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Costa Rica Travel Planning
& Travel Tips Embassy Contact Information: Americans living in or visiting Costa Rica are encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in San Jose and obtain updated information on travel and security within Costa Rica. The U.S. Embassy maintains a web site at http://usembassy.or.cr Americans visiting Costa Rica are encouraged to inform the Embassy of their itineraries and contact information via the web site. This can also be accessed through the Department of State's web site at http://www.state.gov. The U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica is located in Pavas, San Jose, telephone (506) 220-3050/3939; the extension for American Citizen Services is 2453. The Embassy is open Monday through Friday, and closed on Costa Rican and U.S. holidays. For emergencies arising outside normal business hours, U.S. citizens may call tel. (506) 220-3127 and ask for the duty officer. Costa Rica Climate: The best time to visit is December-May, when it rains least. We would suggest avoiding both Christmas week and Easter, when everyone seems to be at the beach (businesses are shut down and all the hotels are full). January is our favorite time to go, in terms of weather, but Costa Rica is really a year-round destination. Tourism promoters are trying to encourage travel in the rainy season (June-October)—it's being sold as the "green season." The vegetation looks nicer at that time and prices are lower, but you can almost be guaranteed a good thunderstorm every day in late afternoon or early evening, though they don't last for long. Except for the rain, the climate is fairly similar year-round. The inland temperatures are moderate, and a breeze is almost always blowing, but the coastal areas tend to be hot and steamy. The mountains can be quite cool at night, so take a sweater. And take some rain gear or an umbrella no matter when you're visiting. Electricity: The standard in Costa Rica is the same as in the United States: 110 volts AC (60 cycles). However, three-pronged outlets can be scarce, so it's helpful to bring along an adapter. Calling Internationally: Costa Rica has an excellent phone system, with a dial tone similar to that heard in the United States. A phone call within Costa Rica costs around 10 colones (3¢) per minute. Pay phones will either take a calling card, or 5-, 10-, or 20-colón coins. Calling cards are becoming more and more prominent, and you can purchase them in a host of gift shops and pharmacies. However, there are several competing calling-card companies and certain cards work only with certain phones. CHIP calling cards work with a computer chip and just slide into specific phones, although these phones aren't always easy to find. A better bet are the 197 and 199 calling cards, which are sold in varying denominations. These have a scratch-off PIN and can be used from any phone in the country. In general terms, the 197 cards are sold in smaller denominations and are used for local calling, while the 199 cards are deemed international and are easier to find in larger denominations. Although either card can be used to make any call, provided the card can cover the costs. Another perk of the 199 cards are the fact that you can get the instructions in English. It is often easiest to call from your hotel, although you will likely be charged around 100 to 200 colones per call. You can make international phone calls, as well as send faxes, from the ICE office, Avenida 2 between Calles 1 and 3, in San José (tel. 255-0444). The office is open daily from 7am to 10pm. Faxes cost around $2 per page to the United States. (Many hotels will also offer the same service for a fee.) Radiográfica (tel. 287-0087), at Calle 1 and Avenida 5 in San José, also has fax service. Note: Numbers beginning with 800 within Costa Rica are toll-free, but calling a 1-800 number in the States from Costa Rica is not toll-free. In fact, it costs the same as an overseas call. Travel Insurance for Costa Rica Trips: You should consider the benefits of travel insurance as part of your Costa Rica travel planning. Most travelers look for travel tips that discuss the importance of travel insurance and travel insurance through AIG Travel Guard can provide important coverage for your trip. Whether you’re taking a family vacation or business trip, AIG Travel Guard has a plan for your Costa Rica trip. These plans may include valuable medical expense coverage, trip interruption, medical emergency assistance and treatment services and more. And with AIG Travel Guard’s 24-hour assistance line, your coverage can act as a travel guide should your plans change.* For more than 20 years, AIG Travel Guard’s plans have covered millions
of travelers throughout the world. We're America's leading provider of
travel insurance plans and assistance programs and we're here to help you 24 hours a
day, 7 days a week. Coverage provided through AIG Travel Guard is easy to buy and with our
24-hour emergency travel services it's even easier to use. |
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A wholly owned subsidiary of AIG Travel, Inc., a member company of American International Group, Inc. |
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AIG Travel Guard travel insurance plans include travel insurance & assistance that travels with you. Coverages may include: Trip cancellation due to terrorism & other named unforeseen events, trip delay, lost baggage, medical emergency, & others. Purchase online for immediate coverage. Certain coverages are subject to purchase requirements. See each coverage for details.
Copyright © 2008, American International Group, Inc. © AIG Travel Guard, 2008. Last Updated: 01/25/2008
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