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  • Home
  • Costa Rica

    About Costa Rica

    • About Costa Rica
    • Knowing Costa Rica
    • What makes Costa Rica Unique?

    About CR 2

    • Sustainability
    • National Parks
    • Climate
    • FAQ's

    Information

    • Bus Itinerary
    • Costa Rica Blog
    • Find some Balance
  • Things To Do

    Things to Do 1

    • Digital Nomads
    • Adventure
    • Sun and Beaches
    • Ecotourism

    Things to do 2

    • Culture
    • Families
    • Rural Tourism

    Things to do 3

    • Birdwatching
    • Honeymoon and Weddings
    • Wellness

    Things to do 4

    • Cruises
    • Meetings and Incentives
    • Greatest Wildlife Spectacles
  • Where to Go

    col 1

    • Guanacaste
    • Caribbean

    col 2

    • Puntarenas
    • Central Valley

    Col Mapa

    • Northern Plains
    • Central Pacific

    Col 3 where

    • South Pacific
    • Costa Rica Maps
  • Planning your trip

    Touristic Service Providers

    • Suggested itineraries
    • Accommodations
    • Airlines Flying to Costa Rica
    • Rent A Cars in Costa Rica

    Travel Information

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    • Entry Requirements
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    • Tourism Information Centers

    Agencias

    • Bus Itinerary
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    • Local Travel Agencies

    Service Providers 2

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  • More

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FAQ's

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Home » Costa Rica » FAQ's
Frequently asked questions

1. Do I need a passport to go to Costa Rica?

A valid passport is mandatory to enter Costa Rica.

2. Do I need a visa to go to Costa Rica?

Depending on your country of origin, you may enter Costa Rica without a visa. USA, Canada and most European countries enjoy this privilege. For more information, please visit: Visas

3. Can I enter Costa Rica with a one way ticket?

Whether traveling by air, land, or sea, all visitors must have an entry and exit ticket in order to enter the country.

4.Do I need an international driver´s license to drive in Costa Rica?

With a legal driver’s license, you are allowed to drive for three months.

5. Can I get married in Costa Rica? What documents do I need?

Non-residents can marry in Costa Rica. It is necessary to have the following documents: -original birth certificate - affidavit of singleness - passport - divorce (if applicable). These documents must follow the authentication procedure before being brought to Costa Rica.

6. What is the difference between the rain forest and the cloud forest?

The main difference is the amount of rain. It doesn´t rain as much in the cloud forest as it does in the rain forest. The species of flora and fauna found in each may also differ.

7. Is the water drinkable in Costa Rica?

The water is potable in most of the country. However, we recommend bottled water, especially in areas around the coast.

8. What is the currency in Costa Rica?

The colón is the currency of Costa Rica. US dollars and major credit cards are also widely accepted.

9. Are credit cards accepted in Costa Rica?

All major credit cards are widely accepted. ATM machines are located throughout the country.

10. What kind of vaccinations should I have to enter Costa Rica?

Starting on July 30, 2007, the Costa Rican authorities will demand that all travelers from the following countries possess a yellow fever vaccination certificate: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Bolivia, Venezuela, Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, and the Republic of Guyana.

11. Do I need an electric adapter for a hair drier?

Outlets are 110 V, with standard US two prong plugs.

12. What documents are required to enter with a pet to Costa Rica?

Dogs and cats entering Costa Rica must have a health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian, endorsed by a veterinarian service (VS) veterinarian. The examination for the certificate must be conducted within the two weeks prior to traveling to Costa Rica. The required vaccinations are: distemper, hepatitis, lestospirosis, parvovirus and rabies (for animals 4 months or older).

13. How much is the departure tax?

Departure tax is US$29.00, which can be paid in US Dollars, colones or with a credit card.

14. How can I get a working visa?

You must process the work visa at the Costa Rican Consulate located in your country of residence.

15. How can I apply for legal residency in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica offers different types for a legal residence: temporary resident, pensioner or investor, mission of foreign governments. For more information please contact the Consulate of Costa Rica in your country or here: https://www.migracion.go.cr/Paginas/Categor%C3%ADa%20Migratorias%20(Extranjer%C3%ADa)/Primera-Vez.aspx

16. Which national parks have wheelchair access or universal trails?

The National Parks that offer universal and accessible trails are: Carara National Park, Manuel Antonio, Santa Rosa and Los Quetzales. In the following link you can see the beaches that also have wheelchair access: https://costaricaturismoaccesible.com/donatapa/playa-accesible/

17. Is there a tour operator offering special tours for handicapped people?

Kosta Rhoda offers special trips for the handicapped.

18. If I decide to stay longer than 90 days, can I get a visa while I am there?

At the end of 90 days, you must leave the country for at least 72 hours. Upon returning to Costa Rica, the permit will be renewed automatically for 90 more days.

19. What should I bring when visiting the rain forest?

All you need is insect repellent, a rain coat with a hood and a comfortable pair of hiking boots.

20. Are there domestic airlines that travel within the country?

You can contact SANSA at ww.flysansa.com (506)2221-9414.

21. What is the value add tax (IVA) in Costa Rica?

Value add tax is 13%

22. What number should I dial in case of emergency?

Dial 911 for immediate assistance.

23. Are there English written newspapers?

The Tico Times. www.ticotimes.net (506)2258-1558

24. When do you celebrate Carnivals?

Limon Carnivals are celebrated in October, and Puntarenas has them from February 21 to March 3rd.

25. Where can you observe turtle spawning?

In a regulated way it can be observed in the Tortuguero National Park in the Caribbean, in the Las Baulas National Marine Park and Ostional Beach in the Pacific.

26. What are Costa Rica’s natural boundaries?

Costa Rica is bordered by Nicaragua in the north, Panama in the South, the Caribbean Sea in the East and the Pacific Ocean in the West.

27. How is Costa Rica politically divided?

Costa Rica is divided into 7 provinces: San Jose, Heredia, Alajuela, Cartago, Limon, Puntarenas and Guanacaste.

28. Can I use my cell phone in Costa Rica?

If you want to use a cell phone in Costa Rica, you must bring an UNLOCKED cell phone and buy a SIM prepaid card at the ICE (the national telecommunications company) booth in the baggage section of the airport (or in a telephone company office in any city around the country). The unlocked cell phone must be a quad-band GSM or 3G handset or at least have an 850 or 1800 mHz band. Most US phones use 950 mHz. Motorola and Sony Ericcson are brands that have models with the right bands. At the airport ICE booth, you can ask for the different SIM prepaid cards they offer and it will be inserted in your handset. Some of them will include internet access.

29. What's included in the rental price of a vehicle in Costa Rica?

When you are sent a quote or the reservation notice for a car, it is recommended that you ask about the cost of insurance and taxes, as well as the amount of the deductible that will be charged to the credit card or security deposit. Similarly, if you reserve with a franchise, the best advice is to contact the franchise office here in Costa Rica.

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