Costa Rica Country Dossier

"Costa Rica is a paradise for nature lovers, with an overwhelming breadth of scenery and wildlife. There are active volcanoes that belch lava and clouds of sulphur, lush rainforest that teems with birdlife, remote cloud forest that offers unrivalled wildlife viewing opportunities, and perfect tropical beaches."

• Factfile
• Preparing to go
• Money
• Cultural & Environmental Guidelines
• Arrival
• On Tour
• General Information

Factfile

Capital: San Jose
Official Language: Spanish, English
Religions: Roman Catholics 76%, Evangelical 14%, others 10%
Voltage: 110 volts. US Style two pronged plugs

Preparing to go

Visas

Most nationals do not need a visa to enter Costa Rica, but it is important to check the rules for your nationality with your nearest embassy or consulate. Entry is granted on production of a passport valid for more than 6 months and proof of funds to support yourself (although proof is not usually requested). As a tourist you are entitled to 30 days, however depending on the immigration official you may be granted less days. You will probably be asked to fill out an immigration card. A copy of this card should stay in your passport until you exit the country.

Money

Local Currency

The monetary unit in Costa Rica is the Colon (C) Approximate exchange rates (as at May 2008) are as follows:

1 Pound Sterling: 967 C
1 US Dollar: 495 C
1 Euro: 763 C

XE.com is a useful site for currency conversion.

Changing Money, Credit Cards & ATMs

The Imaginative Traveller Recommends: Bring a combination of cash and traveller's cheques (in US$). Notes should be blemish free.

We recommend that you bring cash/travellers cheques in US Dollars. These can be changed at Change Houses (Casas de Cambio), banks and border crossings. It is best to change money into colons as soon as you arrive. Whilst purchases can be made in US$ it is favourable to pay in local currency. San Jose is an ideal place to stock up on local cash. There is no restriction on the amount of foreign currency that you may bring into Costa Rica, however very large sums should be declared on arrival. ATM machines (cajeros automaticos) are available in San Jose, and accept most major cards i.e. Visa, Plus and Cirrus/Maestro. Finding an ATM that will accept your card in the rest of Costa Rica however, can be difficult.

Cash advances are available from the bank with visa cards. Most banks will request to see your passport.

Credit cards are accepted in major outlets however authorisation is sometimes denied due to poor computer connections. Often commissions are charged on these transactions.

Important Note: There have been problems reported with the use of Mastercard in Costa Rica, so please do not rely on this type of card.

Remember that once out of Costa Rica you will generally not be able to use or exchange colones (except at the border towns). Therefore you must make sure you spend/exchange/donate any left over money before leaving the country.

Working out your Budget

The Pre-Departure Booklet contains general information about organising your spending money. Your Tour Leader will be able to advise you on local facilities.

Below are some specific notes relevant to our trips in Costa Rica.

Departure Tax

International airport departure tax: US$26

Entrance Fees

The factfinder at the beginning of each tour dossier lists what entrance fees are included for the tour. There are, however, other sites and museums which you may wish to visit in your free time. For example the Jade and Gold Museums in San Jose (US$2 and US$5 respectively) and the hiring of snorkels/bicycles or surf/boogie boards (US$3-8 per hour). Also the entrance to small animal centres such as the Frog Farm, Butterfly Garden and Ecological Farm in Monteverde (US$5-8 each per entry)

Local Transport

Taxis are recommended for most journeys in San Jose. All taxis should have a meter but it’s a good idea to be aware of what the approximate price should be before getting in the taxi. In other Costa Rican towns and cities, walking is by far the best and cheapest way to get around.

Approx fares (all prices are per taxi) from our hotels in San Jose (centre) to:

• Airport - US$15-18
• Bus Terminals - US$2-3
• Most of El Centro - US$1-2

Please Note: More expensive at night

Food & Drink Budget

As a guideline a simple snack (e.g. a sandwich) can cost as little as US$0.60, and a cheap local meal will cost around US$1.50-3. A meal in one of the best restaurants in San Jose costs very little in comparison to what you would expect to pay at home (usually around US$15-30). Obviously this depends on what you order and if you have wine or other drinks this will certainly increase the bill. In cheaper restaurants (called Sodas) you can get meals for as little as US$1.50.

All drinks such as water, soft or alcoholic drinks are at your own expense at all times. The following is a guideline for drinks bought in a shop in the street. Prices in restaurants and hotels can sometimes be more than double the prices specified below:

• 1 litre of water - US$1
• 30cl bottle of soft drink - US$1
• 30cl bottle of beer - US$1.50
• 50cl bottle of beer - US$2

What to Take

The Pre-Departure Booklet that you will receive once you have booked your tour contains a comprehensive list of items that you should consider bringing with you. Please also check your Trip Dossier for any special requirements.

The Imaginative Traveller Recommends: Bring a backpack or easy to carry luggage and travel light! You will have to carry your own luggage frequently – don't let this be an ordeal!

Clothing

As a general guideline, clothing should be lightweight, loose fitting, hard-wearing and easily washed. In the hot summer months, cotton clothing is much more comfortable than man-made materials like nylon. Be prepared for cooler evenings - for this reason you will generally find it better to pack several thin layers rather than one thick layer. A fleece can be invaluable and double as a pillow. Water resistant jackets and trousers are useful during the rainy season between May and October.

Luggage
It is important to bring durable soft luggage or a back pack as this is a lot more practical to transport. Other essential items that we recommend you to bring can be found listed on the trip dossiers.

Prepare Yourself
Whilst few of our tours can be described as physically demanding you will find all activities more enjoyable if you are reasonably fit and active.

Cultural & Environmental Guidelines

The Environment

Toilet
Whenever you use a western or squat style toilet please place your toilet paper in the rubbish bin provided – DO NOT flush it down the toilet as this may block the sewerage system. You may also want to carry your own toilet paper as not all toilets will supply it.

The Imaginative Traveller Recommends: You may find it useful to take along a supply of antiseptic gel (i.e. water free soap) and plastic bags to put your toilet paper in if it cannot be burnt/placed in a bin.

Litter
Throwing rubbish on the floor may be acceptable to some locals, but please hold on to your waste until you find a litterbin or somewhere appropriate to dispose of it.

Shopping
Costa Rican coffee is world renowned and plentiful throughout the region. Often local supermarkets are the best and cheapest places to buy it. Make sure you get ‘puro’ (no added sugar).

There are some great markets to explore in San Jose. Bargaining is expected when shopping in markets, but in shops is considered rude. You may however ask for a discount (descuento).

Arrival

Arrival Transfers

Upon arrival at San Jose International Airport, please look for our representative who will be holding an Imaginative Traveller sign.

Making Your Own Way

San Jose airport is located roughly 17km from the city centre. At the airport there is a reservation desk for taxi services. They offer a set rate taxi carriage from the airport to certain destinations within the city (approx US$15-18). You simply purchase a ticket to the required destination (give them the name of the hotel) and present it to the driver. There is no cash transaction between the client and the driver, and these services are generally safe and reliable.

There are also public buses to the centre. These buses make regular stops directly in front of the airport. Buses cost 210 colones (approx 50 cents) and depart every 5 minutes. The bus will take you to a terminal located at the western end of San Jose. This is within walking distance of the cities main public bus terminal the ‘Coca Cola Bus Terminal’ Taxis are available from here and it will cost approx 1000 colones (US$2.50) to get to the hotel.

The Meeting Point for your tour should be clearly marked on your travel vouchers. A complete list of all meeting point hotels can also be found at www.imtravdossiers.com. If you have not arranged for us to meet and transfer you on arrival, it is a relatively simple matter to make your own way to the meeting point.

On Tour

Safety

Crime in Latin America is not as bad as its reputation as long as you are sensible and alert. Costa Rica is one of the safer countries in Central America but like anywhere in the world you can be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Care should be taken, especially when walking around the larger cities. Try to keep away from dark quiet areas when on your own, particularly late at night. We suggest that whenever possible you leave your important documents in a safe (‘caja fuertes’) however you should always carry some form of ID or a photocopy of your passport.

It is advisable not to wear expensive looking watches or jewellery and don’t carry a wallet in your back pocket or carry loose hanging bags. Keep your camera concealed when not in use. Remember that most thieves don't use violence but rely mostly on diversionary tactics which can take place at anytime of the day or night. Do not be paranoid, but just be aware that it could happen at anytime. Always be vigilant and the chances are nothing will ever happen to you. The safety of our passengers is our tour leaders’ number one concern and they will provide all necessary local information during the pre-departure meeting.

If you have any safety concerns you should mention these to your tour leader immediately.

Tour Leaders & Guides

Your Tour Leader's role is to ensure all aspects of the trip run smoothly. He/she will share their local knowledge, advise on how to fill your free time and co-ordinate the day to day running of the tour – although occasionally he/she may need your understanding if things do not go according to plan. If you have any problems on the tour, please let your Tour Leader know so that steps can be taken to put it right. Tour Leaders are supported by our regionally based office staff and, in most cases, a locally based manager.

Please note that some styles of trip, such as Imaginative Escapes or Imaginative Honeymoons, do not have a Tour Leader. However, there will be representatives on hand who will be able to assist you in arranging any excursions that you wish you take.

Accommodation

Our main criterion for choosing hotels is cleanliness. On Adventurer tours hotels are simple, but comfortable. Bathroom facilities may sometimes be shared and rooms may sometimes be multi share rather than twin. Hotels on Traveller tours almost always have private bathrooms, air conditioning and bar / restaurant facilities. Please bear in mind that hotels can sometimes suffer from minor problems and technical difficulties.

At each hotel your Tour Leader will try to organise the rooming arrangements to suit everyone's requirements. If you are travelling alone you will be allocated a room with another group member of the same sex (unless you have paid a single supplement). If you are travelling as a couple please note that we cannot guarantee the availability of double beds.

Note: Single supplements are only applicable to single travellers who wish to have their own room. Single supplements are also only available on Traveller tours and are not applicable on overnight boats, trains and while camping.

Laundry

A laundry service is available in most of the hotels we use.

Local Food & Drink

Food
There is a lot of different food to choose from in Costa Rica. Local cuisine is simple, tasty and not too spicy, but can be heavy on oil at times ! ‘Gallo pinto’ the national dish of fried rice and black beans is commonly served with breakfast. A gallo pinto made in coconut milk (on the Caribbean side) is particularly good.

At lunch gallo pinto becomes ‘casado’, rice and beans supplemented with cabbage and tomato salad, fried platains, (sweet bananas), and meat. Other common meals include ‘arroz con pollo’ (rice with chicken) and ‘arroz con atun’ (with tuna). Vegetables do not form a large part of the diet, but there is always salad.

Drinks
You should be wary of drinking the local tap water, especially in small towns. Bottled water and carbonated soft drinks are widely available. If you want still bottled water ask for ‘agua natural, sin gas’ (no gas).

Costa Rican fruit is really fresh and cheap. There are many juice stands that serve delicious ‘batido de fruta’ (fruit smoothie). Always specify if you don’t want sugar (‘sin azucar’) Latin Americans have a very sweet tooth and normally add sugar automatically to drinks.

The best tea and coffee is unfortunately generally exported, so it’s hard to get a nice cuppa in Costa Rica. Coffee is served very strong with hot milk, and teabags are served in a cup of hot milk unless you ask for ‘leche fria seperado’ (cold milk on the side)

There are countless lagers and a few dark beers in Costa Rica. The most common are Bavaria and Imperial.

Costa Rica has no national drink, but ‘horchata’ a cinnamon flavoured cornmeal drink is a favourite of the locals.

Special Dietary Requirements

Vegetarians
If you are a strict vegetarian you may experience a distinct lack of variety in the food available, especially in small towns. You might find that you are eating a lot of omelettes, rice and beans, or salad dishes. Our tour leaders will do their best to organise interesting vegetarian alternatives for included meals, but your patience and understanding is requested.

Food Allergies
If you have food allergies or preferences, please make them known to your tour leader who will do their best to ensure that your requirements are met.

Please note: Unfortunately we can give no guarantee that special requirements can always be met.

Communications

Email
As with everywhere, the easiest and cheapest form of communication is via the internet. You will find internet cafes in every major Cost Rican town/city. The average cost is approx. US$1 per hour. Connection is generally slower and prices higher in the smaller more remote places.

Phone
For international calls you can buy a local phone card ‘tarjeta de telefono’ these are readily available in San Jose and can be used from any phone in Costa Rica. There are ‘199’ and ‘197’ cards. You just dial these numbers, enter your code on the back of the card and dial the number you wish to call. As an example, a 3000 colones card (US$7) will give you approx 10 mins talk time to the UK.

Optional Excursions in Costa Rica

Canopy zip-line tours US$40 normally around 2 hours with 10 to 12 lines of adrenalin rush. There are several opportunities to try this in Costa Rica.

Canopy hanging bridges US$20

Horse riding US$30 - 60 Half day to full day trips through beautiful landscape.

Canyonering US$85 Another adrenaline rush you never will forget, repelling down waterfalls up to 50 meters high.

Mountain biking US$45

Cano Negro tour US$55 On this day tour up to Cano Negro National Wildlife Refuge, close to the Nicaraguan border is not only beautiful but you also are guaranteed to see a lot of wildlife.

Cerro Chato hike US$65 About 5 hours hike in the morning up to the crater of Cerro Chato an extinct volcano next to Arenal.

Snorkel tours US$20

Turtle watch US$20 - 35 Normally 2 to 3 hours walk on the beach looking for turtle tracks at night.

Jungle walks US$15 - 20

Mangrove boat tour US$ 45 - 50 A half day mangrove tour in Damas near Manuel Antonio with a lot of interesting wildlife, lunch or dinner is included in the tour.

Coffee tour US$20 Visit one of the coffee plantations in Costa Rica and learn about all the stages of coffee production.

General Information

Weather

Costa Rica’s weather is influenced by the altitude. The pacific coast is drier while the Atlantic coast has the most rainfall (about 300 days per year) The temperature in San Jose ranges from a high of 27C to a low of 14C. The wet season is from May till October, the hottest months are normally March and April.

San Jose, Costa Rica

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sept	Oct	Nov	Dec
24/14	24/14	26/15	27/16	26/16	26/16	26/16	26/16	26/16	25/15	25/15	24/15

Costa Rica Meteorological Authority

Holidays

National Holidays

• Jan 1st - New Year’s Day
• March 19 – Feast of St Joseph (San Jose’s patron Saint.
• Apr 11 - Anniversary of the Battle of Rivas
• Easter - Maundy Thursday to Easter Sunday
• May 1 – Labour Day
• Jun 10 – Corpus Christi
• Jun 29 – St Peter and St Paul
• Jul 25 – Anniversary of the Annexation of Guanacaste Province
• Aug 2 – Our Lady of the Angels
• Aug 15 – Assumption / Mothers Day
• Sep 15 – Independence day
• Oct 12 – Columbus Day / Dia de las Culturas
• Dec 8th - Immaculate Conception

Costa Rica Public Holidays

Suggested Reading

Guidebooks

• Rough Guide to Costa Rica

Useful Phrases in Spanish

• Hello - Hola
• Goodbye - Adios
• How are things? - Que tal
• Please - Por favor
• Thank you - Gracias
• Yes - Si
• No - No
• Excuse me/sorry - Permiso
• How much is it? - Cuanto cuesta
• Too expensive - Es demasiado caro

Spanish Numbers

• 1 - uno
• 2 - dos
• 3 - tres
• 4 - cuatro
• 5 - cinco
• 5 - seis
• 6 - siete
• 8 - ocho
• 9 - nueve
• 10 - diez
• 20 - veinte
• 30 - treinta
• 100 - cien
• 1000 - mil