Costa Rica

The State Department website provides a wealth of information for travelers planning to visit foreign countries. From health and safety advisories to guidance on passport and visa requirements, this website is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to explore the world.

For tourists specifically, the State Department website offers information on potential dangers or problem areas in a given country, as well as tips for staying safe and healthy during your trip.

Additionally, the website provides information on local laws and customs, as well as details on how to obtain emergency assistance while abroad.

Whether you're a seasoned traveler or planning your first international trip, the State Department website is an essential tool for accessing up-to-date and accurate information about your chosen destination.

Visit the Costa Rica page here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/CostaRica.html

Start here at US State Department's website for the Traveler Checklist with helpful information for country specific alerts, vaccinations and visa requirements, and to enroll in the STEP Program.

Official link: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/travelers-checklist.htm

• If you are traveling with a child and both parents are not on the trip, you may need notarized documentation that you are legally allowed to take the child out of the state regardless of custody
• If you are a non custodial adult (i.e. grandparent, aunt, friend) traveling with a child and neither parent is on the trip, you may need notarized documentation that you are legally allowed to authorize emergency medical treatment and sign activity waivers
• You can find more information here. 

U.S. Customs and Border Protection strongly recommends that any child traveling without both parents should have a notarized Child Travel Consent Letter signed by both parents. This can also include wording to allow a temporary guardian to authorize emergency medical treatment or sign activity waivers for a child. Without proof of parental consent and authorization travel authorities may prohibit a child from continuing to their destination. 

Situations that commonly require a Child Travel Consent include:

• Children traveling with only one parent when their parents are legally separated
• Students traveling abroad as part of a school trip
• Children traveling with a group, such as a sports team, vacation tour, or another cultural or religious organization
• Children traveling with a temporary guardian or extended family members, such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, or cousins
• A minor traveling alone (by plane, train, or ship), meeting their guardian at their destination

There is no official form, but many templates exist online or your attorney can prepare a document for you. Some common names are:

• Parental Consent Form
• Travel Consent Letter
• Travel Permission Letter
• Consent Letter for Children Traveling Abroad
• Child Medical Consent

You are also encouraged to have the consent form notarized. This can prevent issues establishing the authority and credibility of your documentation.

Parents who share custody of their children should carry copies of the legal custody documents. You can also contact the embassy of the country or countries the minor child will be visiting to confirm travel entry requirements. This proactive step can help avoid issues at border crossings and during the child's stay abroad.

For more information or questions about your specific situation, please consult your attorney,

Read the Travel Advisory and Alerts for the countries you will be visiting at travel.state.gov/destination.

Review entry/exit requirements, visas, local laws, customs, medical care, road safety, etc. Write down contact details for the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate to carry with you in case of emergency while traveling.

 Read Your Health Abroad and check out recommendations for vaccinations and other health considerations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO). 

• The colón is the currency of Costa Rica. Check the exchange rate before your trip, but in general, $1= approximately 500 colón.
• US$ dollars are widely accepted, but most places won't accept bills larger than a $20. Take lots of $5 & $10 bills, and make sure they are in good, crisp condition. Old, damaged, or bills will writing on them won't be accepted.
• Visa & MasterCard are widely accepted in tourist areas, American Express is also popular, but don't plan on taking your Discover on this trip. ALWAYS let you credit card company know you're traveling out of the country and check to see if your bank charges foreign transaction fees. 
• Exchange money only at banks and approved change offices.
• Bank transactions require a valid passport (not a copy nor a picture).
• ATMs are located throughout the country. Some of them remain closed from 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Remember not to flash your cash.
• Sales tax or Value Added Tax (VAT) is 13%. It is included in the final price of every service or product purchase.

Safeguard Your Documents! Make two copies of all your travel documents in case of emergency. Leave one copy with a trusted friend or relative at home and carry the other separately from your original documents. To help prevent theft, do not carry your passport in your back pocket, and keep it separate from your money.

• Passport: Apply several months in advance for a new passport. If you already have one, it should be valid for at least six months after you return home and have two or more blank pages, depending on your destination. Otherwise, some countries may not let you enter.
• Children’s passports: Passports issued for children under age 16 are valid for only five years, not 10 years like adult passports. Check passport expiration dates carefully and renew early. 
• Europe Travel via Canada and UK: Europe’s 26 Schengen countries strictly enforce the six-month validity rule. If you are transiting through Canada or the UK : which do not have that requirement : your passport must be valid at least six months, or airlines may not let you board your onward flight to Europe.
• Visas: You may need to get a visa before you travel to a foreign destination. Contact the embassy of the countries you will be visiting for more information. 
• Medications: Some prescription drugs, including narcotics and some U.S. over-the-counter medications, are illegal in other countries. Check with the embassy of your destination(s) about regulations and documentation before you travel.
• Consent for Travel with Minors: If you are traveling alone with children, foreign border officials may require custody documents or notarized written consent from the other parent. Check with the embassy of your foreign destination before traveling to see what you may need.
• International Driving Permit: Many countries do not recognize a U.S. driver's license, but most accept an International Driving Permit (IDP). You may also need supplemental auto insurance. Read more about driving and road safety abroad before you go.

• Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP): Enroll for free at STEP.state.gov to receive travel and security updates about your destination, and to help us reach you in an emergency. Groups or organizations can create an account and upload a spreadsheet with contact details for multiple travelers.
• Twitter and Facebook: Follow TravelGov on Twitter and Facebook https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages.html

• Health Insurance: Many foreign medical facilities and providers require cash payment up front and do not accept U.S. insurance plans. Medicare does not provide coverage outside of the United States. Check your U.S. health care policy to see if it will cover you overseas. If not, consider buying supplemental insurance. Make sure the insurance you purchase covers any special medical needs or risks you anticipate on your trip.
• Emergency Evacuation: Evacuation for medical treatment or to leave a crisis area in another country can cost more than $100,000. You should strongly consider purchasing evacuation insurance in case of emergency overseas.
• Unexpected Expenses: Trip interruption or cancellation, flight delays, lost or stolen luggage, and other unexpected travel costs can add up. Check with your credit card and homeowners insurance companies to see if they provide coverage. If not, consider additional insurance.

TSA Pre-Check and Global Entry are government programs that offer expedited security screening at U.S. airports. TSA Pre-Check costs $85 for five years and allows travelers to keep their shoes, belts, and jackets on and keep their laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags. Global Entry costs $100 for five years and includes TSA Pre-Check benefits plus expedited U.S. Customs and Border Protection screening for international air travel. Global Entry also includes access to expedited security screening when entering the U.S. via land and sea ports of entry. Some travel credit cards cover the price, so check your benefits. 

Official website: https://ttp.cbp.dhs.gov/

It’s important to note that some countries (including Canada) have strict rules about who can enter the country. If you have a record of a DUI or drug charge, you will need to apply for a permit to enter Canada, and other countries may have similar regulations. 

Consult your attorney if you have questions.

 Are you thinking about driving in another country? Road conditions, laws, and driving norms in other countries can be very different from those in the United States. Poor road maintenance, lack of signs, vehicle safety, and insurance coverage are just some things you should consider. And remember to buckle up, no matter where you are. Read about road safety in the Travel and Transportation section for your destination country before you go. Get information from the website of the foreign embassy or consulate, foreign government tourism offices, or from a car rental company in the foreign country.

Keep these things in mind when planning your trip:

• Potential hazards and dangerous road conditions
• Local roads or areas to avoid
• Availability of roadside assistance
• Need for spare tires, fuel, and a map
• Local laws and driving culture
• Local emergency numbers
• Vehicle safety considerations, including seat belts
• Documents to carry, including any special road permits
• Insurance and driver’s license (see below)

International Driving Permits

• It is illegal to drive without a valid license and insurance in most countries. Check the International Travel Country Information page for your destination to find contact information for its foreign embassy or consulate. Visit the website of the foreign embassy or consulate to find specific driver's license requirements. Many countries do not recognize a U.S. driver's license, but most accept an International Driving Permit (IDP) that you can get from the AAA (American Automobile Association) before you leave. IDPs may not be valid the whole time you stay abroad and/or may only be valid with a U.S. or local license.

Auto Insurance Policies

• In general, your U.S. auto insurance policy does NOT cover you abroad, though some policies do provide coverage when you drive to Canada and Mexico. Check with your insurance company before you go.
• Even if your policy is valid in a particular country, it may not meet local minimum insurance requirements. If you are under-insured in your destination, you may be able to buy additional auto insurance in the United States or in your destination country.
• Car rental companies overseas usually provide an auto insurance option, but in some countries the required coverage is minimal. In that case, consider buying insurance coverage equal to what you carry at home.

Additional Resources:

Road Safety and Security

• The Overseas Security Advisory Council provides country-specific information about personal security and safety while traveling abroad.
• Driving Overseas: Best Practices
• In addition, the Association for Safe International Road Travel (ASIRT) provides information for U.S. families and business travelers about driving overseas.

Reporting and Resources on International Road Safety

• United Nations Road Safety Collaboration
• U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, International Programs

U.S. Government Links

• Department of Transportation
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: International Activities
• Federal Highway Administration
• National Transportation Safety Board
• Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS)

Road Safety Statistics / Databases / Resources

• Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
• United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) - Transport Division: Road Traffic Safety
• European Commission Mobility and Transport – Road Safety
• United Nations Economic Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) – ESCAP Road Traffic Deaths
• International Road Federation
• Global Road Safety Partnership

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) travelers can face unique challenges when traveling abroad. Laws and attitudes in some countries may affect safety and ease of travel. Legal protections vary from country to country. Many countries do not legally recognize same-sex marriage. Approximately seventy countries consider consensual same-sex sexual relations a crime, sometimes carrying severe punishment. 

Visit the official site for specifics: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/travelers-with-special-considerations/lgbtqi.html

Each country has its own laws regarding accessibility for, or discrimination against, persons with physical, sensory, intellectual, or mental disabilities. 

Before you travel, visit travel.state.gov/destination and enter the name of a country or area to find information for travelers with disabilities in the Local Laws & Special Circumstances section. Unlike the United States, enforcement of accessibility and other laws relating to persons with disabilities is inconsistent. 

Visit the official site for important information: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/travelers-with-special-considerations/traveling-with-disabilties.html

For travelers with unique needs or special situations, other information is provided.

Visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/travelers-with-special-considerations.html for a complete list and official information.