2012 Extension Professional Development Study Tour

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Costa Rica Travel, Mickie Swisher's Perspective

Costa Rica Travel by Dr. Mickie (Marilyn) Swisher mesw@ufl.edu Tel: (352) 273-3538

She has lived off and on in Costa Rica for 35 years. I went with her and Dr. Taylor Stein on several visits as part of a UF Spring Break Student Study Tour for Class Credit.

Maybe we will have a different perspective as new travelers.

Costa Rica is not a developing nation. Top 25% of all nations based on all development indicators.

Not stepping out to poverty driven area
Understand that we live in one of the most enormously wealthy nations on the planet so adjust our perspective, that others are not underdeveloped because they are not as wealthy as we are.
There are many very poor in USA and in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica is a very cosmopolitan country. Very diverse culture, religion, ethnicity, German, Africa, Asian, Caribbean, etc. It is a global tourism destination, and they are tolerant and it will be similar to going to other place in Europe. They are used to dealing with mixed languages.
Look at similarities in Florida regarding overwhelming change from agrarian culture to more urban of recent times. Small farmers used to have individual homesteads but now, may live in one place and work ag in other parts of country. Ag is important, but Costa Rica is also a major tourism destination. Tourism and Ag importance varies by year with weather. They must look at how to preserve environment to keep ag productivity and keep tourism flow. Balance management of dual economy. Large scale production of bananas may utilize migrant workers, similar to Florida. They have immigration policies to protect workers and industry. Look at Florida and Costa Rica, compare and contrast. Economic, social and environmental issues that surround keeping our economy are similar. Also a retirement destination so issues related to development pressure. Tourism, Ag, Development in completion with Ag, price of land and preserving environmental quality, especially near coast.
A great place for Florida Extension to visit to learn lessons because of similarities.
National Parks and protected areas were set up for protection. The idea that folks would pay to visit was unexpected. A grad student under Mickie impacted how locals run and benefit from tourism compared to others. 2000-2008 was a larger influence from international corporate investments with funds going offshore. Locals may be moving to some of these types of businesses.

Questions and Answers - Session 2 phone call

UF Faculty Study Tour - Session 2 questions

1. What is Eleanor’s Cell phone number?

407-908-4379 - Call any time and I will get back with you as soon as I can.

2. Do I fill out a TAR if UF is not giving me any money?

Ask your UF travel guru. There is an online form to request permission for no cost UF travel.

3. Will I have access to the internet?

Yes, at EARTH for FREE,

at Tirimbina Rainforest Lobby 3/7 and 3/8

at Rancho Margot FREE – they will give us an access code

at Holiday Inn 3/9 (not sure of cost)

4. Will my cell phone work?

Contact your cell phone carrier. ATT had an additional fee for use in country. Clarify that you want to use your phone while you are in Costa Rica, not call Costa Rica from the US.

Or you may purchase a low cost phone card (with an access number) to use while you are in Costa Rica.

Who should a family member contact in case of an emergency in the United States?

http://www.howtocallabroad.com/costa-rica/

011 + 506 + #### - ####

Office direct phone (506) 2713 0247

Patricia Cruz’s cell phone (506) 8383 9071

Driver, Ronald Barquero’s cell phone 8855 0683

Guide, Víctor Abarca’s cell phone 506) 8880 1839

As soon as I get info back from each of you, I will share each of our contacts.

6. Where will we be staying?

Patricia is putting that information (location and phone number) together for us soon.

7. What Time Zone- Time is equal to our Central Time Zone http://www.howtocallabroad.com/costa-rica/ has it on the website

8. What do we owe and when?

Balance Due Feb 28. Total is 1606.38 total per person per Patricia. So remaining balance is probably $786.19 if you paid $810.19 deposit Let me know if this date is not possible for you. If you let her know, she can charge the same credit card for the remaining balance. I have asked her to send receipts for deposit to Becky, Terry, Teresa, Dan, Susan and Sheila so they can start the process for partial reimbursement.

9. Items to send to Eleanor

a. flight info: airline, departure, transfer, arrival time info (whatever you have for confirmation is fine)

b. copy of medex card

c. copy of photo and info page of passport

10. What to take?

Ideas- Gifts/trinkets for farmers/families, recordable hallmark books, extra collapsible zipper duffle bag, camera batteries, ANYTHING Gator Gear (cheaper from Walmart and BEALLS Outlet stores), pencils, Eleanor is taking Gator Hammock Season Salt. Something that is typical of Florida. Mickey said anything Disney, SeaWorld or Universal also is a hit, but there are many GATOR fans. Items for school such as , pencils, erasers, toothbrushes, reading books in English are great.

11. What to wear?

Comfortable shoes, long pants, light jacket, rain coat or poncho, bag or day pack, NOT short shorts, but shorts ok flipflops for shower only, take plastic bags to wrap wet clothes, shoes. Patricia said it is hot, so shorts are a good idea. (MY legs will be covered!)

12. Where are we going and what are we doing? Itinerary is on blog http://2012CostaRica.blogspot.com

Patricia will be updating it with contact for hotels

13. How do we get from the airport to the hotel?

Ronald will be picking us up at the airport on Saturday. That is why we need all flight Yes, Ronald will take us to dinner on Saturday night and we will get Sheila from the Airport.

14. Have you registered at UF website for travel approval and MEDEX insurance?

Please send me a copy of your card by email.



15. Health Insurance- notify your personal health insurance company you are out of town.

Kathleen found out that Blue Cross Blue Shield has a $750 deductible but she went through the Medex company to get the deducatible reduced to $100 (premium is based on age).

16. Will my credit cards work in Costa Rica?

Notify Credit Card Company and Bank of overseas travel. American Express charged a 2.7% fee but Capitol One did not charge the fee for using the card in Costa Rica. You must check. Most businesses will take US dollars or Costa Rican colones. (Pronounced co lo’ nays)

17. Where to convert dollars to colones (Costa Rican money)?

No need to get money before you leave the US. Most places will take US dollars. There is a bank on EARTH Campus Sunday when we arrive. Dinner Saturday night is paid for. You may want some money for snacks or other things. When I went to the grocery store, I got change back, like my ATM card here allows cash back after a sale.

18. How much money will I need to take with me?

Meals are covered but if you want snacks during the day, you will want cash. Sodas, water, chips, candy, cheese, coffee, pastries, adult beverages similar in price to here. I took $100 and bought about $200 on credit card in coffee, vanilla, gifts to bring back. The coffee, vanilla and Lizano sauce are typical items I bring back. Also, books and colorful t-shirts. That is why I take a zipper collapsible dufflebag with me (about $12 at Kmart or Walmart in luggage section). Take 1 suitcase and bring back 2. Check your airline for baggage fees these days. Exit Tax: You will need about $28.00 US to get out of the country. We pay that at the airport.

19. Is it dangerous?

No worse than begin in a downtown big city in US! Just be careful. Stay together, never alone. You will see armed guards even at McDonalds and grocery stores.

20. What if something happens?

Leave a copy of passport photo page with family as well make a copy of photo ID and credit card number, lost or stolen who to call number, and emergency info. Take a copy of passport with you separate from passport.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Know before you go information!

All IFAS Faculty need to be sure your CED and DED approve your travel. I am taking vacation time as a fully paid County Courtesy staff, but still registered. You will need to fill out a TAR. That is why I need to know where your funds are coming from so I can work with Charlotte in County Operations to be sure your TAR is approved and funds are available for reimbursement.

UF Faculty must register with the International Center on campus and get a Medex Card. http://ufic.ufl.edu/TravelRegistration.html

Medex is not insurance but will help to get you out of the country in the event of SERIOUS health issues or death.

MEDICAL INSURANCE: You can’t assume your insurance will go with you when you travel. It’s very important to find out BEFORE you leave whether or not your medical insurance will cover you overseas. You need to ask your insurance company two questions:

· Does my policy apply when I’m out of the United States?

· Will it cover emergencies like a trip to a foreign hospital or a medical evacuation?

In many places, doctors and hospitals still expect payment in cash at the time of service. Your regular U.S. health insurance may not cover doctors’ and hospital visits in other countries. If your policy doesn’t go with you when you travel, it’s a very good idea to take out another one for your trip. For more information, please see our medical insurance overseas page.

Please provide me with a copy of your passport photo page and your medex card for our travel file. I will also want a copy of your air travel itinerary.

If you wish to get any shots, UF has a travel clinic and Centracare also has a travel clinic. When I traveled before and got Hepatitis shots, I was told UF covered faculty for shots so I did not have to pay. Shhhhh. Try it.

Additional travel information:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html

Costa Rica Specific Information:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1093.html

SMART TRAVELER ENROLLMENT PROGRAM (STEP) / EMBASSY LOCATION: If you are going to live in or visit Costa Rica, please take the time to tell our Embassy about your trip by enrolling in STEP. If you enroll, we can keep you up to date with important safety and security announcements. It will also help your friends and family get in touch with you in an emergency. Here’s the link to the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/costa-rica.htm

Has info on shots and diseases.