Embassy of Costa Rica in Canada.

Welcome to our Tourism Section. Here you will find much useful information about visiting Costa Rica. If you have any question please do not hesitate to contact us.

Yellow Fever Vaccination Requirement to Enter Costa Rica:

The Government of Costa Rica, starting on November 1st, 2007, established the alert for all those who wish to visit Costa Rica and come from certain countries in South America and Sub-Sahara Africa, must have an International Certificate of Vaccination against Yellow Fever. Those affected countries are: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, French Guiana and Venezuela.

Entry Requirements. Please visit the following link: Click here !

Si luego de consultar la circular, su país no aparece en las listas publicadas, siéntase libre de contactarnos.

If after consulting the above mentioned circular, your Country is not mentioned in the published lists, please feel free to contact us.

Si luego de consultar la circular, usted aún necesita aplicar para visa, por favor entre a esta dirección de internet.

If after consulting the above mentioned document, you still need to apply for a visa to enter Costa Rica, please go to the following Internet address.

There are different types of Visas::

Visa de Turismo - Tourist Visa (B1) pays a fee of __________US$ 30
Visa Consular - Consular entry Visa pays a fee of __________US$ 30
Visa Multiple - Multiple Entry Visa pays a fee of___________ US$100
Visa Consultada - Consult Visa: *_______________________US$50 (*Esta visa es aprobada por Migración Costa Rica/This visa is approved only by Immigration Costa Rica)

Consulte con este Consulado General si tiene preguntas o necesita verificar qué tipo de visa requiere.
Contact us if you have any question or need to verify the type of visa you require.

Getting married in Costa Rica

Many couples from around the world have chosen to celebrate their most important day in our tropical paradise.

According to Costa Rican legislation, civil marriages are celebrated by a Notary Public; catholic marriages are celebrated by catholic priests, who act as a representative of the Church and notary publics at the same time.

1- Original Birth Certificate of both persons.
2 - Single or Civil Status Certificate of both persons (Statement in lieu of Certificate of non – impediment to marriage abroad) you may get it before the authentication office of DFAIT. Phone: : 613-994-4000 or visit the Web Page: www.international.gc.ca.
3 - If you have been married before, you will require these additional documents:

a) A certified copy of the divorce statement.
b) A certified copy of your previous spouse’s death.

4- These Documents must be certified by the Consulate of Costa Rica, before arrival and must be issued no more than six months prior to the marriage ceremony.

5- Certification fees: US$40 to be deposited in the account No. 0005-4608-520, in the Bank of Montreal, Account name: Embassy of Costa Rica-Consular Services, please, send the original and a copy of the receipt with the documents. Previusly, the above mentioned documents should be authenticated by Foreign Affairs Canada, Authentication Office, for information call: Phone: 613-994-4000 or visit the Web Page: www.international.gc.ca.
6- Two witnesses (non relatives preferred) must have the following documents:

a) For non Costa Rican citizens: A passport valid for at least six months.
b) For Costa Rican citizens: A Costa Rican identity card (Cédula de Identidad).
c) Presentation of a valid passport once in Costa Rica.

7- If you are marrying a Costa Rican citizen, your future spouse will require the following documents:

d ) A valid Costa Rican identity card (Cédula de Identidad).
e ) A Certificate of Single Status issued by the Civil Registry. (Certificado de Soltería del Registro Civil).

Registration of your marriage in Canada

You should arrange with your lawyer in Costa Rica, the presentation of the appropriate documents in order to register the marriage in Canada.

1. Marriage Certificate issued by the Costa Rican Civil Registry (Registro Civil). Usually it takes up to six weeks to get the certificate from this office.
2. Translation (Spanish to English or French) of the marriage certificate by an Official Translator of the Costa Rican Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
3. Authentication from the Authentication Office of the Costa Rican Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
4. Authentication from the Canadian Embassy in Costa Rica.
5. Presentation of the documents described above to the Vital Statistics Office in your Province for the appropriate registration in Canada.

Taking your Pet to Costa Rica

1. An International Health Certificate completed and signed by your veterinary, and certified by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, that states, that the pet has all the vaccines (issue date of certificate must be no more than 3 months old).

2. The Health Certificate mentioned must be sent to the General Consulate of Costa Rica in Ottawa for legalization purposes. Certification fees: US$40 to be deposited in the account No. 0005-4608-520, in the Bank of Montreal, Account name: Embassy of Costa Rica-Consular Services. Please send with the above mentioned, a prepaid envelop, the original and a copy of the receipt with the documents.

Learning Spanish in Costa Rica

If you want to learn Spanish in a beautiful and peaceful place, near the beach and meeting friendly people, the best option is Costa Rica. The country offers a great amount of Private Schools; most of them offer homestay with a “tico” family, tours and other services.

Spanish courses are also available at University Level.

Please see underneath some Spanish Schools in Costa Rica.

1) Costa Rica-North American Cultural Centre:
(506) 2225-94-33 Fax: (506) 2224-1480
www.cccncr.com

2) Forester Instituto International:
(506) 2225-3155 Fax: 2225-9236
www.fores.com

3) Centro Linguístico Conversa:
(506) 2221-76-49 Fax: (506) 2233-2418
e-mail: conversa@sol.racsa.co.cr

4) Instituto Interamericano de Idiomas(INTENSA):
(506) 2225-6009 Fax: (506) 2253-4337
e-mail: spanish@intensa.com
www.intensa.com

5) Academia de Idiomas Escazú:
(506) 2228-7736
e-mail: spanish@sol.racsa.co.cr
www.crspanish.com

6) Escuela de Lenguas Modernas, Universidad de Costa Rica
[506] 2207-47-03
www.ucr.ac.cr

7) Costa Rica Language Academy (CRLA)
(506) 2280-5834, FAX (506) 2280-2548
www.spanishandmore.com

8) Academia Tica
(506) 2229-0013 FAX (506) 2292-7136
.www.acadenuatica.com

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Common Questions.

“Visiting Costa Rica: Answer to the most common questions”

Thanks for your interest in Costa Rica. Enclosed you will find some of the most common questions/answers that can help you know better Costa Rica.

1) How to get there?

You have two ways of going to Costa Rica:
1. Commercial flight.
2. Charter Flights.

Operate all year round and the most popular route is -Toronto or Montreal/Miami/San Jose (flights time approximately 7 hrs).

Charters are available from any Travel Agency especially from the beginning of November to the end of April; the costs of charter flights are normally 50% less expensive than commercial flights.

Costa Rica has two International Airports: International Airport Juan Santamaría (15 minutes of San Jose-downtown) and International Airport in Liberia (capital of the Province of Guanacaste). Main ports: Caldera Port (Pacific coast) and Limon Port (Caribbean coast).

2) Do Canadians require a “Visa” to visit Costa Rica?

No, Canadian citizens don’t need visa and are allowed to stay in Costa Rica for 90 days, with a valid passport.

3) Do you need any vaccination before entering the country?

No, all main contagious diseases have been controlled many years ago. Tap water can be drunk everywhere. A mosquito repellent is recommended, if you are visiting the rain forest.

4) How costly is the food compared to Canadian prices?

5) Departure Tax:

At your departure you will be asked to pay US$26 dollars which can be paid in cash or credit card.

6) How is the Costa Rican currency compared with the Canadian dollar?

For one Canadian dollar you will receive approximately 530 colones. Costa Rica has a free movement of capital as well as public and private banking system. The Canadian Bank of Nova Scotia has many branches in San Jose, and you may withdraw money with your debit card.

7) Provinces:

Costa Rica has seven beautiful provinces and all of them offer many places to visit and things to do. They are: San Jose (capital), Heredia, Cartago, Alajuela, Puntarenas (Pacific coast), Guanacaste (Pacific coast), and Limón (Caribbean coast). Almost the 30% of our territory are National Parks.

8) Getting around

Rent a car is an excellent idea to get around and discover Costa Rica. Due to our small territory (51.000 km2), you could go from coast to coast in one day. You are allowed to drive with your Canadian driver license and passport for six (6) months.
A good bus service is the most popular and cheapest way to get around. Taxi Service is very good and cheaper than it is in Canada. It would be a good choice if you want to go directly from the Airport to any place.
Another very good choice is taking an organized tour; most of them are contacted by your Hotel, You may also visit the Costa Rican Tourist Board, WEB Page: www.visitcostarica.com, there you may find important information to organize your tours.

9) Lodging

Costa Rica offers all types of lodging facilities, since five star Hotels, all inclusive resorts until Bed and Breakfast or small rooms and bath for rent (cabins). In some areas camping facilities are available.