GENERAL INFORMATION FOR TRAVELING
SA Manuel Antonio

TRAVEL

• Contact us for your travel arrangements to and within Costa Rica.

IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS

1. Passport
2. Credit card, Visa for cash advance
3. Drivers license
4. Travelers checks
5. $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.

1. Towel
2. Two swimming suits
3. Sunscreen and mosquito repellent
4. Sunglasses
5. Alarm clock
6. Small flash light (important)
7. Small lock for backpack
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. Travel light: Remember that traveling is always tough when you lug around large, bulky suitcases. Travel light! This can't be emphasized enough.

MAILING ADDRESSES

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 safe 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.)

HOLIDAYS & SCHEDULE

The Spanish language school is open year-long except for Costa Rican National Holidays. Classes can not be recuperated on these days. Classes start every Monday of the year.

I. Flight Arrangements

Shop around for good flights. You can check our fare finder to get some of the best deals on flights.

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) throughout the day. Check with us for schedules. The trip is very enjoyable and lasts 3 hours. You can also book a flight with SANSA. The ticket cost is about $60-80 and the flight is about 20 minutes.

We at Spanish Abroad 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!