IMPORTANT INFORMATION

TRAVEL TO/FROM COSTA RICA:

Citizens from most countries can stay in Costa Rica for 90 days on a regular tourist visa, which you get when entering the country. A paid return ticket is necessary.

First, you must have a valid passport for all persons entering Costa Rica. No exceptions! Further, your passport must not expire within six months of date of arrival. This is being enforced! Make sure all passports have at least six months remaining before expiration, even if it is clear that one person, a child maybe, is not going to stay behind.

Personally, we witnessed in the airport in Atlanta, a very unhappy young woman who had to have an unplanned lay-over to have her passport renewed before she could join her family already in Costa Rica. We have also had a delayed departure from CR, because a passenger on the arriving flight had somehow passed through the system with a passport with less than the required 6 months left and was being denied entry – even for a week’s vacation. Of course, the personnel tried to find somebody who could bend the rules, causing the delay, but she had to return to the US.

We have also heard about people who have been refused entry because their passport was not in good condition (like after a trip in the washer).

If your passport is from a country other than the US, but you have to enter USA for a connecting flight, please see special rules here  https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/esta.html

If you are like most people visiting Costa Rica, you will not want to leave again. However, reality usually knocks.

When leaving, you will have to pay an exit tax of $ 26 per person, payable by cash in dollars or Colones or by. VISA credit card. (No other credit card is accepted!) Make sure you budget for this.

In case you wonder, this is how the $ 26 are distributed: $ 12.15 directly to the government of CR, $ 7.44 to the Board of Civil Aviation of CR, $ 5.41 to the airport administrator (Alterra Partners C.R.), and $ 1.00 to the expansion and modernization of other airports in CR.

Before getting in the line to check in, you must first go to the teller window, with your passport, to pay the tax. One person can do this on behalf of others, as long as all passports are in hand. The tax does not have to be paid on the day of departure. You can pay on arrival if that is more convenient (if somebody else can watch the luggage, for example.), or if you want to not have to add time for this step on the day of departure. Wait times in line for the teller vary, but plan on having about 20 minutes for this step.

The form that you receive after paying the tax must be filled out, before you get to the check-in counter!

There will be plenty of staff around to tell you where to go next.

Your luggage will be checked several times, especially your carry-on. The security checks mandated by the US TSA will be enforced regarding liquids and powders. If you buy coffee – and you should – pack it in your checked luggage, it is not allowed in your carry-on.

MONEY:

Traveler’s checks should be accepted, but often are not, because the banks put a hold those for up to 60 days, and then still might not accept them. Cash works – and most places will gladly take US dollars, but will make change in colones. The dollar/colones exchange rate is a “lively” one, in both directions, and you will get the best one in a bank so don’t exchange too much at a time, if you do choose to get some colones.

Credit cards are not readily accepted everywhere, and many places will add 13-16 % if you pay with a card.  "Banco Popular" has an ATM machine accepting Visa cards in Nosara (at the mall next to Café de Paris, open Monday-Saturday, 8:30 – 3:00 weekly and 9:00 – 11:00 on Saturday). The ATM machines at "Banco Nacional" will accept Master Cards, but for now, the closest branch office is in Samara. There is also a large branch in Nicoya.

Tipping: You should notice on your bill at all hotels a 10% service tax plus a 3% tourist tax by law, and many restaurants add a 10% service charge which they use as additional payment to their employees. However, additional tipping is still recommended for staff, porters and waiters. It is not necessary to tip taxi drivers. However, for private transport services in tour situations, where the driver doubles as a guide, tipping is normal.

SAFETY:

Before leaving home, make copies of your passport and any other travel documents you have (hotel, rental car info). Leave one set of copies with somebody at home, bring another set with you. After arrival, find a place where you can make a copy of the page of your passport with the entry stamp. Leave the originals, along with most of your money, credit cards and valuables locked safely in your hotel or vacation rental. (Street value of a US passport is allegedly $ 5,000!, so keep it safe.) If you are stopped by police, a copy will suffice to prove who you are, but they will also want to see proof of when you entered the country, and they might want you to produce the real thing.

Wear your seat belts!! Mostly to stay safer, but also because it is the law, and police have check points. When in a car, in slow going traffic, do not leave your bags or valuables in plain sight on the seat, while driving with windows rolled down. Do not pick up hitch hikers, and do not stop because somebody makes signs that your car has a problem.

Be a smart tourist! Costa Rica is a country with great differences between those who HAVE and those who HAVE NOT of material things, causing a few to take or make opportunities to enrich themselves. This link offers some good advise http://www.infocostarica.com/travel/safety.html  Bear in mind that there is a lot of difference between being in a large city and being at the beach.

In our opinion, the Ticos are the rich ones. May their values prevail!

NEVER, EVER leave anything of value visible in your car or unattended on the beach. Why ruin your vacation for a silly mistake? Always go straight to your hotel and vacation rental and unload your things before heading to the beach. If you want to bring a camera and some money with to the beach, don't leave it alone without keeping a close eye on it. You can get great water proof cases to wear around your neck.

Personally, we have never felt we had reason to be afraid, and we have both traveled alone. We love the Ticos and have only respect for them and their willingness to let us share in the marvels of their country.

ENJOY YOUR TIME IN PURA VIDA LAND – LAND OF SUNSHINE AND SMILES.