Wayzata World Factbook 1996/The World Factbook - 1996 Edition - Wayzata Technology (3079) (1996).iso/pc/text/tvltxt/costa_ri.tvl

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Costa Rica - Consular Information Sheet
September 2, 1994

Country Description:  Costa Rica is a developing country.  Tourist
facilities, particularly in the capital, are generally adequate.

Entry Requirements:  A valid passport is required to enter Costa Rica.  At
the discretion of Costa Rican authorities, travelers are sometimes admitted
with the original copy of a certified U.S. birth certificate and photo I.D.
for tourist stays up to 90 days.  Tourist cards are issued upon arrival at
the airport.  U.S. citizens must have an onward or return ticket to obtain a
tourist card.  Every departing traveler is required to pay a six dollar tax
upon departure.  To obtain additional and updated information on entry and
exit requirements, travelers can contact the Consular Section of the Embassy
of Costa Rica at 2114 S Street, NW,  Washington, D.C. 20008, tel: (202) 328-
6628 or the nearest consulate in Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, New Orleans,
New York or Houston.

Medical Facilities:  Cases of malaria have been reported on the Atlantic
coast centered around the city of Limon.  Medical care in the capital city
of San Jose is adequate.  However, in areas outside of San Jose medical care
is more limited.  Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment
for health services.  U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the
United States.  In some cases, medical insurance with specific overseas
coverage has proved to be useful.  For additional health information,
travelers can contact the international travelers hotline of the Centers for
Disease Control at [phone].

Crime Information:  Pickpocketing, muggings and car break-ins are common and
are increasingly violent in nature.  Thefts take place on the street, in
hotel rooms and from cars, especially those with tourist/rental license
plates.  Downtown San Jose and the beach areas of Jaco appear to be favorite
areas of operation for criminals preying on tourists.

In addition, violence between squatters and landowners in Pavones, Costa
Rica, periodically has affected tourists and U.S. citizen landholders.
There are also several longstanding expropriation cases of U.S. citizen
landholders.  The U.S. Embassy is currently working with the Costa Rican
Government to resolve these cases.  Tourists and individuals considering
purchasing property may find it useful to check with the Consular Section of
the U.S. Embassy in San Jose for local conditions before traveling to or
investing in this area.  Also, some remote trails in national parks have
been closed because of low numbers of visitors and reported robberies of
hikers in the area.  Tourists may check with forest rangers for current park
conditions.

The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately
to local police and to the U.S. Embassy in San Jose.  Useful information on
guarding valuables and protecting personal security while traveling abroad
is provided in the Department of State pamphlet, "A Safe Trip Abroad."  This
publication, as well as others, such as "Tips for Travelers to Central and
South America," are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S.
Government Printing Office, Washington D.C. 20402.

Drug Penalties:  U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in
which they are traveling.  Penalties in Costa Rica for possession, use and
trafficking in illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can expect
lengthy jail sentences and fines.

Other Information:  Costa Rica has a long history of investment and real
estate scams and frauds perpetrated against U.S. citizens and international
visitors.  In addition, some U.S. citizen landowners have had their property
invaded by squatters, whom they have been unable to evict.  Pavones, on the
south Pacific coast, and Sarapiqui, in northeast Costa Rica, are the areas
most affected by squatter/landowner disputes.  Persons contemplating buying
land may find it useful to seek competent legal advice concerning their
rights as landowners, to inspect the property and to assess local conditions
before purchase.

Civil Aviation Oversight:  In October 1991, the U.S. Federal Aviation
Administration assessed Costa Rica's civil aviation authority as in
compliance with international aviation safety oversight standards for Costa
Rican carriers operating to and from the U.S.  The same level of safety
oversight would typically be applied to operations to other destinations.
For further information, travelers may contact the Department of
Transportation at 1-800-322-7873.

Registration:  U.S. citizens who register with the Consular Section of the
U.S. Embassy in San Jose, Costa Rica, may obtain updated information on
travel and security within Costa Rica.

Embassy Location:  The U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica is located in Pavas, San
Jose at telephone [phone].  The Embassy is open Monday through
Friday, and closed on Costa Rican and American holidays.  For emergencies
arising outside of normal business hours, call [phone] and ask for
the duty officer.

No. 94-185

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated August 30, 1994 to add
information on aviation oversight.