Travel to Costa Rica 

The Trip:

The trip to Grano De Oro, Costa Rica begins at St Laurence Parish with breakfast, instructions, and prayer. Missionaries load assigned equipment and luggage on a bus and head to George Bush Inter Continental Airport for our nonstop flight to San Jose CR, about 3 1/2 hours. Lunch is at your expense on the plane. After clearing customs we move all luggage to a truck and board air conditioned tour busses for the 4 to 4 ½ hour ride (one brief bathroom stop) to Grano De Oro. Upon arrival at Grano De Oro equipment is unloaded, we check into assigned rooms and meet for dinner about 8-9 PM. The trip is about 12 hours total from church to mission site. Water and snacks are provided on busses.

Passport:

You will be asked to submit a copy of  the inside cover page of your passport with your application.  This is used to verify the correct name for airline tickets.
Make certain your passport does not expire while you are in Costa Rica and
DO NOT FORGET TO BRING YOUR PASSPORT WITH YOU ON THE TRIP

Carryon Baggage Policy.

Missionaries are requested to bring only carryon baggage for the trip.
MMDM uses all the checked bag allocations for transport of our mission equipment and supplies.

If you absolutely must bring a checked bag , please bring $40 cash which will be collected before putting your baggage is checked at the airport.
Strict size limits for carryon bags. One piece of luggage 22” x 9” x 14” including wheels and handle; plus one personal item 9” x 10” x 17” (usually a back pack). You may also bring food purchased at the airport, newspaper, book, jacket and fold up umbrella. Experienced missionaries have been easily able to travel for a week using only the carryon bags for their personal needs.
 
Checked Baggage Policy

Each missionary will be assigned at least one equipment or supply bag to shepherd all the way to Grano De Oro, Costa Rica. Checked bag size is 62 linear inches (L+W=H= 62” or less) and must weigh less than 50 lbs.
Security Screening

TSA will confiscate all liquids and gels exceeding 3.4 ounces per item. Place qualified items in ONE sealable clear plastic One Quart bag. No sharp items will pass inspection. No knife, scissor box cutter anywhere in carryon bags.

Customs Outbound to CR:

You will be asked for your passport at by the airline, security and Costa Rica customs. On the flight you will receive a tourist visa form and a customs declaration form to be filled out and presented when asked at CR customs. Costa Rica requires each visitor to have $100 USD cash to ensure financial viability.

Customs on return to the US:

The Costa Rica exit fee and security fee are included in your airfare. You will most likely have time for shopping in the duty free shops before departure. The US limit on all duty free purchases is $800.You will receive a US Customs Declaration form on the flight; fill it out completely and present when asked.

Weather in Grano De Oro:

Altitude 5500’. Mountainous region bordered by Jungle. Mostly sunny but punctuated by brief showers and occasional steady down pours can be expected. Day time temperatures in the 80-90 degree range. Nights in the 55-68 degree range