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PRE-ARRIVAL ESSENTIALS FOR STUDENTS PROGRAMS IN COSTA RICA OUR SERVICES FAQs CONTACT
Semester 1 2017
COSTA RICA
Pre-Arrival Essentials:
Making Your Travel Arrangements
 
 
Booking Your Flight
You must arrange your own flight and book a round-trip ticket to Costa Rica. Do not purchase a ticket until you have been accepted into the program. We recommend that you contact Advantage Travel at 800-788-1980 for assistance with your travel arrangements.

Click here to download tips for international travelers.

Students who arrive at the Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) near San José between noon and 3 p.m. on February 3
will be met by our Costa Rica resident staff and transported to the orientation hotel. 
 
If you do not meet our staff at the airport, you must take a taxi to the orientation hotel, which will cost US$20-$30. Check-in at the hotel begins after 12 p.m. on February 3. You are free to arrive at any time on February 3, but transportation is provided only to those students who are at the San José airport between noon and 3 p.m. on February 3. More information about the orientation hotel, as well as directions, will be sent in the Travel Essentials mailing prior to your departure.

Be aware that students flying Delta and American airlines, in the past, have experienced issues while trying to board their international flight. These airlines have required students to purchase a new ticket with a 90-day return to enter on a tourist visa. If this should occur, ask to speak to a manger and show your travel documentation. Explain that students receive their visas after they arrive in country. Contact Donnetta Spears for assistance at 317-940-8094.
 
Remember to book your return on or after the program end date. If you have any academic obligations after the published program end date, you may need to change your return date once you know your exam schedule. The last day of housing is also the program end date, so you will need to look for alternate housing if you plan to stay or travel at the end of the program.
Arriving Early? 
If you arrive before the program start date, you'll need to make hotel or hostel arrangements. In Heredia, we recommend the orientation hotel:

De la UNA Heredia, 1 km al norte, carretera a San Rafael de Heredia
Phone: +506-2260-3176


All students must arrive at the Hotel Cibeles on the program start date and will need to pick up an information sheet at the hotel reception desk.
Tell the hotel staff member, "Estoy con el grupo de la UNA." Orientation starts with a welcome breakfast at the hotel at 8 a.m. the following morning. 
Log Your Travel Plans 
Have your travel plans squared away? Be sure to share the details on your student portal as soon as you've finalized your plans so our Costa Rica staff will know when to greet you!