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FAQs

Costa Rica Frequently Asked Questions

Explore the Special Places FAQ Library

1

Entering Costa Rica

Yes, passports are required. A 90 day tourist visa is automatically granted upon arrival. Also, there is a $29 exit fee which must be paid prior to departing Costa Rica
Be aware that even if your were only transiting through any one of the following countries, Costa Rican authorities will require a yellow-fever vaccine certification: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leon, Sudan, Bolivia, Venezuela, Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador and Guyana.
In order to be granted entry into Costa Rica, all visitors are required to hold a valid departure ticket, whether it is by air, sea or land
Some countries such as the USA, Canada and most European countries allow entrance without a VISA, providing you have a valid Passport.nn Depending on the country, it is determined the number of days available to visit as a touristn In some cases, an immigration official could ask you to demonstrate your economic solvency for your stay in the countryn Although you may have 90 days available on your tourist visa, the immigration official will assess the allowed visiting period on your passportn Visitors to Costa Rica must have a valid passport, as well as proof that they will be departing the country before their visa or entrance stamp expires, generally within the 90 days.
Yes, passports are required. A 90 day tourist visa is automatically granted upon arrival. Also, there is a $29 exit fee which must be paid prior to departing Costa Rica.
All cats and dogs entering Costa Rica must have a health certificate from a veterinarian and endorsed by a veterinarian service. A physical exam must be conducted two weeks prior to the date of the trip. The required vaccines are: distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus. Rabies will also be required for all animals over 4 months old.
All cats and dogs entering Costa Rica must have a health certificate from a veterinarian and endorsed by a veterinarian service. A physical exam must be conducted two weeks prior to the date of the trip. The required vaccines are: distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus. Rabies will also be required for all animals over 4 months old.
Costa Rica has four (4) international airports: Juan Santamaría Airport in Alajuela, Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia, Tobías Bolaños International Airport in San José, and the Limón International Airport.nVisit: Aeropuertos Internacionales
Visitors from countries that enter with a 30-day visa can go to the Immigration and Foreign Department for an extension of their visa for up to 90 days. The following criteria will need to be met:nn you have a valid passportn demonstrate economic solvency, andn have a departure ticket or fare.nnThe amount of time allowed to stay in the country will depend on the immigration official.nFor more information (available only in Spanish) you can download the following: Department of Migration – Costa Rica
2

Exploring Nature

The main difference is that in a rainforest the precipitation is higher. The flora and fauna differ from one type of forest to another as well.
You will need insect repellent, rain poncho, and comfortable shoes.
You can visit the Tortuguero National Park in the Caribbean and the Ostional Wildlife Refuge in the Pacific. You can download more information here: Ver folleto
The following parks provide accessibility: Poas Volcano National Park, Manuel Antonio National Park, and Carara National Park
Cloud Forest Superfull Adventure. A green headed, red bellied, green, grey and white winged tropical bird takes flight from a moss covered tree trunk in the Monteverde Cloud Forest, Costa Rica- brought to you by specialplacesofcostarica.com
To see something like this captured on film begs the question “How are such beautiful colorings even possible?”

In fact, the magnificent colors of the Resplendent Quetzal do have an origin…  The elusive song-bird has a history steeped in pre-Columbian mythology.  Legend has it that on the day the conquistador Pedro de Alvarado fought against Tecún Umán, there was a quetzal flying overhead. On the first strike Tecún Umán, on foot, managed to disable Pedro de Alvarado’s horse. Alvarado was then given another horse and on the second strike ran through Tecún Umán’s chest with a spear. The quetzal flew down and landed on Tecún Umán, dipping its chest in the warrior prince’s blood. It is there that the bird acquired its distinctive red chest feathers.

3

Food & Water

The water is purified throughout the country, so you will have no concerns wherever you go to eat with regard to water, ice or produce. The tap water and ice is safe to use in all the houses or condos. However, if you are concerned for any reason, bottled water is readily available.
Yes, there are a number of small corner stores in the immediate area that carry a wide selection of food, meat, fresh produce, wine, liquor and beer. There is also a very large big-box type grocery store called “Super Mercado” that is approximately a ten minute drive.

For terrific breakfast fare, try The Surf Box, about 150m south of the BNCR Bank, which is located where the main route 911 splits into the fork to Potrero on the right, and Flamingo on the left. The Surf Box has incredible healthy choices and uses only fresh ingredients. I go there for the Aciai Bowl, which is a wonderful blend of fresh fruits, shaved coconut and seeds, arranged beautifully over top of a delicious smoothy. The pancakes are AMAZING and for even larger appetites, the Mexicana is savoury and really filling.

For hearty breakfasts and casual dining, go see Ray and Melani at Perla’s on the corner in Potrero. With its exceptionally priced menu and really really good food (really), this restaurant / bar has become a favorite stop for the North American community of the Potrero / Flamingo area. The friendly staff always have the game on, serve you with a smile and oh… the chicken wings at Perla’s are the BIGGEST I have seen anywhere!

For dinner, I suggest the restaurant at Bahai del Sol, right on the beach in Potrero. It has a small but tasty menu and is quite reasonably priced, especially when you consider the beautiful grounds and the location – right on the beach!

For a more luxurious (and expensive) fare, you must head over to The Chameleon Hotel and have dinner at their magnificent cliff side restaurant. This will be an experience to remember as you will look over one of the top rated infinity pools in the entire world. I suggest you reserve your table and head over to witness in the most breath-taking sunsets you will ever see. It will change your life!

The water is potable in greater parts of the country. However, we recommend the consumption of bottled water, especially in areas near the coast.

A Casado (Spanish for “married man”) is a Costa Rican meal using rice, black beans, plantains, salad, a tortilla. An optional protein may also be added – such as chicken or beef.

 

A meal made of meat, bananas, tortillas, white rice, gardener salad, and other vegetables nicely served on a plate. | brought to you by specialplacesofcostarica.com

 

4

General Info

Gasoline is sold by the liter and can be purchased with Costa Rican Colones, American Dollars, or credit cards. Nearly all the gas stations are full-service. It is a good idea to make sure the pump is zero’d prior to filling.
There is a 13% sales tax on the price of goods. Restaurants also have an additional 10% service tax.
If you want to use a mobile phone in Costa Rica, you must have an UNLOCKED cellular phone and purchase a prepaid SIM card. You can also visit the different telephone companies throughout the country which offer different options for prepaid cards, including internet access.
The electricity system is exactly the same as it is in the USA and Canada. Outlets are typical to North America and provide a current of 110 – 115 volts.
Costa Rica has a very low level of violent crime. However like all tourists areas, care should always be taken with your valuables. Use commons sense, such as not leaving valuables visible in a vehicle even if it is locked. Also, if you have car trouble or a flat, it is best not accept help from strangers. To be extra safe, it is recommended that if you do get out of your vehicle for any reason, even if you are repairing a flat, lock your doors.

The national currency is the Costa Rican colón. It is traded against the US Dollar and the rates vary from day to day but usually hover around 550 colónes for each USD. So for a rough ‘in your head’ estimate, converting colónes to USD is a simple matter of dividing by a thousand and doubling the result. For example, a 5,000 colónes bill = roughly $10 USD.

For those who want to be more accurate, just take the value of the bill, in this case $5,000 C, and divide it by the daily exchange rate, which is in this example is 550. Therefore the result will be 5000 / 550 = $9.09 USD.

Costa Rica´s outlets are 110 volts, with a standard duplex outlet, just like the USA and Canada!
The exit tax, via air is US $29.00 and US $7.00 by land payable in US dollars, colones or credit card at the Banco Crédito Agrícola de Cartago, Banco Lafise, or the Banco de Costa Rica. Some airlines already include this fee in the airline ticket; therefore, we recommend you consult your airline.
To call into Costa Rica from outside the country, dial “011-506” then the local 8 digit number.nTo call the USA or Canada from Costa Rica, dial “001”, then the area code + the local 7 digit number.nFor assistance on other international calliong see this handy link: how-to-call-abroad
All rental properties are smoke-free. However, smoking is allowed outside.
North: NicaraguanSouth: PanamanEast: Caribbean SeanWest: Pacific OceannnCosta Rica is divided into seven (7) provinces: Alajuela, Heredia, Cartago, San José, Puntarenas, Limón and Guanacaste.
Call 9-1-1 for immediate assistance. For tourist assistance, you can dial: 800-turismo..

The Colon is the currency of Costa Rica, although American Dollars and credit cards are certainly welcome. It is advisable to purchase goods in the local currency, as some shop owners may not provide the best exchange rates.

Visa card is generally more accepted than Mastercard. There are two ATMs available in Flamingo at Banco de Costa Rica and at the Banco Nacional.

The Tucan
5

Getting Around

Gasoline is sold by the liter and can be purchased with Costa Rican Colones, American Dollars, or credit cards. Nearly all the gas stations are full-service. It is a good idea to make sure the pump is zero’d prior to filling.
We recommend renting a 4×4. Some of the roads can be rather challenging, especially if you want to explore. There are private guides available for hire in the area if you prefer not to rent a car. Taxi’s are also available from the airport to Flamingo/Potrero area. Renting a car requires a little forethought here in Costa Rica. There are customs here that you are probably not used to so to better prepare you we have created the information page renting-a-car-in-costa-rica.
Anyone over the age of 18 holding a valid driver’s license from their country is permitted to drive for a period of three (3) months. However, you must be at least 21 years of age to rent an automobile.
You can contact SANSA at www.flysansa.com (506)2290-4100, or Nature Air at www.natureair.net (506)2299-6000. Both offer frequent service to the different tourist destinations within the country.
Rental cars are not allowed to leave the country.

There is no train service to destinations outside the Central Valley, the only existing service, is between Cartago-San José and San José-Heredia during the peak hours from 6:00 am to 8:00 am, and 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Service itineraries can be found at: http://www.incofer.go.cr/

6

Getting Married in Costa Rica

It is possible to marry in Costa Rica! The required documents are: a valid passport or valid travel documents and a sworn statement (affidavit) signed in the presence of a Costa Rican lawyer. If divorced, you will need the official documents of such divorce from your country or wherever the divorce was granted.
7

Language

Although Spanish is the native tongue here in Costa Rica, English is widely spoken throughout Guanacaste. The people here are very friendly and will gladly teach you a little Spanish while you are here

The main English-language newspaper is The Tico Times: www.ticotimes.net

8

Moving to Costa Rica

There are several ways to legalize your residency within Costa Rica:nn temporary residentn retiredn governmental international missionn and others…nnFor more information contact the Costa Rican Consulate, the Residents Association at www.arcr.net or you can visit the Department of Migration at www.migracion.go.cr

9

Shopping

There is a 13% sales tax on the price of goods. Restaurants also have an additional 10% service tax.

The national currency is the Costa Rican colón. It is traded against the US Dollar and the rates vary from day to day but usually hover around 550 colónes for each USD. So for a rough ‘in your head’ estimate, converting colónes to USD is a simple matter of dividing by a thousand and doubling the result. For example, a 5,000 colónes bill = roughly $10 USD.

For those who want to be more accurate, just take the value of the bill, in this case $5,000 C, and divide it by the daily exchange rate, which is in this example is 550. Therefore the result will be 5000 / 550 = $9.09 USD.

9

Tours & Adventure

The main difference is that in a rainforest the precipitation is higher. The flora and fauna differ from one type of forest to another as well.

You will need insect repellent, rain poncho, and comfortable shoes.
You can visit the Tortuguero National Park in the Caribbean and the Ostional Wildlife Refuge in the Pacific. You can download more information here: Ver folleto
White water rafting can be enjoyed on the: Pacuare, Reventazón, Corobicí, Sarapiquí, Naranjo and Savegre rivers. You can check out some tour operators for white water rafting on this page.
10

Working in & Costa Rica

You can apply for a work visa at the Costa Rican Consulate in your country. The link of the Costa Rican consulates abroad is: Costa Rican Consulates

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