Weather

Although Costa Rica is a small country in terms of area, there is a lot going on here in terms of weather in Costa Rica. With a climate that is diverse and varied, Costa Rica can be divided into several climatic zones, each of which are distinct and individual. Though generally classified as a tropical country because of its close proximity to the equator, Costa Rica has no real winter period, and the sun shines here throughout the year.
The main reason for the diversity in Costa Rica lies in the fact that Costa Rica has an ocean and a sea relatively close to each other, the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.

In Costa Rica the average annual temperature is around 21 to 27 degrees Celsius or 70 to 81 degrees Fahrenheit and the coolest months of the year are November, December and January. The months March through May are the hottest months of the year, so make sure you protect yourself from the sun. There is no real summer or winter in Costa Rica and the rainy season here lasts from May to November, with the months of December through April having little to no rain and September and October being the heaviest rain period.

Passports, Visas and Immunizations

Proper documentation is the sole responsibility of each traveler. If entry is denied travelers normally do not receive any refund for airline tickets. Most travel insurance is not valid if travelers do not have proper documentation. The U.S. Department of State and the equivalent offices in other countries make the general recommendation that if your passport expires within six months of your travel dates you should renew it.

If you are traveling on a U.S., Canadian or European Union Passport you normally do not have to apply for a visa in advance. When you arrive in Costa Rica you must present a valid passport and an onward ticket (to leave Costa Rica at the end of your vacation). Normally this is all that is required and the immigration official will stamp your passport entries page with a tourist visa valid for 90 days and welcome you to Costa Rica.
Proof of immunizations are only required if arriving from if arriving from certain countries in South America or Africa.

Safety

Around 2 million people visit Costa Rica each year, attracted by the country’s vibrant towns, plentiful beaches, unspoiled forests rich with tropical wildlife and medical tourism. Costa Rica is politically stable, peaceful and democratic with a well-developed tourist industry.
The year round temperate climate and above average healthcare system has long-established Costa Rica as a destination for expatriates from the U.S. and elsewhere to retire or establish secondary residences. Costa Rica is a relative safe country but just as anywhere else in the world, you need to be aware of your surroundings, keep your personal items close and avoid being out at night by yourself

Long flights

Our top priority is patient comfort. For this reason, we take extra care to ease the stress of travelling for our fly-in patients. Long-haul flights of more than 5 hours could raise your risk of a dangerous blood clot fourfold that is why Dr. Urzola will not perform your surgery the day after arrival. Please plan accordingly. Also, be sure to check your layover times and avoid long layovers on your return flight.

General measures for all travelers
1. Drink plenty of water
2. Stretch legs and change position frequently
3. Breathe deeply and frequently
4. Be careful about leg rests that compress the calf or behind the knee