COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR CAROLINE BREARLEY AND LARRY

UNCLAS SAN JOSE 001299

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE PASS TO USAID
EMBASSY SAN SALVADOR PASS TO USAID
FOR LAC/CEN EL SALVADOR DESK

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV OTRA EAID ES CS
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR CAROLINE BREARLEY AND LARRY
BRADY FROM USAID EL SALVADOR

REF: SAN SALVADOR 001519


1. Embassy San Jose is pleased to grant country clearance
to Caroline Brearley and Larry Brady, USAID Mission in San
Salvador, Officials to travel to Costa Rica O/A 06/27-
28/2006. Purpose of the visit: is to iIntroduce the
Rregional tTrade pProgram to the U.S. Embassy and to
counterparts in the local government.


2. Control Officer: Jackeline Jaquelyn Rosholt, xxx,, (506)
519-2502, or Cel. (506) 379-4340xxxx.. The Embassy after-
hours emergency phone number is (506) 220-3127.


3. Upon arrival in country all TDY visitors are to make
contact with their Embassy Control Officer for information
regarding a security briefing.


4. Accommodations: Post has made reservations at Palma
Real Hotel; telephone number (506) 506-290-5060, Fax number
(506) 290-4160. The room rate is $83.80 per day with Buffet
Breakfast and taxes included. The per diem rate for San
Jose is $104.00 for lodging, and $67.00 M&IE. The
confirmation will be sent via email. Hotels in San Jose
require a minimum notice of 72 hours if canceling or
changing reservations. Travelers must notify the embassy 72
hours in advance if schedule changes. Hotels will assess a
one-day charge if they do not receive advance notice of
cancellation or changes. Prior to arrival in Costa Rica,
travelers need to provide the RSO office with name of your
hotel and/or phone numbers for point of contact, as this is
required information for TDY registration/Emergency contact.


5. Transportation: The only taxis available at the airport
are the Taxi Aeropuerto orange taxis found outside the
arrival hall. Tickets for the orange taxis are sold at a
ticket booth located immediately outside the arrival hall
exit doors. Fares (payable in U.S. dollars or local
currency) vary according to destination but the cost of a
standard orange taxi ticket to the Embassy is $10, to the
Intercontinental Hotel is $12 and to downtown San Jose is
$10. Vans are also available at increased cost. If you miss
the ticket counter or otherwise need assistance with orange
taxi service, the company has an individual posted curbside
from where the orange taxis are dispatched. Taxi Aeropuerto
also offers pick-up service and transportation to the
airport for departing passengers. Reservations can be made
24 hours a day by phoning (506) 221-6865.

Elsewhere in San Jose, official taxis are considered safe
when using standard security precautions. Official taxis
have a yellow triangle on the door, an identification
number, a taxi light on the roof of the car, and generally
have working meters. Ask if the meter is functioning before
entering the cab. If the meter is not functioning, the cost
of the fares should be negotiated prior to entering the cab.
Official taxis are also easily obtainable from hotels.

Unofficial taxis come in all shapes and sizes and should be
avoided.


6. Public Affairs: Please note that the Public Affairs
Office is the Embassy's designated point of contact with the
press. If visitors have been scheduled for press events by
local partner organizations or others, please inform the
Embassy's Public Affairs Office. Should visitors be
approached by the press with questions or a request for an
interview, they should refer the press to the Embassy Public
Affairs Office. In short, Post requests that visitors not
speak with the press before consulting with the Public
Affairs Office 506 (519-2287).


7. Travel documents/Threat assessment/Local conditions: All
official visitors must travel with passports, preferably
official or diplomatic. Without a valid passport, a visitor
lacks official status in the eyes of the Costa Rican
Government. However, no repeat no visa is necessary.

During this time of heightened security alerts, all
travelers should consult the Department's website for the
latest public announcements or other safety notices at
ww.usembassy.or.cr or www.usembassy.or.cr/osac.html.

Costa Rica is currently rated as a "high" crime threat post.
The increasing use of violence during the commission of a
street crime is a threat to all visitors. Travelers are
urged to exercise caution, as in any large city. Local law
enforcement agencies do not act according to U.S. standards
and have limited capabilities. Jewelry should not be worn

on the streets. Large amounts of cash should not be
displayed. The downtown area of San Jose should be avoided
at night because of the increase of criminal activity that
occurs in this area.

Credit card fraud and credit card "number skimming" is a
rapidly growing crime. Visitors should avoid using debit
cards for point-of-sale purchases, as a skimmed number can
be used to clean out an account. Visitors should check
their credit card accounts frequently.

Visitors are advised to avoid unofficial moneychangers who
may offer better rates but who often trade in counterfeit
currency. The present rate of exchange is approximately 510
Costa Rican colones to one dollar. Accommodation exchange
is available at a comparable rate at the airport.

Visitors should exercise caution if they will be driving in
Costa Rica. The combination of poor road conditions,
erratic driving, and pedestrian and animal traffic on the
roads make driving very treacherous. Costa Rica has one of
the highest accident rates per automobiles in the world.
The Embassy strongly recommends against driving outside of
the San Jose area at night. Vehicles should not be left
unattended or packages left visible inside them.
Costa Rica is an earthquake zone and periodically
experiences significant tremors.

Visitors should be careful not to eat peanuts or products
made from peanuts grown in Costa Rica because they may
harbor aflatoxin, which is suspected in the causation of
liver cancer.


8. Please note: Effective January 1, 2005, all American
personnel traveling to post for a TDY of 30 days or more
will need to certify in the country clearance request that
they have completed mandatory overseas personal security
training as outlined in State cable 066580, dated 25 MAR

2004.


9. Please be advised that State Department regulations
prohibit installation or use of privately-owned computers in
any State Department building. Visitors must notify the
Regional Security Office in advance if they intend to use
U.S. Government-owned portable computers in the Chancery.

FRISBIE