Travel Information

City Facts

Costa Rica is one of most highly valued tourist destinations in this planet. This small piece of land includes all of the necessary components to satisfy the taste of thousands of travellers visiting each year. To learn more about Costa Rica, visit www.visitcostarica.com.

Departure Tax

You are required to pay an exit fee to leave Costa Rica by airplane only. Exit fees are waived when you leave Costa Rica by boat, ship, car, motorcycle, or bus.

Departure tax is $26, can be paid in US Dollars, Colones or with a credit card.

Transportation

It’s easy to get around Costa Rica, and if you stick with public transportation, traveling within the country can be quite inexpensive. There is bus service to just about every town and city, and high-quality buses serving the main tourist destinations. Taxis are plentiful in San José, and though they are metered, it is often wise to agree on a price beforehand, especially if you are outside of San José, traveling long distances, or making several stops.

Car Rental

The car rental agencies listed below have late-model vehicles, from sub-compact to four-wheel drive all-terrain vehicles and offer high quality service and untarnished reputation. Just click on the link for more information. Note: The road system is somewhat primitive compared to North American standards, and an international driver's permit is not necessary.

• Adobe Rent A Car
• Europcar Rent a Car
• Hertz Rent a Car

The Ramada Plaza Herradura Hotel offers daily free shuttle transportation for its guests to the airport. 

Schedule of Departures from Hotel:

5:00 am, 6:00 am, 7:00 am, 8:00 am, 9:00 am, 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 12:15 pm, 1:30 pm, 2:15 pm, 3:00 pm, 4:00 pm, 6:00 pm, 7:00 pm, 8:00 pm, 9:00 pm

For a detailed listing of shuttle departures from the airport and from the hotel, click here.

Entry Requirements

Citizens holding valid passports from the following countries are permitted to stay in Costa Rica for 90 days without a visa:

Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France and Germany dependencies, Greece, Holland and dependencies, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad & Tobago, United Kingdom, United States of America, Czech Republic and Uruguay.
 
Citizens holding valid passports from the following countries are exempt from all visa requirements for stays of up to 30 days in Costa Rica, though once inside the country, they can apply for extension from the Immigration office, for an authorized period of stay of up to 90 days:
 
Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Chile, Dominica, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Iceland, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Russia, Saint Kitts/Nevis, San Marino, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Suriname, Taiwan, Turkey, The Vatican, Venezuela, Estonia and Monaco.
 
Citizens of all countries not listed above are required to obtain a visa from a Costa Rican embassy or consulate before traveling.

As in most of the countries, in order to visit Costa Rica, the traveler must show his or her passport. The passport must be valid during the following six months from the entry date to Costa Rica.

Registration available on-site