Costa Rica: useful information for your trip to the Land of Smiles

Time zone: Costa Rica has a 7/8 hour difference compared to Italy.

Customs formalities and travel documents: Only a passport is required. The residence permit is valid for 3 months without the need for a visa. An Italian driving license is sufficient for those traveling by car.

Vaccinations: There are no mandatory vaccinations. The risk of malaria is present all year round below 500 meters, so anti-malarial prophylaxis is recommended for those at risk. The anti-rabies vaccination is recommended given the difficulty of obtaining vaccines in the event of bites from potentially infected animals, especially if you are staying in rural areas such as the countryside or jungle.

Airport taxes: They vary from 24 to 44 USD. It is necessary to confirm the flight 72 hours before departure. Most companies include taxes in the cost of the ticket.

Telephone: The international prefix to call Costa Rica from Italy is 00506. To call Italy with direct debit via an Italian operator, dial 080.0039.1039.

Capital: San José (1,105,844 inhabitants).

Main cities: Alajuela (146,000 inhabitants), Cartago (111,000 inhabitants), Puntarenas (86,000 inhabitants), Limón (62,000 inhabitants).

Ethnic groups: The majority of the population is Creole, followed by mestizos (7%), blacks and mulattos (3%) and Chinese (1.9%).

Language: The official language is Spanish.

Main religions: The predominant religion is Catholicism; there are also Protestants (7.6%) and Jews (0.5%).

Currency: The currency of Costa Rica is the colón, divided into 100 centimos. The US dollar is commonly used.

School holidays: From December to the end of February and 15 days in July.

Holidays: January 1, April 11, 13, 14, May 1, July 25, August 2, 15, September 15, October 12, December 25.

Transportation to the airport: San José International Airport is located 17 km from the capital.

Italian Embassy: It is located in San José, 5a entrada del Barrio Los Yoses, 1729. Telephone: 00506-2342326, 2246574, 2249415. Fax: 00506-2258200.

Italian Consulate: It is at the Embassy, 5a entrada del Barrio Los Yoses, 1729. Telephone: 00.506.224.6574.

Police: Emergency number: 117.

Emergency number: 911.