San José , Costa Rica
  
Founded in 1737 San José is located at an altitude of 2,900' feet above sea level, giving it an idyllic climate with temperatures that vary from the mid-70's F during the day to about 60 degrees F at night. San José is the main entryway to Costa Rica and offers a variety of tourist, cultural and natural attractions, including Costa Rica’s best museums: the Gold Museum, the Jade Museum, the National Museum, Costa Rican Art Museum, La Salle Natural Science Museum, University of Costa Rica Insect Museum and the Children’s Contemporary Art and Design Museum. The Plaza de la Cultura (Culture Square), between Avdas, Central and 2 and Cs. 3 and 5, is a pleasant spot to buy some souvenirs, soak up the sun, or watch marimba bands, clowns, jugglers, and colorfully dressed South Americans playing Andean music. Also near the Plaza de la Cultura is the Gold Museum, a fantastic collection of pre-Colombian gold artifacts dating from 500 BC to 1600 AD.

The National Theatre - Located on the other side of the plaza, is the National Theater, a national pride and architectural jewel that last year celebrated its 100th anniversary. The National Theatre hosts Opera, classical music and various performances on a regular basis. A few blocks away, on the 11th floor of the National Insurance Building (INS), is the Jade Museum, with the largest collection of pre-Colombian jade in the Americas. Another must visit is the National Museum – offering a quick and insightful lesson in Costa Rican culture providing travelers with exhibits depicting the Spanish Colonization, the indigenous tribes, coffee and banana production and rare art work.
 

 

San José is also home to the Metropolitan Cathedral. The majority of government services are also located in San José. Buses and taxis are readily available and are reasonably priced. Most city blocks offer department stores, boutiques and restaurants including American food chains.







    
Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica
 
Conical Volcan Arenal is the youngest stratovolcano in Costa Rica and one of its most active. The 1657-m-high andesitic volcano towers above the eastern shores of Lake Arenal, which has been enlarged by a hydroelectric project. Arenal lies along a volcanic chain that has migrated to the NW from the late-Pleistocene Los Perdidos lava domes through the Pleistocene-to-Holocene Chato volcano, which contains a 500-m-wide, lake-filled summit crater. The earliest known eruptions of Arenal took place about 7000 years ago, and it was active concurrently with Cerro Chato until the activity of Chato ended about 3500 years ago. Growth of Arenal has been characterized by periodic major explosive eruptions at several-hundred-year intervals and periods of lava effusion that armor the cone.
 
 
 

Irazú Volcano, Costa Rica
 
Irazú Volcano - "Mountain of rumbling and trembling", is the highest peak of the Central Volcanic range and the largest volcano in Costa Rica. The former capital of Costa Rica, Cartago, lies just 20 minutes east of San José . The road to the summit of Irazú Volcano heads north just before town, winding past beautiful scenery and fantastic views before ending at the awe-inspiring crater. Once at the top of the misty Volcano you will be astonished by its "lunar" landscape. On the way down, drive to the ruins of the old parish and the splendid Basilica de los Angeles, Costa Rica's most sacred shrine.
 
 
Poás Volcano National Park - From Alajuela, heading in a steady climb to its summit at 9,000' above sea level, the Poás Volcano is one of the three volcanoes in the continent accessible by road, and it's considered among the largest craters in the world. Along the way, you will watch colorful scenery that includes coffee plantations, strawberry fields, and ornamental plant greenhouses. Once at the volcano, you will walk through the country, brimming with native plant species, and marvel at the spectacular views of the smoking crater.
Protected areas and National Parks of Costa Rica: http://www.costaricabureau.com/nationalparks.htm 

Macaw, Monteverde, Costa Rica
Founded in the 1950's by a group of Quakers from the U.S., Monteverde has gained international renown as one of the most outstanding wildlife sanctuaries in the tropics. The reserve spreads out over 10,500 hectares of land that hold six different life zones. The climate and terrain of the preserve produce an incredible bio-diversity. There are at least 400 bird species in this high elevation rain forest, including the Resplendent Quetzal, ancient holy bird of the Mayans, over 100 species of mammals, 120 species of amphibians and reptiles and an estimated 2,500 species of plants making Monteverde a true "nature lover's paradise". The preserve has a definite wet and dry season, though the upper levels have fog and rain much of the year.
 
Costa Rica General Information

Official Country name
 
• Republic of Costa Rica
 
Costa Rica Population
 
• 4.02 million
 
Capital City
 
• San José
 
San José Population
 
• 1.2 million
 
Language
 
• Spanish (official), English (many people in San José speak English)
 
Time Zone
 
• San José, Costa Rica - current day and time:
  http://www.myworldclock.com/timezones/countries/Costa%20Rica
 
Passport Requirement
  
• To enter Costa Rica, you do require a passport which must be valid for at least 30 days after your arrival date. Visa not required for business/tourist stay of up to 90 days. You will also be required to have a pre-paid airline ticket to exit Costa Rica.
• U.S. Department of State Travel Requirements to Costa Rica:
   http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1093.html
*Passport and onward/return ticket required. For stays exceeding 90 days, apply for an extension within the first week of visit with the Costa Rican Immigration Department and, after 90 days, obtain an exit visa. For more information, contact the Consular Section of the Embassy of Costa Rica, 2112 S St. NW, Washington, DC 20008 (202/328-6628) or the nearest Consulate General: CA (213/380-7915), GA (770/951-7025), FL (305/871-7487), IL (312/263-2772), LA (504/581-6800), NY (212/509-3066) or TX (713/266-0484).
Internet: www.costarica-embassy.org
• Embassy/Consular Information:
Costa Rica: http://www.costarica-embassy.org/
• The National Passport Information Center (NPIC) is the U.S. Department of State's single, centralized public contact center for U.S. passport information. Telephone: 1-877-4USA-PPT (1-877-487-2778). Customer service representatives and operators for TDD/TTY are available Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight, Eastern Time, excluding federal holidays.
 
Note: Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short notice. You are advised to check your entry requirements with your destination embassy www.costarica-embassy.org  or consulate.
http://www.costarica-embassy.org/consular/travel/documents.htm
 
Visa Requirement
• A visa is not required for a business or tourist stay of up to 90 days. A passport is required.
• Costa Rica – Visa Requirement: http://www.costarica-embassy.org/consular/visa/no_visa.htm
  
Exchange Rate
 
• Current Exchange Rate Converter - Click Here
 
Cuisine
 
• Comida tipica, or native dishes, rely heavily on rice and beans, the basis of many Costa Rican meals. "Home-style" cooking predominates. But meals are generally wholesome and reasonably priced. Gallo pinto, the national dish of fried rice and black beans, is as ubiquitous as is the hamburger in North America, particularly as a breakfast (desayuno) staple. Many meals are derivatives, including arroz con pollo (rice and chicken) or arroz con tuna. At lunch, gallo pinto becomes the casado (married): rice and beans supplemented with cabbage-and-tomato salad, fried plantains, and meat. Vegetables do not form a large part of the diet. Food staples include carne (beef, sometimes called bistek), pollo (chicken), and pescado (fish). Beef and steak is relatively inexpensive, however, steak can be quite leathery and cooked in a lot of grease. Cattle are grass-fed so beef is quite lean. Despite 1,227 kilometers (767 miles) of coastline, seafood—especially shrimp (camarones) or lobster (langosto)—is expensive, because Costa Rica seafood is heavily exported.
 
Water
 
• In San José and frequently visited towns (such as Manuel Antonio, Monteverde, Tamarindo etc.), the tap water is safe to drink. However, if you go to remote areas, especially on the Atlantic coast, you should drink purified/bottled water only.
 
Cell Phone
 
• Medical World Travel will provide you with a cell phone from partner rental services in Costa Rica, i.e:
  http://www.cellphonescr.com/faq.html 
• Some US purchased (GSM) cell phones work in Costa Rica, however, roaming charges of up to $5.00 per minute are charged.
• Cell Phone information in Costa Rica:
  http://www.therealcostarica.com/technology_costa_rica/cell_phones.html#bring
 
Electricity
 
• 110V AC at 60 Hz
 
Government
 
• Democratic Republic
 
Chief of State and Head of Government
 
• Chief of State and Head of Government: President Dr. Oscar Arias
 
Climate
 
• Tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands.
• Costa Rica Climate and Weather http://www.visitcostarica.com/ict/paginas/ictnota.asp?idnota=58
 
Health
 
• There are no vaccinations required for U.S. or Australian citizens entering Costa Rica, however, it is always advised to consult your local physician well in advance of your departure date. You should make sure your tetanus vaccine is current and always exercise good judgment when eating and drinking in a foreign country. It is advisable to avoid food from street vendors. Bottled water is also advisable.
• Travelers can check the latest health information with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia. Hotline 877-FYI-TRIP (877-394-8747) and website http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx give the most recent health advisories, immunization recommendations or requirements, and advice on food and drinking water safety for regions and countries. A booklet entitled "Health Information for International Travel" (HHS publication number CDC-95-8280) is available from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402, tel. (202) 512-1800.
• Costa Rica health statistics: Infant mortality rate--9.95/1,000. Life expectancy--men 74.26 yrs., women 79.55 yrs.
• Health & Safety - LonelyPlanet - Click Here
 
People
 
• 96% Spanish descent, 2% African descent, 1% indigenous, 1% Chinese. Unlike many of their Central American neighbors, present-day Costa Ricans are largely of European rather than mestizo descent; Spain was the primary country of origin. However, an estimated 10% to 15% of the population is Nicaraguan, of fairly recent arrival and primarily of mestizo origin. Descendants of 19th-century Jamaican immigrant workers constitute an English-speaking minority and--at 3% of the population--number about 119,000. Few of the native Indians survived European contact; the indigenous population today numbers about 29,000 or less than 1% of the population.
 
Area
 
• 19,730 sq. mi. (51,100 sq. km)
 
Literacy Rate
 
• 96%
 
Religion
 
• Roman Catholic 76.3%, Protestant approx. 15.7%, others 4.8%, none 3.2%.
 
Currency
 
• Costa Rica Colón (named after Christopher Columbus)
• Sales tax is 13% and some travel related sales tax is 17%
 
Internet Access
 
• Many hotels offer Internet access via modem or WIFI, however, slow to moderate connection rates should be expected.
• The Real Costa Rica – wireless Internet information:
   http://www.therealcostarica.com/technology_costa_rica/wireless_wifi_costa_rica.html#free
 
International Dialing Code
 
• 011 + 506 + Local Number
• Country calling codes - Click Here
 
Emergency Contacts
 
• Medical World Travel will provide you with emergency contacts prior to your departure.
• The U.S. Embassy: http://sanjose.usembassy.gov/ in Costa Rica is located in Pavas at Boulevard Pavas and Calle 120, San José , tel. (506) 519-2000 or (506) 220-3127.
• US. Embassy Telephone Number: (506) 519-2000
Embassy Business Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00am- 4:30pm
Emergency After Hours Assistance for U.S. Citizens:
(506) 519-2280, (506) 519-2279 or (506)220-3127
• Dial 911 for emergencies while in Costa Rica.
 
Holidays
 
• January 1st – New Year’s Day
• Maundy Thursday – Holy Thursday
• Good Friday
• April 11th - Juan Santamaria Day
• May 1st – Labor Day
• July 25th – Guanacaste Day
• August 15th – Mother’s Day
• September 15th – Independence Day
• December 24th – Christmas Eve
• December 25th – Christmas Day
 
Travel Assistance and Related Links:
 
• Exchange Rate Currency Converter Calculator http://www.oanda.com/convert/classic
 
• US Department of State Background Notes on Costa Rica http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2019.htm 
 
• CIA World Fact Book – Costa Rica https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/print/cs.html
 
• Map of Costa Rica http://www.lonelyplanet.com/mapshells/central_america/costa_rica/costa_rica.htm 
 
• US Department of State International Travel Public Announcements
   http://travel.state.gov/travel/travel_1744.html
 
• US Bureau of Consular Affairs
o For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet web site at http://www.travel.state.gov, For additional information on international travel, see http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Travel/International.shtml.
o Emergency information concerning Americans traveling abroad may be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada or the regular toll line 1-202-501-4444 for callers outside the U.S. and Canada.
Tourist Attractions in Costa Rica
 
The Gold Museum http://www.museosdelbancocentral.org/inicio_eng.html 
Address: Between Avdas, Central and 2 and Cs. 3 and 5, San José (the Plaza de la Cultura park)
Headsets (with English narration) can be rented for 500 colones (USD$1.00).
Hours: 10:00am to 4:30pm, Tuesday through Sunday.
Admission: 1,500 colones for non residents (approximately USD$3.00)
Telephone: Museum: 243-4202, Ticket: 243-4216 Office: 243-4217
 
The Jade Museum
Address: 7th Avenue, between 11th and 9th Streets, eleventh Floor of INS, San Jose
Hours: 8:00am – 3:30pm, Monday through Friday
Admission: USD$2.00
Telephone: (506) 287-6034, Fax (506) 255-3456.
 
The National Museum
Address: Between Central and 2nd Avenue, 15th – 17th Street, San José.
Hours: 8:30am – 4:30pm, Tuesday through Sunday.
Admission: USD$4.00
Telephone: (506) 257-1433, 256-6016, 257-0012. Fax: (506) 256-4139
 
The National Theatre www.teatronacional.go.cr 
Address: 2nd Avenue, between 3rd and 5th Streets.
Hours: 9:00am to 4:00pm Monday through Saturday.
Admission: Varies
Telephone: Museum: (506) 221-3756 or 221-9417 Fax: (506) 223-4990
Email: teatrona@racsa.co.cr 
 
Costa Rica related links
 
• Costa Rica Institute of Tourism http://www.visitcostarica.com/ict/paginas/home.asp 
• Costa Rica Institute of Tourism Cultural Activities
   http://www.visitcostarica.com/ict/paginas/ictnota.asp?idnota=245
• Brief History of Costa Rica – LonelyPlanet
  http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/central-america/costa-rica/essential
• Wikipedia – Costa Rica http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Costarica 
• Tripadvisor – Costa Rica Tourism - Click Here
• Travelguide – Costa Rica - Click Here
• Travel Images – Costa Rica http://www.travel-images.com/costa-rica.html
• All About Costa Rica http://www.costarica.com/Home/
• Costa Rica Traveller Insights – LonelyPlanet http://www.lonelyplanet.com/letters/cam/cos_pc.htm 
• Lonely Planet ‘Learn About Costa Rica’ Post - Click Here
• The Real Costa Rica – Interesting Costa Rica facts and tidbits:
   http://www.therealcostarica.com/travel_costa_rica/travelagent_forgot.html

For questions regarding this destination call us at: 1 877 514 0186 or email info@medicalworldtravel.com

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