Learn Spanish in Costa Rica
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To book a Spanish Course in Costa Rica Costa Rica touches the heart and mind through its incredible natural beauty and gracious people disposed to peace, kindness and a generosity of spirit. No one feels a stranger here for long. It is one of the most biologically diverse countries in the world, a treasure house of flora and fauna unequaled in so small an area. Travelers come under the spell of a natural wonderland studded with tropical forest, rushing rivers, exotic animals, uncrowded beaches, high mountains and awesome volcanoes. It is known around the world for its national park system, now protecting about 12% of the land. Costa Rica is a country without an army, the national hero is not a general but a young, barefoot campesino (country person). It has one of the highest literacy rates in the Western Hemisphere and a Social Security system that offers health care to its entire population. Costa Ricans like to say they have gained through evolution what other countries try to attain through revolution.
Visa Requirements Citizens of the USA, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Israel, Japan, Panama, Romania, South Korea, Uruguay, the UK and most Western European countries do not need a visa for a 90-day stay. Citizens of Australia, Ireland, France, Iceland, India, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia, South Africa, Vatican City and most of Eastern Europe and Latin America can stay 30 days without a visa. If you do need a visa, it will cost US$20 from a Costa Rican consulate. Money Matters Credit Cards N.B. Card purchases and cash advances are normally charged to your account via an exchange rate, which may be slightly worse than you'd be quoted for exchanging cash or travellers' cheques in China. Once you consider the commission on the exchange transaction you'll probably find that you usually win by using plastic, even taking into account the handling charge, usually about 1.5%, that's levied for cash advances (though not for direct purchases by credit card). Climate As far as climate goes, the late-December to mid-April dry season is the most pleasant. But of course, this is when everyone else goes to Costa Rica, so prices are up and hotels are full. Although some roads are impassable in the wet season, it's still worthwhile to visit at this time, and things are much quieter. April, May and mid-October to mid-December should give you the best of both worlds. Culture Costa Rica is noted more for its natural beauty and friendly people than for its culture. The overwhelming European influence erased almost all indigenous culture, and because Costa Rica was a country of subsistence agriculturalists until the middle of the 19th century, cultural activity has only begun to blossom in the last 100 years. By some estimates, over 90% of the country is Roman Catholic, at least in principle. In practice, most church attendance takes place at christenings, funerals and marriages. Blacks on the Caribbean coast tend to be Protestant, and there is a sprinkling of other denominations in San José, including a small Jewish community. Spanish is the official language, though English is understood in touristed areas. Many Caribbean blacks speak a lively dialect of English, known as Creole. Indian languages are spoken in isolated areas, primarily Bribri, which is estimated to be understood by about 10,000 people. Food Costa Rican cuisine is tasty rather than spicy-hot and is centered around
beef, chicken and fish dishes, with rice, corn or beans and fresh fruit
as supplements. You don't usually need to bother with tipping at restaurants,
as most add a 10% tip (plus 15% tax) to the bill. You should tip bellboys
and room cleaners about US$0.50, tour guides US$1-5 a day per person.
Of course, if the service is excellent or lousy you should use your own
discretion.
Holidays and Holydays The country just about closes down during Easter week, and the week between Christmas and New Year's Day tends to be an unofficial holiday, especially in San José. Various towns celebrate their own saints' days and other significant dates. San José's day (Saint Joseph's Day) is March 19, while Virgin of Los Angeles Day (the patron saint of Costa Rica) is August 2. Juan Santamaria's Day on April 11 celebrates the national hero who helped see off William Walker in 1856, and Columbus Day on October 12, as elsewhere in the Americas, is a national holiday. Before You Go…. Insurance Travel Safe Advice Before you travel you should always check with the Foreign Office as to the official view on the safety of the country you intend to visit. Foreign and Commonwealth Office MASTA What Shall I Take? Apart from any special personal needs you may have and things you might require for a particular kind of trip i.e. camping gear, hiking boots, surfboard etc., you may like to consider the following: · An under-the-clothes money belt or shoulder wallet The list above is a simple list of useful items for any holiday. There are a number of more specific items that would be useful for a trip to Ecuador. They are as follows: · Lightweight layered clothing Useful Websites To book a Spanish Course in Costa Rica
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SPAIN
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Customer Service - Tel: 01273 687697 inside the UK (normal call charges apply) or +44 1273 687697 from outside the UK (normal call charges apply) |