• Population: 5.05 million
• Capital: San Jose
• Demographics: According to the 2011 census, the ethnic composition of Costa Rica was 66% White/Castizo, 14% Mestizo, 9% immigrants, 7% Mulatto, 2.5% Amerindian, 1% Black, 0.2% Asian and 0.9% other.
• Religion: Christianity is the majority religion in Costa Rica with 52% of the population practicing Catholicism and an additional 25% of people practicing Protestantism; however, the government recognizes people's right to religious freedom.
• Government Type: Democratic Republic.
• Currency: Costa Rican colón
• Common Foods: chifrijo, empanadas, gallo pinto (rice and beans), ceviche, tamales

The official language is Spanish. About 10% of adults speak English.

As a University of Illinois student, you have access to library resources (such as Rosetta Stone and Libguides). You may also want to consider free sources to learn basic phrases, or to refresh your language skills prior to departure.

It is each students responsibility to independently verify the visa information below and ensure they apply and secure the appropriate documentation to travel and stay in their host country for the duration of their program.

For U.S. Passport holders, you will not need a visa in advance. Below is some important information about entering Costa Rica:

• When going through immigration, indicate to officials that you are arriving as a tourist, since you are not eligible for a student visa. After they stamp your passport, make sure that the given duration of stay is 90 days before walking away.
• Mid-program you will have an excursion outside of Costa Rica and will re-enter with another 90 days stamp.

To read more on passport and visa terminology see the Passports & Visas page of this website.

Phones

• In-country, most students use WhatsApp on their US smartphones as a way to communicate. Remember to download WhatsApp to your U.S. cell phone number before you leave!
• Some students choose to purchase a Prepaid Costa Rican SIM card which they can use either on their unlocked cell phone, or on a Costa Rican cell phone which can be purchased for around $40 USD or more.
• The majority of our students use Skype or FaceTime on their laptop, tablet or smartphone for communication with friends and family back home.
• Make sure you have the Duo Mobile app set up on your phone. If you get a new SIM card, use the passcode options instead of PUSH, or go to UI Verify website to enter your new phone information.

Internet

• Wifi is available in most cafes, bars, restaurants, and hotels, but expect slower internet speed.

Electricity

• Costa Rica uses 110 V AC at 60 Hz, which is the same as the U.S.
• Both two and three-pronged outlets are found in Costa Rican homes. If need be, there are adapters for sale at hardware stores in Costa Rica.

Banking Tips

• Travel with both a debit/credit card and U.S. dollars in cash. Make sure that your U.S. dollar bills are in denominations of $20 and smaller and in excellent condition (no tears, marks, or wrinkles as they will not be accepted).
• Do not exchange money at the airport. You will get a much better exchange rate at a bank, and your director will help guide you in exchanging money (or take money out of the ATM) once you arrive at your program site. Whenever you exchange money at the bank you will need your original passport.
• ATMs are fairly common in Costa Rica. You must call your debit card company to let them know you will be using the card in Costa Rica. If you do not call them, they may put a block on your card. Check with your bank beforehand to see if there are any international charges for extracting cash overseas.
• Credit cards can be used in Costa Rica, but are not as widely accepted.

Geography

• Located in Central America, Costa Rica borders both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama. It is roughly the size of West Virginia, yet it hosts 6% of the world's biodiversity.

Climate

• Costa Rica has a Dry season (December to April) and a Rainy season (May to November). The rainy season is much cooler in the highlands.
• Costa Rica also has many micro-climates.

Packing

• We suggest you pack for a variety of temperatures.
• Generally, Costa Ricans dress very similarly to Americans from the US, but dress a bit more formal in the every day attire.
• For more packing considerations, view the Packing List (PDF).

• Buses: Most people rely on buses to get around which run on a pretty tight schedule (considered safe and inexpensive).
• Trains: The starting cost for a one-way trip on the train is just $0.70, and the commuter rail runs between 6:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., then between 3:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. every 30 minutes. The service will run from Monday to Friday between Belén (near Heredia) and San Pedro (near San Jose).
• Major Airports: SJO (Juan Santamaría International Airport outside San José) and LIR (Liberia International Airport in Guancaste)

Each student faces different barriers and unique challenges based on their identity. For example, how you identify in the United States may not be how you choose to identify abroad because of the local social culture. We encourage all students to reflect on the different aspects of their identity and consider how they may play a role in their study abroad experience. To help with this thought process: visit the State Department website and look into the Identity & Inclusion resources available on this website.

International Safety and Security provides important wellness tips, along with using your insurance and the emergency phone number. Be sure to become familiar with this website and the resources available to you. Review the U.S. Embassy page and the Department of State website for additional safety resources.

Enroll yourself in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) with the U.S. Department of State. Registration in STEP will allow you to get alerts on the latest safety and security information. In addition, the information you provide enables the U.S. embassy or consulate to contact you in an emergency.