Costa Rica

Mention Costa Rica and people think paradise. The country's Disney-like cast of creatures — ranging from howler monkeys to toucans — are prolific and relatively easy to spot. The waves are prime, the beauty is staggering and the sluggish pace seductive.

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Costa Rica is a tropical country and experiences only two seasons: wet and dry. The dry season is generally between late December and April; the wet season lasts the rest of the year. The highlands are cold: San José and the Central Valley get an 'eternal spring' with lows averaging 15°C (60°F) and highs averaging 26°C (79°F). Both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts are pretty much sweltering year-round - get ready for some bad-hair days. Temperatures vary little between seasons; the main influence on temperature is altitude. The humidity at low altitudes can be oppressive.

Transport

Getting around

There are two domestic airlines: Sansa (tel: 221 9414; www.flysansa.com) and NatureAir (tel: 220 3054; www.natureair.com). Schedules change constantly and delays are frequent because of inclement weather. Costa Rica has small planes and big storms; you don't want to be in them at the same time.

Public transport is well-developed in Costa Rica, although transport to towns other than San José is limited. Local buses are the best (albeit rather slow) way of getting around. They will take you just about everywhere, and they're frequent and cheap. San José is the transport center for the country, but there is no central bus terminal.

An alternative to the standard intercity bus is the tourist-van shuttle service.

Taxis are considered a viable form of public transport for long journeys, and can be hired by the day, half-day or hour. Cars and motorcycles can also be rented in San José.

Getting there and away

International flights arrive at Aeropuerto Internacional Juan Santamaría, 17km (10.5mi) northwest of San José in the town of Alajuela. In recent years, Daniel Oduber airport in Liberia has started receiving international flights from the US. It's expected that many international airlines will start to offer flights in/out of this airport, including some flights direct from Europe (eliminating the lay-over in Miami or Dallas). This airport is convenient for travelers visiting the Península de Nicoya.

Costa Rica is well connected by air to other Central and Latin American countries, as well as the US.

Costa Rica shares land borders with Nicaragua and Panama. Many travelers, particularly shoestringers, enter the country by bus. An extensive bus system links the Central American capitals and it's vastly cheaper than flying.

Health & Legal Requirements

Dangers and annoyances

Street crime is the principle concern of most travelers. While violent crime is low compared to American cities, pick-pocketing is common. Carry your money and passport in an inside pocket or in a money belt.

Between January 2004 and April 2005, there were 599 reported tourist assaults in Costa Rica, most of which occurred in San José. If you're held at knife or gunpoint, do not resist. Stay anonymous by not wearing flashy jewelry and by walking confidently. If you are lost, go inside a store or restaurant to get directions. After dark, travel by taxi. Women walking alone at night are sometimes tailed and mistaken for prostitutes. If you're bar-hopping, don't go alone.

In a common scam, thieves spill something on a passer-by, who is then pick-pocketed by the person who steps in to help 'clean up'. Another trend is for motorists to mug pedestrians and speed off.

In the capital, be careful around the Coca-Cola bus terminal and the red-light district south of Parque Central, especially at night. Men should beware of friendly Ticas who turn out to be prostitutes. They may take more than customers bargain for - namely their wallets. Also, AIDS is on the rise in Central America and prostitution is not regulated.

There is a small risk of injury or death in any adventure-tourism activity. Numerous tourism-related deaths in the early '00s led the government to pass laws in an attempt to regulate the industry. In 2003, Costa Rica became the first country in Latin America to pass a universal set of safety standards for adventure-tour operators. Unfortunately, compliance is dependent on enforcement, which in Costa Rica always tends to be weak. Most activities are safe, but be careful and choose adventure-tour operators who are recommended and have a good safety track record.

If driving, never leave valuables inside your car, even for brief periods. Always use a guarded parking lot at night and remove all luggage.

Visas overview

Visa requirements for Costa Rica change rapidly so check with your consulate before leaving. Currently, citizens of the US, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Israel, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Panama, Paraguay, South Africa, South Korea, Uruguay, the UK, France and most other western European countries do not need a visa for a 90-day stay. Citizens of India, Singapore, Russia and most of Eastern Europe and Latin America can stay 30 days without a visa. All nationalities are required to have an airline ticket to exit Costa Rica or proof of financial resources. If you do need a visa, it will cost around 20.00 from a Costa Rican consulate.