We have completed our annual update of information and plans in the event of any untoward events, which may affect the wellbeing of British Nationals in Costa Rica. It occurred to us that we could share some of this and you may find the following useful. The threat to the British Community in Costa Rica is more likely to be from earthquakes, tremors, flooding and hurricanes. The threat of violence to the British Community is small and likely to remain so for the foreseeable future.

BRITISH NATIONALS TO BE PROTECTED

The British Community includes British Citizens, British Dependent Territory Citizens, British Overseas Citizens, British Protected Persons, and British Nationals (Overseas). Some of those eligible for consular protection may require leave to enter the UK.

IF YOU KNOW OTHER BRITISH NATIONALS ASK THEM TO REGISTER WITH US AND IN THE EVENT OF A CRISIS LOOK OUT FOR EACH OTHER.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND CITIZENS

We have a formal agreement with the European Union Partners. Under the European Union designation of unrepresented nationals, we are responsible for Irish Citizens.

DUAL NATIONALS

We do not have any formal consular responsibility for dual nationals in the country of their second nationality (but see following paragraph).

COMMONWEALTH NATIONALS

There is an informal understanding that by tradition we will help unrepresented Commonwealth nationals where we can, provided that this is not to the detriment of the nationals for whom we have a formal responsibility.

FAMILY MEMBERS

We do not split families where we can avoid this. In an evacuation we would take responsibility for members of the immediate family whatever their nationality (spouse or dependent children) of a British National, assuming the local authorities would allow them to leave.

WARDENS

The warden network exists to provide a link between the Embassy and the British Community and to facilitate the dissemination of information or advice from the Embassy of particular interest or importance to the resident British Community. It will normally be used only in time of emergency - happily rare in Costa Rica.

OTHER COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS

The most difficult initial communication problem immediately after a natural disaster would be the possibility of any form of communication. This is unavoidable but as soon as possible it would be important to establish the following communication systems:

• The Warden Network  
• Direct contact or/and through email
• Internet
• BBC World Service Message
• Radio 107.4. (English)
• Local Media

DETAILS OF MEETING POINT AND EXIT ROUTES

The reception centres would be the Ambassador’s Residence in Escazu, the British Institute, Los Yoses, San Pedro or the British School, Rohrmoser. The present Embassy offices are on the 11th floor of a block of offices and, therefore, unsuitable.

You may like to find out where your local police and Red Cross offices are situated. It is also advisable to keep a supply of cash , candles, matches, tinned food, water, blankets and torches with batteries available.

Possible exit routes are, by air, the Juan Santamaria International airport where departing British Community would be unlikely to have any problems in reaching Panama or Miami.

A second international airport at Liberia, Guanacaste would likely remain open also. Both can receive BOEING 747´s. The Thomas Bolanos Airport, Pavas, can receive small airplanes and helicopters. Two regional airports at Limon and Golfito can receive Twin Otter or Fokker 27. There are airports for small planes in Quepos and Guapiles.By sea through Puntarenas, Puerto Caldera (2 hours from San Jose) on the Pacific coast and Limon, Moin (3 hours from San Jose) on the Caribbean.

By road to the south to Panama is liable to have landslides in the rainy season, but otherwise would serve as an evacuation route. The Inter American Highway running north to Managua is available. Alternative roads to the coast are through Puriscal to Jaco and Quepos; the road through Turrialba goes to Guapiles and Limon.

SERVICES ASSISTED EVACUATION

In the unlikely event of an emergency where commercial flights proved impossible to obtain and too dangerous, the Ministry of defense would be asked for assistance.

If you know other British Citizens we would be grateful if you would ask them to register with us and, in the event of a crisis, look out for each other.

We would also appreciate you updating regularly your own registration cards. We have special interest in having your e-mail addresses up to date.

If you have any ideas which you consider would be useful to include in this information, please contact the Vice Consul at the Embassy at 2258 2025 or write to Sheila Pacheco.

CHECK LIST EVACUATION:

•  Passport or other evidence of nationality
•  Cash
•  Vaccination certificates where necessary
•  Only such luggage as you and your family can carry, but not more than 20 kilos (44 pounds) for each person, EXCLUDING food and water. Remember to label clearly your name and destination address
•  Food and water for 24 hours
•  Valuable papers (cheque books, credit cards, title deeds, copy of inventory of contents of house, etc)
•  No pets
•  You may bring your car to the reception centres, but its safety after an evacuation cannot be guaranteed
•   Depending on the circumstances where it is not necessary to leave the country quickly but rather wait in a safe place also consider:
•  Blankets
•  Warm Clothing
•  Sleeping bags