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Visitor
Information
Getting Around
The majority of Costa Ricans do not own cars, so public
transportation is quite well developed, although transport
to towns other than San José is limited. Most multi-destination
trips will require backtracking into San José and
then catching another bus outward again.
The buses are not that comfortable and to the uninitiated
and faint-of-heart the system can seem incredibly chaotic,
but ask any Costa Rican for advice and they'll point you
in the right direction. The good news is that the fares
are generally cheap - no destination is more than 9.00
away. There are three major bus terminals in San José:
the Coca-Cola terminal is about a 20-minute walk east
from the city centre, down Avenida 1; there's the understated
Atlántico Norte terminal; and the Caribe, terminal
north of Avenida 13 on Calle Central.
Taxis are considered a viable form of public transportation
for long journeys, and can be hired by the day, half-day
or hour. Cars and motorcycles can also be rented in San
José.
Rental Cars
Daily rates range from US$25 to around US$100, depending
on class of vehicle. Most agencies have weekly rates,
as well.
Agencies in Costa Rica generally do not recognize credit
card insurance and will require you to buy theirs at a
cost of US$12 to US$20 per day.
Driving
Your regular license, along with your passport or Tourist
Card, are all that you need to drive in the country.
Water
The water is potable in most of the country. We recommend
using bottled water, specially in areas around the coast.
Credit Cards
Almost all hotels and tourist establishments take at least
one type of credit card. The most widely accepted are
Visa and Mastercard. American Express is nearly as widely
accepted. Most tourist oriented businesses will also cash
travelers checks. You will also find ATM machines distributed
throughout the country.
Electricity
Outlets are 110 V, with standard US two prong plugs. Electricity
is available in all but the most remote areas. Many remote
places not serviced by the utility company have local
generators.
Health
No immunizations are required for visitors. Costa Rica
is well known for providing world-class healthcare and
beauty services.
Communications
Costa Rica has satellite connections with all the Central
American countries, the United States, Europe, Canada,
Mexico, South America, Asia and Africa. Apart from direct
dialing, fax and telex communications to most of the countries
in the world, it has an efficient mailing system and offers
several courier services.
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Tourism
and Embassy Contact Information
Costa Rica Tourist Board
Street Address: Edificio Genaro Valverde, Calles
5 y 7, Avenida 4, San Jose, Costa Rica
Postal Address: PO Box 777, 1000 San Jose, Costa
Rica
Phone: 506-223-1733 Fax: 506-223-5452 or 506-255-4997
Toll Free: 800-343-6332 (US & Canada only)
Email: info@tourism-costarica.com
Website: http://www.tourism-costarica.com
Camara Nacional de Turismo (CANATUR)
Address: Apartado 828, 1000 San Jose, Costa Rica
Phone: 506-234-6222 Fax: 506-253-8102
Email: canatour@tourism.co.cr
Embassy of the Republic of Costa Rica (US)
Address: 2114 S Street, NW, Washington, DC 20008
Phone: 202-234-2945 or 202-328-6628 Fax: 202-265-4795
Email: embassy@costarica.com
Embassy of the Republic of Costa Rica (Canada)
Address: 135 York Street, Suite 208, Ottawa, Ontario
K1N 5T4
Phone: 613-562-2855 Fax: 613-562-2582
Email: embcrica@travel-net.com
Embassy of the Republic of Costa Rica (London)
Address: Flat 1, 14 Lancaster Gate, London W2
3LH
Phone: (020) 7706-8844 Fax: (020) 7706-8655
Email: info@embcrion.demon.co.uk
Embassy of the United States of America
Street Address: Calle 120, Avenida Central, San
Jose, Costa Rica
Postal Address: PO Box 920-1200, Pavas, San Jose,
Costa Rica
Phone: 506-220-3939 Fax: 506-220-2305
Email: hdssjo@usia.gov
Canadian Embassy
Street Address: Oficentro Ejecutivo La Sabana,
Tower 5, 3rd Floor, San Jose, Costa Rica
Postal Address: Apartado 351-1007, Centro Colon,
San Jose, Costa Rica
Phone: 506-296-4149 Fax: 506-296-4270
Email: canadacr@racsa.co.cr
British Embassy
Address: Apartado 815, 11th Floor, Edificio Centro
Colon, 1007 San Jose, Costa Rica
Phone: 506-234-6222 Fax: 506-233-9938
Email: britemb@sol.racsa.co.cr
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