Communications
Telephones and Telecommunications Last Updated: 9/12/2004 11:57 AM
An automatic telephone system covers all of Costa Rica. Long-distance calls may be placed from one’s home, and direct-dial service to the United States and other Central American countries is available. Direct-dial rates to the continental United States range from $0.65–$1.60 a minute. Most Mission houses have after hours access to the Embassy tie line to make toll free calls to the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia area codes.
Mail and Pouch Last Updated: 9/12/2004 12:01 AM
APO privileges are available to authorized employees, who can use the service to send and receive letters and parcels. Department of Defense (DOD) regulations do not allow non-DOD contract personnel to use the APO service.
APO is considered the most reliable and safest method for sending packages to and from the U.S. Nonetheless, Mission personnel have suffered thefts of packages sent via APO, a fact that should be considered before mailing expensive or essential items. Regular U.S. postage to or from Miami is required. Delivery time from the U.S. is 3 to 5 days for letters and 1 to 2 weeks for packages, depending on the point of origin. Size and weight limits of APO packages are rigidly enforced. APO will accept insured and certified mail, but not registered mail.
The APO address for San Jose is:
APO users with a mailbox:
Name
PSC 20, Box (number)
APO, AA 34020
APO users without a mailbox:
Name
PSC 20, Unit (number)
APO, AA 34020
To find out your correct address, please contact APO personnel before arriving at San Jose.
International air mail service to San Jose is also available. The service is slow but generally reliable. Air mail and Special Delivery from almost any point in the U.S. to Costa Rica usually takes at least a week, and there can be a lengthy delay and considerable expense before a parcel can be collected from Customs.
The international air mail address is:
Full Name
American Embassy
Apartado 920-1200
San Jose, Costa Rica
The Mission also uses the Department of State’s unclassified pouch facilities. Since the post is serviced by the APO, the Department’s pouch cannot be used for personal mail or packages to or from post, with the exception of legal documents and items of medical necessity such as medicines and eyeglasses. From post to the U.S., only legal documents and deposits to authorized credit unions may be sent through the pouch.
U.S. contract employees who are not authorized APO privileges may use the unclassified pouch to send and receive letter mail. U.S. postage is required.
The address for the pouch is:
Full Name
3440 San Jose Place
Department of State
Washington, D.C. 20521–3440
Commercial courier service to and from major U.S. cities also is available.
