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Costa Rica
(Click
here for US Department of State information on
Children's Issues in Costa Rica.)
(Click
here for registration/embassy location.)
Americans planning travel to
Costa Rica should read International Adoption Costa Rica available
on the Department of State web site at http://travel.state.gov
May 26, 2005
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Costa
Rica is a middle-income, developing country with a strong democratic
tradition. Tourist facilities are extensive and generally adequate.
The capital is San Jose. English is a second language for many Costa
Ricans.
ENTRY AND EXIT REQUIREMENTS:
On December 31, 2005, the U.S. Government will begin to phase in new
passport requirements for U.S. citizens traveling in the Western
Hemisphere. By December 31, 2007, all U.S. citizens will be
expected to depart and enter the United States on a valid passport
or other authorized document establishing identity and U.S.
citizenship. The Department of State strongly encourages travelers
to obtain passports well in advance of any planned travel. Routine
passport applications by mail take up to six weeks to be issued.
For further information, go to the State Department's Consular
website: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html.
For entry into the country,
Costa Rican authorities require that U.S. citizens present valid
passports that will not expire for at least thirty days after
arrival.
Costa Rican authorities
generally permit U.S. citizens to stay up to ninety days; to stay
legally beyond the period granted, travelers will need to submit an
application for an extension to the Office of Temporary Permits in
the Costa Rican Department of Immigration. Tourist visas are usually
not extended except under special circumstances, such as academic,
employment, or medical grounds, and extension requests are evaluated
on a case-by-case basis.
In a modification to a legal
requirement that foreigners carry their passports on their persons
at all times, Costa Rican migration authorities have stated that
U.S. citizens may carry simply photocopies of the passport data page
and of the Costa Rican entry stamp on their persons, and leave the
original passport in a hotel safe or other secure place. (U.S.
citizens must still, however, present their passports for entry into
and exit from Costa Rica.) Due to the high incidence of theft of
passports, travelers who do carry their passports on them are urged
to place them securely in an inside pocket, and to keep a copy of
the passport data page in a separate place to facilitate the
issuance of an emergency replacement passport.
There is a departure tax for
short-term visitors. Tourists who stay over ninety days may
experience some delay at the airport. Persons who have overstayed
previously may be denied entry to Costa Rica.
In an effort to prevent
international child abduction, many governments have initiated
special procedures for minors at entry and exit points. These often
include requiring documentary evidence of the child's relationship
to the accompanying parents and, if one of the parents is not
traveling with the child, permission from the non-traveling parent
for the child's travel. Having such documentation on hand may
facilitate entry and departure.
Dual U.S./Costa Rican
citizens are required by Costa Rican authorities to comply with
entry and exit laws that pertain to Costa Rican citizens. This means
that dual citizen children (children who hold both U.S. and Costa
Rican citizenship), who might normally travel on U.S. passports,
will be required to comply with entry and exit requirements
applicable to Costa Rican children. Some American parents may not be
aware that their child acquired Costa Rican citizenship through
birth in Costa Rica or because the other parent is Costa Rican.
American parents of minors who may have obtained Costa Rican
citizenship through birth in Costa Rica or to a Costa Rican parent
should be aware that these children may only depart Costa Rica upon
presentation of an exit permit issued by the Costa Rican immigration
office. This office may be closed for several weeks during holiday
periods. Parents of dual citizen children are advised to consult
with the Costa Rican Embassy or Consulate in the U.S. about entry
and exit requirements before travel to Costa Rica. For general
information about dual nationality, see the Consular Affairs home
page on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov.
The most authoritative and
up-to-date information on Costa Rican entry and exit requirements
may be obtained from the Consular Section of the Embassy of Costa
Rica at 2112 “S” Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, telephone
(202) 328-6628, fax (202) 234-6950, or from a Costa Rican consulate
in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New
York, San Juan (Puerto Rico), San Francisco, or Tampa. The Embassy
of Costa Rica also maintains a web site: http://www.costarica-embassy.org/,
as does the Costa Rican immigration agency: http://www.migracion.go.cr.
SAFETY AND SECURITY: On both
the Caribbean and Pacific coasts, currents are swift and dangerous,
and there are no lifeguards or signs warning of dangerous beaches.
Several American citizens drown in Costa Rica each year.
Adventure tourism is
increasingly popular in Costa Rica, and many companies provide
white-water rafting, bungee jumping, jungle canopy tours, deep sea
diving, and other outdoor attractions. In recent years, several
Americans have died on Costa Rica's flood-swollen rivers in
white-water rafting accidents. Others have died trying to reach the
mouths of active volcanoes after being assured by tour guides that
this dangerous activity is safe. Americans are urged to use caution
in selecting adventure tourism companies, and are advised to avoid
small, "cut-rate" companies that do not have the track record of
more established companies. The government of Costa Rica has passed
legislation to regulate and monitor the safety of adventure tourism
companies; enforcement of these laws is overseen by the Ministry of
Health. To be granted official operating permits, registered tourism
companies must meet safety standards and have insurance coverage.
Demonstrations or strikes,
related to labor disputes or other local issues, occur occasionally
in Costa Rica. Past demonstrations have resulted in port closures,
roadblocks, and sporadic gasoline shortages. These protests have not
targeted U.S. citizens or U.S. interests, and are typically
non-violent. Travelers are advised to avoid areas where
demonstrations are taking place and to keep informed by following
the local news and consulting hotel personnel and tour guides.
Additional information about demonstrations may be obtained from the
Consular Section at the U.S. Embassy, or on the Embassy website.
For the latest security
information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the
Department's Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the
current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Travel Warnings and
Public Announcements may be found.
Up to date information on
security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in
the United States, or, for callers outside the United States and
Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are
available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through
Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
CRIME: Crime is increasing
and tourists are frequent victims. Criminals usually operate in
small groups. While most crimes are non-violent, criminals,
including juveniles, have shown a greater tendency in recent years
to use violence and to carry handguns or shoulder weapons. All
criminals should be considered armed with firearms or knives.
Criminals, if challenged or threatened, will quickly use their
weapons. U.S. citizens are encouraged to exercise the same level of
caution that they would in major cities or tourist areas throughout
the world, and to be aware that the same types of crime found
elsewhere are also found here, whether of a violent nature (e.g.,
robbery) or furtive (e.g., identity theft). Local law enforcement
agencies have limited capabilities and do not act according to U.S.
standards, especially outside of San Jose.
Americans should avoid areas
with high concentrations of bars and nightclubs, especially at
night, and should also steer clear of deserted properties or
undeveloped land. For safety reasons, the Embassy does not place
its official visitors in hotels in the city center, but instead puts
them at the larger hotels in the outlying suburbs. Americans should
walk or exercise with a companion, and should bear in mind that
crowded tourist attractions and resort areas popular with foreign
tourists are also common venues for criminal activities. Travelers
should avoid responding in kind to verbal harassment, and should
avoid carrying large amounts of cash, jewelry or expensive
photographic equipment.
In recent years, several
Americans have been murdered in Costa Rica in urban, rural and
resort locations. U.S. citizens have been victims of sexual assaults
both in cities and in rural areas. In some of these cases, the
victim has known the assailant. There have been several sexual
assaults by taxi drivers. Travelers should be careful to use
licensed taxis, which are red and have medallions (yellow triangles
containing numbers) painted on the side. Licensed taxis at the
airport are painted orange, rather than red. All taxis should have
working door handles, locks, meters (called "marias"), and
seatbelts. Passengers are required by law to wear seat belts.
Passengers should not ride in the front seat with the driver. If the
taxi meter is not working, a price should be agreed upon before the
trip begins. When traveling by bus, avoid putting bags or other
personal belongings in the storage bins. Thieves will take property
from the bins when the bus makes its periodic stops. A good rule to
follow is always to have your belongings in your line of sight or in
your possession at all times.
There have been reports that
unsuspecting patrons of bars and nightclubs have been drugged and
later assaulted or robbed. Americans should always be aware of their
surroundings, and should not consume food or drinks they have left
untended. Americans may find it safer to seek entertainment in
groups to help avoid being targeted, especially in urban areas.
Although unusual, there have
been a number of kidnappings reported over the past several years,
including the kidnappings of Americans and other foreigners. Some of
these cases have been so-called “express kidnappings,” in which
victims are held for several hours as the kidnappers transport them
to various automated bank teller machines in an effort to take as
much money as possible from the victims' bank accounts. Carjackings
have also increased, and motorists have been confronted at gunpoint
while stopped at traffic lights or upon arrival at their homes. Late
model sports utility vehicles and high-end car models are popular
with carjackers. One method of initiating kidnappings and
carjackings is to bump the victim's car from behind; the
unsuspecting victim stops, believing he or she has been involved in
a minor car accident, and is taken hostage. Americans should remain
vigilant to these types of incidents, and use caution if bumped from
behind on an isolated stretch of road.
Another common ploy by
thieves involves the surreptitious puncturing of tires of rental
cars, often near restaurants, tourist attractions, airports, or
close to the car rental agencies themselves. When the travelers pull
over, "good Samaritans" quickly appear to change the tire - and just
as quickly remove valuables from the car, sometimes brandishing
weapons. Drivers with flat tires are advised to drive, if at all
possible, to the nearest service station or other public area, and
change the tire themselves, watching their valuables at all times.
Travelers can reduce their risk by keeping valuables out of sight,
by not wearing jewelry, and by traveling in groups. Travelers should
also minimize travel after dark. Before renting a car, travelers
should ask the rental company their specific policy regarding damage
to a tire or wheel rim due to driving on a flat tire. Some rental
car companies may cover the costs of the damaged tire and wheel rim
if the occupants feared for their safety and drove to the nearest
public area to change the flat tire.
Travelers should purchase an
adequate level of locally valid theft insurance when renting
vehicles. One should park in secured lots whenever possible, and
should never leave valuables in the vehicle. The U.S. Embassy
receives reports daily of valuables, identity documents, and other
items stolen from locked vehicles. In many of these cases, the
stolen items were hidden under the seat, in the glove compartment,
or secured in the trunk. Thefts from parked cars commonly occur in
downtown San Jose, at beaches, in the airport and bus station
parking lots, and at national parks and other tourist attractions.
Money changers on the street
have been known to pass off counterfeit U.S. dollars and local
currency. Credit card fraud (either using stolen credit cards or the
account number alone following copying of the number) is on the
rise. Travelers should retain all their credit card receipts and
check their accounts regularly to help prevent unauthorized use of
their credit cards. Avoid using debit cards for point-of-sale
purchases, as a skimmed number can be used to clean out an account.
The loss or theft abroad of
a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police
and to the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy. If the police will
not accept the report, as sometimes happens when only the passport
is stolen, the traveler should in any case report the theft to the
U.S. Embassy to help avoid use by criminals or other identity theft.
U.S. citizens can refer to
the Department of State's pamphlet, A Safe Trip Abroad , for ways to
promote trouble-free travel. The pamphlet is available by mail from
the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office,
Washington, D.C. 20402; via the Internet at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/,
or via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov.
ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS OF
CRIME: Persons, who are victims of crime while overseas, in addition
to reporting to local police, should contact the nearest U.S.
Embassy or Consulate for assistance. The Embassy/Consulate staff can
help crime victims find appropriate medical care and contact family
members or friends. They can also explain how to transfer funds from
the U.S. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is
solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers
can help a victim of crime to understand the local criminal justice
process and to find an attorney if needed.
Costa Rica has a 911 system
for reporting emergencies. Crimes that are no longer in progress
should be reported in person at the nearest police station. In the
event of a traffic accident, vehicles must be left where they are,
and not moved out of the way. Both the Transito (Traffic Police)
and the Insurance Investigator must make accident reports before the
vehicles are moved. Although sometimes slow to respond after
notification, these officials will come to the accident scene.
MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical
care in San Jose is adequate, but may be more limited in areas
outside of San Jose. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate
cash payment for health services, and U.S. medical insurance is not
always valid outside the United States. A list of local doctors and
medical facilities can be found at the website of the U.S. Embassy
in San Jose, at http://usembassy.or.cr. An ambulance may be
summoned by calling 911. The best equipped ambulances are called
“unidad avanzada.”
MEDICAL INSURANCE: The
Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their
medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm
whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover
emergency expenses such as medical evacuation. U.S. medical
insurance plans seldom cover health costs incurred outside the
United States unless supplemental coverage is purchased. Further,
U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for
medical services outside the United States. However, many travel
agents and private companies offer insurance plans that will cover
health care expenses incurred overseas, including emergency services
such as medical evacuation.
When making a decision
regarding health insurance, Americans should consider that many
foreign doctors and hospitals require payment in cash prior to
providing service, and that a medical evacuation to the U.S. may
cost well in excess of $50,000. Uninsured travelers who require
medical care overseas often face extreme difficulties. When
consulting with an insurer prior to a trip, ascertain whether
payment will be made to the overseas healthcare provider or whether
the traveler is reimbursed later for expenses incurred. Some
insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment
and for disposition of remains in the event of death.
Useful information on
medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs,
is provided in the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs
brochure, Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad ,
available via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page.
OTHER HEALTH INFORMATION:
Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as
safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be
obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's
hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP
(1-877-394-8747); fax 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299), or via the
CDC's Internet site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel. Incidents of
dengue fever and malaria are rising in Costa Rica. For information
about this and about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad,
consult the World Health Organization's website at http://www.who.int/en.
Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD
CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter
road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United
States. The information below concerning Costa Rica is provided for
general reference only, and it may not be totally accurate in a
particular location or circumstance.
Costa Rica has one of the
highest vehicle accident rates in the world. Even the most
experienced drivers are challenged by the disregard for traffic laws
and driving safety. Traffic laws and speed limits are often
ignored; turns across one or two lanes of traffic are common, and
pedestrians are not given the right of way. Although improving,
roads are often in poor condition, and large potholes with the
potential to cause significant damage to vehicles are common.
Pedestrians, cyclists, and farm animals may use the main roads.
Traffic signs, even on major highways, are often inadequate. All of
the above, in addition to poor visibility because of heavy fog or
rain, makes driving at night especially treacherous. In the rainy
season, landslides are common, especially on the highway between San
Jose and the Caribbean city of Limon. All types of motor vehicles
are appropriate for the main highways and principal roads in the
major cities. However, some roads to beaches and other rural
locations are not paved, and some out-of-the-way destinations are
accessible only with high clearance, rugged suspension four-wheel
drive vehicles. Travelers are advised to call ahead to their hotels
to ask about the current status of access roads.
Travelers should avoid
responding in kind to provocative driving behavior or road-rage. In
case of an accident, travelers are advised to remain in their car
until police arrive. Travelers are further advised to keep all doors
locked and to drive to a well-populated area before stopping to
change a flat tire (see “Crime,” above).
Costa Rican law requires
that drivers and passengers wear seatbelts in all cars, including
taxis, and police are authorized to issue tickets. Traffic
enforcement in Costa Rica is the responsibility of the Transit
Police ("Transitos"), who are distinguished by a light blue uniform
shirt and dark blue trousers. They use light blue cars or
motorcycles equipped with blue lights. They often wave vehicles to
the side of the road for inspection. Drivers are commonly asked to
produce a driver's license, vehicle registration and insurance
information. Third-party coverage is mandatory in Costa Rica.
Infractions will result in the issuance of a summons. Fines are not
supposed to be collected on the spot, although reports of officers
attempting to collect money are common. Persons involved in
vehicular accidents are advised not to move their vehicle until
instructed to do so by a Transit Officer, who will respond to the
scene together with a representative of the National Insurance
Company (known by its local acronym, INS.) Accidents may be reported
by dialing 911.
For additional general
information about road safety, including links to foreign government
sites, see the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs home
page at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1179.html.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT:
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the
Government of Costa Rica's civil aviation authority as Category 1 -
in compliance with international aviation safety standards for
oversight of Costa Rica's air carrier operations. For further
information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation
within the U.S. at 1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA's Internet
website at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa/index.cfm.
Since 2000, several American
citizens have died in domestic air accidents. Local investigations
have judged pilot error to be the cause in the majority of the
accidents. Private air taxi services have been involved in a
disproportionate number of crashes. The Government of Costa Rica's
civil aviation authority has responded by dedicating additional
resources to the oversight of the pilots, procedures, and aircraft
of air taxi operators.
CUSTOMS REGULATIONS: Costa
Rica customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning
temporary importation into or export from Costa Rica of items such
as cars, household effects, and merchandise. These regulations can
be quite complicated and include the application of local tax laws.
In addition, Costa Rican customs officials often require
documentation that has been certified by the Costa Rican
Embassy/Consulate in the country of origin. This is especially true
for automobiles that are to be imported. The Government of Costa
Rica has instituted strict emissions requirements for these cars and
will not release them without an emissions statement from the
country of origin. It is advisable to contact the Embassy of Costa
Rica in Washington or one of Costa Rica's Consulates in the United
States for specific information regarding customs requirements
before shipping any items. Their website is located at http://www.costarica-embassy.org.
In many countries around the
world, counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available.
Transactions involving such products are illegal and bringing them
back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines. A
current list of those countries with serious problems in this regard
can be found at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Reports_Publications/2005/2005_Special_301/Section_Index.html.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in
a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws
and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in
the United States, and may not afford the protections available to
the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be
more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons
violating Costa Rican law, even unknowingly, may be arrested,
imprisoned, fined and/or expelled.
Soliciting the services of a
minor for sexual purposes is illegal in Costa Rica, and is
punishable by imprisonment. The Costa Rican government has
established an aggressive program to discourage sexual tourism and
to punish severely those who engage in sexual activity with minors.
Several U.S. citizens are serving long sentences in Costa Rica
following conviction of crimes related to sexual activity with
minors. These acts are also illegal under U.S. law, even if the act
takes place abroad.
Under the PROTECT Act of
April 2003, it is a crime, prosecutable in the United States, for a
U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien, to engage in illicit
sexual conduct in a foreign country with a person under the age of
18, whether or not the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
alien intended to engage in such illicit sexual conduct prior to
going abroad. For purposes of the PROTECT Act, illicit sexual
conduct includes any commercial sex act in a foreign country with a
person under the age of 18. The law defines a commercial sex act as
any sex act, on account of which anything of value is given to or
received by a person under the age of 18.
Under the Protection of
Children from Sexual Predators Act of 1998, it is a crime to use the
mail or any facility of interstate or foreign commerce, including
the Internet, to transmit information about a minor under the age of
16 for criminal sexual purposes that include, among other things,
the production of child pornography. This same law makes it a crime
to use any facility of interstate or foreign commerce, including the
Internet, to transport obscene materials to minors under the age of
16.
Penalties for possession,
use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Costa Rica are strict, and
convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail sentences and fines. In
addition to the criminal penalties they may face, tourists who
purchase or sell illegal drugs or use the services of prostitutes
greatly increase their risk of personal harm. Several Americans have
died in Costa Rica in recent years in incidents related to drug use
or patronage of prostitutes.
Under Costa Rican law,
suspects in criminal cases may be held in jail until the
investigation is completed and the prosecutor is ready to proceed to
trial. This pretrial detention can last two years, and in some
cases, longer.
SPECIAL ISSUES:
Borders: There have been
disagreements regarding navigational rights in the Nicaragua-Costa
Rica border area. Nicaragua and Costa Rica signed a three-year
agreement in September of 2002 to defer presenting these issues
before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for resolution.
Meanwhile, the governments of Nicaragua and Costa Rica have agreed
to work towards an amicable solution and to jointly fund community
development projects in the border area.
Land Ownership,
Expropriations, Squatters, Shoreline Property: U.S. citizens are
urged to use caution when making real estate purchases, and should
consult reputable legal counsel and investigate thoroughly all
aspects before entering into a contract.
Irregular Land
Registrations: Due to irregular enforcement of property laws,
investors should exercise extreme caution before investing in real
estate. There is a long history of investment and real estate scams
and frauds perpetrated against U.S. citizens and other international
visitors. There have been numerous instances of duly registered
properties reverting to previously unknown owners who have shown
they possess clear title and parallel registration.
Expropriations: A few cases
remain in which U.S. citizens have yet to be compensated for land
expropriated by the government in the 1970s or 1980s. Unexecuted
expropriation claims cloud title in other cases. However, changes to
Costa Rican law in 1995 place more restrictions on the government's
ability to expropriate land and require compensation prior to
expropriation. The new law also provides for arbitration in the
event of a dispute.
Squatters: Organized
squatter groups have on occasion invaded properties in various parts
of the country. These squatter groups, often supported by
politically active persons and non-governmental organizations, take
advantage of legal provisions that allow people without land to gain
title to unused agricultural property. This phenomenon is
particularly common in rural areas, where local courts show
considerable sympathy for the squatters. Victims of squatters have
reported threats of violence, harassment, or actual violence.
Restrictions on Shoreline
Property: The Maritime Terrestrial Zone Law governs the use and
ownership of most land up to 200 meters from the waterfront (mean
high tide level) on both coasts of Costa Rica, including estuaries
and river mouths. The first 50 meters from the waterfront is public
land and normally may not be developed. The next 150 meters can be
privately developed and occupied under five-to-twenty year
concessions from the local municipality, provided the land has been
zoned for the intended use. Strict residency requirements apply to
foreigners who seek concessions.
Investments and Loans:
Persons planning to make investments in Costa Rica are advised to
exercise the same caution they would before making investments in
the U.S., including consulting their investment advisor and tax
accountant. Several U.S. citizens have lost appreciable amounts of
money in local investment or lending schemes that “sounded too good
to be true.” Some of these are believed to have been “Ponzi” schemes
with few or no assets behind the “investment” or “loan.” Persons
offered an investment opportunity in Costa Rica promising interest
above that generally available may wish to check with the Costa
Rican government's Superintendencia General de Valores, which lists
investment opportunities that are legally registered and authorized
to offer investments. That office can be contacted at (506) 243-4700
or http://www.sugeval.fi.cr
Lottery and Sweepstake fraud
schemes: The Embassy has received several complaints from U.S.
citizens in the United States who said they were victims of
sweepstake or lottery fraud originating in Costa Rica. In these
schemes, the victims are contacted by criminals (who may even claim
to be employees of the U.S. Embassy) advising them that they have
won a lottery or sweepstake, but that they must provide personal
funds to secure the winnings or to pay local taxes or administrative
costs.
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS: Costa
Rica is located in an earthquake, hurricane and volcanic zone. Costa
Rica is also a country of microclimates and travelers to Costa Rica
should check the projected rainfall amounts for the area in Costa
Rica they intend to visit. Serious flooding occurs annually on the
Caribbean side near the port city of Limon, but flooding could occur
in other parts of Costa Rica as well, depending on the time of year
and projected rainfall in that region. General information about
natural disaster preparedness is available via the Internet from the
U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at http://www.fema.gov/.
CHILDREN'S ISSUES: For
information on international adoption of children and international
parental child abduction, please refer to the Department of State's
Internet site at http://travel.state.gov/family/family_1732.html or
telephone Overseas Citizens Services at 1-888-407-4747. This number
is available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday
through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Callers who are
unable to use toll-free numbers, such as those calling from
overseas, may obtain information and assistance during these hours
by calling 1-202-501-4444.
REGISTRATION / EMBASSY
LOCATION: The Department of State invites American citizens to
register their travel on the Internet-Based Registration System (IBRS)
on line at: https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ or http://travel.state.gov.
IBRS provides a convenient means for American citizens traveling or
residing overseas to provide important contact data, useful in the
event of emergencies, and to instantly receive up-to-the-minute
travel and safety information for the regions or countries on their
travel itineraries, on the website or through optional email lists.
Even American citizens who have registered previously but did not do
it using the IBRS online program may now wish to register online to
update their records. U.S. citizens may also register in person at
the Embassy, which is located in Pavas, San Jose, and may be reached
at (506) 519-2000; the extension for the Consular Section is 2453.
The Embassy is open Monday through Friday, and is closed on Costa
Rican and U.S. holidays. For emergencies arising outside normal
business hours, U.S. citizens may call (506) 220-3127 and ask for
the duty officer.
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This replaces the Consular
Information Sheet dated October 13, 2004, to reflect changes to
sections on Entry and Exit Requirements, Crime, Traffic Safety,
Customs Regulations, Medical Facilities, Criminal Penalties, Special
Issues, and Disaster Preparedness.
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