Entry
Requirments: Citizens
holding valid passports from the
following countries are permitted to
stay in Costa Rica for 90 days without
a visa:
| Argentina |
Austria |
Belgium |
Brazil |
| Canada |
Denmark |
Finland |
France
and dependencies |
| Germany |
Greece |
Holland
and dependencies |
Hungary |
| Israel |
Italy |
Japan |
Liechtenstein |
| Luxembourg |
Norway |
Panama |
Paraguay |
| Poland |
Portugal |
Puerto
Rico |
Romania |
| South
Korea |
Spain |
Sweden |
Switzerland |
| Trinidad
& Tobago |
United
Kingdom |
United
States of America |
Uruguay |
Citizens
holding valid passports from the
following countries are allowed to
stay in Costa Rica for 30 days without
a visa, though once in the country,
they can apply for an extension (Prórroga
de Turismo) from the Immigration
office (Migración), which allows them
to stay a total of 90 days:
| Antigua
& Barbuda |
Australia |
Bahamas |
Bahrain |
| Barbados |
Belize |
Bolivia |
Bulgaria |
| Chile |
Colombia |
Czech
Republic |
Dominica |
| El
Salvador |
Grenada |
Guatemala |
Guyana |
| Honduras |
Iceland |
Ireland |
Jamaica |
| Kenya |
Kuwait |
Mexico |
New
Zealand |
| Oman |
Philippines |
Qatar |
Russia |
| San
Cristobal/Nevis |
San
Marino |
St.
Lucia |
St.
Vincent |
| Saudi
Arabia |
Singapore |
Slovakia |
South
Africa |
| Suriname |
Taiwan |
Turkey |
United
Arab Emirates |
| The
Vatican |
Venezuela |
Citizens
of all countries not listed above must
obtain a visa from a Costa Rican
embassy or consulate before arrival. |
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.
Families traveling together need to
fill out only one declaration for all
family members.
Climate:
Costa
Rica is a tropical country and
experiences only two seasons: wet and
dry. The dry season is generally
between December and April, and the
wet season lasts the rest of the year.
The Caribbean coast tends to be wet
all year. Temperatures vary little
between seasons; the main influence on
temperature is altitude. The coasts
are very hot and humid, with the
Caribbean averaging 21 degrees (72F)
at night and over 30 degrees (82F)
during the day; the Pacific is a few
degrees warmer still.
Clothing: Pack light for your
travels. The highland areas (San José,
mountains, volcanos) can be very cold,
so pack a sweater. For the lowlands
areas (beaches) light, loose fitting
shirts and pants are essential. A wide
brimmed hat and sunglasses are
recommended.
Communications: Direct-dial
telephone service, fax, internet,
radio and television are all
available. Bilingual operators offer
assistance for internationcal calls.
All major calling cards can be used.
Taxes: There is a 13% sales
tax at hotels, restaurants and most
service industries and an additional
3% tourist tax at hotels.
Tipping: A 10% tip in a
restaurant is added to your bill
automatically.
Electricity: 110 volt
AC is found nationwide.
Water: The water is
safe to drink in all areas of the
country.
Credit Cars and Travelers
Checks: Most major credit
cards are accepted throughout the
country. Traveleres checks can be
easily cashed.
Currency
exchange: The official
currency is the Colon. US dollars are
accepted throught, though the banks
offer the best exchange rate.
Depature Tax: The
rate is US$25 to depart by air. Land
and sea exits are not taxed.
Time Zone: Costa Rica
is on Central Standard Time. It does
not apply daylight savings time.
Governement: Costa
Rica is a democratically elected
republic. Elections are held every
four years and there is no army. |
