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Destination Guides - North America / Costa Rica
Travel Advice on Health, Climate, Local Info, Customs and Laws
| Travel Advice/Warnings |
| This country is relatively safe but there have been some crime targeted against tourists. Take sensible precautions with your personal safety and the safety of your valuables. Beware of drinks being spiked/drugged. |
| Vaccinations & Health Alerts |
| It is recommended that you vaccinate against Hep A and Typhoid. Reduce the chance of being bitten by mosquitoes as Malaria is endemic in some areas and Dengue Fever outbreaks increase during the rainy season. |
| Seasonal Climate |
| Month |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
| Temp (c) |
19 |
20 |
21 |
22 |
21 |
20 |
20 |
20 |
20 |
19 |
19 |
19 |
| Rainfall (cm) |
1 |
0.5 |
1 |
4 |
24 |
28 |
23 |
23 |
34 |
33 |
18 |
5 |
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| The temperature is hotter on the coast than in the central valleys where temperatures vary little throughout the year. The rainy season runs from May to November and coincides with the hurricane season in the Caribbean. |
BBC - Weather Centre - Forecast for San Jose, Costa Rica
| Friday |
Max Temp: 29°C (84°F), Min Temp: 19°C (66°F), Wind Direction: NNW, Wind Speed: 3mph, Visibility: moderate, Pressure: 1011mb, Humidity: 73%, Sunrise: 05:26CST, Sunset: 17:39CST |
| Saturday |
Max Temp: 28°C (82°F), Min Temp: 19°C (66°F), Wind Direction: N, Wind Speed: 3mph, Visibility: moderate, Pressure: 1010mb, Humidity: 68%, Sunrise: 05:26CST, Sunset: 17:38CST |
| Sunday |
Max Temp: 29°C (84°F), Min Temp: 19°C (66°F), Wind Direction: N, Wind Speed: 3mph, Visibility: moderate, Pressure: 1010mb, Humidity: 63%, Sunrise: 05:26CST, Sunset: 17:38CST |
(by the BBC Weather Centre in association with the Met Office) |
| Local Customs/Laws |
| You must have a machine readable passport if transiting from the USA. Drug trafficking carries a minimum of 8 years in jail. Keep beachwear for the beach or poolside only. |
| Getting Around |
| Internal flights can not always be booked outside of Costa Rica. Roads are generally good but can deteriorate after heavy rain. Use experienced guides if going off the beaten track and into the jungle. Use only licensed taxis. Traffic police are very strict. |
| Public Holidays/Festivals |
| New Year on 1 January, Juan Santa Maria's Day on 11 April, Labour Day on 1 May, Guanacaste Annexation on 25 July, Mother's Day on 15 August, Independence Day on 15 September and Columbus Day on 12 October. Christian holidays for 2010 include: Lent which commences on 17 February, Easter from 2-5 April, Ascension Day on 16 May, Whitsun (Pentecost) on 23 May, Corpus Christi on 6 June, Assumption on 15 August and Christmas Day on 25 December. Christmas celebrations in December are lively. Many businesses close during Easter week and between Christmas and New Year. |
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| Visa Requirements |
| Not required for visits of up to 3 months. Passports must have 6 months validity remaining after the date of travel. The British Embassy in San José will continue to issue Emergency Passports for people who need to travel urgently, all others will be sent to the UK Passport Service for the Americas & Caribbean in the British Embassy in Washington. |
| British Embassy Details |
| Apartado 815-1007, Edificio Cetro Colón, 11th Floor, San José. Tel: (506)2258 2025 or (506)2256 8574 out of hours. |
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