Costa Rica (Lonely Planet, 9th Edition) - Matthew Firestone [491]
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WORK
It’s difficult for foreigners to find work in Costa Rica. The government doesn’t like anyone taking jobs away from Costa Ricans and the labor laws reflect this sentiment. Basically, the only foreigners legally employed in Costa Rica are those who work for their own businesses, possess skills not found in the country, or work for companies that have special agreements with the government.
Getting a bona fide job necessitates obtaining a work permit – a time-consuming and difficult process. The most likely source of paid employment is as an English teacher at one of the language institutes, or working in the hospitality industry in a hotel or resort. Naturalists or river guides may also be able to find work with either private lodges or adventure-travel operators, though you shouldn’t expect to make more than survival wages from these jobs.
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Transportation
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CONTENTS
Getting There & Away
Entering the Country
Air
Land
Sea
Getting Around
Air
Bicycle
Boat
Bus
Car & Motorcycle
Hitchhiking
Local Transportation
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GETTING THERE & AWAY
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ENTERING THE COUNTRY
A few people arrive in Costa Rica by sea, either on fishing or scuba charters or as part of a brief stop on a cruise. Others travel in by bus from neighboring countries. But the vast majority of travelers land at the airport in San José, with a growing number arriving in Liberia.
Entering Costa Rica is usually hassle-free (with the exception of some long queues). For more information on crossing the border, Click here. Some foreign nationals will require a visa. Be aware that those who need visas can’t get them at the border. For information on visas, Click here.
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Passport
Citizens of all nations are required to have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the dates of your trip. When you arrive, your passport will be stamped. The law requires that you carry your passport at all times during your stay in Costa Rica.
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Onward Ticket
Travelers officially need a ticket out of Costa Rica before they are allowed to enter, but the rules are enforced erratically. Those arriving by land can generally meet this requirement by purchasing an outward ticket from the TICA bus company, which has offices in Managua (Nicaragua) and Panama City.
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AIR
Airports & Airlines
International flights arrive at Aeropuerto Internacional Juan Santamaría, 17km northwest of San José, in the town of Alajuela. As a result, an increasing number of travelers are bypassing the capital altogether, and choosing instead to strike out into the country from Alajuela.
Aeropuerto Internacional Daniel Oduber Quirós (Click here) in Liberia also receives international flights from the USA and Canada. At the time of research, Liberia was being served by Air Canada, American Airlines, Continental, Delta, Northwest, United Airlines and US Airways. Private charter flights were also starting to arrive with increasing frequency from London Gatwick.
There has been a lot of talk about expanding Daniel Oduber Quirós, primarily since the airport is convenient for travelers visiting the Península de Nicoya. However, thus far progress has been extremely slow, and it will still be several years before major ground is broken. In the meantime, however, a few European charters have announced their intention to fly direct to Liberia, which would mean that travelers from the continent