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GENERAL
TIPS IN COSTA RICA
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Costa Rican lifestyle tends
to be more laid-back than that of North American
or European countries, be patient if things take
longer to be done than in your home country.
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The road infrastructure (street
conditions and road signals) in Costa Rica is
not very developed, so be patient when traveling
within the country.
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Cars do not yield to other
cars or pedestrians! Be careful when you cross
our streets.
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Buy coffee. Even if you’re
not a coffee drinker, you’re bound to know
someone who is and coffee is the best buy in Costa
Rica.
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Wear conservative clothing.
Foreigners often receive more attention than the
want, and this is one way to help avoid it.
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Don’t forget to ask
what comes on the food you order.
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Don’t leave things unattended
on the beach while you’re swimming.
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Always carry a photocopy of
your passport, showing your photograph and the
date you entered the country. Leave the original
in the safety deposit box at your hotel.
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Keep your airline ticket,
important documents, cash and travelers checks
in the hotel safe. Write the numbers of your travelers
checks in a separate place.
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Always change your money at
a bank or your hotel, never on the street.
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Don't wear valuable jewelry
and carry only the amount of money you'll need
for each day.
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Under no circumstances give
money to traffic police or other police officers.
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Cabs are red with the license
plate number painted in the middle of a yellow
triangle on both doors and airport cabs are orange.
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Inside the National Parks follow
the safety tips posted inside the parks, explore
the trails in groups of two or more and do not
touch the plants or attempt to pet the animals.
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At the beach find out what
parts of the coast are safe and which are not
and if you feel yourself being pulled out to sea,
stay calm, do not try to swim directly to the
shore, instead, swim parallel to the shore towards
breaking waves and let them help you get back
to the beach.
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If you are going out at night,
have the hotel receptionist call you a cab.
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Please make every effort to
have a minimal negative impact on the natural
and human environment that you encounter and to
conserve natural resources.
DRIVING TIPS
IN COSTA RICA
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Unless otherwise indicated,
minimum speed on highways is 40 kilometers per
hour (kph). The speed limit varies and is posted
by the road. On highways and secondary roads the
speed limit is 60 kph, unless otherwise indicated.
In urban areas, the speed limit is 40 kph, unless
otherwise indicated. Around school zones and in
front of hospitals and clinics the speed limit
is 25 kph.
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When driving remember that
our roads have many curves, it is better to slow
down and enjoy the landscapes.
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The law requires all car passengers
to wear a seat belt.
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If you are involved in an accident,
don't move the cars until the police arrive. Try
also to get as much information as you can (other
driver’s ID, car plates, etc.)
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Driving under the influence
of alcohol and/or drugs is strictly prohibited.
The law enables police officers to perform alcohol
test on drivers.
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Driving on beaches is strictly
prohibited everywhere, except when there is no
other path connecting two towns.
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Most gas stations accept mayor
credit cards. Don't show cash in open places.
Fill up your car before returning it.
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If you are involved in an
accident report it by calling 911 or 800-0123456.
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Drive confidently and stay
alert. Do not stop for people making signals and
never stop for hitchhikers.
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Keep your car doors locked
at all times.
TELEPHONE TIPS IN COSTA RICA
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To call Costa Rica from another
country dial the international access code followed
by the country code (506) and then the local number.
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To make a call within Costa
Rica dial the 8 digit number.
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To make a direct international
call from Costa Rica dial the international access
code (00), followed by the country code, then
the area code and finally the local number.
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For domestic assistance dial
113 and for international assistance dial 124.
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For an international operator
dial 116.
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Pay phones may sometimes require
a coin deposit or a calling card (the calling
card can be purchased in several establishments
like mini-markets).
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