Discovering Costa Rica

Page 14

Dining Customs

Most Costa Ricans eat at home or pack home-made food to go. If eating on the run is required,

they will often stop at a “soda”, which is a reasonably priced restaurant that often caters to

tourists. It is also important to note that Ticos are not known to eat in excess.

Breakfast:

The most common Costa Rican breakfast is

Gallo Pinto

. Other common

breakfasts are pancakes, omelets, cereal, or toast with jam

Lunch:

Lunch in Costa Rica is usually the biggest meal of the day. The most common

dish is

casado

and arroz con pollo

Dinner:

Food served at dinner is very similar to that of the lunch meal

Registrations

Social Security Requirements

Relocating Employee

To request your Social Security Card, you must go to the nearest Equipo Básico de Atención

Integral en Salud (EBAIS) office. Make the most of your trip by preparing the following:

Steps for Phase One

Employment Letter, which you can get directly from your employer

Temporary payslip

Validate payslip at the control offices of Social Security headquarters in San José*

Steps for Phase Two

Original and copy of residency card (green card) or passport. If you don’t have your

residency card on hand, this process can be done with your passport and a copy of

Immigration Resolution, approving the visa

Request Social Security Card*

Original and copy of your lease agreement

Payslip duly sealed by the Social Security Control Offices

An original and copy of the electricity bill for the rented home. In case you are on

temporary living, a copy of the electricity bill from the temporary housing will be accepted

Helpful Hint:

* These processes can be done by another person on your behalf (i.e.,

your employer, spouse, family member, etc.) This person must be authorized with a

letter signed by you, the employee.