Entry requirements: Valid passport. No visa is required for citizens of North America or Eastern European countries.
Airports:
Juan Santamaría International Airport. Airport code *SJO. Location: 20 minutes from San José, Costa Rica.
Daniel Oduver International Airport. Airport code *LIR. Location: 15 minutes from Liberia, Costa Rica.
The departure tax is USD 9.
The most common airlines flying to Costa Rica are:
American Airlines, Taca, United Airlines, Spirit, Delta, LTU, and Air Canada.
Arriving by sea: Many cruise lines frequently call at various ports along Costa Rica’s coast.
Some examples include Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Lines, and Princess Cruises.
Planning your Costa Rica vacation: Contact Tropical Expeditions (Costa Rica Guides) for complete assistance with hotels or all-inclusive Costa Rica vacation packages. Toll-free: 1-877-281-8515
Tropical Expeditions is a licensed travel company that was awarded Tour Operator of the Year in 2007. It is also a proud member of the National Association of Tour Operators and the Costa Rica Tourism Board. In 2010, it received special recognition for its commitment to sustainable tourism.
Entry requirements for Costa Rica:
Entry requirements vary depending on your country of origin. Citizens of Canada and the United States need valid passports and can stay for up to 90 days. Adults and children need separate passports.
Most European countries do not require a visa to enter Costa Rica. Irish, Australian, and New Zealand citizens can obtain an initial permit to stay for up to 30 days.
In Central America, only Nicaraguans need a visa to enter Costa Rica, due to the high volume of Nicaraguan immigration.
Costa Rica can be reached by air, land and sea.
AIR (International Airlines)
More than one million people visited Costa Rica last year. Prices vary depending on the season. Airfare from the United States or Canada typically ranges from US$300 to US$800 for a round-trip economy ticket. From Europe, prices range from US$800 to US$000. Prices may be lower during the low season, and during the high season, you may find special rates on charter flights when available.
There are two international airports in Costa Rica:
Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) is located near the city of Alajuela. When booking a flight to Costa Rica, please note that this airport is often referred to internationally as San José Airport due to its proximity to the capital city. It is actually located in the province of Alajuela, very close to the city of Heredia. It is the country’s main airport and also its most modern. The airport offers a wide range of services, including fast-food restaurants, bookstores, souvenir shops, duty-free shops, a small pharmacy, and several currency exchange offices.
San José, Costa Rica, has daily flights operated by American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, Taca, Lacsa, Air Caribe, Mexicana, Spirit Airlines, United, US Airways, Frontier Airlines, Air Canada, LTU, JetBlue, Thomas Cook, and Copa Airlines. These airlines offer daily connections to various cities in the Americas and Europe. Some of the major cities served by this airport include New York, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Newark, Toronto, Montreal, Mexico City, Madrid, and Frankfurt, as well as most major cities in South and Central America.
Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR) is located in the province of Guanacaste. This airport is just ten minutes from Liberia, the main city in Guanacaste, and close to the beaches and resorts of Costa Rica’s Northwest Pacific coast, also known as the Gold Coast. The airport receives flights from several North American airlines mentioned earlier, as well as a couple of charter flights, such as First Choice. While the airport is small in terms of the number of flights and services, it’s a good option for those seeking a beach vacation in Guanacaste. Airport code (LIR).
The departure tax is 6 colones per person. It can be paid at the airport on the day of departure or at various banks and hotels throughout the country. You can pay this tax in colones, dollars, or with your credit card. It is strongly recommended that you arrive at the airport at least 2.5 hours before your flight’s departure time. Baggage weight is limited to 70 pounds (32 kg) per bag. This may vary depending on the airline’s policies.
Once you have your plane tickets, you can book the land portion of your Costa Rica vacation with Costa Rica Guides (https://www.costaricaguides.com/costa_rica_multiday_tours_.html), an online company by Tropical Expeditions that has been providing custom-made vacation programs for individual travelers and groups since 1993. Tropical Expeditions is a licensed travel company that was awarded Tour Operator of the Year in 2007. It is also a proud member of the National Association of Tour Operators and the Costa Rica Tourism Board. In 2010, it received special recognition for its commitment to sustainable tourism.
Local airlines of Costa Rica.
Local airlines operate through smaller airports. In San José, they use either Juan Santamaría International Airport or Tobias Bolaños Airport, located in Rhomoser, on the west side of the capital. For domestic flights, you are required to be at the airport at least one hour before departure.
There are four local airlines that provide nationwide service:
1- SANSA.
2- Nature Air.
3- Paradise Air.
4- AeroBell.
Some of these airlines offer private flights for families or small groups.
LAND
If you plan to drive in Costa Rica, be aware that many roads are in poor condition; however, the natural attractions and incredible landscapes throughout the country make the bumpy journey worthwhile. Many visitors who choose a road trip return time and again for this type of experience, which gives them a deeper understanding of the country through increased interaction with locals.
When you arrive in Costa Rica, you can stay in the country with your car for up to 3 months. If you wish to stay in Costa Rica beyond 90 days, you can either renew your visa and pay substantial import taxes or leave the country for a nearby country like Panama or Nicaragua for at least 72 hours before returning to Costa Rica.
RENT A CAR
Renting can be expensive, depending on the season. Prices can start at around $40 USD per day and $300 per week for an economy car. If you want a 4×4, prices go up to $50 per day or more, depending on the type of vehicle. For those seeking more freedom and adventure, this could be an excellent option. If you’re visiting for business or prefer not to drive, hiring a private driver who can help you get around easily and overcome any language barriers is a great alternative. This can be arranged through various reputable travel agencies or car rental companies.
Some of the car rental options in Costa Rica include:
1- Hola Rent a Car
2- Economy Rent a Car
3- Dollar Rent a Car
4- Adobe Rent a Car.
5- National Rent a Car.
6- Budget Rent a Car.
Some travelers prefer to hire a travel agency to take care of their hotels, tours, transfers, and car rental, usually at no extra cost.
Four-wheel drive vehicles are highly recommended. If you don’t want to rent a car, you can get around by bus. Public buses are the cheapest and can take you anywhere in the country, although private buses can do the same but are more comfortable, safer, and faster.
It is important to know that public buses usually take much longer to get from one destination to another, as they make several stops along the way.
Taxis are readily available almost everywhere. Sometimes it’s better to take a taxi than to walk, especially at night. It’s important to make sure they turn on the meter (known as “La María”), which will guarantee you the correct fare.
It’s also important to know that unlicensed taxis are cheaper because they don’t use meters. These taxis are considered regular taxis.
These cars don’t have a specific color like regular red taxis. It’s important to note that these illegal taxis usually don’t have insurance, so if an accident happens, there’s nothing to claim.
SEA
Costa Rica is the perfect vacation destination. There are four ports in Costa Rica: one on the Caribbean coast in the province of Limón, one in Puntarenas, and one in Caldera, located on the central Pacific coast. More than 90,000 people have visited these ports in recent years.
There are 4 commercial ports:
1- Pacific Coast, Caldera
2- Puntarenas.
3- Golfito – South Pacific Coast
4- Moin – north of Limón.
For those who enjoy cruises, several cruise lines visit Costa Rica each year, stopping at its various ports. These types of visits are often too short, as the cruise line only allows one day to explore the country, which is definitely insufficient.
Seascapes:
Business hours: 8 am to 4 pm
1- North Pacific Port: Located in Playas del Coco.
2- Central Pacific Port: Located at the Marriott Los Sueños Hotel in Puntarenas. These boats go to Caldera.
3- South Pacific Port: Located in Golfito. This is an immigration port, so people must go through customs.
4- Caribbean Coast Port: Located in Puerto Limón. There are no formal yacht facilities, but people still have to go through customs.
