TRAVEL INFO. Exchange Rate Buy: per U.S. dollar

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1 TRAVEL INFO Dear Villa Guest, Currency Costa Rica s currency is the colon (CRC). The symbol for the colon is a c with two forward slashes ( ) Bills are issued in the following denominations: 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000 and 50,000 colon note. Each colorful bill features a unique design, highlighting local wildlife, an historical figure, and a Costa Rican ecosystem. The notes range in size from smaller to larger depending on denomination; coins are available in 5, 10, 25, 50, 100 and 500 colones. Exchange Rate Buy: per U.S. dollar Sell: per U.S. dollar Changing Money You can exchange money just about anywhere in Costa Rica. Many small stores, known as pulperias, will allow you to purchase a pack of gum or a soda with a $5, $10 or $20 bill, giving you colones in return. Most stores, taxi drivers and street corner money-changers will also accept U.S. dollars, as long as they do not have to give you too much change back. You can pay for park entrance fees, hotel rooms, tours and meals at tourist restaurants with dollars as well. Public bus fares, meals in local markets, and small ticket items are best paid with colones. The Global Exchange office located in San Jose's Juan Santamaria International Airport is open daily from 5 a.m. until midnight. If you can avoid it, do not change money at the Global Exchange counters as their rates are much lower than banks. All banks will exchange U.S. dollars, and some will exchange British pounds and Euros; make sure your bills are free of any tears or marks, or the banks may refuse them. You can change money in one of the government-owned or private banks found throughout Costa Rica. Bring your passport and patience if

2 changing money at a Banco Nacional, Banco Popular or Banco de Costa Rica. State-run banks are notoriously slow; something as simple as changing a few dollars into colones might require 30 minutes to an hour of standing in line. Service at private banks such as Scotiabank, BANEX or Banco Mercantil is much better and faster. Here, your money exchange can be accomplished in a matter of minutes. Most private banks have English speaking tellers as well. Banking hours for most state banks are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Private banks are usually open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. ATMs You'll find ATMs throughout the country, even in the smallest towns. Most machines use the Visa plus network, but you'll also see machines on the Cirrus network, which accepts most foreign ATM and credit cards. Many ATMs also dispense U.S. dollars in addition to colones. Make sure to check with your banking institution for separate foreign currency exchange fees. Credit Cards You can use credit cards to get cash from a bank. However, your credit card company might charge you a hefty fee (sometimes 10%) for the favor. Visa, Mastercard and American Express are widely accepted at most upscale and mid-range hotels and shops, as well as restaurants in tourist towns, but you can expect a transaction fee on all international credit card purchases. All local car rental agencies accept credit cards. - See more at: [4:24:36 PM] Christien : The Climate Located between 8 and 11 north of the equator, Costa Rica enjoys a temperate climate marked by two seasons: the rainy and the dry season. The rainy season, also known as the green season, runs from May until early December with April and November being months of transition. During the rainy season, mornings are usually sunny, with afternoon storms moving in later in the day. There is an average of four or more hours of sun per day during the rainy season. The dry season runs from mid-december through April. Time Zone

3 Costa Rica does not observe Daylight Saving Time. From March through October, during U.S. Daylight Saving Time, Costa Rica's time zone is equivalent to Mountain Standard Time. November through March, Costa Rica's time zone is equivalent to Central Standard Time. Language Costa Rica's official language is Spanish, though a large number of its citizens are at least moderately bilingual. English, due to its status as the international language of tourists, is the most common second language in Costa Rica. In most areas frequented by tourists hotels, restaurants and national parks visitors will find signs in English and employees who speak it fluently. In addition, many residents along the Caribbean coast speak Patois, a Jamaican creole with English roots. However, when you stop for a snack at a roadside stand or enjoy a typical meal at a family-run restaurant, you may want to give your high school Spanish a try. You'll find Costa Ricans to be very accommodating and patient with your Spanish, no matter how rudimentary, and you'll have a blast communicating with a combination of dictionary words and lively charades. Religion More than 75% of Costa Ricans are practicing Catholics and approximately 14% are evangelical Christians. Other religions include: Jehovah's Witnesses 1.3%, Protestant 0.7%, other 4.8%, and none 3.2%. Currency The national currency is the colon (CRC) and both dollars and Euros are easily exchanged at banks. Major credit cards are widely accepted in tourist towns, but you can't use them in some of the more rural areas. Larger hotels and restaurants will generally accept credit cards and U.S. dollars. ATMs are scattered throughout the country, and usually offer good exchange rates. Electricity Your North American appliances are compatible with Costa Rica's electrical system, which functions at 110 volts. Business Hours The majority of banks are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., although some now offer extended hours. Business offices are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (many close for one hour at lunch), and most stores are open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Communications

4 The country code for Costa Rica is 506, and there is no area code inside the country. All calls within Costa Rica are considered local. Costa Rica is a technologically advanced country, and you ll find Internet cafes on almost every city corner. Most cafes charge around $1 per hour. Keep in mind that your hotel or hostel might offer free Internet access. Send and receive your letters and packages with confidence in Costa Rica. Postal branches are located in nearly every city and town. The Central Post Office in San Jose is located on Second Street between Avenues 1 and 3, and is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 7 a.m. to noon. - See more at: [4:24:51 PM] Christien : Medical Facilities Any foreigner who is temporarily in the country has the right to receive medical attention at hospitals and clinics in case of an emergency, sudden illness or chronic disease. Costa Rica has a modern public health care system under the administration of the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS). Additionally, travelers have access to several private hospitals that offer high-quality medical care at a tiny fraction of its U.S. equivalent cost. Emergencies Costa Rica has a 911 system for reporting emergencies. In the event of a traffic accident, vehicles must be left where they are, and not moved out of the way. Both the traffic police and the insurance investigator must make accident reports before the vehicles are moved. Emergency: 911 Directory Assistance: 1113 ICE Services: 1115 International Operator: 1116 Transit Police: 1117 Fire: 1118 Airports

5 Juan Santamaria International Airport Tel Limon Airport Tel Tobias Bolanos International Airport Tel Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport Tel See more at: [4:25:02 PM] Christien : Entry/Exit Requirements With a valid passport and onward airline or bus ticket, U.S., Canadian and most European citizens may visit Costa Rica for up to 90 days as tourists. A departure tax of $28 is required if you exit the country by air, and is payable by cash or credit card at the airport. If you're traveling with an underage child without his/her second parent, you will need extensive paperwork to be allowed out of the country. Vaccinations There are no mandatory vaccines to enter Costa Rica, but the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that travelers be up-to-date on routine vaccines (MMR, DPT, etc.), as well as hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and typhoid. Note that travelers coming from some African countries as well as Bolivia, Venezuela, Brazil, Peru, Columbia, Ecuador and Guyana must have a recent yellow fever vaccination certificate. - See more at: [4:25:34 PM] Christien : n Spanish, the word propina means tip. Tipping is always a personal choice, and visitors are encouraged to tip an amount they find appropriate. The level of service and your budget are important factors as well. Below is a suggested tipping guide for your travels in Costa Rica. We encourage you to reward guides and service professionals based on their performance. Airport Sky Cap $1 or $2 per bag Bartender 50 cents to $1 per drink Beach/pool attendant $2 Bellhop $1 per bag Boat Driver $2- $4 Fishing Guide/Captain $30-$50 per day Hairstylist/Manicurist $2-$4

6 Maid service in hotel $2 per day; it s helpful to leave your biggest tip on the first day to ensure excellent service. Massage Therapist 15% of the value of the massage or spa treatment Parking lot attendants $1- $2 for two to three hours Private Drivers $10 half day and $15-$20 full day Room Service Attendant 10% of the meal value Scuba Diving Tour $10 per two-tank dive Taxi Driver For short distances, rounding up to the next dollar is appreciated. For longer hauls, $1-$5 extra depending on the length of the trip Tour Bus Driver $5-$10 (for an all-day tour) Tour Guide $3-$10 per person depending on the size of the group Waiter/Waitress In all mid-range and upscale restaurants, 10% service is already included in the check; an extra 10% is appreciated if the service was exceptional Whitewater Rafting Guide $5-$10 per person for an all-day tour - See more at: