TRANSPORTATION - In Costa Rica, the most common form of trasportation is via bus. It is relatively reliable and quite inexpensive. Taxis are also very popular although due to recent increases in the price of fuel, are no longer a really economical means of trasportation. Small tour buses are another option for the person who want to pay a little more for a more comfortable ride with that safe structured feeling that comes with it. Car rentals of all types are available throughout the country with prices on par with the US in most cases. A variety of vehicles are available from small (an economical) Dihatsu's to full sized Diesel Land Cruiser SUV's. Try and go for a diesel if you do decide to move up to the SUV sized vehicle as diesel fuel tends to be less expesive to operate and purchase in Costa Rica.

COMMUNICATIONS

Telephone service is of decent quality and available throughout Costa Rica. The public (pay) phone system is crummy but functions. 911 service works much the same as in North America. Information service, collect calls, person to person calls and other special services are all available but the method for connecting to them differs greatly from services in the US and Canada. Please read your local phone information, consult a directory or simply ask someone familiar with the local systems. Telephone cards are available just about anywhere are are easy to use. For local calls (within Costa Rica) they are cheap to use. For long distance it is a better deal to seek out one of the many internet cafe's and use a local voip system. Voip calls usually run about ten cents USD per minute to call most major countries. A few cafe's will let you plug in your own voip system which of course allows you to call out for free (depending on your system). Post office are in just about every community and the postal service is reliable if a bit slow.

THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM

Costa Rica has an efficient and well development medical support system in place. It is the most efficient system in Central America. It is a socialized system that has been in place for about 50 years. Both public and private clinics can be found throughout the country and at many English speaking personell can be found. Life expectancy for both men and women is about 76 years. Infant mortality rates are the lowest of the Latin American countries. Diseases are not prolific in Costa Rica and as a result vaccination is not necessary. A good choice for lower prices and decent care is Clinica Biblica in the San Jose area. For those who want the best of care and are willing to pay the exorbitant American prices there is a large hospital on the highway leading to Escazu from San Jose (CIMA I think it is called). Ask any taxi driver to take you to either and they will know where instantly.

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