To make  your stay in Costa Rica the most enjoyable experience, take into account these personal travelling tips.

Passport
It must be valid.  You need to have an airplane ticket good to go back.  To exit the country around $26.00 tax must be paid.  Your passport should have a validity from 1 to 3 months.

Entry requirements

Citizens holding valid passports from a wide range of countries are permitted to stay in Costa Rica from 30 to 90 days without a visa.  Once in the country, it is possible in some cases to apply for an extension.  Other nationalities require a visa before arrival.  Make sure to contact a Costa Rican embassy or consulate while making your travel plans.

Special Recommendations

1. Take along a photocopy of your passport.  Make sure a photograph of you is easily seen, your personal data and the date you entered the country have to be  in it too.
2. Deposit your valuable belongings (money, passport, plane tickets and travellers checks) in your hotel´s safety box
3. Keep a list of all the numbers and serial numbers of your personal documents
4. It is better not to carry jewellery with you.
5. Avoid changing money on the street.  Use banks or well known money exchange offices.  Check in your hotel for recommendations on the subject.  Try to take only the amount of money you are going to use during the day.
6. Don´t leave unattended objects such as cameras and video cameras.  Keep your wallet in a  an inconspicuous place.
7. Make sure you know the address where you are going.  Tell the people at your hotel about your destination.
8. Use cabs whose identifications are exhibited on the door.  The license plates must have red numbers and the cars must be too
9. When driving, do not give rides to people you don´t know.  Try not to park in dark or deserted spots.  Use parking lots.  These places are legally responsible for your car and anything left in it.  Tell the administrator about anything you want to leave in you car.
10. The emergency number is 911.  They speak English.

Electricity
There is 110 or 220 volts power all over the country.  Check with the people in your place before connecting any electrical devices on the line.


Currency
The colon is the official money.  The exchange rate varies from day to day.


Credit cards
Major international credit or debit cards are widely accepted


Tips and taxes
Always find out whether the 13% sales tax is included in the goods´s price you are purchasing.  In restaurants and bars an additional 10% is charged.  Tipping is optional there.

Renting a car
A current driver´s license is necessary, along with a credit card.  The drivers must be over 21 years old and a deposit should be paid.  You drive on the right side lane and the international traffic signs are used on streets and roads.

Cabs
Every city has a taxi fleet, they´re usually red.  You can get one at any hour.  Phone the cab company for one or just stop one on the street. 

Legal cabs have a meter that shows the service price.  As boarding a cab, see that the meter shows zeros, or negotiate with the cabby the price of your trip prior to start it.  Those cabs that have a license to wait at hotel´s doors charge twice as much for long distance services.

Time
Costa Rica is within the central standard time, but the time does not change during the year.

What to wear
Light clothes are recommended, but it may be wise to carry a sweater or jacket since nights tend to be cool.  At sea level, shorts are good enough.  If you plan to walk in the forest, long sleeve shirts, jeans, boots and a hat are more appropriate.  Be sure your clothes are made of cotton.  Don´t forget a mosquito repellent, sunglasses and suntan lotion or cream.  During the rainy season (May through November) a jacket and an umbrella re a must.

Telecommunications
Telephones, faxes, cellular phones, Internet, as well as audiovisual equipment are always at hand.


Phone calls to Costa Rica
Dial the access number from your country, then 506 and the number you need to reach.

Health
No vaccinations are required to enter the country.  It´s wise to keep in mind that some dengue cases on the coastal area have been reported.  There is drinking water across the country from the tap.  There may be a few exceptions to this.  Be sure to ask about it.

Holidays
On holidays all government and most public offices are closed.  These are the official holidays  New Year Day, Good Thrusday and Good Friday, April 11^th. (National Hero Juan Santamaria´s Day) May 1^st. (Labor Day), July25th. (Anexion of the Nicoya Party to Costa Rica), August 2^nd. (Los Angeles Virgin Day), August 15^th. (Mother´s Day), September 15^th. (Independence Day) and Christmas Day.

Office and business schedules
Most establishments work from Monday to Sunday and are open from 8:00 am. To 5:00 p.m. Some private business close at noon.  Bars and other recreation business are open still late at night.  Government offices open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 pm. From Monday to Friday.  Banks open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Some banks have offices that remain open until 6:00 p.m. or 7:00 p.m.

Spanish tips
If you don´t speak Spanish and are planning a trip to Costa Rica, here are some of the most common phrases you may need:

Embassies in Costa Rica