Are you coming to visit us? We recommend taking this information into account …
Airport
Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO).
The International Airport Juan Santamaría is in the province of Alajuela, 22 kms away from San José, the capital of Costa Rica. From the Airport to your host family, the trip takes around 30 minutes with slow traffic and even 50 minutes if traffic is very high.
Electricity
110 Volt. Plugs with three prongs often need an adapter.
Water
Potable in the greater San José area as well as in bigger cities. In the rural areas (mountains, beaches and national parks), caution is advised.
Currency
The official currency is the ‘colón’ (plural: colones), and its exchange is made via the Dollar at a fluctuating rate.
$1 = 500 colones aprox.
Banks & ATM
All national and international financial transactions can be effected through the national banks or with any private bank. Any bank changes Dollars to Colones. International credit cards are generally accepted in most places in the territory. ATMs generally accept cards with the plus sign and MasterCard as well as VISA. ATM system is called ATH in Costa Rica, and you find it everywhere inside and outside the central valley.
Before traveling to Costa Rica, remember to notify your bank that you will be traveling internationally so your card isn’t blocked. Also, check with them if they charge fees for purchases or cash advances abroad and how much they charge, so you have accurate information. In Costa Rica, if an ATM charges a fee for cash advances, it will display a notification on the screen before the transaction is completed. Any other fees would be charged by your local bank.
We recommend carrying a maximum of $50 in cash (25,000 colones). You can pay for most purchases with your cards. A few services currently do not accept cards.
We do not recommend using the bank at the airport upon arrival to exchange dollars for colones, as the exchange rate they offer is very low. There are banks or ATMs near your accommodations; your host families will provide you with this information upon arrival. If you wish to purchase colones in your home country, please consult the official website of the Central Bank of Costa Rica to check if the exchange rate is favorable for you: https://sdd.bccr.fi.cr/en/IndicadoresEconomicos/Inicio/Contenedor/6?Cuadro=1
Remember that if you are going to exchange dollars for colones at a bank in Costa Rica, you need to bring your passport. Driver’s licenses or photocopies of passports are not accepted.
Internet & Cell phones
Internet access is generally very easy throughout the country. There is Wi-Fi at home and in the IHCAI offices. It is also available in many cafes and restaurants. There is no Wi-Fi in hospitals or clinics. Currently, most of our students travel with plans that allow them to access the internet anywhere. You can also purchase a local SIM card ($2) with a plan for about $20 per week.
Pre-Paid SIMS Pre-paid SIM can be purchased at the airport and some other locations. This requires a quad-band unlocked cell phone. The vast majority of US cell phones are NOT unlocked. They are locked to the company providing the cell service, and a prepaid SIM will not work.
Public Transportation
In the Central Valley (San José) there is a tightly strung net of public buses that are very efficient and cheap. The buses also connect the city with all the suburbs and cities at regular intervals. Almost all buses to the provinces depart from San José. A large number of official, red taxis in the entire country, including 4WD taxis in some remote areas, are available. There is a well-established and functioning network of buses within and between provinces.
Uber is a very popular option these days. The same Uber app works perfectly in the United States, Europe, and Costa Rica, without needing to download a new app. You only need an internet connection, and the account will automatically adjust to the local currency and fares of the country you’re in, while maintaining the same user interface.
It’s worth noting that Uber is illegal in Costa Rica, but this doesn’t affect you at all. Just keep in mind that the driver will always ask a passenger to ride in the front seat with them, so as not to make the use of the service obvious.
Taxes and Tips
In accordance with the law, in restaurants a 13% tax and a 10% service charge; if the service is excellent, you are welcome to leave an additional tip. To give tips in taxis is not necessary.
If you left something in your home country and want someone to send it to you by express courier or mail, for example, don’t do so without first consulting the Institute staff. Taxes are generally charged even if the declared value is zero, and the delivery process is cumbersome.
Safety
Costa Rica is a politically stable country and a very successful tourist destination. It receives approximately 4 million tourists and is renowned for its friendliness towards visitors. As with any international trip, we recommend taking basic precautions. The IHCAI staff and the host families will provide you with instructions and information in this regard. For now, we can tell you that traffic in Costa Rica could be dangerous, so be careful. Pedestrians in general do not have the right of way, and many motorcycles are driving among the cars. We recommend leaving your passport at home and carrying a copy. During the day, you can walk and use public transportation; at night (from 6 pm to 5 am), we recommend using Uber, even for short distances. Do not wear jewelry or display electronic devices while walking. These are very basic preventative tips that can help you avoid a bad experience.
Health insurance
For all the IHCAI Institute programs, health insurance for travellers is mandatory. If you do not have one, we highly recommend getting one online with HCC Medical Insurance Services, a recognized leader in international life and health insurance offering coverage in more than 130 countries, at:
https://www.worldtrips.com/quotes/default.asp?referid=99690
Health recommendations
Malaria prevalence and incidence are very low in Costa Rica. Is mainly located in the banana plantations in some remote areas of Limon Province and in the south of the country. IHCAI participants do not travel to these areas for work or tourism. We do not recommend taking any prophylaxis. Dengue fever has spread throughout the entire country over the last 20 years. There is no medication for dengue prophylaxis; repellents are recommended. Costa Rica has been free of yellow fever since 1970.
If you will be traveling to Costa Rica from South America and/or sub-Saharan Africa, you will need the YELLOW FEVER VACCINE. The countries considered at risk are: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Guyana, and Venezuela. You can travel to Costa Rica ten days after the shot. Any individual traveling to Costa Rica who has been in transit, whether in airports, seaports, or land borders, in the following countries will require a vaccination: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.
If you need to make inquiries about this requirement, we recommend contacting the Costa Rican embassy in Washington at: https://www.embassycr.org/en
Passport & visa
A valid passport is mandatory to enter Costa Rica. It should be valid for the following 6 months from the entry date to Costa Rica. Depending on your country of origin, you may enter Costa Rica without a visa. The USA, Canada, and most European countries have this privilege.
Search if you need a visa at: https://www.embassycr.org/en/servicioslegales-1
Climate
Costa Rica features a tropical, year-round warm climate with temperatures typically ranging from 73 F to 88 F (23 – 31 C). It has two main seasons: the dry season (December–April) with sunny, hot days, and the “green” rainy season (May–November), characterized by sunny mornings and afternoon showers, with October often being the wettest. The central Valley, where the capital San José is located, is cooler, and the coasts are hotter.
More information at: https://ln.run/t_e60
More general information about Costa Rica