Costa Rica - Costa Rica News

Costa Rica has an excellent tourist infrastructure, specially in the area of the ecoturism and adventure trips. It is possible to travel all around the country with facility by Rent a Car, private or public transportation and local flights. There's a wide range of tour operators located all over Costa Rica. A wide range of scheduled and chartered airlines fly into San Jose International Airport and the Liberia International Airport on the north-west, linking the country with major cities in North and South America and Europe.

If you wish to visit Costa Rica you must have a passport that will still have a six-month validity as of the date you plan to leave the country. Requirements are:

• Passport valid for 6 months upon entry.
• Return ticket.
• ID, visa and a minimum cash availability of US$200.

People with passports from the United States, Canada, and the majority of European countries do not need Visa to enter the country.

Adults and children (from 0 - 16 years old) require the following documents below to enter Costa Rica:
- A valid passport with at least one blank visa page. The expiration date of your passport must be greater than either 30 or 180 days - depending on your citizenship - from your date of entry to Costa Rica.
- A pre-paid airline ticket to exit Costa Rica or proof of financial resources ($400.00US - $1,000.00US in cash, traveler checks, and/or credit cards) to pay for the market value of a one-way airline ticket (either to return to your home country or to go to another country)

- A visa.

Commercial international flights to Costa Rica land either at the San Jose Airport, also called Juan Santamari­a International Airport, 17 km (11 miles) northwest of the city, or at the Liberia Airport, called Daniel Oduber International Airport, in the Guanacaste province.


The Juan Santamaria International Airport is Costa Rica's main airport. It is located in the province of Alajuela, 18 km from the city of San José. The airport is named after Juan Santamaría, a Costa Rican national hero due to his participation in the National Campaign of 1856-1857 against the filibuster William Walker.

The airport has won several awards such as: Third best airport in its category and fourth best airport of America in the general category.

The Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport, also known as the International Airport of Liberia, is one of Costa Rica’s four international airports.

The International Airport or Liberia or Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport is located in the Northwestern part of Costa Rica, in Liberia, the capital of the Province of Guanacaste. The International Airport of Liberia is located approximately 217 km. Northwest of the capital, San José, and acts mainly as a connection point for the growing number of tourists that come to enjoy the wonderful weather and great beaches of the Peninsula of Nicoya. Arriving at the International Airport of Liberia is the quickest way to get to places such as Tamarindo, Playa Negra, Golfo de Papagayo, Mal País, Playa Flamingo, Playa Samara, and the National Marine Park Las Baulas.

It was named in honor of the former president of Costa Rica (1974-1978), Daniel Oduber Quirós, who had the idea of building an airport in the region and who fought strongly for Guanacaste’s expansion and development. This international airport was inaugurated in 1995 with a commercial flight that arrived from Miami, Florida.

• Taxis airport-San José: USD$12.00 - 17.00
• Buses Alajuela-San José (5am-10pm) they stop at the airport every half hour.
• Airport Tax: USD$26.00

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

Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Chile, Cyprus, Denmark, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, United States, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Montenegro, Norway, New Zealand, Netherlands, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Principality of Monaco, San Marino, Puerto Rico, Serbia, South Africa, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Czech Republic, Republic of South Korea, Hellenic Republic (Greece), Romania, Vatican City, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Republic of China (Taiwan), Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay

Citizens holding valid passports from the following countries are allowed to stay in Costa Rica for 30 days without a visa, though once in the country:

Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Bolivia, Dominica, El Salvador, Russian Federation, Philippines, Fiji, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Northern Marianas, Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Maldives, Mauritius, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Kingdom of Tonga, Samoa, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and The Grenadines, Saint Lucia, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Suriname, Tuvalu, Turkey, Vanuatu, Venezuela

Citizens from the following countries must obtain a Visa from a Costa Rican embassy or consulate before arrival, for a maximum of 30 days.

Albania, Angola, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Benin, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Negara Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Bhutan, Cape Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Colombia, Cóte d'Ivore, Comoros, Chad, Ecuador, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Lesotho, Liberia, Libia, Lebanon, Macao, Madagascar, Malaysia, Malawi, Mali, Morocco, Mauritania, Moldova, Mongolia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Qatar, Saharahui Arab Republic, Central African Republic, Republic of Macedonia, Republic of The Congo, Democratic Republic of The Congo, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Dominican Republic, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Swaziland, Thailand, Tanzania, Tajikistan, East Timor, Togo, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Ukrain, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Viet Nam, Yemen, Djibouti, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Citizens from the following countries must obtain a Restricted Visa from the Costa Rican General Director of Migration, consulted by a Costa Rican embassy or consulate before arrival.

Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cuba, Haiti, Iran (Islamic Republic Of), Iraq, Myanmar (Birmania), Palestinan Territory, Syrian Arab Republic, Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, Somalia, Sri Lanka.

Looking back to the times when Costa Rica's tourist activity was in its beginnings is making good use of an opportunity in its best expression. The Costa Rica's development in tourism took us by surprise; thanks to the entrepreneurial vision of a group of enthusiastic people who took this opportunity in their own hands and elaborated on it. In just four decades this industry passed from being a central axis of our economy, a generator of employment and social growth to become this country's business.

Looking forward the great progress that the tourist media had showed in all the levels, is very heartfully and benefitious to all communities and to the country as well, except for the poor or nule buildings or places for marinas in Costa Rica.

We said that, because we are short to receive the important tourist section that represents the sea tourists. Despite the big cruises, we don't have the space to handle with hundreds of yatchs, sailboats and others sea transport that carne to our country, but stayed in other countries, because our nule marinas.

We hope, that the authorities of our government that deals with the foreign tourism, made the necessary arrangements due to made the communities marinas a real item in our beautiful sealand, as well as El Coco for example.

If we want a 100% tourism in our Costa Rica, we shall think in filled all the necessary opportunities to made better chances to deal with that.

Costa Rica is well known around the world as a premier eco-tourism destination. Its stunning scenery, ideal climate and friendly locals have been luring travelers from across the globe intent on discovering its wealth of natural treasures. With all the focus on Costa Rica’s natural attractions, many people are not aware that the country is also a top destination for a growing number of foreigners looking for quality health care at rock bottom prices

The stress level we experience in our work or daily routine is becoming increasingly higher; so that it's necessary to search for an outlet. Costa Rica, with its great offer of natural destinations has managed to create a perfect combination for these environments and adequate infrastructures, offering welfare or health tourism.

You may treat yourself to the great prize of relaxing in paradisiacal places, where food, activities and ambiance are focused on making your vacations be relaxing ones, thus improving the quality of life. All these elements contribute to decrease tension, muscular cramps, fatigue, migraine and aging symptoms, making you feel better altogether.

As a pioneer in Costa Rica's medical tourism industry, Costa Rica Tourism.co.cr specializes in catering to visitors in search of high quality medical treatments. We also arrange amazing tours around Costa Rica. Here you will enjoy our beautiful ecological reserves, rain forests, cloud forests, dry forests, and all the exotic wonders that Costa Rica has to offer.

We offer one-day tours, multi-day tours, transfers, shuttle bus, real estate, hotels, restaurants, rent a car, air transportation, souvenirs, and all that you need. All tours and transfers are led by CPR trained certified guides that understand your needs as a medical patient.

Costa Rica offers services for this type of segment, even when it does not have an ample Convention Center, it does offer different options in several Hotels in and outside the capital for your meetings, seminars, and conventions, and it has experimented tour operators and professionals that help meet the needs of this market and that will develop a customized program for you.

Incentive travel to Costa Rica has become a prime choice for many international companies.

Competitive prices? Yes.
Better than average package rates? Yes.

In Costa Rica there is so much to do in such a small geographical area. The air access is excellent and one of the best in the Caribbean. There is a great deal of ecotourism and adventure tours and the weather is almost perfect.

A vacation in Costa Rica is almost unforgettable. Sunset strolls on white sand beaches, snorkeling in warm, tropical waters gazing at angel fish and striking coral formations, and hiking on stunning wooded trails are just a few of the activities available to visitors.

Many a traveler has become enamored of not only the people and the natural surroundings but with the wildlife. White - faced monkeys tittering on lofty branches, brilliantly plumed birds and smiling sloths are quite capable of stealing anyone's heart.

Costa Ricans, or Ticos, are known for their incredibly warm hospitality and ability to pamper their guests. Authentic typical meals, international fare and first - class service are all available for the award - winning employee. The hardest working employees will enjoy their leisure time to the fullest when visiting this jewel of a country. Adventure and new experiences await them and will have them returning to work with a re- energized attitude.

True, there are many exotic destinations to choose from in this vast world. But for a unique, safe, and thoroughly satisfyingly adventurous vacation for the top employees in any company, the choice of Costa Rica regions supreme!

For detailed information about Costa Rica Meetings and Incentives, please visit the website of the Costa Rica DMC

If you are planning your wedding and honeymoon, you might want to consider Costa Rica as your destination. The outstanding natural landscape at beaches and mountains will provide everything you need to make the best out of such an important event.

The country has hotels specialized in honeymoons, that will let you enjoy this moment in a very special way. Among the options offered you will find installations for all tastes and that suit different budgets. The alternative of boutique hotels offers you a more private honeymoon. To enjoy your stay, you can also choose from beach hotels, some of them all-inclusive, or among the options that let you get inside the mountain.

• Canadians who travel internationally for pleasure, who are extremely or very interested in visiting Costa Rica, and who are likely to travel to Central or South America for pleasure at some time in the future constitute a promising target market for Costa Rica. These best prospects account for 6.9% of all Canadian adults and comprise a market of approximately 1.8 million persons.

• Three provinces Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia account for the vast majority of Costa Rica’s best prospects. Residents of Quebec have a particularly strong affinity for Costa Rica.

• Costa Rica’s best prospects tend to be well educated, affluent, and somewhat younger than Canadian international pleasure travelers as a whole. They also tend to be frequent visitors to nearby warm-weather destinations, such as Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.

• Travelers profess to have a good understanding of what Costa Rica has to offer as a tourist destination. However, perceptions of the country are not as strong as they could be on a number of important dimensions. Fewer than half of Costa Rica’s best prospects perceive Costa Rica to be an affordable place to visit, a safe country in which to travel, or easy to get to.

• Costa Rica’s best prospects are most likely to equate a vacation in Costa Rica with one in Panama. They also tend to see similarities with Peru, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico.

• About one in four best prospects say they would be likely to take an ecotour that is, a vacation devoted entirely or almost entirely to ecology-oriented activities, such as exploring rainforests. Many more would want to participate in such activities on a more limited basis.

• Costa Rica’s best prospects also show a strong interest in experiencing Costa Rica’s culture for example, by visiting open-air markets, eating at restaurants that feature local specialties, shopping for handicrafts, and attending local festivals.