Travel Tips

Planning your trip to Costa Rica

TAX
Tipping and hotel tax: resorts, hotels, night clubs and restaurants are required to include a 23% service charge (13% sales tax and 10% service charge) on all bills.

CURRENCY
The Colón is the official monetary unit and fluctuates in value relative to the US Dollar.

DRIVING
If you have either an international driver's license or a valid driver's license from your own country, you may drive in Costa Rica for 90 days.

ELECTRIC CURRENT
The electrical outlets are the same as in the US, 120 volts, 60 cycles AC.

TIME
Costa Rica is in the Central Time Zone.

CUSTOMS
All persons have the right to an exemption of US$100 on merchandise brought into the country.

BAGGAGE
Personal effects shall include the following: Used clothing, items for personal use, medicines, special foots, etc. in proportionate amounts to the traveler. The introduction of firearms is subject to existing laws.

LAW ON DRUGS
The introduction of illegal substances is strictly prohibited. Heavy sanctions shall be levied against anyone caught trying to import drugs.

INMIGRATION AND ENTRY DOCUMENTATION
A valid passport, a tourist card or even a valid driver's license is enough documentation for entry into the country. It is advisable that you carry identification on your person at all times.

BUSINESS, COMMERCIAL SCHEDULES AND HOLIDAYS
Commerce in the greater part of the country is open from 8 am. until 6 pm. Goberment offices are normally open from 7:30 am. or 8 pm. and closed between 3:30 and 4:30 pm. Banks are open from 9 am. until 3 pm. from Monday to Friday. After hours cashiers are available for local currency transactions until 6:30 pm. Goverment offices, banks and commerce in general are closed on national holidays. These include January 1, Good Thursday and Friday, April 11 (Juan Santamaría's day), May 1 (Labor day), July 25 (Anexión de Nicoya's day), August 15 (Mother's day), September 15 (Independence Day) and December 25. Many offices, not including banks, are closed between Christmas and New Year's.

INSURANCE
There are several insurance companies in Costa Rica but the INS (Costa Rican Insurance Institute) is the largest company that has a government guarantee. There is a great variety of policies offered, including:
- Baggage and Personal Effects Insurance
- Health and Accident Insurance
- Life Insurance

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Generally, the metric system is utilized in Costa Rica. One kilo is the equivalent of 2.2 pounds, thus one pound equals 0.45 kilos. The temperature is measured in degrees centigrade. Gasoline is sold in liters (approximately four liters to the gallon). Distances are in kilometers (one mile equals 1.6 kilometers and one kilometer is the same as 0.62 miles).