Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
mouth, cuts, wounds or irritated skin). Compounds containing DEET should not be used
on children under age the age of two and should be used sparingly on children under 12.
Invest in a bug net to hang over beds (along with a few thumbtacks or nails with which to
hang it). Many hotels in Costa Rica don't have windows (or screens), and a cheap little
net will save you plenty of nighttime aggravation. The mesh size should be less than
1.5mm. Dusk is the worst time for mosquitoes, so take extra precautions.
Sun
Stay out of the midday sun, wear sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat, and apply
sunblock with SPF 15 or higher, with both UVA and UVB protection. Drink plenty of fluids
and avoid strenuous exercise when the temperature is high.
Internet Access
Costa Rica has plenty of internet cafes and many businesses have wi-fi.
Expect to pay US$1 to US$2 per hour in San José and tourist towns.
Wi-fi is common in all midrange and top-end hotels; most hotels of all budget ranges
have a computer for guest use and/or wi-fi.
Language Courses
Spanish-language schools operate all over Costa Rica and charge by the hour for in-
struction.
Many courses can be found in central San José and the suburb of San Pedro, and the
Central Valley.
It is best to arrange classes in advance. A good clearinghouse is the
Institute for Span-
ish Language Studies
(ISLS;
2258-5111, in USA 866-391-0394;
www.isls.com
)
, which has
eight schools in Costa Rica.
