Coming down to ACADEMIA DE ESPAÑOL D'AMORE

PREPARATION

I. Important Documents

a. passport
b. credit card, Visa for cash advance
c. drivers license
d. travelers checks
e. $50-100 in cash ($10 in singles)
for emergency money

NOTE: Do not bring personal checks; they are very difficult to change. You can pay for your tuition in U.S. dollars, Costa Rican colones, or Travelers Checks. Make copies of your important documents. Leave a copy with you as well. If your passport is lost it will be easier to replace if you have a copy.

II. Materials for Study

a. Spanish pocket dictionary: There are many good dictionaries on the market but for traveling purposes a small, pocket sized book is best. We suggest University of Chicago pocket size edition.
b. Try not to carry too much paper, notebooks, etc. Quepos is a big town complete with bookstores where you can buy most things you will need.
c. Bring any materials you may have on Costa Rica and Central America. This may include pamphlets, newspaper articles, and books. Sharing this material with other students, teachers, etc. is always appreciated.

III. Attire and Personal items

Here on the beach, shorts, T-shirts and sandals is the daily dress code. It is very informal. Leave all valuables, jewelry, etc., at home.

a. Towels
b. 2 swimming suits
c. Sunscreen and mosquito repellent
d. Sunglasses
e. Alarm clock
f. Small flash light (important)
g. Small lock for backpack
h. Umbrella and/or raincoat: The rainy season begins in May and continues through October. Generally, it is sunny in the morning and rains in the afternoon.
i. Money belt: It is really a must for any traveling. Quepos is safe, but in San José you need to be more careful. Be very careful in the Coca-Cola bus station. Wear your money belt under your clothes; please take precaution with your backpack and luggage at all times in San José. Petty theft occurs all over Costa Rica. Never leave anything unguarded on the beach. Lock up your tickets, documents, money, etc. in your luggage once you are here.
j. Prescription drugs: These drugs can be found in most of Quepos pharmacies. If you bring important drugs, please put them in your carry-on luggage. If your baggage gets on the wrong flight it may be difficult to find what you need in the meantime.
k. Illegal drugs: This will cause you more problems than they are worth. Drug laws in Costa Rica are extremely stiff. Being a foreigner won't help you, they'll still lock you up.
l. Remember that traveling is always tough when you lug around large, bulky suitcases. Travel light! This can't be emphasized enough.

IV. School's mailing address.

You will not know your family's address until you arrive at the school. We recommend that your friends and family use the school's mailing address.
Mail from the U. S. to Costa Rica and Costa Rica to the U.S. takes ten working days.

Academia de Español D’Amore
P.O: Box 67-6350
Quepos, Costa Rica
email: info@academiadamore.com

V. Ideas for your Costa Rican family.

If you like you may bring a gift for your family. Simple, inexpensive gifts like chocolates, pens and pencils, a T-shirt, children's books in Spanish, postcards of your hometown or state.
Also your family will probably be interested in your life at home. Any photos of your house, friends, and family are a great beginning for cultural exchange.
Maybe you could put something together (photos, magazine photos, maps, etc.) that would describe what you see as the "reality" of your country.

VI. A note on health

Water is delicious in Quepos/Manuel Antonio. It comes from the mountains and is also purified in Quepos. Talk with your doctor or state health authority about the necessary shots before leaving (They usually have a chart with the appropriated vaccinations for the different countries & regions. In Costa Rica there is little problem.)

VII. 2009 Holidays; School's Schedule

La Academia de Español D'Amore is open year-long except for the last two weeks of the calendar year and the following Costa Rican National Holidays: Holy Thursday and Friday (April 9th, April 10th), Dia de Juan Santa Maria (April 11), Labor Day (May 1), Anexión de Guanacaste (July 25), Mother's Day (August 15), Independence Day (September 15) Culture Day (October 12). Classes can not be recuperated on these days. To assure the highest quality education it is suggested that the students accommodate their travel plans to begin the school on the following Mondays:
January 5, 19
February 2, 16
March 2, 16, 30
April 13, 27
May 11, 25
June 1, 15, 29
July 13, 27
August 10, 24
September 7, 21
October 5, 19
November 2, 16, 30
December 7

Students that enroll on other Mondays will be placed in an existing class.

VIII. Refund Policy

a. General Refund: A full refund of tuition and homestay is granted to students who request it in writing prior to the start of the program.
b. Students who enroll and begin the course are granted a 50 % refund of remaining tuition alone if request is in writing by the first week. No refunds are granted after the first week.


TRAVEL INFORMATION

I. Flight Arrangements

University students should check with their nearest Council Travel for rates - they have the International Student I.D. card (in other words, they can get good rates) Check with your travel agent for the best rates otherwise.

II. How to get to
Manuel Antonio, Quepos.

It is easy to get to Manuel Antonio from San José. There are direct buses which leave the "Coca-Cola" bus station (all taxis know how to get there) from San José three times daily, 6:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 6:00 PM; the cost is under $6.00 U.S. The trip is very enjoyable and lasts 3 hours. You could also rent a car, although rent-a-cars are very expensive here. Additionally, there is a shuttle flight which takes fifteen minutes each way. Reservations and pre-payment are needed. Call "Travel Air" at (506) 2220-3054, (506) 232-7883 or fax (506) 2220-0413. Or "SANSA" at (506) 2233-0397, (506) 233-3258 or fax (506) 2255-2176. Flights leave at 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM daily.

III. Final Note

We, at La Academia de Español D'Amore, wish you a very pleasant trip to Costa Rica. This is the first step of your study vacation and it is an important element of learning the language. If by chance, you encounter any difficult situation, feel free to contact us. The staff at school will do our best to smooth out the ride. ¡Hasta pronto!