My immigration attorney tells me that I will need to get myself to the Embassy in San Jose to have my paperwork accepted and my fingerprints taken. No way do I feel comfortable taking public transportation or renting a car that soon after my arrival, so I’m reaching out to private drivers to see what they willl charge to drive me there and back. I presume it will be a pretty penny, but at least I will be able to relax and it will be a direct route.

I may need to take a shuttle from the Liberia airport to my hotel destination, too, if Bev doesn’t have access to a vehicle on the date I arrive. I may go earlier than June — sometime in May, if I can, because the Embassy-specific documents are only good for six months after they were issued here.

But there’s good news, too. WhatsApp is just about all I’ll need down there until I have a chance to get my feet under me and decide whether to get a local phone number and bank account or not. I can get a SIM card for my phone and use it (What’sApp is on it), and I can withdraw funds from my U.S. account using my debit card at any outside ATM in CR.

Internet is very affordable and I won’t need TV access (perhaps just phone and Internet). I’m not a TV watcher to start with, and I’m certainly NOT moving to CR to watch TV wen there is so much else to watch down there just by stepping outside the door or looking out a window.  I plan to find ticos and expats who play pickleball or enjoy music and local food so I can start developing relationships down there.

I’ve written a MUST TAKE packinglist and find that I only have a couple of things (CPU and printer) that has any real bulk to it (not counting Chari in her cat carrier, which will go under the seat in front of me when we fly), so I should be able to fly everything down in about six suitcases/boxes, max. The other stuff is small: digital camera, meds, translator, clothes, some bedding, etc. Someone suggestd making one of the luggage items a cooler. Great idea! I can put a small cat box, a small bag of cat litter, and cat food in that so I won’t have to run out as soon as we arrive to get Charli squared away…

According to online resources:

• All pets entering Costa Rica must have a health certificate endorsed by a veterinarian.
• All cats over 3 months need current vaccinations for rabies and other diseases.
• I need a health certificate from a certified USDA vet within 14 days of our trip. This certificate shows your pet is healthy and up to date on shots. This health certificate must always be with your pet. (Chambers Creek will be doing the honors. I used to work there in the late 70’s; my present vert doesn’t do international flight certs.)
• Pets should be treated for ticks and tapeworm within 15 days of entry.
• Proof of rabies vaccination for pets over three months of age. Documentation for FVRCP vaccine and other vaccinations for cats within the (same?) timeframe.
• Health certificates are mandatory for pets coming to Costa Rica. They need to show Charli’s age, breed, and shots, plus a stamp from the U.S. APHIS. This stamp means Charli meets health standards in both the U.S. and Costa Rica.
• Charli needs these shots:
  • Rabies
  • Feline viral rhinotracheitis
  • Calicivirus
  • Panleukopenia
  • Feline leukemia
  • Your pet must pass a health check within two weeks before coming to Costa Rica.
  • Charli must be treated for parasites before coming to Costa Rica. She needs to be free from ticks and other pests within 15 days of leaving. Not following these rules can cause problems when you arrive.

Step-by-Step Overview of Procedures

1. Schedule a Veterinary Appointment: Make sure your pet is at least eight weeks old. Then, book a visit with a USDA-approved vet. This is key for getting the needed documents.
2. Obtain a Health Certificate: Get a health certificate from your vet. It must be approved by a USDA office before your pet travels. This is a must for Costa Rica.
3. Vaccination Records: Make sure your pet has had a rabies vaccine at least 30 days before leaving. Costa Rica only accepts a rabies vaccine given within the past year.
4. Understand Airline Regulations: Airlines have their own rules for pets, like costs for carry-on, checked baggage, or cargo. It’s important to check these rules.
5. Customs and Arrival Procedures: When you arrive, your pet will be checked by Costa Rican vets. Within 14 days, they must see a licensed vet in Costa Rica.
6. Consider Timing: Plan your pet’s vaccinations and certificates well to avoid customs problems. Not doing this could cause delays or extra costs.

Cats moving to CR need vaccines for rabies, feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia (and feline leukemia?).