Enter Costa Rica
US, Canadian, and European citizens can enter
with a valid passport. Law requires that you carry your passport
(or a copy of your passport) with you at all times. After 90 days
you must leave the country for at least 72 hours. Many travelers
often go to Panama or Nicaragua and enter the country again. Remember
that your passport has to be valid for at least six months. The
law also requires purchase an outgoing flight that is within one
year of the entry flight, either a round trip ticket, or to another
country, in order to gain entry to Costa Rica.
Departure Costa Rica
You must pay a fee at the airport, when leaving
the country. Currently the fee is $ 27 and must be paid in cash
or by credit card. Master Card is not accepted.
Getting around by car
If it is your plan to explore the countryside,
plan on using a four wheel drive. In rainy season you will encounter
potholes bigger than most cars, and you may also find yourself crossing
rivers. If you get involved in an accident, don't leave the car
but wait for traffic police. Never give money to the traffic police.
They are not allowed to accept it. Never leave your car in San José
in an unguarded parking lot. You will often find people on the street
offering to guard your car. Give them some money but do not expect
them to do so.
Getting around by bus
City Buses
The bus system is widespread and cheap. You pay
the driver when entering the bus. Always carry some coins in your
trousers pocket, as you do not want to show your purse on the street
or in the bus. Most of the streets in central San José are
one-way roads. So the bus almost never takes the same way back and
the bus stops are not in the same street .Some buses connect San
José with one suburb. The busses are named after the suburb
they pass. The bus stops are spread all over the city and there
is no bus that connects them. You will have to walk if you want
to take several busses. As well there is one bus which connects
some suburbs so you won't have to go to San José. After that
time you have to take a taxi. The last buses go between nine and
eleven in the evening.
Overland
From San José you can go almost anywhere.
The trips are very inexpensive as well. There are different bus
companies for each region. You can choose between regular buses
which stop often or direct buses which are a bit more expensive
but faster. Going by regular bus is a good way to learn about the
country and its people. In the direct busses you will find more
tourists. The bus terminals are as spread all over the city although
most of them are located in the Coca Cola district.
Getting around by taxi
Taxis are the quickest and most convenient (if
more expensive) way of traveling around the city. Look for licensed
cabs that are red with a yellow triangle on the door with running
meters inside. If the driver doesn't turn it on, ask the driver
to do so. If he refuses, then get out immediately and find a different
cab.
Be careful of illegal taxis that look like regular
cars, taxis without the triangle or even taxis with a painted triangle
on the side. Regardless, they are all illegal and can take advantage
of tourists. These "piratas" often charge double of the
regular amount. If you know how much the fair costs, tell the driver
he is overcharging you and do not pay more.
Women should sit in the back of the taxi, never
in the front.
Best time for traveling
The main season in Costa Rica is from December
through April. There is no rain during this time, therefore there
are many tourists and the prices rise.
Late November is a good time to visit Costa Rica
because the rainy season is almost finished and the tourists haven't
arrived yet. Early July is also a good month for travel because
it is the beginning of the rainy season but it rains less. If you
want to go rafting you shouldn't come in the dry season because
the water level of the rivers will be low.
If you don't mind getting a little wet in the afternoon, come during
the rainy
(= green) season. During this time the country is lush and green,
and if you are lucky you can have the beach to yourself. In the
begriming of the rainy season, the day will be sunny and beautiful
until 2pm.
Although Costa Rica is a very small country, it has many different
climates. The Caribbean side has a different climate than the Pacific
coast, which differs from the Central Valley, and so on. While the
Pacific Side receives rain from July to November, the Caribbean
Coast has a different rainy season. It rains during the whole year,
but much less in October.
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