TIPS & GENERAL INFORMATION - QUALITY INTERNATIONAL TOURS

Phone Calls:
Sprint call 163 to make your call.
MCI call 162 to make your call.
Tipping:
Most restaurants include a 10% tip. You are not obligated to tip more.
Banks
Normal banking hours are from 9:00am until 3:00pm. Banking machines are quite prevalent in San Jose, but are more scarce in the areas outside of San Jose. Banking

You can exchange money at most banks. Try to do this early in the mornings as lines do develop especially on paydays which are the second and last Fridays of the month. You will need your passport to do this.
If you are planning to come to Costa Rica, we strongly advise you NOT to bring US one-hundred-dollar bills. Central America has been inundated with false bills and you will find everyone, including the banks, unwilling to accept them. In fact, the banks are likely to confiscate them. Stick with smaller denomination bills, traveler's checks or credit cards. A further note about US bills in general--Be sure the bills you bring are in good condition. Small tears or missing pieces will render them useless in this country. cash

Exchange Rate for Friday, July 17, 1998
Buy - 257.85
Sell - 258.45
Culture
In March of 1993 Costa Rica's National Theater reopened its doors to once again host the most fabulous cultural events in the country. After withstanding the ravages of time and the elements for nearly a century to provide Costa Ricans with a cultural showcase, it succumbed to the violent earthquake that struck Costa Rica on April 22, 1991.
Climate
There are two well-defined seasons: the rainy season or winter (invierno), and the dry season or summer (verano), with basically only one difference between them: rainfall. The dry season runs from December to April, and the rainy season from May to November. Rainfall averages for the country may reach the highest point during the months of September and October -- approximately 650 mm per month. Seasonal changes don't bring significant changes in temperatures, although nights may be cooler in some areas during the rainy season. Mornings will most commonly be sunny all year round. San José may go as low as 15º C at nighttime, and up to 26º C during the day, giving rise to the image of San José as a city with an eternal spring climate. The Intermontane Central Valley where San José lies has an average temperature of 20º C, and may actually be considered as dry compared to the humidity of the Caribbean Slope. When it rains, temperatures will drop slightly, mostly because of humidity and winds. CREDITCARDS

Credit cards
Most hotels, restaurants and shops take at least one type of credit card. The most widely accepted are Visa and Mastercard, with American Express running a close third. When using your credit card you are charged with the official exchange rate in Costa Rican colones.
Requirements to Costa Rica
Citizens holding valid passports from the following country's are permitted to stay in Costa Rica for 90 days without a visa:
Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Holland and dependencies, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America and Uruguay.
Citizens holding valid passports from the following country's are allowed to stay in Costa Rica for 30 days without a visa, though once in the country, they can solicit a "Prórroga de Turismo" from the Immigration office (Migración), which allows them to stay a total of 90 days:
Albania, Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic, Dominica, El Salvador, France and dependencies, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Iceland, Jamaica, Kenya, Kuwait, Mexico,Monaco, New Zealand, Oman, Philippines, Qatar, San Cristobal, San Marino, St. Lucia, St Vincent, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia Suriname, Taiwan, Trinidad & Tobago, United Arab Emirates, Vatican, Venezuela.
Citizens of all country's not listed above must obtain a visa from a Costa Rican embassy or consulate before travelling there.
No customs duties are charged on personal luggage, which includes an array of items for personal and professional use, as long as they do not appear in quantities that suggest commercial intent. Costa Rican law requires that baggage be examined and that travelers submit customs declarations listing all articles acquired abroad, including fruit, vegetables, meat, meat products, biological products such as vaccinations, serums, etc. In the case of families, one declaration can be filled out by the family head.
Information provided by I.C.T. (Instituto Costarricense de Turismo)
Diving
Immerse Yourself in the Blue Beyond.
Surfing
World-famous waves and gorgeous beaches you don't want to miss.

Bicycling
If the mountain or the coast, the dry or wet season, mountain biking is always a great choice if you love the adventure and the outdoors.
WindSurfing
In this special report you can learn about the best spots for windsurfing, secrets from the pros, equipment requirements and facilities such as hotels, restaurants, equipment and car rentals that Costa Rica can offer to Windsurfers from around the World.