Notes For TravelersNotes For Travelers Getting to the Post Last Updated: 9/12/2004 12:29 AM United, Continental, Delta, American, US Airways and America West offer daily service to San Jose from the United States. After appropriate notification, all newly assigned personnel arriving at Juan Santamaria Airport are met by sponsors arranged by the Embassy. Persons assigned to Costa Rica for official duties require an entry visa issued by a Costa Rican diplomatic or consular official. In case of time constraint, a person assigned to Costa Rica can enter the country with a tourist card, then obtain a visa after arrival. Tourist cards can be obtained from the airlines or at airports in the U.S. On arrival, four photos are necessary for carnets, which also serve as a driver’s license. Photographs can be taken at any of several local shops. A Marine Security Guard is on duty 24 hours. The embassy telephone number is 519-2000; the after-hours number is 519-2800. (Direct dial from the United States is 011–506-519–2000.) Customs, Duties, and Passage Customs and Duties Last Updated: 12/19/2003 3:38 PM The Costa Rican Government grants free-entry privileges to all American Mission personnel regardless of rank or title. In accordance with the Vienna Diplomatic Convention, non-diplomatic staff personnel are allowed those privileges at the time of first installation, which is defined as a six-month period from the date of arrival. This privilege also applies to personnel of other U.S. agencies. American personnel of other organizations are covered by individual agreements, and newly assigned personnel should learn the extent of those agreements by communicating with the chief of their respective organization. When packing baggage and unaccompanied air freight, it should be remembered that neither unaccompanied air freight nor household effects moved by ship will be available for a week after it is officially received by Customs. Following arrival of the items in country, documents are presented to the appropriate government ministries. Required documents include a detailed listing of the contents of all shipments. An air cargo shipment manifested as “Personal Effects” will generally clear quickly. The Costa Rican Government may exercise its right to open household effects shipments of both diplomatic and non-diplomatic personnel. Since Costa Rican Customs computes the duty for statistical purposes, even though shipments are granted duty-free entry, one can expedite the clearance process for unaccompanied shipments by providing a detailed and accurate list of the contents. The inventory should be available for presentation to the authorities when the shipment arrives in the country. If possible, one should mail a copy of the packing list to the General Services Office ahead of time to expedite clearance. Pets Last Updated: 12/19/2003 3:39 PM The importation of pets into Costa Rica is controlled by the Ministry of Public Health. Entry permits from the Costa Rican Health Ministry must be obtained before the arrival of the pet in the country. Failure to obtain the necessary permit may result in the pet being refused entry or being detained by health authorities. The necessary permit may be obtained by writing in advance to the Customs and Shipping Unit in the Embassy. The pet should arrive with the family and be declared as luggage instead of cargo. The following information must be forwarded to the Embassy GSO prior to the arrival of the pet: Species, color, age, name, sex, approximate date of arrival, owner’s passport number, and means of transportation. The following documents should be certified by a Costa Rican Consul before the pet’s departure for Costa Rica, and must accompany the pet: international health certificate from an accredited veterinarian (this document must be certified by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture/APHIS before presentation to the Costa Rican Consul, call 301–436–8590); certificate of vaccinations for rabies, distemper, parvovirus, and leptospirosis (if applicable to the species of pet); and certification that the pet is free from taenia equinococus. Plan ahead to have the vaccines given to your pets, as the rabies vaccine should be given at least 30 days prior to travel. A copy of each of the notarized certificates should be sent to the Embassy before arrival so that clearance can be arranged. Without these documents, the Costa Rican Government can require a quarantine period. Use proper cage or crate for shipment and bring a supply of pet food. If importing cats, bring a litter box, pooper scooper and cat litter. Cat litter is difficult to find; so, cat owners should bring a supply in their household effects. Pet food and supplies can be ordered in bulk through the Commissary. American brands of cat and dog food are sold in local markets, at greatly inflated prices. Locally prepared pet food also is available, but the quality is not up to U.S. standards. Again, persons bringing a pet to Costa Rica must notify the Embassy in advance so that the necessary preparations can be completed before arrival. | 
