{"metadata":{"generated":{"timestamp":1393624893,"date":"2014-02-28 23:01:33"}},"data":{"country-iso":"CR","advisory-state":1,"has-advisory-warning":0,"has-regional-advisory":0,"has-content":1,"update-metadata":"","eng":{"name":"Costa Rica","url-slug":"costa-rica","friendly-date":"February 19, 2014 11:26 ","advisory-text":"Exercise a high degree of caution","recent-updates":"A minor editorial change was made.","advisories":"
<\/p>","security":"
The decision to travel is your responsibility. You are also responsible for your personal safety abroad. The purpose of this Travel Advice is to provide up-to-date information to enable you to make well-informed decisions.<\/p>\n
Crimes against tourists are particularly common at airports, bus stations, ports, car rental lots, crowded tourist attractions and resort areas. Thieves target foreigners’ money, credit cards and passports. Cases of passport theft, including cases involving Canadians, are extremely common. Exercise caution and vigilance with your valuables and travel documents. Petty crime such as pickpocketing, bag snatching, and thefts from vehicles also occurs regularly.<\/p>\n
Stay in busy and well-protected hotels, and ensure that your personal belongings are secure at all times. Never leave valuables unattended. Carry a photocopy of your passport, including the Costa Rican entry stamp, and any other travel documents, and keep your original documents in a secure place, such as the hotel safe.<\/p>\n
Remain alert to your surroundings near the ports of Limón and Puntarenas. In San José, high-risk areas for theft include the Coca Cola bus station, the inner downtown area and public parks. On the Atlantic coast, be particularly cautious in Puerto Viejo and Cahuita; on the Pacific coast, Tamarindo, Jacó, Quepos and Manuel Antonio are areas of particular concern for theft. Cars parked near the popular crocodile viewing area along the Tárcoles River near Jacó are particularly vulnerable to theft.<\/p>\n
Violent crime is increasing and is of significant concern to tourists and foreign residents. Since January 2011, two Canadian citizens have been murdered in Costa Rica. Over the past two years, eight foreign nationals (including one Canadian citizen) have gone missing. During this time, four foreigners (including one Canadian citizen) were murdered on the Osa peninsula.<\/p>\n
Armed robberies and home invasions are also on the rise, including in beach areas and on the main highways in the central valley. Thieves often work in teams, in which one thief diverts the victims’ attention while the other snatches their possessions. Beware of \"good Samaritans\" offering their help to change a flat tire, as they are often the cause of the situation. Carjackings occur, often at gunpoint. Remain vigilant in a stopped car and always drive with the doors locked and windows closed. Park your vehicle only in supervised commercial parking lots, and avoid travelling at night.<\/p>\n
Drug trafficking is increasing in Costa Rica. Local consumption of illicit narcotics, particularly crack cocaine, is a key concern for the Costa Rican authorities along with the continued rise in drug-related violent crimes.<\/p>\n
Cases of express kidnapping, where victims are picked up from the street and forced to withdraw funds from automated banking machines (ABMs), have occurred. Avoid showing signs of affluence, and remain cautious with new acquaintances offering friendship, hospitality or assistance.<\/p>\n
Foreigners have been sexually assaulted at beach resorts as well as by taxi drivers in San José. Only use official taxis, and avoid those that do not have working door handles, locks and meters. Do not ride in the front seat with the driver.<\/p>\n
As incidents of sexual assault sometimes involve the use of sedative drugs, avoid leaving your drinks or food unattended in bars and nightclubs. Consult our publication entitled Her Own Way: A Woman’s Safe-Travel Guide<\/a> for travel safety information specifically aimed at Canadian women.<\/p>\n If you are a victim of robbery or any other crime, we strongly encourage you to file a formal police report at the closest Oficina del Organismo de Investigación Judicial <\/em>(judicial investigation department office) to ensure that local authorities can conduct an investigation and contribute to reducing crime in Costa Rica.<\/p>\n Occasional demonstrations occur in the capital, which may cause traffic disruptions. Strikes also sometimes take place and disrupt local services. Exercise caution, avoid large crowds and stay informed of possible roadblocks.<\/p>\n Costa Rica has one of the highest traffic accident rates in the world. Exercise great caution when driving or walking, since traffic laws are routinely ignored. Traffic signs are not sufficient. In some areas, potholes, sharp curves, landslides, and narrow or unpaved roads create dangerous road conditions. Be careful after dark, especially on rural roads. Travelling by road during the rainy season is particularly dangerous, given the increased risks of flooding and landslides.<\/p>\n Camera monitoring systems have been installed in various locations. Speeding fines are automatically charged to individuals exceeding the speed limit.<\/p>\n Only use official taxis. At the airport, licensed taxis are orange. Other official taxis are red with a yellow triangle on the side.<\/p>\n Public bus transportation is disorganized. Police checks of public transportation occur and are often used to determine whether foreigners have overstayed the 90-day visa exemption period.<\/p>\n If navigating the coasts of Costa Rica, proceed with caution, as safety and rescue operations are limited due to a lack of resources. There have been cases where the Costa Rican Coast Guard has sought the assistance of the U.S. Coast Guard, resulting in delayed rescue operations.<\/p>\n Consult our Transportation Safety<\/a> page in order to verify if national airlines meet safety standards.<\/p>\n Several drownings occur each year. Riptides are very common on both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts. Few beaches are supervised or have signs warning of dangerous conditions. Seek the advice of local authorities before swimming.<\/p>\n Safety features on small boats are not always reliable. White-water rafting, scuba diving, bungee jumping, canopy touring, and other adventure sports should only be undertaken with a well-established company. If you have any doubt concerning the security of the installations or equipment, refrain from using them.<\/p>\n Avoid camping or sleeping overnight on beaches.<\/p>\n If you intend to visit jungle areas, always go with an experienced guide.<\/p>\n Few people outside major hotels and very few public service providers such as police, lawyers and hospitals are able to communicate in English or French. Most taxi drivers do not speak English or French.<\/p>\n Costa Rica has created a tourism police force (Policía Turística<\/em>) dedicated to improving the security of foreigners. Dial 911 for police assistance.<\/p>","entry-exit":" It is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. Canadian consular officials cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet entry requirements. The following information on entry and exit requirements has been obtained from the Costa Rican authorities. However, these requirements are subject to change at any time. It is your responsibility to check with the Embassy of the Republic of Costa Rica<\/a> or one of its consulates<\/a> for up-to-date information.<\/p>\n Official (special and diplomatic) passport holders must consult the Official Travel<\/a> page, as they may be subject to different entry requirements.<\/p>\n Canadians must present a valid passport<\/a> to visit Costa Rica. Before you leave, ask your transportation company about its requirements related to passport validity, which may be more stringent than the country's entry rules.<\/p>\n Tourist visa: Not required Canadians arriving in Costa Rica may remain for up to 90 days without a visa. Those wishing to apply for residency status must contact the Dirección General de Migracion y Extranjería. Overstaying the 90-day period is punishable by a fine and possible deportation. Persons deported from Costa Rica will not be allowed to re-enter the country for 10 years.<\/p>\n Students must obtain a visa from the Costa Rican Immigration Department. They must provide confirmation of enrollment in an accredited school.<\/p>\n There is a departure tax of US$29 that is payable by cash or credit card.<\/p>\n Under Costa Rican law, minors (under the age of 18) born in Costa Rica and holding Canadian citizenship are considered to be citizens of Costa Rica, even if they are travelling on a Canadian passport. In order to leave Costa Rica, the minor’s Canadian passport must have a Costa Rican Departure Approval, or the minor's departure will be denied. Both parents must request this approval from the Costa Rican Immigration Department or through the Embassy of the Republic of Costa Rica in Canada prior to departure. There have been several cases of departure denials because proper documentation was lacking. Minors with dual citizenship who are travelling unaccompanied must have legally certified written consent from both parents.<\/p>\n Children need special documentation to visit certain countries. Please consult our Children<\/a> page for more information.<\/p>\n Some countries require proof of yellow fever vaccination before allowing entry. Consult the World Health Organization’s country list<\/a> to obtain information on this country’s requirements.<\/p>","health":" Be sure that your routine vaccines<\/a> are up-to-date regardless of your travel destination.<\/p> You may be at risk for these vaccine-preventable diseases while travelling in this country. Talk to your travel health provider about which ones are right for you.<\/p> \n\tHepatitis A<\/a> is a disease of the liver spread by contaminated food or water. All those travelling to regions with a risk of hepatitis A infection should get vaccinated.<\/p>\n<\/details> \n\tHepatitis B<\/a> is a disease of the liver spread through blood or other bodily fluids. Travellers who may be exposed (e.g., through sexual contact, medical treatment or occupational exposure) should get vaccinated.<\/p>\n<\/details> \n\tSeasonal influenza<\/a> occurs worldwide. The flu season usually runs from November to April in the northern hemisphere, between April and October in the southern hemisphere and year round in the tropics. Influenza (flu) is caused by a virus spread from person to person when they cough or sneeze or through personal contact with unwashed hands. Get the flu shot.<\/p>\n<\/details> \n\tMeasles occurs worldwide but is a common disease in developing countries, particularly in parts of Africa and Asia. Measles<\/a> is a highly contagious disease. Be sure your vaccination against measles is up-to-date regardless of the travel destination. \n\tRabies<\/a> is a disease that attacks the central nervous system spread to humans through a bite, scratch or lick from a rabid animal. Vaccination should be considered for travellers going to areas where rabies exists and who have a high risk of exposure (i.e., close contact with animals, occupational risk, and children).<\/p>\n<\/details> \n\tTyphoid<\/a> is a bacterial infection spread by contaminated food or water. Risk is higher among travellers going to rural areas, visiting friends and relatives, or with weakened immune systems. Travellers visiting regions with typhoid risk, especially those exposed to places with poor sanitation should consider getting vaccinated.<\/p>\n<\/details> Yellow fever is a disease caused by the bite of an infected mosquito.<\/p> Travellers get vaccinated either because it is required to enter a country or because it is recommended for their protection.<\/p>Demonstrations<\/h3>\n
Road travel<\/h3>\n
Maritime travel<\/h3>\n
Air travel<\/h3>\n
General security information<\/h3>\n
Emergency services<\/h3>\n
Passport<\/h3>\n
Visas<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Business visa: Required
Student visa: Required<\/p>\nDual citizenship<\/h3>\n
Children and travel<\/h3>\n
Yellow fever<\/h3>\n
Vaccines<\/summary>
Routine Vaccines<\/h3>
Vaccines to Consider<\/h3>
Hepatitis A<\/summary>
Hepatitis B<\/summary>
Influenza<\/summary>
Measles<\/summary>
\n\t <\/p>\n<\/details>Rabies<\/summary>
Typhoid<\/summary>
Yellow Fever Vaccination<\/h3>