Joining us in Costa Rica for the convening General Conference? Here are some recommendations to help you prepare for your travels and your time in the beautiful country.

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Health and Safety

· Vaccinations: It’s recommended to be up to date on routine vaccines before traveling. Additional vaccinations may be advised. Check the latest guidelines here.

· Medications: Bring a sufficient supply of your medications. Carry prescription medications in their original packaging and if possible, with your doctor's prescription.

· Digestive Health: Consider obtaining an over-the-counter antibiotic to address any potential stomach issues that may arise during your trip.

· Drinking Water: Water in Costa Rica is safe to drink. However, if you are concerned, bring bottled water. If you are drinking Costa Rica’s water it's recommended to bring a refillable water bottle to use throughout your travels.

· Pharmacy:

Farmacia Ciudad Cariari is a 10-minute walk from CCCR, Convention Center of Costa Rica.

Farmacia Real Cariari is a 21-minute walk from CCCR.

· Medical Personnel: Each of the venues will have two ambulances staffed not only to transport people to care facilities but to treat a range of issues from first aid to more serious conditions on-site. Should there be a need for someone to be transported to a local hospital, we are currently working with our physician contact at the Clinica Biblica, Dr.John Longworth.

· UrgentCare: Emergencias. Phone is 506-2290-4444. It’s a 12-minute drive from CCCR.

· Hospital: While there are hospitals closer to the CCCR that may be available in cases of extreme emergency, the following two hospitals are known to work with foreign health insurance carriers are therefore recommended to Conference attendees:

Clinica Biblica

http://www.clinicabiblica.com/en/

Central Telephone Exchange: +506 2522 1000

Whatsapp: +506 8595 7000

Hospital Cima

https://hospitalcima.com/en/

Costa Rica (506) 2208-1000

USA 1 (855) 782-6253

Contingency/Emergency Plans

There is an Info desk on-site at the CCCR staffed with two workers and two roaming throughout the site with yellow vests and blue fanny packs. You can also find them at the airport and your hotel for your assistance.

· Security: There will be multiple security staffed every day during the conference. They will float around the convention center, making sure everything is okay. They can help offer basic assistance to attendees such as giving directions. They can also help step in if a violent situation arises, as well as contact the police as needed.

· Police: Police typically patrol around the outside of the convention center for big events. If needed, you can call local police and they will arrive within 10 minutes. Same for ambulances. 

· Methodist School: We will have a CR Methodist Church/School “hospitality team” welcoming as attendees arrive at the school on the afternoon of the 20th. There will be at least one guide/bus preparing the passengers for what they can expect (including a map of the school) on the 45-minute/1-hour ride to the Methodist School.  Once there, the buses will unload passengers in the lower parking lot and immediately exit, allowing additional buses to enter.  Most people will either climb steps or a fairly steep sidewalk to the dining areas.  However, the Methodist School will have contracted three or four smaller buses (20 passengers) to take persons up the hill should they need assistance.

Safety Precautions

· U.S. State Department STEP Program: We recommend enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive important safety updates from the Embassy about conditions in Costa Rica.

· Personal Safety: Keep your belongings secure, especially in crowded areas. Avoid displaying valuables and be cautious when using ATMs.

· Accessibility: For travelers with accessibility issues, it’s recommended to bring your own wheelchair to ensure availability and comfort during your trip. 

Financial Tips

· Credit Cards: Major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express) are widely accepted at hotels, restaurants, and larger stores. Food trucks will accept Visa, MasterCard, or AmEx. Check with your bank and ask them about their international rules. Small vendors may only accept cash. We also recommend bringing a small amount of cash for tipping.

· ATMs: ATMs are available in cities and towns. Look for machines connected to international networks such as Cirrus, Plus, and MasterCard.

· Currency: The official currency is the Costa Rican colón. It's a good idea to have some local currency for small purchases. Visit the currency converter website.

Travel Insurance

· Insurance Recommendations: We highly recommend getting travel insurance to cover unexpected medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other potential issues. Americans should consider comprehensive travel insurance, while international travelers should consult their local providers for suitable options.

If you received an email with the subject line “IMPORTANT: Your insurance for Global Methodist General Conference" your travel insurance is covered.  You do not need to buy travel insurance unless you are extending your stay for personal vacation.

Electrical Information

· Electrical Plugs: Costa Rica uses the same electrical outlets as the United States (120V, 60Hz). No need for a power adapter if you're coming from the U.S.

Communication

· International Calling Plans: To avoid high roaming charges, consider purchasing an international calling plan or a local SIM card for your phone. If a local SIM card is needed, there are ways to purchase them before even departing the airport. Check with your carrier for information. Put your phone on airplane mode if you wish to avoid charges, just know you will be cut off from cell networks.

· Language: Spanish is the official language of Costa Rica. While many people in tourist areas speak English, there are areas where that might not be the case. We recommend learning a few basic phrases that could assist in this or if feasible, securing an app that provides a platform to assist in translation between your native language and Spanish. We recommend Google Translate either through the app or the web.

· Wordly: Wordly will be used during sessions. Have Wordly downloaded on your phone and keep it running as much as possible for it to work better. You can use the app or web version, however, we recommend the app.

· Charging: Bring your own remote charging brick to avoid your phone dying. Wordly will drain your phone quickly.

· Headphones: These will need to be used when using Wordly. Please bring headphones that can plug in that are not Bluetooth.

Transportation - More Information Here

· Driving: If you plan to rent a car, be aware that driving in Costa Rica can be challenging due to road conditions and local driving habits. Traffic can be heavy and should be considered in planning to prevent possible delays. 

· Ride Sharing: Services like Uber and Didi operate in major cities and can be a convenient and safe option for getting around.

· Bus:

The hotels to be used during the Annual Convention activity to which is assigned a number, are:

1.     Marriott Costa Rica Hacienda Belén

2.     Wyndham San Jose Herradura Hotel

3.     Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Cariari

4.     Hotel Crowne Plaza San José La Sabana

5.     Hilton San José La Sabana

6.    Hilton Garden Inn San Jose La Saban

7.    Escazu Wyndham

·  Be sure to print out your registration bar code and have it ready to show to the busses.

· On the early-bird shuttle please be sure that those that need to be at the CCCR at a particular time have a spot. This shuttle is intended for our workers. 

Meal Information

Food trucks will be available on-site for lunch and dinner, offering a range of options priced between $7 to $15. Delegates, alternates, staff, and volunteers who are in session and unable to visit the food trucks will receive boxed meals. Badge verification will be required for those receiving boxed lunches, and allergy-friendly options will be provided upon request.

There is also a small café at the conference center with items available for purchase, and a snack station will be set up for added convenience. If you have specific dietary restrictions or needs beyond what is provided, please plan accordingly.

Weather in September

September is part of the rainy season in Costa Rica. Be prepared for frequent rain showers and possible thunderstorms. It's advisable to pack a waterproof jacket, an umbrella, and quick-drying clothes.

Proper Apparel

Business casual attire is recommended. This includes comfortable yet professional clothing, such as slacks, blouses, polo shirts, and dresses. Blazers are optional, and ties are not required. Bring comfortable walking shoes. Lightweight, breathable fabrics are recommended. Keep in mind that this time of year is the rainy season in Costa Rica, so we suggest bringing a light jacket or umbrella. Additionally, conference center temperatures can be cool, so you might want to layer your clothing for added comfort.

Groceries/Convenience Store

Fresh Market Ulloa is a 9-minute walk from CCCR.
Uni Súper • Heredia is a 20-minute walk from CCCR.

Map

Tour of the Convention Center

Print

‍If it's helpful to you, print out the schedule and transportation information.

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To stay informed and receive the latest news and updates during the conference be sure you are following the So The World Will Know event page on Facebook.

We will continue to add recommendations to this page as needed. If you have questions regarding something not mentioned, feel free to email us at communications@globalmethodist.com.