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Spanish Course in Costa Rica

To book a Spanish Course in Costa Rica

Costa Rica touches the heart and mind through its incredible natural beauty and gracious people disposed to peace, kindness and a generosity of spirit. No one feels a stranger here for long. It is one of the most biologically diverse countries in the world, a treasure house of flora and fauna unequaled in so small an area. Travelers come under the spell of a natural wonderland studded with tropical forest, rushing rivers, exotic animals, uncrowded beaches, high mountains and awesome volcanoes. It is known around the world for its national park system, now protecting about 12% of the land.

Costa Rica is a country without an army, the national hero is not a general but a young, barefoot campesino (country person). It has one of the highest literacy rates in the Western Hemisphere and a Social Security system that offers health care to its entire population. Costa Ricans like to say they have gained through evolution what other countries try to attain through revolution.

Visa Requirements

Citizens of the USA, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Israel, Japan, Panama, Romania, South Korea, Uruguay, the UK and most Western European countries do not need a visa for a 90-day stay. Citizens of Australia, Ireland, France, Iceland, India, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia, South Africa, Vatican City and most of Eastern Europe and Latin America can stay 30 days without a visa. If you do need a visa, it will cost US$20 from a Costa Rican consulate.

Money Matters

Most places accept Traveler's checks and Visa as payment or you can always get cash advance on your Visa card at most banks. Other credit cards, such us Master Card and American Express are not widely accepted, specially in small towns. If you want to change cash, stick to US dollars (but make sure they're in decent condition and avoid US$100 bills - due to a counterfeiting scam, most Costa Ricans won't touch them). US dollars are your best bet for traveler's checks as well, as other currencies will rarely be accepted - any of the major brands will do. If you buy colones with your credit card, expect to get hit with a huge interest bill. It's increasingly easy to find ATMs, even in small towns, though some banks, like branches of Banco Nacional, accept cards held by their customers only.

Credit Cards

N.B. Card purchases and cash advances are normally charged to your account via an exchange rate, which may be slightly worse than you'd be quoted for exchanging cash or travellers' cheques in China. Once you consider the commission on the exchange transaction you'll probably find that you usually win by using plastic, even taking into account the handling charge, usually about 1.5%, that's levied for cash advances (though not for direct purchases by credit card).

Climate

As far as climate goes, the late-December to mid-April dry season is the most pleasant. But of course, this is when everyone else goes to Costa Rica, so prices are up and hotels are full. Although some roads are impassable in the wet season, it's still worthwhile to visit at this time, and things are much quieter. April, May and mid-October to mid-December should give you the best of both worlds.

Culture

Costa Rica is noted more for its natural beauty and friendly people than for its culture. The overwhelming European influence erased almost all indigenous culture, and because Costa Rica was a country of subsistence agriculturalists until the middle of the 19th century, cultural activity has only begun to blossom in the last 100 years.

By some estimates, over 90% of the country is Roman Catholic, at least in principle. In practice, most church attendance takes place at christenings, funerals and marriages. Blacks on the Caribbean coast tend to be Protestant, and there is a sprinkling of other denominations in San José, including a small Jewish community. Spanish is the official language, though English is understood in touristed areas. Many Caribbean blacks speak a lively dialect of English, known as Creole. Indian languages are spoken in isolated areas, primarily Bribri, which is estimated to be understood by about 10,000 people.

Food

Costa Rican cuisine is tasty rather than spicy-hot and is centered around beef, chicken and fish dishes, with rice, corn or beans and fresh fruit as supplements. You don't usually need to bother with tipping at restaurants, as most add a 10% tip (plus 15% tax) to the bill. You should tip bellboys and room cleaners about US$0.50, tour guides US$1-5 a day per person. Of course, if the service is excellent or lousy you should use your own discretion.

Holidays and Holydays

The country just about closes down during Easter week, and the week between Christmas and New Year's Day tends to be an unofficial holiday, especially in San José. Various towns celebrate their own saints' days and other significant dates. San José's day (Saint Joseph's Day) is March 19, while Virgin of Los Angeles Day (the patron saint of Costa Rica) is August 2. Juan Santamaria's Day on April 11 celebrates the national hero who helped see off William Walker in 1856, and Columbus Day on October 12, as elsewhere in the Americas, is a national holiday.

Before You Go….

Insurance
However you travel, it's worth taking out insurance. Standard insurance should at least cover theft and loss of luggage, and cancellation of, and delays in, your travel arrangements. Ticket loss is also covered by travel insurance, but make sure you keep a separate record of your ticket details.

Travel Safe Advice

Before you travel you should always check with the Foreign Office as to the official view on the safety of the country you intend to visit.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office
King Charles Street, London SW1A 2AH
Consular Division 020 7270 1500
General: 020 7238 4586
Travel Advice: 020 7238 4503/4
Visa enquiries: 020 7238 3838
Website Address: www.fco.gov.uk/travel

MASTA
For information on health issues and vaccinations we advise you to contact MASTA (Medical Advisory Services for Travellers Abroad)
Travellers' Health Line
Telephone: 0906 8 224100
Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT
Website Address: www.masta.org

What Shall I Take?

Apart from any special personal needs you may have and things you might require for a particular kind of trip i.e. camping gear, hiking boots, surfboard etc., you may like to consider the following:

· An under-the-clothes money belt or shoulder wallet
· Sunscreen lotion
· A small Spanish dictionary and/or phrase book.
· Photocopies of your important documents kept separate from the originals.
· A medical kit.
· A towel, or wash cloth
· A padlock, or two, to secure yours luggage to racks.
· An adapter plug for electrical appliances. 110V, 60Hz.
· An Alarm Clock
· Sunglasses

The list above is a simple list of useful items for any holiday. There are a number of more specific items that would be useful for a trip to Ecuador. They are as follows:

· Lightweight layered clothing
· Jacket or sweater
· Comfortable walking shoes
· Umbrella (during raining season)
· Small knapsack for day trips
· Some plastic bags come handy (leaking bottles, dirty clothes, etc…)
· Prescriptions drugs
· Extra film (can be expensive)
· Insect repellent
· Flashlight

Useful Websites

Kite-Surfing in Costa Rica - search for Kite Boarding Schools & Accommodation in Brazil.
www.bbc.co.uk/weather/features (The weather worldwide)
www.worldtimezone.com/time24 (Timezones across the globe)
www.masta.org/ (Health advice)
www.xe.net/ucc/full (Currency converter)
www.visa.com/pd/atm/main (ATM locater)
www.holidayfestival.com (Festivals, bank holidays and religious days worldwide)

To book a Spanish Course in Costa Rica