As we get closer to the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, here’s a look at some of the banks and public institutions which will be observing the holidays with closures and modified schedules.

Hospitals and Clinics

None of the major public or private hospitals and clinics have reported modified holiday schedules.

Instituto Nacional de Seguros (INS)

The offices of the INS will be closed from Friday, December 23rd until New Year’s Day. All their emergency services, including roadside assistance and accident investigation, will operate as usual.

Immigration and Border Control Services

The Immigration offices in La Uruca will open until noon on Wednesday, December 21st. They will reopen on Monday, January 2nd. The southern border control checkpoint in Paso Canoas will operate on a special schedule from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm on the following days: December 24th, 25th and 31st; as well as on January 1st. The northern border checkpoint in Peñas Blancas is expected to see heavy traffic, as more than 80,000 Nicaraguan nationals are expected to travel north to spend the holidays with their families.

Revisión Técnica Vehicular (RTV)

Walk-ins will not be allowed at any vehicle inspection sites starting on December 20th until January 2nd. Drivers are advised to call 905-788-0000 to make an appointment, or visit the RTV website.

Consejo de Seguridad Vial (COSEVI)

With most Ticos already on vacation and thousands of tourists arriving each day, the COSEVI has ordered the Transit Police to look for speeders and those who missed their RTV appointments at roadblocks around the country. Traffic tickers can be immediately appealed in person at the COSEVI offices, which will open from 7:00 am to 3:00 PM until December 23rd. The same hours will be observed on December 26th and 27th. COSEVI will close from December 28th until January 2nd.

Banco Nacional

The branch offices of Banco Nacional located in the Malls and Multiplazas will open from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm on Saturday, December 24th. All branches will close on Friday, December 30th, and will reopen on Monday, January 2nd.

Banco de Costa Rica

On Saturday, December 24th, BCR will open its branches in the Malls and Multiplazas until 4:00 pm. All branches will close on Friday, December 30th, and will reopen on Monday, January 2nd.

Banco Popular

On Saturday, December 24th, Banco Popular will open its branches in the Malls and Multiplazas until 3:00 pm. The rest of the branches will open until 11:30 am. On Friday, December 30th, the branches in the Greater Metropolitan Area of San José will be closed, but their branches elsewhere in the country will operate under normal hours.

In Case of Emergencies

It will be business as usual for Fuerza Pública, the Transit Police and the Red Cross during the holidays.

In case of serious emergencies, dial 911. To contact INS in case of traffic accidents, or for roadside assistance, dial 800-800-8000. The Transit Police can be reached at 800-8726-7486.