Costa Rica-Travel Warnings

Holidays and Days off

When traveling to Costa Rica there are a few dates one might keep in mind. If your study abroad or volunteer abroad program happens to be during some of the holidays you will have a great chance to learn even more about Costa Rica’s culture and traditions. Lively festivals are held all year round with a celebration every month offering travelers insight into local culture and beliefs.
• On January 1st, the New Year is brought in with fireworks, street parties, dancing, and food countrywide. In San Jose, festivities are centered downtown and in the Zapote district.
• In even numbered years, the International Arts festival takes place mid March. 
• In April, the events following up to Easter is known as Holy Week. This is the time of year when hotels and airports overflow with visitors from all over the world Reservations are place months ahead of time for those who want to participate in this event.
• Independence Day is celebrated in September 15th.
• Costa Ricans really begin to celebrate Christmas in early December, the decorations already up a month earlier for this highly anticipated holiday.

Customs Rules

When entering Costa Rica while on your volunteer abroad program there are few tips on how to make the customs control process less stressful. Following restrictions apply to duty of free import. You can carry up to 500 pieces of cigarettes or 50 pieces for cigars, up to 3 liters of alcohol. Importing clothes and footwear is fine for personal needs only.  Import of the weapon, explosives, radioactive substances, and drugs is forbidden. Export of subjects of antiquity of pre-Columbus era is forbidden.
 
Tipping

When doing a volunteer abroad program in Costa Rica, it is almost certain that you will visit some of the local restaurants to taste the local cuisine. At the restaurants it is widely accepted that a tip of 10% of the total bill will be left for the services provided. There are exceptions when the tip is already included in the bill. Tips for tourist guides usually consist of one to five dollars a day.

Emergency phones

When you travel and volunteer abroad, be prepared for any emergency. If it is necessary to notify proper authorities while you are in Costa Rica, these are some of the numbers you can use:
The Red Cross - 128
Fire Protection - 118
Police - 117
Phone of rescue - 911