Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Entry Requirements for Costa Rica
 |
British |
Yes |
no |
Yes |
Australian |
Yes |
no |
Yes |
Canadian |
Yes |
no |
Yes |
USA |
Yes |
no |
Yes |
Other EU |
Yes |
no |
Yes |
Japanese |
Yes |
no |
Yes |
Swiss |
Yes |
no |
Yes |
|
Passports
For entry into Costa Rica, must present valid passports that will not expire for at least thirty days after arrival. Passports should be in good condition; Costa Rican immigration will deny entry if the passport is damaged in any way.
Visas
Required by all except the following:
1. nationals of the UK and its dependencies for stays of up to 90 days;
2. nationals of Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea (Rep), Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, The Netherlands, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad Tobago, Uruguay and USA for a stay of up to 90 days;
3. nationals of Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Chile, Dominica, El Salvador, Estonia, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Iceland, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Mexico, New Zealand, The Philippines, Russian Federation, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & The Grenadines, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, South Africa*, Surinam, Taiwan (China), Turkey, Vatican City and Venezuela for stays of up to 30 days;
Types of visa and cost
Tourist. Visas cost approximately $15. All passengers requiring a visa must hold documents required for the next destination.
Validity
Visas are valid for 30 or 90 days depending on nationality. Contact the Immigration Department in Costa Rica for renewal or information on the extension procedure.
Application to
Consulate (or Consular section of Embassy). Applications should be made in person.
Application requirements
(a) Completed application form.
(b) Two passport-size photos.
(c) Passport valid for six months at time of entry.
(d) Proof of sufficient funds to cover duration of stay.
(e) Return or onward ticket.
Working days required
One to two, depending on nationality of applicant. Some visas need the authorization of the Immigration Department in Costa Rica(ask the Consulate or Consular section of Embassy for details) and may take up to three weeks.
Temporary residence
Apply to the Consulate or Consular section of Embassy. Information provided by I.C.T. (Instituto Costarricense de Turismo) |
Return to Frequently Asked Questions
|
A rain forest is an undisturbed diverse primary forest with multi-levels of inter-connected vegetation and minimal forest floor sunlight.
A jungle is a re-emerging forest dense with low growing plants and trees that compete for observable sunlight. A jungle has minimal diversity.
A tropical rain forest has the greatest diversity of flora and fauna than any area of the world. Most trees in the tropical rainforest are broad leaf trees that grow closely together. The tallest trees may grow as high as 250 feet, their crowns forming a connected covering of leaves called the upper canopy. The crowns of the smaller, shorter trees form one or two lower canopies. These tree canopies all share the forest floor with inter-twined root structures. The rainforest floor receives only one percent as much sunlight as does the upper canopy, and as a result only ferns or plants requiring minimal sunlight can grow. Because of this intense shade it is relatively easy to walk through most parts of a tropical rainforest.
Re-emerging forests occur where sunlight easily reaches the ground following complete or partial deforestation. In Costa Rica we call these areas second growth or secondary forests, areas of minimal flora or fauna diversity. Jungles re-emerge in former landslide areas, pastures or swamps, in flat lands and near rivers. Because jungles develop on undisturbed land in full sunshine there is little diversity until shade is established. Depending on the elevation and rainfall, in Costa Rica this process may take 100-200 years. At Lapa Rios we assist rainforest re-generation by planting primary growth trees and plants in established jungles, most areas now over 20 years old. Secondary forests or jungles should not be called rainforests until the area is completely diversified, supporting fauna-filled multiple tree canopies and a shady forest floor. |
|
Departure tax is $26, can be paid in US Dollars, colones or with Visa credit cards. |
Return to Frequently Asked Questions
The Costa Rican currency is called Colon. US dollars and major credit cards are widely accepted. Euros are only accepted in few hotels and some of the banks in San Jose. |
|
|
History of Costa Rica:
Kimberly Parsons, Adrian Colesberry and Brass McLean, 1993. Costa Rica: The last Country the Gods made. Falcon Press Publishing.
Natural History:
Jansen, D.H., 1983.Costa Rican Natural History. Chicago,University of Chicago Press.
Rain Forest:
Adrean Forsyth & Ken Miata, 1980's. Life in the Rain Forest. USA published.
Author unknown to Lapa Rios. The life of a Shaman.
Birds:
F.Gary Stiles and Alexander F. Skutch, 1989. A Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica. Cornell University Press.
Mammals:
Emmons, Louise H., 1990. Neotropical Rainforest Mammals. University of Chicago Press
Trees, Plants and Flowers:
Allen, Paul., 1977. The Rain Forests of the Golfo Dulce. Stanford University Press.
Hargreaves, Dorothy & Bob. Tropical Blossoms of the Caribbean. Box 11897
Lahaina, Hawaii 96761.
|
Return to Frequently Asked Questions
| |
You are allowed to drive with your normal drivers license for three months. |
|
|
Foreigners can get married in Costa Rica. The documents needed are:
- original birth certificate
- affidavit of single status
- police record
- valid passport
- divorce decree (if applicable)
These documents need to follow the authentication procedure before being taken to Costa Rica. |
|
Almost all the International car rental franchises have representation in Costa Rica and renting a car is fairly easy. The roads are quite bad, especially in rural areas so that you might be surprised by higher costs for car rental due to high vehicle maintenance costs.
Picking up your car is already part of the experience. They will ask you to go with them to personally check the car when you pick it up. This is a seemingly pointless excersise for North Americans but bear with them and pay attention. They will note every little scratch, nick and dent in the car, bumper, windows and mirrors with painful detail. Check for dents in the tire rims and make sure there is a spare tire, jack and tools. You may be charged for any surface defect that is not marked when you return the car or anything that is missing. They will charge you at USA body shop prices. Even the very best companies do this in Costa Rica
Advice: You will be lost or uncertain frequently. Ask for road information or directions only from persons who are driving. Not pedestrians or people on horseback. They will seemingly be very helpful and friendly (as are all Ticos) smile and give you terrible advice. 4x4 drivers and truck drivers are best. People who work at gas stations are not good sources of road information.
Have a good trip and watch out for the potholes! |
Return to Frequently Asked Questions
|
Costa Rica's official currency is the "colon", and its rates of exchange against the US Dollar fluctuate daily. |
|
US Embassy
P.O. Box 920-1200
Pavas, San Jose
Costa Rica
Phone: (506) 220-3939 |
Return to Frequently Asked Questions
Choose a location nearest you from the list below.
Atlanta Chicago Denver Houston Los Angeles
Miami New Orleans New York San Antonio
San Diego San Francisco St. Paul Springfield, MA
Tampa Washington, D.C.
Atlanta
1870 The Exchange, Suite 100
Atlanta, GA 30339
Phone: (770) 951-7025
Fax: (770) 951-7073 |
Chicago
185 North Wabash Avenue, Suite 1123
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: (312) 263-2772
Fax: (312) 263-5807 |
Denver
3356 South Xenia Street
Denver, CO 80231-4542
Phone: (303) 696-8211
Fax: (303) 696-1110 |
Houston
2901 Wilcrest, Suite 275
Houston, TX 77042
Phone: (713) 266-0484
Fax: (713) 266-1527 |
Los Angeles
(Includes Washington, Idaho, Montana, Colorado,
Wyoming, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and Hawaii)
1605 West Olympic Blvd., Suite 400
Los Angeles, CA 90015
Phone: (213) 380-7915
Fax: (213) 380-5639 |
Miami
1600 NW Le Jeune Road, Suite 102
Miami, FL 33126
Phone: (305) 871-7487 or (305) 871-7485
Fax: (305) 871-0860 |
New Orleans
(Includes Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, Kentucky, Arkansas)
4532 W. Napoleon Ave., Suite 112
Metairie, LA 70001
Phone: (504) 887-8131
Fax: (504) 887-0916 |
New York
(Includes Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania,
Maine, New Jersey, Rhode Island, New England,
Vermont, New Hampshire)
80 Wall Street, Suite 1117 New York, NY 10005
Phone: (212) 425-2620
Fax: (212) 785-6818 |
Permanent Mission to the United Nations
211 East 43rd. Street, Suite 903
New York, NY 10017
Phone: (212) 986-6374
Fax: (212) 986-6842 |
San Antonio
6 6836 San Pedro, Suite 206B
San Antonio, TX 78216
Phone: (210) 699-6515
Fax: (210) 824-8489 |
San Diego
8755 Aero Drive, St. 303
San Diego, CA 92123
Phone: (213) 380-7915
Fax: (619) 571-6875 |
San Francisco
870 Market Street, Suite 647
San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: (415) 392-8488
Fax: (415) 392-3745 |
Springfield, MA
52 Mulberry Street
Springfield, MA 01105
Phone: (413) 781-5400
Fax: (413) 739-0801 |
St. Paul
2424 Territorial Road
St. Paul, Minnesota 55114
Phone: (612) 481-3616
Fax: (612) 645-4684 |
Tampa
2200 B Baker Road
Tampa, FL 33605
Phone: (813) 248-6741
Fax: (813) 248-6857 |
Washington, D.C.
2112 "S" Street, NW
Washington, DC 20008
Phone: (202) 328-6628
Fax: (202) 265-4795 |
Return to Frequently Asked Questions |
