Costa Rica information

Costa Rica is located in Central America, has only a 0.03% of the surface of our planet, but has about 6% of the world's biological diversity. Costa Rica is characterized by an impressive scenic beauty, a consolidated system of protected areas, social and political stability, high educational levels, and an efficient infrastructure and services. All these characteristics you can find in a territory of only 51 square kilometers, surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea, just four hours away from each other by land or 45 minutes by plane.

Geography

Rugged Highlands are found throughout most of the country, ranging from approximately 1000 to 2000 meters (3000 to 6000 feet above sea level). The Cordillera de Guanacaste, the Cordillera Central and Cordillera de Talamanca are the main mountain ranges that stretch in the country. There are several active volcanoes (Arenal Volcano, Irazu Volcano, Rincon de la Vieja Volcano and Turrialba Volcano) and the country's highest mountain (Cerro Chirripó) with a height of 3819 meters / 12,530 feet. The country has a relatively long coastline in both the Caribbean and the Pacific, as well as several rivers that attract specialists rafting and kayaking around the world.


Climate

Costa Rica is pleasant breezes with natural running easily, cooling the coastal areas. Temperatures in the highlands and mountains are not so cold, especially during the day, producing a 'spring'. Average annual temperatures range from 31.7 ° C (89 ° F) on the coast at 16.7 ° C (62 ° F) in the interior. The rainy or green season lasts from May to November, the rest of the time is part of the dry season.


Departure taxes

It must pay $ 26.00 U.S. by air. The land and sea exits are not charged.

The unit of currency is the Costa Rican Colon.US dollarsand major credit cards are widely accepted.

You will find ATM machined distributed through out the country.

Electricity

The electricity standard is 110 volts, 60 Hertz


Entry requirements

Citizens holding valid passports from the following countries are permitted to stay in Costa Rica for 90 days without a visa:

Germany, Andorra, Argentina, Australia*, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Chile, Cyprus, Denmark*, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, United States*, Estonia, Finland, France*, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, M?xico, Montenegro, Norway*, New Zealand*, Netherlands*, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Principality Of Monaco, San Marino, Puerto Rico, Serbia, South Africa, United Kingdom Of Great Britain And Northern Ireland **, Czech Republic, Republic Of South Korea, Hellenic Republic (Greece), Romania, Vatican City, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Republic Of China (Taiwan), Trinidad And Tobago and Uruguay.

* Their dependencies receive the same treatment

** Include England, Wales and Scotland

*** Starting on July 30, 2007, the Costa Rican authorities will demand that all travelers coming from the following countries (Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Bolivia, Venezuela, Brazil, Peru, Colombia and Ecuador as well as the Republic of Guyana) have a yellow fever vaccination certificate.

Citizens holding valid passports from the following countries are exempt from all visa requirements for stays of 30 days in Costa Rica, though once inside the country, they can apply for extension from the Immigration office, for an authorized period of stay of 90 days:

Antigua and Barbuda, Belice, Bolivia, Dominica, El Salvador, Russian Federation, Phillipines, Fiji, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Northern Marianas, Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Maldives, Mauritius, Federated States Of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Kingdom Of Tonga, Samoa, Saint Kitts And Nevis, Saint Vincent And The Grenadines, Saint Lucia, Sao Tome And Principe, Seychelles, Suriname, Tuvalu, Turkey, Vanuatu and Venezuela.

Citizens of all countries not listed above are required a visa from a Costa Rican embassy or consulate before traveling.

As in most of the countries, in order to visit Costa Rica, the traveler must show his or her passport. The passport must be valid during the following 6 months from the entry date to Costa Rica.

Travel recommendations
-. Carry a copy of your passport, and keep the original in a safe place

-. Make sure your health insurance covers medical emergencies away from home. If not, look into purchasing travel insurance.

-. Bring extra batteries for cameras and electronics. They may be hard to findhere, as you are going to be traveling around.

-. Small first aid kit (antiseptic, antihistamine, and decongestant,band-aids, anti itch ointment, diarrhea medications, and painkillers

-. Protect cameras, batteries etc. in plastic bags. Even the humidity of theRain Forest can permeate into your electronic equipment.

-. Insect repelent (75% Deet recommended)

What to bring:

Acouple of bathing suits shorts, t-shirts or tank tops, light weight long sleeved shirt, rubbersandals, hat, hiking boots, tennis, jeans or lihgt pants, sunglasses, rain jacket or poncho, camera, binoculars