Embassy/Consulate Addresses | Foreign Relations | Travel Advisories | Travel Tips | Customs/Duties



EMBASSY/CONSULATE ADDRESSES

Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.
Chief of Mission: Muni FIGUERES Boggs
Embassy: 2114 S Street, NW, Washington, DC 20008
Telephone: 202-234-2945
FAX: 202-265-4795

US Diplomatic Representation:
Ambassador: Anne Slaughter Andrew
Embassy: Calle 120 Avenida 0, Pavas, San José, Costa Rica
Mailing Address: US Embassy San Jose, APO AA 34020
Telephone: (506) 519-2000
Fax: (506) 220-2305

Consulates are in:
Austin
1730 E. O Horf, Unit 320,
Austin, TX 78741.
(512) 445-0023

Consulates General are in:
Los Angeles
1605 W. Olympic Bl., Suite 400,
Los Angeles, CA 90015.
(213) 380-7915

San Diego
4007 S. Camino Del Rio, Suite 107,
San Deigo, CA 92108.
(619) 563-6441

San Francisco
870 Market St., Room 645
San Francisco, CA 94102.
(415) 392-8488

Miami
1101 Brickell Avenue, Suite 704-S
Miami, Florida 33131
(305) 871-7485; FAX (305) 871-0860

Tampa
2200 Barker Rd.,
Tampa, FL 33605
(813) 248-6741

Atlanta
1870 The Exchange, Suite 100,
Atlanta, GA 30339.
(770) 951-7025, or (770) 951-7026

Chicago
185 N. Wabash Av., Suite 1123,
Chicago, IL 60601.
(312) 263-2772; FAX (312) 263-5807

New Orleans
World Trade Center, 02 Canalin St., Suite 2334,
New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 581-6800

Albuquerque
7033 Luella Anne Dr., N.E.,
Albuquerque, NM 87109.
(505) 822-1420

New York
80 Wall St., Suite 718-19,
New York, NY 10005.
(212) 425-2620

Durham
3516 University Dr., Suite A,
Durham, NC 27707.

Philadelphia
1411 Walnut St., Suite 200,
Philadelphia, PA 19102.
(215) 564-4415

San Juan
1510 Ponce De Leon,
Santurce, Puerto Rico 00926.
(787) 723-6227

Houston
3000 Wilcrest Dr., Suite 112,
Houston, TX 77042.
(713) 266-0484; FAX (713) 266-1527

San Antonio
6836 San Pedro, Suite 206-B,
San Antonio, TX 78216.
(210) 308-8623


Embassy and Consulate Web Sites for Costa Rica

Embassy of Costa Rica Web Site
U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica


FOREIGN RELATIONS

U.S.-COSTA RICA RELATIONS

The United States established diplomatic relations with Costa Rica in 1851, following its independence from Spain and the later dissolution of a federation of Central American states. The United States and Costa Rica have a history of close and friendly relations based on mutual respect for democratic government, human freedoms, free trade, and other shared values. Costa Rica’s record on the environment, human rights, and advocacy for the peaceful settlement of disputes give it a weight in world affairs far beyond its size. This record also means that Costa Rica and the United States often share similar positions (votes) in international fora. The United States and Costa Rica enjoy robust bilateral law enforcement cooperation. The two countries have signed a maritime cooperation agreement that facilitates narcotics seizures, illegal migrant rescues, illegal fishing seizures, and search-and-rescue missions.

The United States and Costa Rica share a strong commitment to combating climate change, preventing environmental degradation, as well as preserving Costa Rica's important and rich biological diversity. The U.S. and Costa Rican Governments, the Central Bank of Costa Rica, and The Nature Conservancy have concluded agreements that provide funding for the conservation, restoration, and protection of tropical forests.

It is estimated that approximately 120,000 private American citizens, including many retirees, reside in the country and more than 1.2 million American citizens visit Costa Rica annually.

U.S. Assistance to Costa Rica

U.S. foreign assistance seeks to assist the Costa Rican Government improve public security, the primary concern of both Costa Rican citizens and political leaders. Providing a safe and secure domestic environment will contribute to greater economic growth and prosperity, and will help keep local and transnational crime from eroding the effectiveness of Costa Rica’s democratic institutions. U.S. Peace Corps volunteers work in economic development, education, and youth empowerment programs.

Bilateral Economic Relations

The United States and Costa Rica are parties to the U.S.-Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), which aims to facilitate trade and investment and further regional integration by eliminating tariffs, opening markets, reducing barriers to services, and promoting transparency. CAFTA-DR contains a chapter on investment similar to a bilateral investment treaty with the United States.

The United States is Costa Rica's most important trading partner accounting for almost half of Costa Rica's exports, imports, and tourism, and over half of its foreign direct investment. U.S. exports to Costa Rica include machinery, oil, agricultural products, plastic, and semiconductors. U.S. imports from Costa Rica include computer accessories, semiconductors, medical instruments, pineapples and bananas, and coffee.

Costa Rica's Membership in International Organizations

Costa Rica and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, Organization of American States, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization.

Bilateral Representation

The U.S. Ambassador to Costa Rica is Anne Slaughter Andrew; other principal embassy officials are listed in the Department's Key Officers List.

Costa Rica maintains an embassy in the United States at 2114 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel. 202-480-2200).

More information about Costa Rica is available from the Department of State and other sources, some of which are listed here:

Department of State Costa Rica Page
Department of State Key Officers List
CIA World Factbook Costa Rica Page
U.S. Embassy: Costa Rica
History of U.S. Relations With Costa Rica
Human Rights Reports
International Religious Freedom Reports
Trafficking in Persons Reports
Narcotics Control Reports
Investment Climate Statements
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative Countries Page
U.S. Census Bureau Foreign Trade Statistics
Export.gov International Offices Page
Travel and Business Information




TRAVEL ADVISORIES

To obtain the latest Travel Advisory Information for Costa Rica check the U.S. State Department Consular Information Sheet.


TRAVEL TIPS

Driving U.S Driving Permit required
Currency (CRC) Costa Rican Colon
Electrical 120 Volts
Telephones Country Code 506



Time: GMT - 6.

Electricity: 110/220 volts AC, 60Hz. Two-pin plugs are standard.

Telephone: IDD is available. Country code: 506. Outgoing international code: 00. Telephone booths are available all over the country.

Climate: In the Central Valley, where the main centres of population are located, the average temperature is 22°C (72°F). In the coastal areas the temperature is much hotter. The rainy season starts in May and finishes in November. The ‘warm’ dry season is December to May, though temperature differences between summer and winter are slight.

Required clothing: Lightweight cottons and linens most of the year, warmer clothes for cooler evenings. Waterproofing is necessary during the rainy season.

Food & Drink: Restaurants in towns and cities serve a variety of foods including French, Italian, Mexican, North American and Chinese. Food is good, from the most expensive to the cheapest eating places (which are generally found west of the city centre). Food sodas (small restaurants) serve local food. Common dishes include casado (rice, beans, stewed beef, fried plantain, salad and cabbage), olla de carne (soup of beef, plantain, corn, yuca, nampi and chayote), sopa negra (black beans with a poached egg) and picadillo (meat and vegetable stew). Snacks are popular and include gallos (filled tortillas), tortas (containing meat and vegetables), arreglados (bread filled with same) and pan de yuca (speciality from stalls in San José). There are many types of cold drink made from fresh fruit, milk or cereal flour, for example, cebada (barley flour), pinolillo (roasted corn) and horchata (corn meal with cinnamon). Imported alcoholic and soft drinks are widely available. Coffee is good value and has an excellent flavour.

Nightlife: San José especially has many nightclubs, venues with folk music and dance, theatres and cinemas.

Shopping: Special purchases include wood and leather rocking chairs (which dismantle for export) as well as a range of local crafts available in major cities and towns. Local markets are also well worth visiting. Prices are slightly higher than in other Latin American countries. Best buys are wooden items, ceramics, jewellery and leather handicrafts. Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0900-1800/1900. There may be variations between areas.

Tipping: It is not necessary to tip taxi drivers. All hotels add 10 per cent service tax plus 3 per cent tourist tax to the bill by law. Restaurants add a 10 per cent service charge. Tipping is expected by hotel staff, porters and waiters.

Currency: Costa Rican Colón (c) = 100 céntimos. Notes are in denominations of c10,000, c5000, c2000, 1000 and 500. Coins are in denominations of c100, 50, 25, 20, 10 and 5. US Dollars are also widely accepted.

Currency exchange: Visitors should consult their banks for the current rate of exchange (there is no direct local quotation for sterling; the cross rate with the US Dollar is used). ATMs are available in main urban areas.

Credit & debit cards: MasterCard, Visa and Diners Club are all accepted; American Express slightly less so, but check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.


CUSTOMS/DUTIES

Tobacco...........................400 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 500 grams tobacco

Liquor..............................3 litres of alcoholic beverages

Perfume...........................Reasonable amount for personal use

Cameras..........................No restrictions

Film.................................No restrictions

Agricultural items/Currency/Gifts...Refer to consulate



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