirós, just outside Liberia, Guanacaste in the Northwest part of the country.

There are ocean ports that fully meet international standards: Limón, and Moín on the Caribbean, and Caldera and Puntarenas on the Pacific Coast.

It is also possible to enter Costa Rica from Panamá and Nicaragua by car, or on any of the international bus lines such as ´Tica Bus´ or ´Trans Nica.´ Both provide daily service from Guatemala to Costa Rica and Panamá.

To enter Costa Rica, every visitor is required to have a passport with a validity of, at least,
six (6) months. Completed immigration and customs forms, which are also required, will be surrendered upon entry.

Upon leaving Costa Rica, the departure tax is currently US $26.00 per person.

Attire

Light casual clothing is recommended all year round.

When visiting the city, bring pants, a light jacket or sweater and comfortable walking shoes.  In the Central Valley, the evening shadows bring cooler temperatures (60° to 70° F).

When going to the beach, do not forget your shorts, t-shirt and tevas.

Mountain gear is: pants, light jacket and hiking shoes.

But no matter where you go, try not to forget your swimsuit, sunscreen, cap, insect repellent, sunglasses, and raingear. Remember that travellers will be exposed to different climates, geographical and weather changes. 

Communications and Electricity

Costa Rica has a very advanced communications system with telephones and fax machines throughout the country. You can easily find Internet connections in most every city and town, as well as in business centers at major hotels.

The mail service is very good, too. There are more than a hundred post offices all over the country.
National and International newspapers and magazines are sold in the streets and shopping centers.
Power is a standard 110 volts all over the country, with 220 volts available in newer hotels. It is always important to check before connecting any electrical devices. Europeans, visiting Costa Rica, should bring an adaptor with them.

Currency and Exchange Facilities

The official currency is the Colón. The exchange rate varies daily in relation to the U.S. dollar. Dollars and travelers checks are easily exchanged at hotels and banks. Most major credit cards such as AMEX, VISA and MASTER CARD are accepted at hotels, large stores and restaurants. The US Dollar is also widely accepted throughout Costa Rica.

National Holidays

January 1           New Year
March-April        Holy Week
April 11              National Hero Juan Santamaría
May 1                 Labor Day
July 25               Annexation of the Province of Guanacaste
August 2             Saint Patron Virgen de los Ángeles Day
August 15           Mother´s Day
September 15    Independence Day
October 12         Culture Joining Day
December 25     Christmas Day

Office, Banking and Shopping Hours

Regular business office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

National Banks are open Monday through Friday, generally, from 8:45 am to 4:00 p.m.

Private banks are open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 p.m.

Many shopping center bank branch offices are open until 6.00 or 7:00 p.m.

Some private banks have limited hours Saturdays and Sundays.

Automatic Teller Machines (ATM) are available throughout the country 24 hours, 7 days a week for Colones or Dollars.

Stores are normally open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and many are open on Sundays. Most shopping centers are open seven days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Major credit cards such as AMEX, VISA and MASTER CARD are accepted all over the country.

Tipping

Restaurants will add a 10% gratuity to your check.
It depends on the quality of service if you choose to leave an additional tip.
It is customary to tip bellboys, tour guides and drivers, at your discretion.

Water & Food

The water is safe to drink in all main cities of the country. However, bottled water is always recommended in the rural areas.

The country´s typical food includes seafood, meats, vegetables, tropical fruits, and dishes prepared with corn. International cuisine is also available countrywide. Cuisines available include Japanese, Arabian, Chinese, Mexican, Italian, and many others.