Ask Zipy | Frequently Asked Questions | Costa Rica Online Business Directory, Things To Do in Costa Rica

Geography: Costa Rica has a total land mass of 50,660 square kilometers with a total of 639 kilometers of borderline shared by Nicaragua to the north and Panama to its south. Costa Rica has a tropical and subtropical environment with four different types of forests and a proportional large area of coastline for its size with a total of 1290 km. The climate varies greatly depending on location-dry in the northwest, hot and humid on either coastline and cooler in highlands.

The elevation extremes are enormous for such a small country. Central America was created volcanic eruptions which created the bridge between North and South America making it possible for animal migration. Through the last Ice-Age, the largest biodiversity survived in and around Costa Rica. Of this historic volcanic activity, at least sixty volcanoes are found in Costa Rica. The highest mountain peak is Cerro Chirripo with an altitude of 3810 meters (app.11,500ft).

Costa Rica has overall a very stable temperature despite its seasonal changes, with the dry season lasting from December through April and the rainy season from May through November

Primary Language in Costa Rica is Spanish. 

Costa Rica has two coasts and with that, two cultures; on the Pacific Ocean you will find the Ticos (Costa Ricans) and on the Atlantic Ocean, especially in and around Limon, it is an English speaking; Jamaican influenced African-Caribbean culture.

A high altitude change throughout the central part of the country offers all ranges of climates. If the desire is to experience a warm and dry climate with seasonal changes, or jungle to still see the autumn colors in a variety of trees, then the dry forests of the northwest Pacific Coast of Costa Rica in the Guanacaste province could be your choice.  Tropical climates along the coasts to highland climates occur in all altitudes throughout the mountainous country offering the greatest variety of temperature zones; one of them surely will fit your definition of "perfect climate".

Costa Ricans take great pride in their country and are very honest people. The relatively low crime rate and a multitude of natural diversity within such a small space makes living there an experience filled with beauty and excitement. The country offers four types of rain forests and over 60 clearly recognizable volcanoes.

• January 1st: New Year's Day
• March/April: Easter Week
• April 11: Juan Santamaria Day
• May 1st: Labor Day
• July 25: Annexation of Guanacaste Day
• Aug 2: Patron Saint Day
• Aug. 15: Mother's Day
• Sept. 15: Independence Day
• Nov. 2: All Soul's Day
• Dec. 25: Christmas Day

New Year's Day Celebration: Fireworks light up the country on this national holiday while street parties lure locals with music, dancing and food. In San Jose, festivities are centered around downtown and in the Zapote district. Country-wide. January 1.

Palmares Fiestas: Two weeks of concerts, bullfighting, folklore dancing and general debauchery. First week of January.

Coffee Cup: A much-anticipated, week-long junior tennis tournament hosted at the Costa Rica Country Club in San Jose. First week of January.

Alajuelita Fiestas: An oxcart parade and party to honor the Black Christ of Esquipulas, Alajuela. First week of January.

Santa Cruz Fiestas: Typical music, folkloric dancing and bullfighting to honor the Black Christ of Esquipulas in Santa Cruz, Guanacaste. Week of January 15.

San Isidro del General Fiestas: An agricultural fair with flower shows, bullfighting and traditional livestock competitions complete with prizes; held in San Isidro del General, San Jose. The first week of February.

Mardi Gras in Esterillos: A carnival with parades, street foods, music, children's games, and dancing. Mid-February.

CENAC Summer Festival: Free storytelling, theater, movies and other entertainment at the National Cultural Center in San Jose. February 13-16.

Los Diablitos Games: A re-creation of the fight between the Boruca tribe and the Spanish held in Rey Curre, Boruca. Fireworks, masks and traditional dancing help to set the scene. The indigenous tribe is represented by the diablitos, or little devils, and the Spanish by a bull. Late February.

Puntarenas Carnaval: A lively, seven-day celebration with food, music, and beer in Puntarenas. Last week of February.

Sun Festival: An annual celebration of the Mayan New Year on February 25 that culminates in a fire ceremony and a gathering to promote solar power. Last week of February.

Liberia Fiestas: Guanacaste folklore and traditions are celebrated with music, rides, and concerts throughout Liberia. Last week of February.

Bonanza Cattle Show: Bullfights, horse races, rodeos and other events geared toward the nation’s cowboys; held in San Jose. First week of March.

Dia de los Boyeros: Otherwise known as the day of the oxcart driver, this colorful celebration features traditional parades and exquisitely painted oxcarts on display in Escazu, San Jose. The second Sunday in March.

International Arts Festival: A central exhibition of first-class art performance theater and dance held in San Jose and surrounding areas. March 15-25 on even-numbered years.

Fruit Festival: This festival honors the country’s myriad of fruits and their accompanying recipes in Orotina, Alajuela. Taste many unique recipes. Mid-March.

National Orchid Show: More than 300 species of orchids are on display every year in San Jose; the best win a coveted first place ribbon. Mid-March.

San Jose Day: Fairs, Catholic masses, bullfights and plenty of street food mark the feast of Saint Joseph; celebrated throughout Costa Rica. March 19.

International Food Fair: A food fair held in Coronado, San Jose featuring a generous spread of national and international dishes whose proceeds benefit social causes. Third weekend of March.

April 03 – Lailal al Miraj - Muslim

April 04 - International Hug Day

April 07 – World Health Day - International

April 11 – Battle of Rivas – Juan Santamaria Day – Costa Rica

April 13 – Burmese and Cambodian New Years

April 14 - 21 Holy Week - Christian

• April 14 - Palm Sunday
• April 18 - Holy Thursday
• April 19 - Good Friday and Easter Sunday

April 20 – April 27 - Passover - Jewish

April 22 - Earth Day –  International

Holy Week: Costa Ricans take their Holy Week seriously, but not always religiously – travel peaks during this week and even the most humble hotels can fill up months in advance. The country’s more traditional residents celebrate with religious parades through the streets and wide-scale worship. The week preceding Easter.

Easter: Celebrations throughout the country.

Juan Santamaria Day: Parades, music and dancing to honor the nation’s hero, Juan Santamaria, who helped Costa Rica defeat William Walker and the invading Filibusters. Celebrations are held throughout the country. April 11.

University Week: Exhibits, parades, live music and more held at the University of Costa Rica in San Jose. The last week of April.

Labor Day: Country-wide processions accompany a day off from work for most of the country and a presidential speech honoring the day. May 1.

San Isidro Labor Day: Celebrated throughout the country in towns named San Isidro, this day honors the patron saint of farmers and farm animal with the blessing of future crops and livestock. Fiestas and parades are common. May 15.

San Juan Day: A 14-mile marathon from Cartago to San Jose. May 17.

Corpus Christi Day: A religious festival that warrants a day off from work held country-wide. May 29.

Saints Peter and Paul Day: Religious celebrations to honor the Catholic saints Paul and Peter held throughout the country. June 29.

Virgin of the Sea Fiestas: Religious activities, food, music and parades mark the celebration of the patron saint in Puntarenas. The Saturday closest to July 16.

Annexation of Guanacaste Day: Costa Ricans celebrate the day that the Guanacaste province chose their nation over neighboring Nicaragua in 1824. The biggest celebrations – bullfighting, parades and plenty of drinking – are centered in Liberia, Guanacaste’s capital city, though you'll find celebrations throughout the county. July 25.

Mango Fiestas: Alajuela is called the City of Mangoes and every July the town celebrates its heritage with crafts, parades, music and plenty of mango refreshments. Late July.

Virgin of Los Angeles Day: Costa Rica’s largest religious holiday – pilgrims march on foot or on their knees toward Cartago’s Los Angeles Basilica to pay honor to La Negrita and ask for a wish to be granted for them, Costa Rica’s black Virgin. August 2.

San Ramon Day Parades: Dancing and music help celebrate the arrival of 30 patron saints from nearby towns to honor San Ramon’s own patron saint in San Ramon, Alajuela. August 30.

Independence Day: Parties and festivals are held throughout the country celebrating Costa Rica's independence from Spain. Traveling south from Guatemala, the flame of independence arrives in Cartago on this day. September 15.

International Beach Clean-Up Day: A modern celebration, this day joins locals and visitors together to keep Costa Rica's beaches clean and pristine. The third week of September.

San Isidro Anniversary: A celebration to commemorate the agricultural town of San Isidro, San Jose. October 9.

Puerto Viejo Carnaval: Seven days of Caribbean parties complete with dancers, parades and live music held in Puerto Viejo. The first two weeks of October in Puerto Viejo.

Limon Carnaval: A popular festival with Mardi Gras-style decadence celebrated with parades, loud Caribbean rhythms, rum and dancing. Limon. Weekend of October 12.

Dia de la Raza: A celebration of Columbus’ discovery of the New World and the many cultural influences that helped form modern-day Latin America; held throughout the country. October 12.

Virgin of Pilar Day: A day of costumes and dancing to honor the patron saint of Tres Rios, Cartago. October 12.

Corn Fiesta: Traditional parties honoring the corn crop held in Upala, Alajuela that include a Corn Queen crowning and a corn-product costume parade. October 12.

Dia de los Inocentes: Costa Rica’s version of Mexico’s famous Day of the Dead has people paying their respects to lost loved ones. November 2.

Coffee Picking Contest: Music and dancing accompany this contest held throughout the Central Valley. Mid-November.

Oxcart Parade: Similar to March’s Oxcart Driver Day, this celebration honors Costa Rica’s oxcart and agricultural traditions; held in San Jose. Late November.

Festival de las Luces: Fireworks displays and live concerts start this month-long Christmas celebration of lights, lights and even more lights; held in San Jose. First week of December.

Christmas Celebrations: Decorations have been up for months, but Costa Ricans really begin to celebrate in early December. This is the best time to begin making tamales – each family has its own recipe. The long preparation process produces one-of-a-kind treats that are distributed as gifts to friends and neighbors. Early December.

Los Negritos Fiestas: A festive combination of traditional indigenous celebrations and Catholic rituals, this day honors the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception held in Boruca. Week of December 8.

Fireworks Day: Fireworks help to honor the Lady of the Immaculate Conception in San Antonio de Belen, Heredia. December 8.

La Yeguita Fiesta: A parade to celebrate the Virgin of Guadalupe accompanied by dancing, food and fireworks. Nicoya (Guanacaste). December 12.

Beginning of Caroling Season: Christmas carolers begin to sing door-to-door; often to raise money for local charities held throughout the country. December 15.

Christmas Eve: Traditionally, families attend a large mass on Christmas Eve and open their gifts at midnight. December 24.

El Tope Nacional: An annual national horse parade that strolls through the center of San Jose where the well-trained animals perform amazing footwork. December 26.

San Jose Carnival: A huge carnival with large floats, live music and a very happy atmosphere in San Jose. December 27.

Zapote Fiestas: The Zapote fairgrounds in San Jose transform from tranquil farmers' market to a free-for-all party, offering amusement park rides, fair and street food, inflatable megabars, bullfighting and plenty of libations. December 25 - January 6.

Los Diablitos Festival: Fireside reenactment of Spanish-indigenous battles, using mood music and traditional masks; held in Boruca. December 30-January 2.

There are many small play houses and theatres throughout the country. In the capital city of San Jose is the National Theater of Costa Rica. It was built in a neo-classic architecture under the direction of an Italian engineer and took 7 year to build. It was funded by coffee tax, that was the biggest export at that time.

The National Theater is one of the most beautiful buildings in Costa Rica with great importance both culturally and historically. The National Theater opened to the public on 21 October 1897 with a performance of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's Faust and quickly became the “National Jewel” of the country.

The Theater is open from Tuesday through Sunday, 9am to 4pm for tours and often you can watch the practices or catch a matinee performance. Entrance fee is nominal and free for children under the age of 12.

A tour through the Theater is worthwhile and the art and the architecture are captivating.

Yes, the National Museum of Costa Rica in San Jose. After the collapse of Republic of Central America and the independence of Costa Rica (Rich Coast) in 1838, the progressive government reorganized the national culture by means of changes in education and development of institutions with cultural and scientific purposes.

Under the watch of President Bernardo Soto, on May 4, 1887, the Museum opened its doors. The Museums focus was and continues to be education and research and defense of cultural and natural heritage.

The Museum has dwelled in four different locations throughout San Jose. After the abolishment of the army, in 1949 the Bellavista Headquarters – commandants quarters, troop dormitory, military academy and an armory – one of the most important buildings in San Jose, in 1950, the Museum has made it its permanent home.

The Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 8:30am to 4:30pm and Sunday 9:00am to 4:30. Entrance fee is nominal and free for children under the age of 12.

Plan on spending a few hours at the Museum, since it is quite extensive and a must to see.

The Ox Cart is a National Symbol of Labor in Costa Rica.

The cart was used as a means of transportation across the country. In 1840’s when commerce was introduced to Costa Rica and coffee was the main product that was exported, at that time to England for distribution throughout Europe, the ox cart was used to transport the coffee to the ports. Often the journey took a couple of weeks.

The carts were guided by a person, named oxherd, who not only guided the 2 oxen and the cargo but was responsible for tending to the oxen and maintaining the cart. Historically, they represent the perseverance and persistence of the Costa Rican people.

In the early twentieth century, the carts were painted with local designs as a means of identification of the origin of each cart. As this phenomenon grew, the art became more distinct with more designs, flora, fauna and portraits and became a symbol of pride for the oxherder and his region. To this day, there are annual contests of the artwork displayed on the ox carts.

In March 1988, the ox cart became the National Symbol of Labor of Costa Rica. Many of the coffee plantation still use the ox cart during the harvest.

Ask Zipy online directory and booking services cover all provinces, cantons in Costa Rica. 

The main benefit of Ask Zipy online directory and booking services is to provide consumers the convenience of an (everything is on one site), awareness of local companies including reviews and rating and, a single source to make you aware of all the available Specials/Deals. Businesses benefit from reaching a broader audience, promoting unique offerings or services and overall awareness of their company.

Ask Zipy is for all customers searching to fulfill their needs as well as all Businesses listed under the Complimentary “Free” Membership Directory. To enhance exposure, Startup, Grow Big, Optimize and Go Pro Memberships are provided to businesses for a nominal fee.

There are 4 Membership plans for businesses to choose from ranging from the Start-Up Membership to the Go Pro Membership.

1. Start-Up Membership – allows businesses to upload critical information such as Company name, logo, website address, phone, address, email address and can receive ratings and reviews.
2. Grow Big Membership – All of the benefits of the FREE membership but can now list their business in two different categories; provide an image of their company and ability to educate their audience with a short and long description of their services/offerings.
3. Optimize Membership – All the benefits of the Basic Membership plus can now list in up to 3 categories for increased exposure and participate in Hot Special Ads and Featured listings. Also will be positioned higher in your selected category.
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Each membership provides certain additional benefits - so to provide a Featured advertisement; you have to be a Premier or Elite Member. Contact us to discuss the membership packages.

Yes. Our Go Pro and Optimize members receive FREE, several one month Ads with their memberships but have the ability to purchase additional Ads so they maximize their presence throughout the year.

Yes. Ask Zipy sells select products and services but mostly is the matchmaker between customers and businesses. We help businesses build their exposure while assisting customers in satisfying their needs. We can provide all your outsource marketing services, websites, social media etc. The goal of our web services is to help you get more traffic, customers, revenue and noticed.

The Complimentary “Free” Membership lasts forever and the Start-Up, Grow Big, Optimize and Go Pro are annual memberships.

Any consumer can write a Review and/or Rate a business, service or place listed in the Directory. The Reviews and Ratings help the business in identifying how they perform and helps future customers determine their buying actions.

Costa Rica has a 911 service just like the United States that should be used in the event of an emergency. Frommer's travel guide notes that an English-speaking operator should be available. In the event that you need an ambulance, dial 128, and call 118 to report a fire. In the event that you must contact the United States Embassy after hours for an emergency situation, such as a death or an arrest, call 506-8863-4895 in Costa Rica or 011-506-8863-4895 from the United States.

The United States Embassy in Costa Rica is in San Jose and can be contacted during normal business hours and offers services to American citizens including help for accident victims, assistance finding temporary shelter and lawyer contact information. Contact the embassy by phone to sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment program that keeps you up to date on travel advisories and safety warnings during your trip. According to its website, the embassy can be contacted in Costa Rica at 506-2519-2000 and at 011-506-2519-200 from the United States.

Many foreigners who travel here come specifically with the intent of buying property in Costa Rica. Others travel to Costa Rica on vacation and decide on the spur of the moment to make a financial or lifestyle investment. Whatever your situation, dealing with professionals can simplify the purchase process.

What is the process for making an offer? First, you and your agent will write an offer that suits your circumstances. The offer will be presented to the seller, whether that is a developer or private owner. Either the seller will accept the offer, or negotiations will ensue regarding price, terms or both.

Once buyer and seller have come to an agreement and have signed the contract, a deposit (usually 10%) is expected. The normal time period for receipt of deposit is two weeks, but this time period may be negotiated according to the buyer's circumstances. All funds should be held in a SUGEF or government registered escrow account. It is common for buyers and sellers to use third-party companies such as Stewart Title for escrow purposes.

Final closing would normally be anywhere from 30 - 60 days after both parties agreeing to the terms and signing the contract. If you need to borrow funds, it is normally simpler, and interest rates are usually lower, in your home country. Your best option for financing in Costa Rica is via owner financing, and there are several legal structures in place that can make owner financing safe for both seller and buyer.

Buying property in Costa Rica is a fairly transparent process. However, as with business transactions anywhere in the world, it is important to do your due diligence and work with professionals. The information below can help you to understand the purchase process, and our team of dedicated and knowledgeable Re/Max Costa Rica agents is also available to answer your questions and streamline the experience should you decide to go ahead with buying real estate in Costa Rica. Please feel free to contact us for information without obligation.

Unlike some of the other countries, foreigners have the same rights when purchasing land in Costa Rica as locals do. You can own property outright in your own name or in the name of your corporation. You do not need a local partner, except in cases ofbeachfront concession property, where special rules apply. There is absolutely nothing to prevent you from purchasing Costa Rica property in your own name, but the majority of buyers form a corporation with the help of a reputable lawyer and then purchase property through that corporation. The reason for this is threefold. One - it may be more beneficial to have your income (from rentals) or capital gain (from sale of the property) taxed within a Costa Rican company rather than having it taxed as personal income. Of course, this depends on the tax laws of the country from which you originate. Two - it allows for simplified estate planning, whereby you can give or will shares of the corporation that owns the property to members of your family. Three - if you ever decide to sell your property, you can avoid paying property transfer taxes a second time by simply transferring the shares of the corporation to the new owner.

Another plus for property purchasers in Costa Rica is its central land registry which allows your lawyer to confirm that there is a clear title to your property, as well as to discern if there are any restrictions on the property before the deal goes through. Also attractive are Costa Rica's very low property taxes - 1/4 of 1% annually. That means if you buy a condominium or home with an assessed value of $200,000, the property taxes per year would be $500.

The actual nuts and bolts of purchasing are similar to those in North America. Dealing with a real estate company you recognize can provide additional security since international franchises are governed by standard rules and regulations. Also, find out if your Costa Rica real estate agent lives in the community where he or she is working. Do they know the local market? Are the owners themselves? These are important questions as there are some large databases operating in the country run by individuals that don't even live in the country. Ask yourself if you want to be represented or advised by someone who is largely ignorant of your target market, and who cannot advise you of pricing, deals, lifestyle, and issues peculiar to that location.

Since real estate agent status in Costa Rica remains for the most part unregulated - another way to determine if your agent is a professional is to inquire if he or she belongs to a national association such as NAR (National Association of Realtors). Similarly, though membership is not obligatory, most professionals also belong to a national or regional association, such as the CCBR (Costa Rican Real Estate Association) or CRGAR (Costa Rican Guanacaste Association of Real Estate).

More importantly, work with a realtor with a good reputation. One of the best ways to find someone you can trust is simply to ask around. Given that most communities in Costa Rica are relatively small, it won't take you long to come up with some names of reputable realtors in the area.

Also of importance in the process is to secure your own lawyer to represent your interests in a property purchase. Your lawyer should check the title on your property in the central registry, and can also assist with forming corporations, opening bank accounts and doing other business related to a land purchase.

Warm Weather in Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s reputation as a tropical paradise precedes it and with jungle, sun, warm sea, and great surf, its notoriety is well deserved. Though just the size of West Virginia, this country boasts a wide range of different climates, so there really is something for everyone.

With its long coasts of Caribbean and Pacific beaches as well as mountainous highlands, thick rainforests, and abundant valleys there are many different climates to choose from.

To change your weather in Costa Rica you must change your elevation, which in turn will change the amount of rainfall. The higher you go the cooler the weather.

Go to the highland town of Monteverde for example and you’ll be surrounded by a cool mist and fog at least part of the day for most of the year. The Pacific coast around Guanacaste, on the other hand, is hot and dry, perfect for the many world-class beaches. In the Puntarenas area, is more hot and humid with the Jungle and Beach combination that draws people in.

Costa Rica itself has an average temperature of 70 F to 81 F. Due to its proximity to the equator, it has no real summer or winter, just wet and dry seasons.

It does, however, have a rainy season from May to November. Average rainfall in Costa Rica is around 100 inches a year, but some areas in Costa Rica’s mountains can get 25 feet of rainfall annually. And it can rain quite heavily in rainforest areas as well.

The Caribbean coast has its own microclimate thanks to continual trade winds that keep the climate hot and moist, with rain year around.

Many people think that the capital of San José and the Central Valley boast the best weather in the country. At altitudes that vary from 2,000 feet to 5,000 feet above sea level, it is temperate year-round, with temperatures ranging from highs in the mid-80s F to lows at night in the mid-60s. The higher in elevation you go, the cooler the average temperatures.

The rainforests of the southern Pacific coast are warm and humid, with heavy rains in the rainy season. But many expats live in homes set on the hillsides overlooking the vast green jungles and glittering ocean. At elevation, the weather is cooler than at sea level and benefits from cooling ocean and mountain breezes. Some expats here actually don’t use much air conditioning if their home was built to take advantage of these breezes.

Costa Rica’s lowlands and coastal areas have an average temperature of 79 F, if you like warm weather. In fact, if you are looking for a warm climate, head to Costa Rica’s northern Pacific coast. Known as the Gold Coast, this area receives the least rainfall and has more sunny days than anywhere else in the country. The rainy season here starts later as well.

Costa Rica has the highest educational standards in Central America.  It has a two-tier educational system – public and private. Public education is free, however, there is a small cost for uniforms and supplies.

There are three levels of education in Costa Rica.

1 – Pre-kindergarten to grade 6;

2 – College grades 7 to 12, ( plus 13 University and Trans Year)

3 – University. University is free for all Costa Ricans if they are of legal age and vote and the head of the household pays for Caja – health insurance. Costa Ricans are able to attend University until the age of 55 for free.

The school year, in Costa Rica, begins in February and runs until November.

Sidebar: there are many Universities in Costa Rica, the University of Costa Rica in a national university and is recognized worldwide, however, there are many private universities that are not recognized, do your research.

There are two types of health care in Costa Rica one being a government-sponsored network of hospitals and clinics throughout the country, the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS) has primary responsibility for providing low-cost healthcare services to the Costa Rican populace. Although sometimes overburdened, this system has worked well for Costa Ricans for the past 60 or so years. Foreigners living in Costa Rica—legal residents only in one of the residence programs like pensionado or rentista—can join the CCSS and get free treatment (everything from checkups to prescription drugs to major surgeries) by paying a small monthly fee–based on income. Tourists and visitors can use Caja facilities only in emergencies. The second system is the private system. Throughout Costa Rica, there are many private doctors clinics that can provide service to visitors and tourists as well offer additional services for Costa Ricans and legal residents. Cima Hospital is one of two private hospitals in Escazu, San Jose and the best equipped to handles any health issue. Both systems are constantly being upgraded – new hospitals, new equipment and improvements in staff training.

Sidebar: over the recent years there are many returning visitors that utilize the private health care system for dental, optical surgeries as well as other procedures to the high quality and low costs.

When contacting Costa Rica from the United States, you must add 011 506 to the front of the number that you want to dial. To contact Costa Rica police in a non-emergency situation, you can contact the Judicial Police at either 2222-1365 or 2221-5337. The Traffic Police can be contacted by calling 222-9330 or 2222-9245 while in the country. Frommer's also notes that dialing 113 provides you with directory assistance in the country, while 124 offers international directory assistance for travelers.

Planning a trip to Costa Rica requires advance planning to ensure your vacation runs smoothly. When making preparations for your vacation, programming important phone numbers for your trip into your cell phone helps you stay in contact with the United States in case of an emergency and allows you to contact local or American authorities if you need assistance.

We also recommend unlocking your phone and buying a SIM Card so that you can at least access the internet while in the area. SIM cards are sold at the airport. Most places offer FREE WiFI, but it's helpful while the drive to access driving directions. Also if you are driving or out exploring the area it's a good idea to downloading WAZE app so you can always find your way. 

For local communication and FREE calls, download Whats App. Just about everyone uses it in Costa Rica so it will be easier for you to get in contact with people and places in the area. 

Remember to Ask Zipy if you need help with your travel needs, or have any other questions at www.askzipy.com your online guide to Costa Rica.

When calling United States contacts while in Costa Rica, be sure to add the United States country code of 001 at the beginning of the number before you dial. Frommer's notes that the United States Department of State staffs a 24-hour travel advisory contact number at 202-647-5225. If you lose your passport or need passport-related assistance, the United State's Passport Agency's number is 202-647-0518 and the International Travel Hotline maintained by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control can be contacted at 404-321-4559-.

You have many options for health care, Free public health care for all residence and also private care for those that need additional or specialty care. 

Public Health Care and Private Health Care

Zipy the Sloth is our company mascot. He is the go-to expert for people who are visiting, living, working and investing in Costa Rica. Ask Zipy is an online directory in Costa Rica of businesses and services for a specific city, town or location to help consumers find what they need and for businesses to broadcast their offerings. The overall directory is offered as a FREE Listing for businesses to upload valuable information such as company name, logo, address, phone number, web address, and other key information. For greater visibility and a nominal fee, businesses can select up to three other membership plans which significantly enhance their presence on the site and ability to reach many more customers.