This area, which is primarily within Los Quetzales National Park, is generally not considered a high-crime area for tourists, but it does present significant natural dangers that require a traveler to be prepared and cautious. 

The currency of Costa Rica is the Colon. US dollars are not accepted. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for colones upon arrival. Currency exchange desks can be found at the airport and many locations throughout the city.

No, about 90 percent of Costa Ricans speak Spanish as their first language. English may be spoken at your hotel and in the tourist areas, but not everywhere. We suggest that you purchase a good English-Spanish dictionary and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, excuse me and numbers 1-10.

No, U.S. citizens do not need a visa to enter Costa Rica for stays of less than 90 days. However, they must have a current valid passport and a return ticket to exit Costa Rica (either to return to the U.S. or to go to another country).

No, there are currently no vaccination requirements to visit Costa Rica. There is no risk of yellow fever in Costa Rica. The government of Costa Rica requires proof of yellow fever vaccination only if you are arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever. This does not include the US.

Zika is a risk in Costa Rica. Because Zika infection in a pregnant woman can cause serious birth defects, women who are pregnant should not travel to Costa Rica. All travelers should strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites and sexual exposure to Zika virus during and after the trip. For the latest updates visit the CDC page https://www.cdc.gov/ on the internet.

A typical breakfast is hearty and consists of Gallo Pinto (rice and beans – sometimes served with scrambled eggs). Lunch is solid too, the typical dishes are Casado (rice and beans, served with meat or fish, fried plantains, cheese and corn tortilla), Ceviche (fish marinated and cooked in lime juice, coriander, and pepper). There is not a dinner culture in Costa Rica. An afternoon snack consists of bread and coffee.

No, the water is not drinkable in Costa Rica. We suggest that you carry bottled water with you. Most tourist areas will have bottled water available for purchase.

In a remote, high-altitude location like Los Santos Forest Reserve, being prepared for a medical emergency is crucial. The area, now known as Los Quetzales National Park, is a wilderness destination, and medical services are not as readily available as they would be in a major city.

For any medical emergency, your first step is to dial 911, the national emergency number in Costa Rica. Bilingual operators are available to assist tourists.

Here is an overview of what to do if you need medical attention in the Los Santos area:

Larger Hospitals: The capital city of San José is the hub for top-tier medical care. You can find well-regarded private hospitals there, such as Hospital Clínica Bíblica and Hospital CIMA, which are known for world-class service, often have English-speaking staff, and accept a range of foreign insurance plans.

Local Assistance: The small towns in the region, such as San Gerardo de Dota, have very limited local facilities. For serious cases, the nearest full-service hospitals are located in larger cities.