Costa Rica July 25-28, 2022

You can make your room reservation Online HERE. Please do so by June 24, 2021; after this date group rates may not be available. If you do not see your preferred room type or dates available, please call 1-506-2681-2000 and ask for reservations, mention you are part of the CME SCIENCE group.For more information on the JW Marriott Guanacaste, Costa Rica visit their website HERE

Address: Hacienda Pinilla, Santa Cruz, Guanacaste, Costa Rica, Tel: (506) -2201- 5318, Fax: (506) 2201 5318

AIR TRAVEL INFORMATION: The JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa is located in Guanacaste, in the northwest area of Costa Rica. You can fly into Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR – known as Liberia International Airport), which is an approximate 1-¼ hour drive to the hotel; however, lower fares can often be found by flying into Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), located in Costa Rica’s capital city of San Jose, which is an approximate 4-5 hour drive to the hotel.

Special Airfare Discounts:

For Alaska Airlines, reservations and ticketing are available via alaskaair.com. When booking online, select “Use a Discount Code”, enter in meeting code ECMD804 when prompted. Reservations may also be made by calling Alaska Airlines directly at 800-252-7522. *Please note there is a $15 per person ticket fee for booking through the reservation number above.

For Delta Airlines, Reservations and ticketing are available via delta.com. When booking online, select Book A Trip, click on Advanced Search and enter the meeting code: NMV3V on the Search Flights page. Reservations may also be made by calling Delta Meeting reservations at 800-328-1111
Mon-Fri. 7am-7pm CDT. *Please note that there is a direct ticketing fee for booking through the reservation number above.

For United Airlines and United Express, and United Codeshare airlines (Lufthansa Airlines, All Nippon Airways), visit united.com or call 1-800-426-1122 and use Code: ZK7W416120. US and Canada flights are 2-5% off discounted economy, business and first class, and 10% off full fare economy, business and first class. International flights are discounted by 5-10%.

PASSPORT REQUIREMENTS & IMMIGRATION

ALL PERSONS traveling by air between the United States and Costa Rica are required to present a valid passport to enter or re-enter the United States.  We suggest you allow a minimum of two to three months to obtain or renew your passport. Generally, your passport cannot expire within 6 months after the date of your trip; however, each country varies, so check with your local passport agency to verify. For more information, please visit http://travel.state.gov.

Children must also have valid passports. Children traveling with an adult other than their parent or with only one parent must carry notarized written permission from any parent or guardian not traveling with the child to or from Costa Rica. This permission must include the name of the parent, the name of the child, the name of anyone traveling with the child, and the notarized signature(s) of the absent parent(s). The State Department recommends that the permission should include travel dates, destinations, airlines, and a brief summary of the circumstances surrounding the travel. The child must be carrying the original letter – not a facsimile or scanned copy – as well as proof of the parent/child relationship (usually a birth certificate or court document) – and an original custody decree, if applicable. If you have adopted children, please be sure to have your adoption papers with you.

If you live in the United States and are not a U.S. citizen, we recommend that you check with U.S. Immigration regarding your particular situation.

Upon your arrival in Costa Rica you will go through customs and immigration and upon your departure you will have to clear U.S. customs and immigration at your first point of entry back into the U.S.

COVID-19 Travel Reqiurements

Entry Requirements During the COVID-19 Pandemic

All international tourists are permitted to enter Costa Rica by air, land and sea.

Tourists must meet the visa requirements, when applicable, as well as the requirements established in the framework of the pandemic.

The Government of Costa Rica does not require tourists entering by air, land or sea to present a negative COVID-19 test, nor quarantine upon arrival.

Tourists visiting Costa Rica are requested to abide by the sanitary protocols in place when participating in tourist activities throughout the country.

Country Entry Requirements 

Tourists can verify if they require entry with or without a visa at the following link: https://migracion.go.cr/Paginas/Visas.aspx.

The CIRCULAR DG-004-2021-UI-AJ that details the countries in the first, second, third and fourth groups is available at:
https://migracion.go.cr/Documentos%20compartidos/Circulares%20y%20Directrices/2021/DIRECTRICES%20GENERALES%20DE%20INGRESO%20Circular%20DG-004-2021-UI-AJFEB%202021.pdf

In the framework of the pandemic, the following requirements were also established:

1. Complete the digital form called HEALTH PASS, available at https://salud.go.cr

The Health Pass can only be completed within 72 hours prior to arrival in the country. It must be accessed via updated browsers with the exception of Internet Explorer.

One form must be completed per person, including minors.

All tourists must complete the Health Pass.

2. Travel Policy

Tourists who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and individuals aged 18 and younger (even if unvaccinated) can enter the country without a travel policy. The last dose of the vaccine must have been applied at least 14 days prior to arrival in Costa Rica.

Vaccinated tourists must attach their vaccination certificate to the Health Pass.

As proof, vaccination certificates and vaccination cards that contain at least the following information will be accepted:

1. Name of the individual who received the vaccine
2. Date of each dose
3. Pharmaceutical site

In the case of U.S. travelers, the "COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card" will be accepted.

Unvaccinated individuals aged 18 and older or with unauthorized vaccines must purchase a travel policy that is valid for at least 5 days and covers accommodation and medical expenses in the event of COVID-19 infection.

International Policies

Tourists can select any international insurance company that meets the following requirements:

1. Valid during the entire stay in Costa Rica (coverage dates)

2. $50,000 for medical expenses, including COVID-19 infection

3. $2,000 for lodging expenses in the event of COVID-19 quarantine

Travelers must ask their insurance company for a certificate/letter in English or Spanish stating the following information:

1. Name of the individual traveling

2. Validity of the effective policy during the Costa Rica visit (travel dates)

3. Guaranteed coverage for medical expenses in the event of COVID-19 in Costa Rica, valued at least $50,000

4. Minimum coverage of $2,000 for lodging expenses for quarantine or trip interruption for this same amount

This certificate must specify that the policy covers COVID-19 and must be uploaded to the HEALTH PASS to be reviewed and approved by Costa Rican authorities.

IMPORTANT: Insurance cards are not accepted. The document must include the verification of the coverage mentioned.

Costa Rican Policies

Tourists can also select any of the following Costa Rican insurance companies, which sell products registered and authorized by the General Superintendency of Insurance of Costa Rica.

INS: https://www.grupoins.com/seguros-para-viajero/seguro-viajero-ingreso-costa-rica/

Sagicor: https://tiendasagicor.com/en/

BlueCross BlueShield: https://www.bluecrossblueshieldcr.com/rod

IMPORTANT: The minimum coverage is set at $50,000 for international policies, while the minimum coverage for policies sold by Costa Rican insurers is set at $20,000.

Foreigners with temporary or permanent residence (or a temporary category who return to Costa Rica) and who are not up-to-date with the corresponding payments with the Costa Rican Social Security Fund, must acquire a temporary local insurance for 22 days or an international insurance that complies with the same requirements that are applied to a foreign tourist.

Foreigners in the immigration category with a permanent or temporary residence, or a special category in the latter case (with the exception of the Student Subcategory), must demonstrate the assurance by the Costa Rican Social Security Fund, which is in force and can be verified at the following link: https://sfa.ccss.sa.cr/servMedicos/validarDerechos.do

Tourists who are in transit through the country must purchase insurance with a minimum coverage of five days.

Costa Rican citizens do not require health insurance.

Tourists are requested and warned not to attach unsolicited personal documents, such as copies of credit cards, keys or private passwords or other information in the Health Pass: https://salud.go.cr nor in emails to seguros@ict.go.cr. Only a copy of the insurance policy should be attached.

Questions

Entry by air or land - By land, the country admits tourists from groups one and two included in the general guidelines for entry and stay visas for non-residents who do not require a visa. Tourists can email seguros@ict.go.cr if they have any questions or concerns about medical insurance requirements.

Entry by sea - On Sept. 1, Costa Rica reactivated cruise tourism for the 2021-2022 season. As a requirement, vessels must guarantee complete vaccination schedules against the COVID-19 virus in all crew members and 95% of passengers who are of age to be vaccinated.

Yacht and sailboat passengers and crew members can email seguros.marinas@ict.go.cr if they have any questions or concerns about medical insurance requirements.

Those who fail to comply with these requirements will not be permitted to enter the country.

DEPARTURE TAX : Your airline ticket(s) may already include a departure tax of $29 USD per person, as it is required when leaving Costa Rica. We suggest checking with your airline carrier to confirm. If it is not, this departure tax must be paid in cash when you arrive at the airport, prior to checking in for your flight. Please make sure to have $29 USD per person in cash with you prior to arriving at the airport.

COVID FAQs effective Nov. 19, 2021

RETURNING TO US FROM COSTA RICA- https://cr.usembassy.gov/20211027-travel-alert/

Event: New CDC requirements beginning November 8, 2021, that all airline passengers traveling to the United States must show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19, in addition to existing requirement of a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days prior to flight.  Unvaccinated U.S. citizens or Legal Permanent Residents (LPRs) must obtain a negative COVID-19 test one day prior to their flight to the United States.  PLEASE READ ENTIRE MESSAGE.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)  has announced a new Order for all air passengers traveling to the United States.  Effective November 8, 2021, U.S. citizens and LPRs who are not fully vaccinated will need to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within one (1) day before their flight departure. U.S citizens and LPRs who are fully vaccinated will need to present airlines with proof of vaccination and of a negative COVID-19 test taken within three (3) days before their flight.  Both nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs), such as a PCR test, and antigen tests qualify.  This is the same standard for qualifying tests that has applied to the pre-departure testing requirement since January 2021.  Please see the CDC website for more information on being fully vaccinated.

All children between the ages of 2 and 17 are required to take a pre-departure COVID-19 test.  If a child is not fully vaccinated and traveling with a fully vaccinated adult, they can show proof of a negative viral test from a sample taken within three days before departure (consistent with the timeline for fully vaccinated adults).  If an unvaccinated child is traveling alone or with unvaccinated adults, they will have to show proof of a negative viral test from a sample taken within one day of departure.  While children under 2 years of age are exempt from the testing requirement, CDC recommends a pre-departure test for these children whenever possible.

Also, effective November 8, 2021, all nonimmigrant, non-citizen air travelers to the United States will be required to be fully vaccinated and to provide proof of vaccination status prior to boarding an airplane to the United States.  The current requirement of proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within three (3) days before a flight will remain in place.

GROUND TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS

Option 1 – Personalized Transportation: We have arranged with COSTA RICA DMC, our selected tour company in Costa Rica, to provide CME Science conference attendees with transportation to/from either airport. If you would like to reserve this personalized group ground transportation, please contact, Karla at sales.coordinator@costaricadmc.com. They offer private and non-private transportation options.

Please note: If you are flying to/from the Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), you will need to overnight there due to the long drive between the airport and resort.

Arrivals: Upon arrival and after clearing immigration, baggage claim and customs, please look for Costa Rica DMC, travel staff holding a sign with Your Full Name and a red balloon. Then you will be directed to your pre-assigned private transportation for the Hotel transfer.

Option #2 – Rental Car: You do not need advance reservations however, it is suggested due to limited availability during peak travel seasons. Alamo, Budget, Enterprise and National are at the terminal. AVIS Car rental is located at the hotel. CME Science has secured discounts with the following car rental companies: Avis: 1-800-331-1600 Reference this course and use AWD code: J906925. Book online HERE; Budget: 1-800-842-5628 Reference the course and use BCD code: U011183.  Book online HERE; Enterprise and National: 1-800-RENT-A-CAR Reference the course and use code: L23J799.

Parking – Self a parking is complimentary; valet parking is $10.00/day

Know before You Go! – Costa Rica – Land of Tico & Pura Vida…Costa Rica is a crossroad, located between the Pacific and the Caribbean, Nicaragua, and Panama and between continents on the Central American isthmus. It is a convergence of lifestyles, wildlife, culture, pastimes and a promising future. Gourmet coffee plantations and rainforests flank an inland range active and dormant volcanoes whose slopes descend over miles to the rainforest lowlands to the east and west, endless savannah to the not fringed with beaches from border to border.

Costa Ricans who often call themselves “Ticos,” are generally fun to mingle with, quick to smile and many times go to great lengths to help out foreigners get the best of their vacation time, as you will hear them say… the country is Pura Vida!

Wildlife at its best! Over 25% of its territory is still virgin forest, laws provide waterways, beaches and mountains permanent protection. Costa Rica is the world’s most famous ecotourism destination.

Entry Requirements: Most foreigners, including U.S. and Canadian citizens and most Europeans need only to present a valid passport that will have 6 month validity. Costa Rica requires visas from a few countries, however, so check with the closest embassy.

Spring-like weather all year-round. Unlike temperate zones, Costa Rica has 2 seasons a Green Season from June to November and the Gold Season from December to May. Temperatures are dictated more by elevation and location than by season, ranging from tropical on the coastal plains to temperate in the interior highlands. Typically, mornings are sunny, with light showers in the afternoon during the Green Season, rain is rare during the Gold Season.

What to bring:

• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Waterproof Jacket
• Insect Repellent
• Swimsuit
• Camera
• Pants
• Shorts
• Walking Closed Shoes
• Binoculars (optional)
• Beach/ hand Bag

General Information

Time Zone: Central Standard Time all year round, Costa Rica does NOT observe daylight saving.

Languages Spoken: Spanish is the official language, while English is widely spoken throughout the country.

Currency: monetary exchange is in Colones, but the American dollar is widely accepted. The rate of exchange is controlled by the Central Bank.

Electrical System: standard electricity in Costa Rica is the same as in the United States and Canada: 110 volts AC (60 cycles) and outlets are the same.

Name of the President: the actual President started office in May 2018; his name is Mr. Carlos Alvarado, a Sussex University Master Degree in Political Sciences & Development. Our First Lady is Claudia Dobles is an Architect & Urban Planner.

Water: tap water in Costa Rica is generally considered safe to drink; however, water quality varies widely outside of major cities. To ensure a comfortable trip, only bottled water should be consumed.

Phone Network: international mobile service is efficient and Costa Rica, make sure you activate the roaming service with your supplier. Internet service is widespread throughout the country. Wi-Fi wireless services are offered in every resort.

Credit Cards: most global credit cards are accepted throughout the country, your photo ID will be required in most transactions.

Travelers Checks: are not accepted in commercial establishments, neither banks.

Tipping: a 10% tip will automatically be added to your restaurant bill. You should check your bill carefully, especially before paying an extra tip. Tour guides and drivers expect tips.

Taxes: a 13% VAT tax is tacked on to hotel, restaurant and most service-industry bills.

Attire: visitors should wear clothing designed for tropical countries, made of cotton recommended for outdoor adventures and horseback riding. A light jacket is recommended for long bus rides or visiting volcanoes, as temperatures can drop as low as 50°F.

Hospitals: In San Jose 3 private hospitals and 4 public national hospitals within 30 minutes from the San Jose International Airport. There are 2 private clinic hospitals and 1 public national hospital within 30 minutes from the Liberia International Airport.

• Use contemporary imaging techniques and protocols to accurately diagnose, stage and manage diseases
• Outline MR protocols and techniques in musculoskeletal imaging for improved clinical diagnosis of diseases
• Describe the imaging anatomy and protocols that are necessary to arrive at a diagnosis of cardiac diseases
• Develop differential diagnosis that relates to the pertinent imaging and clinically relevant findings for each of the cases covered in this course
• Outline the fundamentals of the latest advanced techniques in MRI, CT, ultrasound, and interventional imaging including their current roles and limitations in clinical practice
• Integrate information presented in this course into efforts to improve the imaging skills of the participants

Physician Continuing Medical Education

The Postgraduate Institute for Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 18 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest

Postgraduate Institute for Medicine (PIM) requires instructors, planners, managers, and other individuals who are in a position to control the content of this activity to disclose any real or apparent conflict of interest (COI) they may have as related to the content of this activity. All identified COI are thoroughly vetted and resolved according to PIM policy. PIM is committed to providing its learners with high quality activities and related materials that promote improvements or quality in healthcare and not a specific proprietary business interest of a commercial interest.

Technologists: This course is pending approval for up to 16.0 ARRT Category A CE credits for those technologists attending the entire course.

CME Certificate Copies

How to Claim your CME Certificate instruction video on www.cmeuniversity.com

More questions about the course?
Please contact CME Science at
info@cmescience.com or 855-383-7116 or 650-440-4424