Arrival And Departure Frequently asked Questions

1. What will happen when I first arrive at the airport?
2. Will we be met by ILISA at the airport?
3. What if my pick-up doesn’t show up?
4. What if my luggage is lost?
5. Where can we change money after arrival?
6. What day should I plan on arriving in San José?
7. What time should I arrive at the school?
8. What do I need to know about leaving Costa Rica?

1. What will happen when I first arrive at the airport?
   When traveling by plane, you’ll arrive at Juan Santa María International Airport in Alajuela. Your first stop after getting off the plane will be at Immigration. The flight attendants should have given you two forms, one for Immigration, and one for Customs. If you are only bringing personal belongings into the country, just write down “personal belongings” on the customs form. The immigration form asks for your intended address in Costa Rica. Write: “familia ILISA.” Have both forms ready along with your passport.After passing Immigration, you will arrive in a hall with 2 baggage transport belts. You should be able to find your luggage on one of these. Occasionally this can be difficult because several flights sometimes use the same baggage transport belt. You should be prepared to search around a little to locate your luggage. If there is too much congestion, baggage handlers occasionally will remove luggage from the belts. This means that if you don’t see your items on the belt they are probably already on the floor.

   Your next stop is Customs. If you have two bags or less you can usually just walk on through. For those with more than two bags there is an area where you must push a button. if after pushing the button, the light turns green, proceed on through Customs. If the light turns red, you will have your luggage examined. (note: Customs can check any bag or individual they desire.)

   After passing through Customs, take the stairs on the right which will bring you to the airport exit (note: there is a conveyer belt on your right-hand side to transport heavy pieces of luggage upstairs). Have your baggage claim tags ready because the baggage handlers at the top of the stairs will often ask to see them (you should have received the tags from the airline during check-in: they are normally stapled onto your ticket envelope).

   Finally, you can step out into the light of Costa Rica. The whole process should take less than a half an hour.

2. Will we be met by ILISA at the airport?
   Airport pick-up is included in the homestay fee. No matter what time you arrive, somebody with a white and blue ILISA sign stating your name will be outside the airport building waiting to bring you to your host family. It’s about 25 minutes by car from the airport to your host family. If you stay in a hotel, you can either take a taxi or request pick up service and we will pick you up for an additional $18 fee. While we’ll do our best to meet you even if you miss your flight or face severe delays, we can only guarantee scheduled pickups.
3. What if my pick-up doesn’t show up?
   Although we always double check your arrival time before sending a driver to pick you up, there is a slight possibility that we may get caught in a traffic jam, that something unforeseen may happen or that your flight may arrive a little early. In the unlikely event that you don’t find anybody waiting for you … don’t despair!
   Just stand outside the exit doors, our driver is not allowed inside to look for you, with you luggage and wait for about 15 minutes while scanning the crowd and looking for the ILISA sign with your name on it. If you mix with the crowd it will be harder for us to spot you. If after 20 minutes nobody has shown up, we suggest you call the school (2280-0700) or, if outside office hours, Monday-Friday 7:30-4:30, call Hellen or Crista, the director at 88176312 or 83647893. In case nobody answers, call the host family. Please don’t take a taxi without informing anybody (leave a message on the school’s answering machine) because you can be sure somebody is on his or her way to pick you up.
4. What if my luggage is lost?
   In case your luggage is lost and you have to fill out the baggage claim forms, it would be a good idea to have a look outside and tell the person waiting for you that you have arrived but have to do some paperwork.
5. Where can we change money after arrival?
   You can always find money changers immediately outside the airport terminal building. Ask your driver if they can locate one of these moneychangers “para cambiar dolares en colones.” We have never heard of anyone being cheated, but just to stay on the safe side, only change what you think you will need for the first few days. You will be able to change dollars at ILISA on Monday or Thursday. (Do not change money on the streets in downtown San José.)
6. What day should I plan on arriving in San José?
   You should plan to arrive on the Saturday or Sunday prior to the start of your program, and to depart on the Saturday or Sunday afterwards. Our homestay week is calculated Saturday to Saturday or Sunday to Sunday. If you wish to arrive earlier or to extend your stay after finishing classes, contact us and, if possible, we will accommodate you.
7. What time should I arrive at ILISA?
   You should arrive at 7:30 a.m. on the day you are scheduled to begin class. We will conduct a placement evaluation first thing and then you will begin class at 8 a.m. Your family will show you the way to ILISA (walking and/or by bus) the first day.
8. What do I need to know about leaving Costa Rica?
   Costa Rica charges an exit tax of $29 per person payable at the airport (some Airlines already include this tax in the plane ticket). In addition, you will have to pay transportation to the airport. We can arrange for one of ILISA’s drivers to take you for $30) or you can take a taxi for about the same.