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  At first sight, Costa Rica seems almost too good to be true. The attractions of this tiny nation are so many tat than estimated 30.000 North American (about1% of Costa Rica’s population), attracted by financial incentive and a quality of life among the highest of Western Hemisphere standards, have moved here in recent years, and now call Costa Rica home.
For years the tourism industry has neglected this exciting yet peaceful nation, based primarily on a misapprehension of Central American politics. While its neighbors have been racked by turmoil, Costa Rica has been blessed with remarkable equilibrium: few extremes of wealth and poverty, no standing army, and a proud history as one of the region’s most stable democracies.
 Ticos, as the warmhearted Costa Ricans are known, pride themselves on having more teachers than policemen, a higher male life expectancy than in the United States and a strong commitment to peace and prosperity. Costa Rica seems to be bursting onto the international beach-resort scene. The coast offers miles of white beaches, resort, hotels and rustic lodges basking in the constant sun and winterless climate.
The country is a top choice for “green” travel with 12 distinct ecological zone that are home to an astonishing array of flora and fauna, such a the coatimundi, jaguars sea turtles, poison-arrow frogs and quetzals
Passport/ Visa Requirements
Canadian
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Canadian traveling with a valid passport will receive a free visa at the border for visit up to 90 days.
Without a valid passport, Canadian travelers need proof of identity, along with a photograph; entry with these documents requires the purchase of a tourist card.
Tourist card are available from any Costa Rican embassy or consulate or from your airline on the day of departure.
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| E.U. citizen |
A valid passport is required for stay of up to 90 days, except for nationals of France, who may stay for only 30 days.
Nationals of Greece and Ireland may also stay for only 30 days, and they are required to have a tourist visa.
Japanese citizen: A valid passport good for at least six months from the date of entry is required for stay of up to 90 days.
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U.S. citizen
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Citizen of the U.S. traveling with a valid passport will receive a free visa for visits up to 90 days. Without a valid passport, U.S. citizens need proof of identity (such as an original birth certificate) along with a photograph for visits up to 90 days; Tourist cards are available from any Costa Rican embassy or consulate or from your airline on the day of departure.
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| Others |
The requirements for nationals not listed in the categories above vary.
At minimum, you will need a valid passport good for at last six months from the anticipated date of entry. Check with the nearest Costa Rican embassy or consulate for further details. |
| Phone Code |
The international telephone access code is 506.
City and area code do not exist. To place a direct-dialed international call from Costa Rica, dial 001 followed by the relevant country code number; to reach an international operator, dial 116.
To reach a local information, dial 113.
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| Time Zone |
Costa Rican time is 6 hours earlier than Greenwich mean time (GMT) or six hours earlier than London, 14 hours earlier than Tokyo, 1 hours earlier than New York, 7 hours earlier than Italy
Costa Rica has no daylight saving time.
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| Business Hours |
Banks are open on weekdays 9AM-3PM. Shops are open fro 8 or 9 AM to 5 or 6 PM (closed for a lunch break), Monday-Saturday.
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Weather
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Although Costa Rica lies Wholly the tropics, is possesses at least a dozen climatic zones. In general, the coastal regions are hotter than the central valley (for instance, in San Jose’) where temperatures average 19°C (69°F) .
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| Money |
The Costa Rican Colòn is divided into 100 centimos .
There are coins in 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, and 500 colònes and notes of 1000, 2000, 5000 and 10000 colones. Money can be changed at banks, and hotel cash desks, or at the airport upon arrival. Banks will usually cash traveler’s checks, though they may accept only certain brands. Some small towns may not have banks, so visitors are advised to change money before traveling to these areas and to carry small bills. Visitors from countries outside the united States may wont to consider buying U.S. dollars before arriving, as those are easiest from of foreign currency to change in Costa Rica. Changing money on the street is also common. |
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Electricity
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Elecrtical current in Costa Rica is 110/220 volts AC, 60 Hz.
Plugs with two flat, parallel pins are standard, though you may also see three rectangular pins. Visitors from abroad who wish to operate personal small electronic items should bring a plug adapter and a transformer.
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| Driving |
Drivers should be prepared for a variety of road conditions.
Generally roads are good (there are two-lane freeway between major town in the Meseta Central) but those in rural areas can be impassable during the wet season. Resident and bus drivers are usually good sources of information about road conditions.
You must be 21 years of age to drive in Costa Rica. A driver’s license from your home country is valid for thee months.
Traffic proceeds on the right-hand side on the road. Speed traps are common on the Pan-American highway, and speed limits are enforced rigorously in many areas of the country. Still, many Costa Rican drivers are aggressive and even reckless, and speeding is commonplace. |
| Emergencies |
Throughout the country, dial 119 to contact police, reach the Red Cross, and report medical emergencies, fire or traffic accidents.
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| What to take |
Remember that Costa Rica can be hot and cold. If you plain to visit a volcano or cloud forest, pack a warm sweater and/ or a warm windproof Jacket ; you’ll want one for S.Josè and the highlands at night , anyway. In the mountains, cold winds are common , and it gets very chilly and wet when the coulds set in . The lowlands are humid and warm to hot. Decide how much film you think you’ll need to bring, than double it. One roll per day is a minimum, and film is very expensive in Costa Rica. If you buy film in San Jose’, check the expiration date; the film may be outdated. Bring extra batteries for light meters and flashes.
Protect your lenses with a UV or skylight filter, and consider buying “warming” , neutral-density, and/or polarizing filters, which can dramatically improve results.
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