There are no required inoculations for Costa Rica, but it is a good idea to check with your physician for recommendations of optional inoculations and health precautions. Costa Rica is suffering an outbreak of dengue fever (both classic and hemorrhagic), although the incidence remains lower than in other Central American countries. Dengue is transmitted by mosquito bite and there is no vaccine. Anyone planning to travel in affected areas should take steps to avoid mosquito bites.

For purposes of tourism, you may visit Costa Rica for up to 90 days without a visa. Please see the website for the Costa Rican Embassy in the U.S. for information regarding visa and entry requirements.

No vaccines are required to enter Costa Rica but for detailed information, see Disease in Costa Rica. No matter where you travel though, a tetanus shot (or booster) is always a good idea.

Yes, you need a U.S. passport valid for at least 60 days after your arrival in Costa Rica. Please note that the State Department strongly recommends that every citizen travel on a valid U.S. passport even when the country of destination requires lesser documentation. American citizens may apply for passports at any of over 5,000 offices in the United States that accept passport applications.

Costa Rican law permits U.S. citizens to get married here. A lawyer can perform the required legal ceremony (see our list of attorneys). You will need the following documents: If you have not been married before, you must come to the Embassy's Consular Section and make a sworn statement to that effect before a consular officer (there is a $30 fee for this service). A Certificate from the Civil Registry that he/she is single (certificado de solter?a del Registro Civil).

Maybe. U.S. citizens and U.S. legal permanent residents are taxed on their worldwide income. Every U.S. citizen or permanent resident must file a U.S. income tax return if certain income levels are reached. Income for filing requirement purposes is determined without regard to the foreign-earned income exclusion. To determine whether you are required to file a U.S.

Costa Rica essentially has two medical insurance programs. The basic program, known as the Caja, provides 100% coverage for all medical procedures and prescription drugs, through the public hospital and clinic system, in various locations throughout Costa Rica. Under this coverage, you will be assigned a doctor on an available "first come, first served" basis, and long waits may be experienced, for non-emergency medical attention.

Costa Rica has an excellent medical system which keeps diseases in check, through public education programs and preventive medicine. Most people have access to universal health care means that people do not hesitate to visit the doctor when needed. The system covers everything from dentistry, to maternity care, to open-heart surgery. As a result, Costa Rica's population is very healthy and enjoys a life expectancy comparable to that of North Americans.

Check the Embassy's Commercial Section for services for American investors. Also see our Trade page for research reports, general information and links to business-related organizations.

There are a number of websites, including the official website of Costa Rica Tourism, the Costa Rica Supersite, the Costa Rican Tourism Institute, and the Embassy of Costa Rica.

A valid passport is mandatory to enter Costa Rica. All passengers need a passport and there must be at least six months remaining before the passport expires.

Depending on your country of origin you may enter Costa Rica without a visa. USA, Canada and most European countries have this privilege. Please check Entry to Costa Rica for more information.

Although nothing is required for entry into Costa Rica, there are recommendations for precautions when traveling to remote areas. If you decide to take precautions in this regard, it's best to do so 2 to 3 weeks before your departure. Many passengers ask about Malaria pills, but there are hardly any mosquitoes in San Jose or on the popular tourist beaches. There can rather be found in the rainforest and along the rivers.

North Americans can stay in Costa Rica legally for up to 3 months. They must then leave for a period of 72 hours then can then return to the country for another three months. If the three-month period is overstayed, a travel agency can arrange payment of a small fine and prepare the travel documents required to leave the country for the required 72 hours. Tourists can own vehicles, property, and businesses and generate income from self-employment.

Costa Rica is a year-round destination since it has a tropical climate. The dry season is from approximately mid-December through April. The rainy season, or "green season", is generally from May through November but this does not mean it rains everyday. Usually there is sun in the morning and by afternoon it rains warm tropical showers and clears by late afternoon. With that said, Costa Rica is a country with many microclimates making it not so just to generalize.