Immigration And Entry Requirements

A valid passport is required.

If you have a passport from the U.S.A., Canada, and most European countries, you can enter the country without any problems. You must also have a departure ticket when entering the country. If you are from another country, such as Russia, you may need a visa. Check with the Costa Rica embassy.

 

No vaccinations are currently required for entry to Costa Rica or re-entry to your own country.

 

On leaving the country you will be required to pay an exit tax of $26(US) per person. It's best if you have this in cash.

Exchanging Money

Costa Rican currency is the colon. At the end of March 2008 the approximate value of the colon to other currencies was:

Currency	Costa Rican Colon Value
1 Canadian dollar	490 Costa Rican colones
1 United States dollar	500 Costa Rican colones
1 Euro dollar	780 Costa Rican colones

 

To see current currency values use this Universal Currency converter

 

If you want to change cash, stick to US dollars (but make sure they're in decent condition and avoid US$100 bills). US dollars are your best bet for traveler's checks as well, as other currencies will rarely be accepted - any of the major brands will do. If you buy colones with your credit card, expect to get hit with a large interest bill.

 

Banco Popular, ATH and Credomatic have the largest number of ATMs and their networks often extend as far as the smaller towns and cities. Some banks though, like branches of Banco Nacional, accept cards held by their customers only.

 

Visa and Mastercard are the most widely-accepted credit cards; you may have some trouble with American Express.

 

Banks are open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday for exchanging money and traveller's cheques.

Miscellaneous Tidbits

Costa Rica is on Central Standard Time (6 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time). There is no daylight savings time, which means the difference of hours between home time and Costa Rica time changes when daylight savings time changes in Spring and Fall.

 

Temperatures range from 80-95 degrees during the day and shorts, bathing suits, tee shirts, light dresses are all that is needed. In the evening , temperatures cool to the 70s.

 

Light long pants might be useful if you plan to horseback ride or hike through the mountainous rain forest. If you plan to spend any time in San Jose before or after coming to Villa Paraiso, you might need a sweater - it's cooler there at night.

 

Bring your favorite array of summer clothes - to dress up and down in. The Villa's maid, who provides daily cleaning service, will launder personal items of clothing if you wish.

 

Our stay at Villa Paraiso is during the dry season. Every day is sunny, occasionally you'll see a few clouds but no rain at all. No need to bring rain gear.

 

We didn't see any mosquitos during our stay, but there were some small biting bugs "no-seeums" in the evening. Bring insect repellant if you are susceptible to bug bites.

 

There is a phone at Villa Paraiso. You will need a calling card to make long distance calls home. You can buy prepaid ones at the airport when you arrive if you don't have your own. You can place a collect call free of charge.

 

Each bedroom has a hairdryer so no need to bring one. If you are bringing any "electrial plug-in goodies", 110 volt A.C. 60 cycle is used throughout the country - the same as in North America.

 

The abbreviations used to indicate addresses are: C. = calle (street); Ave. = avenida (avenue); and Ctl. = central.

 

Always ask prices. Some merchants/taxi drivers etc. will double the price for tourists.

 

Driving is on the right hand side of the road, as in the US and Canada.

USE SUN SCREEN AT ALL TIMES!

Costa Rica is 8 to 11 degrees from the equator. This presents a much more serious risk for acquiring a flaming sunburn than further up the Northern Hemisphere. Take precautions and use a hat or effective sunscreen when exposed to the sun's rays. The importance of this cannot be over-emphasized. The concern is greater when you are at the beach or in the ocean since salt and water are ideal reflectors. Because of the angle of the sunshine safest times for sunbathing are 8-10:30 am and 2:30-4:30 pm.

 

 

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Click here to use our secure server for online registration. We accept VISA, American Express and Discover.

 

or Contact: Pala and Al
via email ~ 4freedoms@tantraloving.com
or via telephone ~ Toll Free in North America: 1-800-684-5308 or Regular Number: 1-819-689-5308