Costa Rica Travel

On both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts, currents are swift and dangerous, and there are no lifeguards or signs warning of dangerous beaches. Several American citizens drown in Costa Rica each year.

Adventure tourism is increasingly popular in Costa Rica, and many companies provide white-water rafting, bungee jumping, jungle canopy tours, deep sea diving, and other outdoor attractions. In recent years, several Americans have died on Costa Rica's flood-swollen rivers in white-water rafting accidents. Others have died trying to reach the mouths of active volcanoes after being assured by tour guides that this dangerous activity is safe. Americans are urged to use caution in selecting adventure tourism companies, and are advised to avoid small, "cut-rate" companies that do not have the track record of more established companies. The government of Costa Rica has passed legislation to regulate and monitor the safety of adventure tourism companies; enforcement of these laws is overseen by the Ministry of Health. To be granted official operating permits, registered tourism companies must meet safety standards and have insurance coverage.

Demonstrations or strikes, related to labor disputes or other local issues, occur occasionally in Costa Rica. Past demonstrations have resulted in port closures, roadblocks, and sporadic gasoline shortages. These protests have not targeted U.S. citizens or U.S. interests, and are typically non-violent. Travelers are advised to avoid areas where demonstrations are taking place and to keep informed by following the local news and consulting hotel personnel and tour guides. Additional information about demonstrations may be obtained from the Consular Section at the U.S. Embassy, or on the Embassy website.

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Travel Warnings and Public Announcements may be found.
Up to date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States, or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

On December 31, 2005, the U.S. Government will begin to phase in new passport requirements for U.S. citizens traveling in the Western Hemisphere.

By December 31, 2007, all U.S. citizens will be expected to depart and enter the United States on a valid passport or other authorized document establishing identity and U.S. citizenship. The Department of State strongly encourages travelers to obtain passports well in advance of any planned travel. Routine passport applications by mail take up to six weeks to be issued.

For further information, go to the State Department's Consular website: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html

For entry into the country, Costa Rican authorities require that U.S. citizens present valid passports that will not expire for at least thirty days after arrival.

Costa Rican authorities generally permit U.S. citizens to stay up to ninety days; to stay legally beyond the period granted, travelers will need to submit an application for an extension to the Office of Temporary Permits in the Costa Rican Department of Immigration.

Tourist visas are usually not extended except under special circumstances, such as academic, employment, or medical grounds, and extension requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

In a modification to a legal requirement that foreigners carry their passports on their persons at all times, Costa Rican migration authorities have stated that U.S. citizens may carry simply photocopies of the passport data page and of the Costa Rican entry stamp on their persons, and leave the original passport in a hotel safe or other secure place. (U.S. citizens must still, however, present their passports for entry into and exit from Costa Rica.)

Due to the high incidence of theft of passports, travelers who do carry their passports on them are urged to place them securely in an inside pocket, and to keep a copy of the passport data page in a separate place to facilitate the issuance of an emergency replacement passport.

There is a departure tax for short-term visitors. Tourists who stay over ninety days may experience some delay at the airport. Persons who have overstayed previously may be denied entry to Costa Rica.

In an effort to prevent international child abduction, many governments have initiated special procedures for minors at entry and exit points. These often include requiring documentary evidence of the child's relationship to the accompanying parents and, if one of the parents is not traveling with the child, permission from the non-traveling parent for the child's travel. Having such documentation on hand may facilitate entry and departure.

Dual U.S./Costa Rican citizens are required by Costa Rican authorities to comply with entry and exit laws that pertain to Costa Rican citizens. This means that dual citizen children (children who hold both U.S. and Costa Rican citizenship), who might normally travel on U.S. passports, will be required to comply with entry and exit requirements applicable to Costa Rican children. Some American parents may not be aware that their child acquired Costa Rican citizenship through birth in Costa Rica or because the other parent is Costa Rican. American parents of minors who may have obtained Costa Rican citizenship through birth in Costa Rica or to a Costa Rican parent should be aware that these children may only depart Costa Rica upon presentation of an exit permit issued by the Costa Rican immigration office. This office may be closed for several weeks during holiday periods. Parents of dual citizen children are advised to consult with the Costa Rican Embassy or Consulate in the U.S. about entry and exit requirements before travel to Costa Rica. For general information about dual nationality, see the Consular Affairs home page on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov

The most authoritative and up-to-date information on Costa Rican entry and exit requirements may be obtained from the Consular Section of the Embassy of Costa Rica at 2112 "S" Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, telephone (202) 328-6628, fax (202) 234-6950, or from a Costa Rican consulate in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Juan (Puerto Rico), San Francisco, or Tampa. The Embassy of Costa Rica also maintains a web site: http://www.costarica-embassy.org/, as does the Costa Rican immigration agency: http://www.migracion.go.cr

Article Source:: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1093.html

Beaches in Costa Rica, like Jaco, may well be one of the most important assets in the eyes of visitors. The beaches come in all sizes, shapes and types.

One of the most known beaches is called Jaco.

Jaco is one of the first beaches to become a real tourist magnet. It is also one of the closest beaches to San Jose.

The beach itself is a three km long beach with nice sand and the water is inviting. However, as always when swimming in the sea, check out current riptides as well as keep an eye on the tide.

Jaco has rapidly become one of the selected party beaches in Costa Rica and the long beach has a multitude of hotels, cabins and rooms for rent.

When visiting the beaches,

- Ask around for information about riptides, before you find them yourself.

- Also, check the time schedule for the local tide. The change in sea level is great and you can be pulled out to sea.

- Remember that the bottom end places to stay are cheap for a reason. Never leave valuable things behind.

- Mid to high end hotels can be of good quality, but check for ceiling fans or A/C as well as warm or cold water.

- Remember that the way of cooking will not be the same as in a good restaurant and you may feel the urge to test many local delicatessens when on the beach. This may come as a surprise to your stomach!

- Get bottled water on your way to Jaco. To make sure you will not stand there with the salt from the sea in your month, and no place, where you can find something to drink.

You can travel to and from beaches like Jaco in many ways. Rental car, bus and even by air in some cases. Smaller local airlines fly between the airports in Costa Rica daily and can take you from San Jose to Liberia or some other places. Inquire locally the get the correct schedules and prices.

About The Author: Kenth Nasstrom lived in Costa Rica in the 80's and Costa Rica is like a home for him. Visit http://www.costa-rican-information.com/costa-rica-beaches.html for more information about beaches in Costa Rica.

By Mike McDougall

A traditionally mild, not over spiced cuisine, the Costa Rican food has absorbed influences from the Caribbean, South America and Europe into its culinary cauldron. Many dishes are simple with the staples of rice and beans tending to form the basis of most rural cooking. Costa Rican's are also heavily dependant on locally grown fresh produce, particularly members of the squash family including courgette (or zucchini), zapallo and chayote (known as the "Christophine" throughout the Caribbean). Other tropical fruits and vegetables are also widely available and usually of good quality. The plantain, like in most of the neighbouring Caribbean, is a particular favourite and can be served in a variety of ways; from just simply fried in butter, to being served in a honey and sugar sauce.

The most famous dish of Costa Rica has to be "Gallo Pinto" (literally translated as "spotted rooster"), a dish brought into the country by Nicaraguan immigrants. The dish consists of rice, coriander, onion and black or red beans and is often served for breakfast or lunch. "Casado" is a similar dish consisting of rice and beans, served with pork, steak or chicken and usually accompanied by a small portion of salad and fried plantains. This dish is customarily served as a dinner and is widely available throughout Costa Rica and can provide tourists with a hearty, low cost meal.

The influence of nearby Mexico can also be seen in Costa Rican cooking, the use of corn tortillas and "gallos" (resembling a soft Mexican taco), are extremely popular. Locals stuff their "gallos" with a vast array of different fillings, usually a combination of diced meat, vegetables and spices. They make an extremely versatile snack or meal that, again, won't cost the earth and are widely available throughout the country.

In terms of fish, Costa Rica has a plentiful supply of abundant fishing waters. With 212km of coast along the Caribbean Sea and a whopping 1,016km along its Pacific coast you would expect to find the country saturated with well priced, extremely fresh fish. Unfortunately most of the fish is exported elsewhere so whilst fish is still readily available in Costa Rica and usually very fresh, the prices can be a little high, especially when compared to the island's staples.

If you're wondering what to wash it all down with then the drink Costa Rica is most famous for is indubitably coffee; the nations largest export alongside bananas. Costa Rican's drink a lot of coffee; it tends to be strong and served with milk. Most of the best stuff tends to be exported so expect the quality to vary throughout Costa Rica from the sublime to the pretty awful. Don't be surprised to find it served alongside your dinner as well. Other favourite local drinks are "Horchata" (a cinnamon flavoured cornmeal drink), "Agua Dulce" (a sweetened water based drink usually served at breakfast) and the typical lunchtime drinks "refrescos", which consist of liquidized fruits mixed with either milk or water.

For those seeking some intoxication in their beverage then the best bet is probably beer with Imperial and Pilsen being two of the favourites. Wine is not such a good option, locally produced stuff is a definite no no and imported stuff tends to be pricey with the exception of wines coming from Chile or Argentina. The local moonshine is known as "Guaro" and is so cheap that they virtually give the stuff away, it's made from sugar cane and is a favourite of the locals, even the poorest of whom can afford it. In more rural areas you can expect to find a drink called "Vino de Coyol", a wine that's made from the extracts of a spiny palm, this stuff is apparently lethal so tourists should certainly beware when mixing it with the hot, equatorial climate.

Mike McDougall has five years experience working as a travel writer and marketeer. He is currently working to provide additional content for Babylon Idiomas (http://www.babylon-idiomas.com/eng/htm/learn-spanish-spain.htm), a Spanish language school with an excellent presence in Spain and Latin America.

By Richard Chapo

For better or worse, man has tamed Mother Nature in many countries. My general impression is this isn't the case in Costa Rica.

San Jose to Carrillo

Roughly ten of us had decided to head to Costa Rica for a week to stay at a friend's place just outside the beach town of Carrillo on the west coast. We flew into San Jose and were supposed to be met by a rental company representative that had two new VW vans for us.

As often happens in such situations, we weren't met by anyone much less a person with vans. Calls were made but not answered. Lunch was had. Calls were made again and finally answered. After a bit of 'intense' conversation, we were told the vans would be at the airport in 15 minutes. Roughly two hours later, two VW vans apparently stolen from Woodstock rolled into parking lot. The trip had certainly started on a sour note, but we decided to cut our losses and take the vans.

As we rolled out of San Jose, it was starting to get dark. Unaware that a new highway had been opened, we followed the old route which wound through the mountains and added two hours to the trip. Two hours that would haunt us for days.

As the hours passed, we laughed away the time reliving the past. I was sitting in the back of the van with Stuart, a nurse in San Diego, and Picasso, a graphic designer for surf clothing companies. We were all in shorts and flip flops, which was appropriate for the heat and humidity. How I wished I had worn pants and boots.

As we drove along, we happened to come upon a little village. Little cafes and stores passed us as we drove down the road. So did street lights. Bright street lights. Street lights that lit up the inside of the van.

And the things in it.

Cockroaches. Big cockroaches. They were climbing on the walls of the van and across the floors. A few even took off and flew from one wall to the other.

This is the part in the movie where the men, Picasso and I, take action to protect our female companion, Stuart. Of course, who believes what they see in the movies? In our case, Picasso screamed like a little girl and started stomping on the floor and kicking the walls. I, in turn, did the ultimate crunch, which is to say I whipped my legs off the ground with such speed as to make a drill sergeant weep with joy. I then jumped off the bench just to make sure there weren't any of the little buggers in my shorts. Stuart, on the other hand, just laughed at us.

Our driver whipped over to the side of the road to find out what the heck was going on. The other van pulled over as well and discovered they had a cockroach problem as well. We were apparently driving the hive around the country.

After obtaining a little liquid courage at one of the cafes in the village, we came up with a solution for keeping the creepy crawlies at bay. More liquid courage, drivers excepted. Much more.

New bravery in hand, we reclaimed the vans and hauled it to Carrillo as fast as possible. Picasso danced the cockroach crunch throughout the remainder of the trip, which made for a messy van and the need for new flip flops. I hoped I was imagining things crawling on my legs. Stuart just kept laughing.

Nature is beautiful, except when it ain't!

Rick Chapo is with http://www.nomadjournals.com - makers of writing journals. Travel journals are great travel accessories and travel gifts for student travel, family vacations and adventure travel. Visit http://www.nomadjournaltrips.com for more Costa Rica travel articles.

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