Emergency Help
In Costa Rica all emergency services are channeled through 911; operators will guide you to the right department. Through 911 you can summon fire fighters, police, Red Cross and ambulances, and to report traffic accidents, robberies and incidences of violence. Red Cross, which provides ambulance and emergency rescue service, can be found even in the smallest towns. However, in times of medical emergency, it is usually faster to appeal to the nearest person with a vehicle who can transport the patient to the nearest clinic or hospital.
AIRPORT
Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) 2437 2626 or 2437 2400
Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR) 2668 1010
Tobias Bolaños Airport (Pavas) 2232 2820
AIRPORT TAXI
Taxis Unidos Aeropuerto 2222 6865
AMBULANCE
Call 911 or the Red Cross Center 2233 7033
ATM
You can use a Visa or Master Card to draw out cash from 24-hour ATMs all over the country; they are located in banks, supermarkets, shopping plazas and malls and even in some MacDonald’s outlets. Be sure to exercise some precautions; after dark, use ATMs that are located in well lit or guarded areas; cancel the transaction at the first sign of suspicious person or activity; do not throw or leave the transaction receipt at the spot.
AUTO ACCIDENT
Do not move the car under any circumstances until the transit police has arrived and completed their accident report at the scene. The police will hand you copies of this accident report which you will need to attach to your car insurance claim. If you are driving a rental car, you need to contact your car rental company (ask someone to lend you their cell phone) and they will report the accident to the National Insurance Institute (INS), and an INS representative will be dispatched to the accident scene. If your car rental company has a branch office nearby they will most likely send someone to assist you. Be sure you know where you are and how to describe the location when you call. If you have to manage the process yourself, call the Transit Police on 800-872-6748 if in San Jose or call 911 elsewhere; if you know the car is insured, call the National Insurance Institute (INS) on 800-800-8000, ext.1.
CREDIT CARD
Lost or stolen cards:
Visa Card 0-800-011-0030
Master Card 0-800-011-0184
American Express 0-800-012-3211
DIRECTORY ASSISTANCE
Tourist information and general assistance: 192
For help with dialing overseas: 124
International collect: 175
Domestic directory assistance: 113
EMBASSIES
Canada 2242 4400
France 2234 4167
Germany 2232 5533
Great Britain 2258 2025
Holland 2296 1490
Italy 2234 2326
Japan 2232 3787
Spain 2222 1933
Sweden 2232 8549
Switzerland 2233 0052
United States 2220 3939
MEDICAL
Hospital CIMA, Escazu, west of San Jose 2208 1000
Clinica Biblica, south central, San Jose 2522 1000
PHARMACIES
24-hour pharmacies can be found inside the two most visited private hospitals in San Jose, Hospital CIMA and Clinica Biblica; see above.
POLICE
Call 911 or go in person to the nearest police station.
TAXI
Coopetico 2224 7979
Alfaro 22218466
Taxis Unidos Aeropuerto 2221 68652
