Costa Rica (Lonely Planet, 9th Edition) - Matthew Firestone [506]
Insect repellents containing certain botanical products, including eucalyptus and soybean oil, are effective but last only 1½ to two hours.
A particularly good item for every traveler to take is a bug net to hang over beds (along with a few thumbtacks or nails with which to hang it). Many hotels in Costa Rica don’t have windows (or screens), and a cheap little net will save you plenty of nighttime aggravation. The mesh size should be less than 1.5mm.
Dusk is the worst time for mosquitoes, so it’s best to take extra precautions once the sun starts to set.
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Snake Bites
Costa Rica is home to all manner of venomous snakes and any foray into forested areas will put you at (a very slight) risk of snake bite.
The best prevention is to wear closed, heavy shoes or boots and to keep a watchful eye on the trail. Snakes like to come out to cleared paths for a nap, so watch where you step. (For more on Costa Rica’s fer-de-lance and bushmaster, Click here).
In the event of a bite from a venomous snake, place the victim at rest, keep the bitten area immobilized and move the victim immediately to the nearest medical facility. Avoid tourniquets, which are no longer recommended.
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Sun
To protect yourself from excessive sun exposure, you should stay out of the midday sun, wear sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat, and apply sunblock with SPF 15 or higher, with both UVA and UVB protection. Sunblock should be generously applied to all exposed parts of the body approximately 30 minutes before sun exposure and should be reapplied after swimming or vigorous activity. Travelers should also drink plenty of fluids and avoid strenuous exercise when the temperature is high.
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Water
It’s generally safe to drink tap water in Costa Rica, except in the most rural and undeveloped parts of the country. However, if you prefer to be cautious, buying bottled water is your best bet. If you have the means, vigorous boiling for one minute is the most effective means of water purification. At altitudes greater than 2000m, boil for three minutes. Another option is to disinfect water with iodine pills: add 2% tincture of iodine to 1L of water (five drops to clear water, 10 drops to cloudy water) and let stand for 30 minutes. If the water is cold, longer times may be required.
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TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN
In general, it’s safe for children and pregnant women to go to Costa Rica. However, because some of the vaccines listed previously are not approved for use by children or during pregnancy, these travelers should be particularly careful not to drink tap water or consume any questionable food or beverage. Also, when traveling with children, make sure they’re up to date on all routine immunizations. It’s sometimes appropriate to give children some of their vaccines a little early before visiting a developing nation. You should discuss this with your pediatrician.
Lastly, if pregnant, bear in mind that should a complication such as premature labor develop while abroad, the quality of medical care may not be comparable to that in your home country.
Click here for some general information on traveling with children.
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Language
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CONTENTS
Latin American Spanish
Pronunciation
Word Stress
Gender & Plurals
Accommodations
Conversation & Essentials
Directions
Eating Out
Emergencies
Health
Language Difficulties
Numbers
Paperwork
Shopping & Services
Time & Dates
Transportation
Travel with Children
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Spanish is the official language of Costa Rica and the main language the traveler will need. Indigenous languages are spoken in isolated areas, but unless you’re getting off the beaten track you’ll rarely encounter them. The indigenous languages Bribr