Your CISabroad onsite program coordinator will be with your group for the duration of your program abroad. Should you need any assistance, please let your CISabroad onsite staff know. This includes emergency situations, and non-emergency situations.
The US based 24/7 Emergency Phone number for all CISabroad faculty-led programs is +1 970 568 6496. If for some reason your CISabroad onsite staff member and CISabroad secondary emergency contact person is unavailable in the event of an emergency (this would be odd, but anything is possible) please call this number. Please introduce yourself by stating your name, the program on which you are traveling and the country in which you are traveling. If your call is not answered during the first attempt, please phone again. This number is staffed by a member of the CISabroad customized faculty-led team (we do not outsource these calls) and depending on the time of day or night a second attempt may be necessary. You also have the option to leave a message and your call will be returned promptly.
In the event of an emergency, your CISabroad staff member will step-in with your program group leaders. Nevertheless, you should still know how to proceed in the event of an emergency while you are in Costa Rica. Much of this information will be covered in your onsite orientation.
Like the US, 911 is the number to call for emergencies.
In addition to 911, the following emergency numbers are also available:
- 1117 – Police
- 1118 – Fire Fighters
- 1128 / 2221 5818 – The Red Cross
- 2222 9330 / 800 8726 7486 – Transit Police
- 800 376 4266 – Drug Control Police
If you call 911, one of the most important pieces of information needed is your location or the location of the incident. In some cases, the Emergency Service may know your location but don’t presume this is the case. It is quite possible that the incident is different to the callers location and so due care needs to be taken by the Emergency Service.
Depending on which emergency service you request, some of the typical questions that are asked are as follows:
- The exact address of the incident or emergency and/or any noticeable landmarks nearby
- Directions to the scene of the emergency
- The telephone number you are calling from
- Details on the incident itself, the number of persons involved, the description of any visible injuries and knowledge of any pre-existing medical conditions
It is important to wait for the call-takers instructions, try and stay calm and don’t hang up until they tell you to.
The U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica
The United States Embassy in Costa Rica is located at Via 104, Calle 98, San Jose, Costa Rica. Their main phone number is +506 2519 2000.
The United States Government recommends all U.S. citizens to sign up for their free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to automatically receive the latest travel updates and information by electronic mail.