Costa Rica - Monteverde - Miscellaneous Facts and Info

• Useful Telephone Numbers

• What to bring to Costa Rica

• Activities for Children in Monteverde
  

Quick Facts...

Costa Rica's money is called Colones.  Singular is a Colon.

Slang terms for money:

Cinco "Tejas" = Five Hundred (1 teja is = 100)
Un Tucan = One 5000 colones bill. (5000 colon bills have a toucan on them)
Un Rojo = One Thousand. (1000 colon bill is red)

A "Tico" is a Costa Rican because of our habit of adding the diminutive "tico" to the ends of words.  As in "Chiquitico".

Rainy Season. Atlantic receives most rain between December and January. Rest of country (Pacific) May to Nov.

High temperatures in Monteverde typically range between 68-71 degrees Fahrenheit, and lows between 53-57. Approx! Average annual rainfall is 242 cm (that's about 8 feet) falling mostly between June and November.

Costa Rica land area 51100 km2

Population around 4 million people. Most living in the capital San Jose.

Approximate Conversions to Metric Measures

To Convert            Multiply by            Results in     

inches                   2.5                         centimeters 
feet                        30                          centimeters 
yards                     0.9                         meters 
miles                     1.6                         kilometers
pounds                  0.45                      kilograms

52 cards = 1 decacards
1012 microphones = 1 megaphone
10 millipedes = 1 centipede

Useful Telephone Numbers:

Airlines:

Embassies in Costa Rica:

(English Speaking) Private Hospitals:

What to Bring to Monteverde: 

Money 

In Costa Rica the most commonly accepted credit card is VISA - Like the commercial says. American Express is almost useless. Master card is accepted in some parts of the country but not others. Traveler's cheques and US dollars are easily exchanged in any tourist area such as Monteverde. Many People prefer Dollars over Colones due to the inflation of the Colon.
There is one bank in Monteverde, the Banco Nacional de Costa Rica. They can make cash advances on Visa cards and Master cards. Take your passport and be prepared to wait in line. There are no ATM's in Monteverde. The bank is open weekdays 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. Closed weekends.  In La Fortuna / Arenal there is more than one bank. Also ATM machines can be found. There is also a Western Union in La Fortuna. 

Clothes

Monteverde can get quite chilly at night (and wet!). Bring a waterproof jacket and a warm layer to wear underneath. Long pants are a good idea and hiking boots. Clothes which wash and dry easily are the best option as items such as jeans, for example, take a long time to dry. A combination of t-shirts and long sleeved tops which can be layered is ideal, as the weather can change quickly from hot and sunny to cold and wet. You may find hats very useful and a small folding umbrella. 
In Fortuna it is much hotter so bring sandals, shorts, a hat and lots of t-shirts. It cools down in the evening so you might want to bring a light jacket. Bring clothes which wash and dry easily.

Medical Supplies

If you are taking any medication, ensure that you have sufficient supplies with you for your trip to Costa Rica. 
You should also consider bringing the following in your first-aid kit:
Antihistamine or another anti-itch cream for insect bites
Painkillers - aspirin
Lomotil / Imodium (or equivalent) for diarrhea
Eye drops (Monteverde can be very dusty)
Plasters/band aids
Antiseptic cream

Miscellaneous

Insect repellent 
Contraceptives
Sun block
Tampons (especially if you have a preferred brand - they can be expensive in Costa Rica)
A torch/flashlight is always useful
Camera and film (camera films can be expensive)
Plastic bags to protect clothing and items such as cameras and film
Binoculars (even a small pair)
Photocopies of all important travel documents 

What to do with young children in Monteverde

• Hiking hiking hiking! 

• There are so many hikes to do in the area and at the right speed, anyone can enjoy.

• The Monte Agro Farm - This is a beautiful farm that has a couple of rooms where you can stay or you can just go for a day trip as well. You can take part in some of the actual chores that children all across Costa Rica are doing every day. It is more than just a tour because you leave really feeling a part of the culture.

• The Ranario (The Frog Pond) - This tour is good for any age and can be done no matter what the weather is.

• The Serpentario (The Snake Museum) - Another good indoor tour that is good for all ages

• The Community Art Center - Local artists can do projects with your children with clay, paint and a mix of materials. Not only do you get to do something fun, but you also take away a work of art.

• Bajo Del Tigre (Children's Eternal Rain Forest) - At the entrance to the trails, there is a little cabin full of great activities about the local rain forest that are perfect for young children. The trails are not too long and have great names like the "monkey trail" and the "bat trail".