Passport formalities
Citizens of the Russian Federation need a visa to enter the country. Upon arrival, you will need to fill out a tourist card, part of which should be retained until departure.
Customs regulations
You can import 500 cigarettes or 50 cigars, 500 grams of tobacco, 3 liters of alcoholic beverages into the country. On the plane, you will need to fill out a declaration.
Important: You must keep all immigration documents – they will be needed when leaving the country!
Geography, population, religion.
The capital is San Jose with a population of 300 thousand people, the population of the country is 3.5 million people. (2002). The total area is 48.7 thousand square meters. km. The highest point is Mount Chirripo (3819 m). Average air temperature – +26С -+28С and sea water – +25С.
Religion – 90% of the population of Costa Rica are devout Catholics.
Language
The official language is Spanish. English is also common in tourist areas.
Time
It lags behind Moscow by 10 hours in winter and 9 hours in summer.
Local currency
According to a2zgov, the national currency of Costa Rica is the colon, which consists of 100 centavos. You must take US dollars (cash or traveler’s checks) on your trip, which can be exchanged at the hotel or exchange offices. Only national currency is accepted for payment, as well as major credit cards (VISA, MasterCard, Diners Club, American Express).
Phone
You can call any country in the world from a hotel or public phone. To call to Russia, you need to dial: 00 – international access + 7 – Russian code + area code + subscriber number.
Internet
Some hotels offer internet services.
Shops and shopping
Shops are open from 09.00 – 20.00. Boutiques and non-grocery stores – from 09.00 – 19.30. Lunch break – from 12.00 – 14.00.
As souvenirs and gifts, you can buy handicrafts: bright bags, T-shirts, hammocks made using the macrame technique and colorful figurines. There are decorations made of precious woods, you can also buy high-quality coffee. Check out the amazing Costa Rican stamps featuring butterflies, flowers and birds.
Health care
In the event of an insured event, it is necessary to contact the Moscow office of the insurance company, the phone number of which is indicated in the insurance policy, or contact the guide. We recommend that you take the most necessary medicines from Russia with you.
Water
Drinking tap water is not recommended. Use purchased bottled water for this purpose.
Tips
It is customary in restaurants to tip about 10% of your order. A $1 tip is usually given for small favors.
Electricity
The mains voltage is 110 volts. Plugs and sockets do not comply with European standards (flat plug) – an adapter is required, which can be purchased from the store or asked at the reception. Many modern hotels have 220 volts.
What to Pack: Lightweight cotton clothing is ideal for Costa Rica’s tropical climate. For walks in the highlands, you should take a light jacket or sweater with you, for business meetings and visits to religious institutions – more formal clothes. An umbrella and a raincoat are always relevant here. Costa Rica is largely a conservative country, so we do not recommend topless sunbathing on the beach.
Check out from the hotel
A representative of the company will warn you in advance about the time of meeting in the hotel lobby for transfer to the airport (usually orally or in writing, leaving you a message at the check-in desk).
Attention!!!
You need to remember that check-out (the official time when you need to vacate the room) is 12:00. Half an hour before the appointed time, it is advisable to go down to the hall with things. At the reception desk you will have to pay all bills for additional services (minibar, telephone conversations, etc.) and hand over the room key. Be sure to check if you forgot to take things from your safe and your passport from the porter.
Attention!!!
When departing from the country, an airport tax is charged at the airport – 28 USD per person.
Important: All airports in the 27 countries that are part of the European Union must check the hand luggage of passengers, not allow the carrying on board of aircraft of liquids in volumes greater than 100 milliliters and a total volume of not more than 1 liter. Medicines and baby food are checked separately and are not limited in volume. Perfumes, drinks, alcohol and aerosols purchased from duty-free shops at the airport and packed in sealed plastic bags can also be carried in hand luggage. BUT!!! If a passenger has a flight with a transfer, liquids purchased at the airport of departure will not be allowed on board, they can only be purchased at the transfer airport.
