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Film CommissionsIntroduction Costa Rica is a democratic and peaceful country that has not had an army since 1949. It is home to a rich variety of plants and animals, containing about 5% of the world's biodiversity. Coupled with the wonders of nature, there are tropical beaches and scintillating culture as well as the high standard of modern services and social and political stability. | General Information Location: Central America Local Time: GMT-6 Capital City: San Jose Population: 4 million Area: 51,200 square km, 31,815 square miles. Language(s): Spanish, English is widely spoken Dialling Code: 506 Emergency: Police, Fire & Ambulance: 911 Directory Enquiries: TV Standard: Driving: Driving is on the right. National or International licence required Electricity: 120V AC 60Hz
Business & CurrencyCurrency: Costa Rican Colon (CRC 1 = 100 Centimos) Notes: CRC: 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000 Coins: CRC: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 25, 50, 100, 500
Credit Cards/Travellers Cheques: Major credit cards and travellers cheques are accepted Opening Hours Bank: 0900-1700/1800 Mon-Fri Office: 0800-1600 Mon-Fri Shops: 0800-1800/1900 Mon-Sat Public Holidays 2010 1 Jan New Year's Day, 2 Apr - 5 Apr Easter, 10 Apr Juan Santamara's Day, 1 May Labour Day, 25 Jul Guanacaste Annexation, 2 Aug Virgin of Los Angeles, Feast of Patroness of Costa Rica*, 15 Aug Mothers' Day and Assumption, 15 Sep Independence Day, 11 Oct Dia de la Raza (Columbus Day)*, 25 Dec Christmas Day.
Note: * Not legally binding. Most businesses close for the whole of Holy Week and between Christmas and New Year.
Business/Social Hints: Business is conducted in Spanish, many executives speak English. The minimum drinking age is 18 years Tipping: Service charges are added to bills by hotels & restaurants, however additional 5-10% tips are expected
| HealthReciprocal health: Compulsory vaccinations: Yellow fever certificate required if arriving from: Africa (Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Congo DRC, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan) and America (Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guyana, Peru, Venezuela) Recommended immunisations: Diphtheria*, hepatitis A, hepatitis B*, malaria, tetanus, typhoid, rabies * recommended in some circumstances, travellers making 3 or more visits per year, stays of more than 3 months in a rural area, high-risk occupational groups & backpackers staying more than 1 month Risks: Malaria risk is moderate all year in the cantons of Los Chilies (Alajuela Province), Matina & Talamanca (Limon Province). Lower risk in the provinces of Guanacaste, Alajuela, Heredia & other cantons in Limon province. There is negligible risk in other regions. Rabies. | AirportsLiberia (LIR) San Jose Juan Santamaria International (SJO)
Passport & VisaThe following details relate to holders of adult normal passports (requirements for children may be different), if any other type of passport or travel document is held, entry requirements should be checked with the relevant embassy or consulate PassportsRequired, but NOT by the following:
1) Holders of National Identity Cards issued to nationals of Costa Rica Passport Validity: Passport must be valid for at least 6 months Passport Notes: Nationals listed above must obtain an exit visa from the Immigration Department in San Jos at least three weeks before leaving Costa Rica. Those who stay for less than 30 days are exempt if in possession of a disembarkation card VisasThe following DO NOT require a visa:
1) Nationals of Costa Rica
2) For stays up to 30 days by:
Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Bolivia, Dominica, El Salvador, Fiji, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Kiribati, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Philippines, Samia, Sao Tome & Principe, Samoa, Seychelles, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & Grenadines, Suriname, Tonga, Turkey, Tuvalu, Vanuatu & Venezuela
3) For stays up to 90 days by:
a) Holders of British passports endorsed British Citizen, British Territories Overseas Citizen or British National (Overseas)
b) Nationals of Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Rep, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland Rep., Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea (South), Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro (Rep of), Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad & Tobago, United States, Uruguay & Vatican City
Air TransitRequired by all except those as noted above and:
1) Persons continuing their journey to a third country within 12 hours without leaving the airport, provided holding confirmed tickets & documentation Exit PermitsNationals must obtain an exit visa from the Immigration Department in San Jos at least three weeks before leaving Costa Rica. For stays less than 30 days visitors are exempt Special NotesAll visitors must hold documents required for next destination & sufficient funds for length of stay, temporary visitors must hold onward/return tickets | ClimateHigh temperatures throughout the year, particularly on the Caribbean and Pacific coasts, where rain falls throughout the year but experiences a very wet and humid rainy season between May-Nov. In contrast, the air is crisper and nights cooler in mountain areas ClothingLight clothes with warmer wraps if visiting highland areas. Rainwear essential for coastal areas and volcanoes Charts for San Jose | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | | Max Temp (C) | 24 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 24 | | Min Temp (C) | 14 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 14 | | Humidity am (%) | 83 | 82 | 81 | 80 | 85 | 91 | 89 | 89 | 91 | 92 | 87 | 85 | | Humidity pm (%) | 63 | 57 | 55 | 60 | 70 | 74 | 74 | 73 | 76 | 78 | 71 | 67 | | Rainfall (mm) | 15 | 5 | 20 | 46 | 229 | 241 | 211 | 241 | 305 | 300 | 145 | 41 |
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RepresentativeUK Tourist Office Costa Rica Tourist Office contact Consulate General of Costa Rica tel: +44 20 7706 8844 fax: +44 20 7706 8655 website: www.visitcostarica.com Embassy Embassy and Consulate of Costa Rica Flat 1, 14 Lancaster Gate London, W2 3LH tel: +44 20 7706 8844 fax: +44 20 7706 8655 e-mail: costaricanembassy@btconnect.com costarica@btconnect.com hours: 1000-1300 (Mon-Fri) visas |
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