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Before You Come
TRAVEL
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For
your travel arrangements to and within Costa Rica, contact the
experts: Lynch
Travel Quepos
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IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
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Passport
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Credit card, Visa for cash
advance
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D rivers license
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Travelers checks
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$50-100 in cash ($10 in singles)
for emergency money
NOTE: Do not bring personal
checks, they are very difficult to change. You can bring U.S.
dollars, Costa Rican colones, or Travelers Checks. Make copies
of your important documents. If your passport is lost it will
be easier to replace if you have a copy.
Spanish pocket dictionary: There
are many good dictionaries on the market but for traveling purposes
a small, pocket sized book is best. We suggest University of Chicago
pocket size edition.
Try not to carry too much paper, notebooks, etc. Quepos is
a big town complete with bookstores where you can buy most things
you will need.
Bring any materials you may
have on Costa Rica and Central America. This may include pamphlets,
newspaper articles, books. Sharing this material with other students,
teachers, etc. is always appreciated.
PERSONAL ITEMS
Here on the beach, shorts, T-shirts
and sandals is the daily dress code. It is very informal. Leave
all valuables, jewelry, etc., at home.
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Towel
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Two swimming suits
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Sunscreen and mosquito
repellent
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Sunglasses
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Alarm clock
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Small
flash light (important)
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Small lock for backpack
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Umbrella
and/or raincoat: The rainy season begins in May and
continues through October. Generally, it is sunny in the
morning and rains in the afternoon.
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Money
belt: It is really a must for any traveling. Quepos
is safe, but in San José you need to be more careful.
Be very careful in the Coca-Cola bus station. Wear your
money belt under your clothes; please take precaution with
your backpack and luggage at all times in San José.
Petty theft occurs all over Costa Rica. Never leave anything
unguarded on the beach. Lock up your tickets, documents,
money, etc. in your luggage once you are here.
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Prescription
drugs: These drugs can be found in most of Quepos
pharmacies. If you bring important drugs, please put them
in your carry-on luggage. If your baggage gets on the wrong
flight it may be difficult to ind what you need in the meantime.
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Illegal
drugs: This will cause you more problems than they
are worth. Drug laws in Costa Rica are extremely stiff.
Being a foreigner won't help you, they'll still lock you
up.
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Travel
light: Remember that traveling is always tough when
you lug around large, bulky suitcases. Travel light! This
can't be emphasized enough.
You will not know your family's
address until you arrive at the school. We recommend that your
friends and family use the school's mailing address.
Mail from the U. S. to Costa Rica and Costa Rica to the U.S.
takes ten working days.
HOST FAMILIES
If you like you may bring
a gift for your family. Simple, inexpensive gifts like chocolates,
pens and pencils, a T-shirt, children's books in Spanish, postcards
of your hometown or state.
Also your family will probably be interested in your life
at home. Any photos of your house, friends, and family are
a great beginning for cultural exchange.
Maybe you could put something together (photos, magazine
photos, maps, etc.) that would describe what you see as the
"reality" of your country.
A NOTE ON HEALTH
Water is delicious in Quepos/Manuel
Antonio. It comes from the mountains and is also purified in
Quepos. Talk with your doctor or state health authority about
the necessary shots before leaving (They usually have a chart
with the appropriated vaccinations for the different countries
& regions. In Costa Rica there is little problem.)
University students should check with their nearest Council
Travel for rates - they have the International Student I.D.
card (in other words, they can get good rates) Check with your
travel agent for the best rates otherwise.
II. How to get to Manuel Antonio, Quepos
It is easy to get to Manuel Antonio from San
José. There are direct buses which leave the "Coca-Cola"
bus station (all taxis know how to get there) from San José
three times daily, 6:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 6:00 PM; the cost
is under $5.00 U.S. The trip is very enjoyable and lasts 3 hours.
You could also rent a car, although rent-a-cars are very expensive
here. Additionally, there is a shuttle flight which takes fifteen
minutes each way. Reservations and pre-payment are needed. You
may also check with us, we will provide you with the most updated
and accurate travel information.
We at A2Z Languages and wish you a very pleasant trip to
Costa Rica. This is the first step of your study vacation
and it is an important element of learning the language. If
by chance, you encounter any difficult situation, feel free
to contact us. The staff at school will do our best to smooth
out the ride. ¡Hasta pronto!
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