General
Information
 For years, Costa
Rica was the well-kept secret of a few biologists,
backpackers, and beachcombers, but that's all changed.
Today, the country is a major international vacation
destination. Despite this newfound popularity, Costa
Rica remains a place rich in natural wonders and
biodiversity but relatively young in infrastructure
and luxurious beach resorts and hotels. Costa Rica
is a great gateway to Central America and a good
choice, when the Caribbean and Mexico have become
old hat. Here, you can still find uncrowded and
unpoiled beaches that stretch on for miles, small
lodgings that haven't attracted hordes of tourists,
jungle rivers for rafting and kayaking, spectacular
scuba diving , and cloud and rain forests with ample
opportunities for bird watching and hiking.
Costa Rica extends majestically from the Pacific
Ocean to the Caribbean Sea, and its distance is
barely 200 miles. Its land portion ocuppies only
20 thousand square miles.
Costa Rica’s territorial division includes 7 provinces
which are: San José, Alajuela, Cartago, Heredia,
Guanacaste, Puntarenas and Limón. Together
they offer an many exciting tourist destinations,
with nearly unlimited possibilities, including extense
rainforests, volcanoes, rivers travelling through
the mountains, beaches and natural resources safeguarded
by an important organization of national parks and
forest reserves.
If you travel throughout these provinces of Costa
Rica, it’s easy to notice that in no other place
will you find fields with so many variations in
their landscape and climate as here.
The Caribbean Province is Limón. This a region
where you will find vast differences from the rest
of the country. Just 212 km long, its caribbean
coastline offers a wide variety of attractions,
and consists of two very different regions. The
first stretches from north of Moín to the
mouth of the Río San Juan, with a regular
and open coastline, extensive beaches, dark sand
and strong surf. Extending southward from Moín
to the mouth of the Río Sixaola, the second
region has a much more irregular coastline characterized
by inlets and coral reefs in several areas. Along
this stretch of coast are the region’s most popular
beaches.
 This province’s
geographic and climatic characteristics provide
extraordinary scenic and ecological wealth. In addition
to its coastal riches, the region offers alluvial
plains, marshlands, rivers, waterfalls, lagoons,
canals, lush, always green forests, hills, mountains,
valleys and more, all sheltering thousands of plants
and animals belonging to various life zones distinctive
and unique to the Caribbean.
Guanacaste is the province where most diving takes
place on the Pacific Coast. Guanacaste is towered
with volcanoes, has beautiful beaches, abundant
wildlife, and friendly people! Whether your interest
is eco-tourism, bird watching, adventure sports,
fishing or just relaxing on an isolated beach, you
will find it here. The hotel industry in Guanacaste
has undergone a major boost in growth during the
last several years and now compete with many other
tourist destinations. There is now easier access
through the Daniel Oduber international Airport
located in Liberia just 45 min from Tamarindo /
Flamingo or Conchal beach areas. And with so much
to do, it’s easy to understand why so many people
come to visit this amazing province.
Costa Rica´s year round climate is pleasant
with naturally occurring breezes cooling down most
of the coastal areas. Temperatures in the highlands
and the mountains are warm by day and brisk at night
giving an "eternal spring" feeling. The
average annual temperatures range from 31.7°C
(89°F) on the coast to 16.7°C (62°F)
inland. The rainy, or green, season lasts from May
to December with noticeably drier days during the
rest of the year.
Dive
Centers & Accommodations
Getting
There
By Air
Located in the middle of Central America, Costa Rica
is easy to reach. Most major international carriers
conveniently serve San Jose, the capital city. You
can also fly directly to the Guanacaste Region.
From the US
The largest gateways for flights to Costa Rica are
Miami and Houston, with other flights originating
from Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, L.A., New York, Newark,
and Washington, D.C. Basic round-trip fares to San
José, Costa Rica range from US$500-1200. Standard
commercial carriers like American, Continental, and
United offer the most convenient flights, but might
not be the cheapest, unless you grab a special promotion
or airfare war ticket. Charter flights sometimes run
from Canada, but scheduled flights are routed through
the US. You might find cheaper fares by flying on
a Latin American airline like Lacsa, Taca, Copa, or
MartinAir. Otherwise, check online or consult a travel
agent about discount airfares.
From Canada
Air Canada has a direct flight once per week from
Toronto.
From Europe
British Airways flies from London to San José.
Iberia flies from Spain with direct connections to
San José. Alitalia flies from Italy to Miami,
Caracas, and Santo Domingo, and Taca provides passengers
with a connecting flight. LTU provides services from
Germany.
Domestic Airlines
SANSA at www.flysansa.com
(506)221-9414
Nature Air at www.natureair.net
(506) 220-3054
Ocean Travel
Numerous cruise lines call at Costa Rican ports,
including Holland America, Costa, Royal Caribbean,
Princess, Celebrity, Carnival, Radisson and more.
Entry Requirements
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 Germany dependencies, 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,
Czech Republic and Uruguay.
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 & Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados,
Belize, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Chile, Dominica, El Salvador,
Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Iceland, Ireland,
Jamaica, Kenya, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines,
Russia, Saint Kitts/Nevis, San Marino, St. Lucia,
St. Vincent, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Suriname,
Taiwan, Turkey, The Vatican, Venezuela, Estonia and
Monaco.
Citizens of all countries not listed above are required
a visa from a Costa Rican embassy or consulate before
traveling.
Custom regulations
No customs duties are charged on personal luggage,
which includes a series of items for personal, professional,
non-commercial use. Costa Rican laws require checked
luggage to be screened and travelers to fill out customs
declarations declaring the value of any item in their
possession, including fruits, vegetables, meat and
by- products, biological products such as vaccinations,
serums, etc. The head of a family may make a joint
declaration for all members residing in the same household
and traveling together to Costa Rica.
Travel Tips
Getting Around
The majority of Costa Ricans do not own cars, so public
transportation is quite well developed, although transport
to towns other than San José is limited. Most
multi-destination trips will require backtracking
into San José and then catching another bus
outward again.
The buses are not that comfortable and to the uninitiated
and faint-of-heart the system can seem incredibly
chaotic, but ask any Costa Rican for advice and they'll
point you in the right direction. The good news is
that the fares are generally cheap - no destination
is more than 9.00 away. There are three major bus
terminals in San José: the Coca-Cola terminal
is about a 20-minute walk east from the city centre,
down Avenida 1; there's the understated Atlántico
Norte terminal; and the Caribe, terminal north of
Avenida 13 on Calle Central.
Taxis are considered a viable form of public transportation
for long journeys, and can be hired by the day, half-day
or hour. Cars and motorcycles can also be rented in
San José.
Rental Cars
Daily rates range from US$25 to around US$100, depending
on class of vehicle. Most agencies have weekly rates,
as well.
Agencies in Costa Rica generally do not recognize
credit card insurance and will require you to buy
theirs at a cost of US$12 to US$20 per day.
Driving
Your regular license, along with your passport or
Tourist Card, are all that you need to drive in the
country.
Water
The water is potable in most of the country. We recommend
using bottled water, specially in areas around the
coast.
Credit Cards
Almost all hotels and tourist establishments take
at least one type of credit card. The most widely
accepted are Visa and Mastercard. American Express
is nearly as widely accepted. Most tourist oriented
businesses will also cash travelers checks. You will
also find ATM machines distributed throughout the
country.
Electricity
Outlets are 110 V, with standard US two prong plugs.
Electricity is available in all but the most remote
areas. Many remote places not serviced by the utility
company have local generators.
Health
No immunizations are required for visitors. Costa
Rica is well known for providing world-class healthcare
and beauty services.
Communications
Costa Rica has satellite connections with all the
Central American countries, the United States, Europe,
Canada, Mexico, South America, Asia and Africa. Apart
from direct dialing, fax and telex communications
to most of the countries in the world, it has an efficient
mailing system and offers several courier services.
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