Costa Rica Travel Guide

Language

Spanish is the official language, but English is widely spoken.

Currency

The Costa Rican Colón (CRC) is divided into 100 céntimos and is the official currency, although US Dollars are also widely accepted. US Dollars and travelers checks can be exchanged in banks and many hotels. Banks charge a service fee for cashing travelers checks and currency other than US$ is difficult to exchange. Using black market exchange options is risky as they have been known to pass on counterfeit bills printed in Colombia. Banks close anywhere from 3pm to 6pm. Major credit cards are widely accepted, although American Express and Diners Club might be more limited. ATMs are available in major towns throughout the country, but it is advisable to always have some local cash handy.

503.7000

Time

Local time is GMT -6.

Electricity

Electrical current is 120 volts, 60Hz. Flat two-pin plugs and three-pin (two flat blades with round grounding pin) plugs are in use.

Communications

The international access code for Costa Rica is +506. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). City codes are not required. Costa Rica has one of the most advanced telecommunications systems in Latin America. The cheapest way to phone internationally is a direct call using a phone card. Mobile phone operators use GSM 1800 networks. Internet cafes are available in the main towns.

Duty-Free

Travelers to Costa Rica over 18 years do not have to pay duty on 3 liters of alcohol; 500g of tobacco or 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars. Perfume for personal use is allowed provided it is a reasonable quantity.

Tourist Office

Costa Rica Tourism Board, San Jose: +506 223 1733 or www.visitcostarica.com

Embassies in Costa Rica

• United States Embassy, San Jose: +506 2519 2000.
• British Embassy, San Jose: +506 2258 2025.
• Canadian Embassy, San Jose (also responsible for Australia): +506 2242 4400.
• South African Consulate-General, San Jose: +506 2222 1470

Costa Rica Embassies Abroad

• Embassy of Costa Rica, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 234 2945.
• Embassy of Costa Rica, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7706 8844.
• Embassy of Costa Rica, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 562 2855.
• Honorary Consulate of Costa Rica, Johannesburg, South Africa: +27 (0)11 486 4716.

Emergency

Emergencies: 911

Language

Spanish is the official language, but English is widely spoken.

Currency

The Costa Rican Colón (CRC) is divided into 100 céntimos and is the official currency, although US Dollars are also widely accepted. US Dollars and travelers checks can be exchanged in banks and many hotels. Banks charge a service fee for cashing travelers checks and currency other than US$ is difficult to exchange. Using black market exchange options is risky as they have been known to pass on counterfeit bills printed in Colombia. Banks close anywhere from 3pm to 6pm. Major credit cards are widely accepted, although American Express and Diners Club might be more limited. ATMs are available in major towns throughout the country, but it is advisable to always have some local cash handy.

503.7000

Time

Local time is GMT -6.

Electricity

Electrical current is 120 volts, 60Hz. Flat two-pin plugs and three-pin (two flat blades with round grounding pin) plugs are in use.

Communications

The international access code for Costa Rica is +506. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). City codes are not required. Costa Rica has one of the most advanced telecommunications systems in Latin America. The cheapest way to phone internationally is a direct call using a phone card. Mobile phone operators use GSM 1800 networks. Internet cafes are available in the main towns.

Duty-Free

Travelers to Costa Rica over 18 years do not have to pay duty on 3 liters of alcohol; 500g of tobacco or 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars. Perfume for personal use is allowed provided it is a reasonable quantity.

Tourist Office

Costa Rica Tourism Board, San Jose: +506 223 1733 or www.visitcostarica.com

Embassies in Costa Rica

• United States Embassy, San Jose: +506 2519 2000.
• British Embassy, San Jose: +506 2258 2025.
• Canadian Embassy, San Jose (also responsible for Australia): +506 2242 4400.
• South African Consulate-General, San Jose: +506 2222 1470

Costa Rica Embassies Abroad

• Embassy of Costa Rica, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 234 2945.
• Embassy of Costa Rica, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7706 8844.
• Embassy of Costa Rica, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 562 2855.
• Honorary Consulate of Costa Rica, Johannesburg, South Africa: +27 (0)11 486 4716.

Emergency

Emergencies: 911

Language

Spanish is the official language, but English is widely spoken.

Currency

The Costa Rican Colón (CRC) is divided into 100 céntimos and is the official currency, although US Dollars are also widely accepted. US Dollars and travelers checks can be exchanged in banks and many hotels. Banks charge a service fee for cashing travelers checks and currency other than US$ is difficult to exchange. Using black market exchange options is risky as they have been known to pass on counterfeit bills printed in Colombia. Banks close anywhere from 3pm to 6pm. Major credit cards are widely accepted, although American Express and Diners Club might be more limited. ATMs are available in major towns throughout the country, but it is advisable to always have some local cash handy.

503.7000

Time

Local time is GMT -6.

Electricity

Electrical current is 120 volts, 60Hz. Flat two-pin plugs and three-pin (two flat blades with round grounding pin) plugs are in use.

Communications

The international access code for Costa Rica is +506. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). City codes are not required. Costa Rica has one of the most advanced telecommunications systems in Latin America. The cheapest way to phone internationally is a direct call using a phone card. Mobile phone operators use GSM 1800 networks. Internet cafes are available in the main towns.

Duty-Free

Travelers to Costa Rica over 18 years do not have to pay duty on 3 liters of alcohol; 500g of tobacco or 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars. Perfume for personal use is allowed provided it is a reasonable quantity.

Tourist Office

Costa Rica Tourism Board, San Jose: +506 223 1733 or www.visitcostarica.com

Embassies in Costa Rica

• United States Embassy, San Jose: +506 2519 2000.
• British Embassy, San Jose: +506 2258 2025.
• Canadian Embassy, San Jose (also responsible for Australia): +506 2242 4400.
• South African Consulate-General, San Jose: +506 2222 1470

Costa Rica Embassies Abroad

• Embassy of Costa Rica, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 234 2945.
• Embassy of Costa Rica, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7706 8844.
• Embassy of Costa Rica, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 562 2855.
• Honorary Consulate of Costa Rica, Johannesburg, South Africa: +27 (0)11 486 4716.

Emergency

Emergencies: 911

Language

Spanish is the official language, but English is widely spoken.

Currency

The Costa Rican Colón (CRC) is divided into 100 céntimos and is the official currency, although US Dollars are also widely accepted. US Dollars and travelers checks can be exchanged in banks and many hotels. Banks charge a service fee for cashing travelers checks and currency other than US$ is difficult to exchange. Using black market exchange options is risky as they have been known to pass on counterfeit bills printed in Colombia. Banks close anywhere from 3pm to 6pm. Major credit cards are widely accepted, although American Express and Diners Club might be more limited. ATMs are available in major towns throughout the country, but it is advisable to always have some local cash handy.

503.7000

Time

Local time is GMT -6.

Electricity

Electrical current is 120 volts, 60Hz. Flat two-pin plugs and three-pin (two flat blades with round grounding pin) plugs are in use.

Communications

The international access code for Costa Rica is +506. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). City codes are not required. Costa Rica has one of the most advanced telecommunications systems in Latin America. The cheapest way to phone internationally is a direct call using a phone card. Mobile phone operators use GSM 1800 networks. Internet cafes are available in the main towns.

Duty-Free

Travelers to Costa Rica over 18 years do not have to pay duty on 3 liters of alcohol; 500g of tobacco or 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars. Perfume for personal use is allowed provided it is a reasonable quantity.

Tourist Office

Costa Rica Tourism Board, San Jose: +506 223 1733 or www.visitcostarica.com

Embassies in Costa Rica

• United States Embassy, San Jose: +506 2519 2000.
• British Embassy, San Jose: +506 2258 2025.
• Canadian Embassy, San Jose (also responsible for Australia): +506 2242 4400.
• South African Consulate-General, San Jose: +506 2222 1470

Costa Rica Embassies Abroad

• Embassy of Costa Rica, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 234 2945.
• Embassy of Costa Rica, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7706 8844.
• Embassy of Costa Rica, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 562 2855.
• Honorary Consulate of Costa Rica, Johannesburg, South Africa: +27 (0)11 486 4716.

Emergency

Emergencies: 911