Lodging

All training seminar participants will receive homestays arranged by the University for Peace. Please note that the standard package (included in the seminar fee) is for this type of accommodation. If you wish for single or double accommodation in a hotel, additional charges apply.

Homestays will be provided for program participants beginning the night of Sunday, May 25, 2008, through the morning of Saturday, June 7. Checkout for all participants is Saturday morning, June 7, 2008.

Seminar registrants who would like to stay additional nights beyond the 13-day package are required to make their own accommodation arrangements. The program coordinator must be notified if hotel double accommodations are requested. Registrants who would like to request particular roommates should notify the program coordinator by May 9, 2008. If sharing a room, both parties must specify the correct name of the other party.
 

Official program meals are part of the registration package. The program meals begin with breakfast on Monday, May 26 and end with breakfast Saturday, June 7, 2008. This includes seminar-arranged breakfast, lunch, and dinner for every day of the program during this time. Participants with special dietary needs must inform the program coordinator by May 9.

Participants are responsible for their own arrangements and payment for any non seminar-arranged meals.

Excursion to Arenal volcano and hot springs 

The Arenal is one of the most active volcanoes in the Americas, and provides an unforgettable experience of feeling the ground tremble and seeing the night sky explode with ash and lava in natural fireworks.  This excursion includes dinner and a visit to the hot springs nearby, where you can relax in the soothing waters and be caressed by the cool night air, all the while observing the stars and incredible sky above the volcano. 

On this tour you will also visit the town of Sarchi, which is well-known for the beauty and quality of its handicrafts.

We suggest participants bring a swimsuit, comfortable walking shoes, a sweater, insect repellent, and a towel. 

Airport Pick-up

All participants arriving on Sunday, May 25 can be met at the airport and provided with complementary transportation to their homestay.  It is the responsibility of the participant to provide the program coordinator with flight number and arrival information.

Language

The program will be conducted entirely in English. Although Spanish is the official language of Costa Rica, English is widely spoken in the capital (San Jose) and at all tourist attractions.

VISAS

The following information is intended for planning purposes only. Please check with the Costa Rican embassy or consulate nearest you to confirm visa procedures for your country.

• Citizens of the following countries are eligible to receive a 90-day visa upon arrival in Cost Rica:
  
  Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hungry, Israel, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad y Tobago, United Kingdom, United States and Uruguay.



• A 30-day visa applies for citizens of the following countries:
  
  Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Chile, Czech Republic, Dominica, El Salvador, Granada, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Iceland, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Kuwait, Mexico, New Zealand, Oman, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, San Cristobal/Nevis, San Marino, Santa Lucia, San Vicente, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Suriname, Taiwan, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Vatican and Venezuela.

General requirements

For further information about visa requirements, you can visit: http://www.costarica.com/Trip-Planning/Travelers-Info/Tourist-Visa-Information/

ATTIRE

Attire for the program should be business attire or business-casual attire.

Outside of the seminar, women and men can wear comfortable clothes. Shorts, t-shirts, skirts, sandals, and tennis shoes are permitted. While Costa Rican society is very permissible, please dress respectfully. For those going on tours or visiting various sites in Costa Rica, the weather is usually warm, but is good to carry a light sweater with you, especially if traveling outside of the capital.

WEATHER

Costa Rica has  very pleasant weather. In May, average temperatures range from a high of 27^oC (81^oF) to a low of 17^oC (63^oF). The dry season extends from December to April and the rainy season from May to November. During the rainy season, rain can be expected in the afternoons, while mornings are sunny and warm.

CURRENCY

The Costa Rican currency is the colon. US dollars and major credit cards are widely accepted. Nevertheless, we suggest always keeping smaller denomination dollars on your person because in many places people do not accept $100 bills. One dollar is equivalent to approximately 518 colones, a rate that remains relatively stable and is not expected to fluctuate significantly.

ELECTRICITY

Electricity throughout the country is 120V 60Hz and uses the same type plugs as in the United States.

Telephone 

Costa Rica's country code is 506.

Cultural Information

For further information about Costa Rica and things to do while you are in the country, visit: http://www.visitcostarica.com/ict/paginas/home.asp?ididioma=2.

Insurance

The organizers cannot accept responsibilities for injuries, health problems, or losses occurring to persons or personal belongings during the program. Since the organizers do not accept responsibility for individual medical, travel, or personal insurance, program participants are advised to arrange their own insurance policies.

The following insurance providers are recommended by the U.S. State Department for its interns. Global Majority does not endorse these companies; rather this is a suggested list from where seminar participants may begin their search: