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Costa Rica stole my heart, locked it deep within its rainforests, and threw the key far into its Pacific…or was its Caribbean…waters. Lying between Nicaragua to the North and Panama to the east with coasts on both the Pacific and the Caribbean, Costa Rica is Central America’s most-visited country due to being linked with ecotourism and adventure travel, more than any other. The country’s green era began in 1970 when an effort was made to save what was left of the wilderness. Lawmakers founded a national park system that included 32 parks that cover about one-quarter of the country. In 1987, Costa Rica’s natural beauty was featured on the world stage when its President Oscar Arian Sanchez was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in ending the civil war within the Central American countries. Soon after, visitors began coming to Costa Rica and tourism quickly grew to become the country’s top revenue-producing industry.
The official language of Costa Rica is Spanish, with a distinctive national accent. In addition to Spanish, a creole-English language, Jamaican patio, French, Portuguese, German, and English can also be heard when really exploring the country.
The currency of Costa Rica is the Costa Rican colón, but the US dollar is accepted almost everywhere and is dispensed from most ATMs; carry colones for small towns, bus fares, and rural shops. Credit cards are, also, generally accepted.
U.S. citizens do not require an entry visa to Costa Rica; however, they must have a valid passport and a return ticket to exist Costa Rica within 90 days. U.S. passport must be valid for a minimum of one day from the day you enter Costa Rica.
Either international phone plans or a SIM card will work. Getting a prepaid SIM card in Costa Rica is very easy and not that expensive. We recommend getting a Costa Rica SIM card so you can have a local phone number and data which is very useful in case of emergencies. Wi-fi is readily available throughout Costa Rica. In many locations, including inside Costa Rica’s two international airports and surrounding some cities’ central parks, access to a wi-fi signal is free.
It is customary to tip. Guides – tip $5-$15 per person per day; tip the tour driver about half of what you tip the guide. Hotels – for bellhops and door porters tip $1-$5 per service; gratuity for housekeeping tip between $1-$2 per day in top-end hotels, less in budget places. Restaurants – typically the bill includes a 10% service charge, if not a small tip is appreciated. Taxis – only tip if a special service is provided.
ATMs are ubiquitous, generally dispensing colones and many dispensing US dollars as well. They are not easily found in rural and remote areas.
You do not need a power plug adapter in Costa Rica when living in the United States. In Costa Rica, the power plugs and sockets are of Type A and B, with a standard voltage of 120 V and a standard frequency of 60 Hz.
The best time to visit Costa Rica is from mid-December to April (the dry season). This peak tourist season boasts plenty of sunshine making it an ideal time for exploring rainforests and lounging on beaches.
Taxis are the most convenient way of getting around popular cities and towns. However, they can be difficult to hail during inclement weather. If you’re in a more remote destination, you should also plan to call a taxi ahead of time. City taxis are metered, charging approximately $2 as a base fare and $2 per mile. Starting at 10 p.m., taxis increase fares. Make sure the driver turns the meter on to ensure your fare is correct.
You’ll have the luxury of sightseeing on your terms if you hire a driver to shuttle you around. If you’re on a budget, consider hiring a shared shuttle. The shared shuttle will make fewer stops than a private one, but it’ll be more efficient than the public bus system. That said, the cost of having your own personal driver isn’t cheap. Expect to pay at least $100 per day.
Taking the bus is the cheapest way to get around Costa Rica. Buses are reliable and operate on scheduled timetables and set routes. But, there is one major drawback: Buses are slow. Although Costa Rica is small, getting from one end of the country to the other by bus will take several hours. The trip from San José to the Osa Peninsula on the South Pacific Coast takes roughly 9 hours while flying the distance will only take an hour.
In Costa Rica, there are some regular coastal services, and safety standards are generally good. Ferries cross the Golfo de Nicoya, connecting the central Pacific coast with the southern tip of the Península de Nicoya.
In Costa Rica, flight schedules change constantly and delays are frequent because of inclement weather. You should not arrange a domestic flight that makes a tight connection with an international flight. Domestic flights (excepting charter flights) originate and terminate in San José.
Food in Costa Rica is second only to the country’s beauty. Known for its use of fresh ingredients, like fruits and vegetables, the cuisine in Costa Rica is generally on the mild side. Exotic fruits grow locally in a tropical environment, so there is always something to make the food exciting. Meals in Costa Rica often contain both rice and black beans, or at least one or the other.
Gallo Pinto – a breakfast dish made of rice and beans. The cuisine itself has roots in both Costa Rican and Nicaraguan cultures and is typically referred to as just “pinto” by the locals.
Tamal – a Costa Rican tamal is not apples to apples with a Mexican tamale. While at first glance the fillings might look the same, there are a few huge differences in the preparation.
Arroz con Leche – a bowl of rice mixed with milk, based desert.
Sopa Negra (Black Bean Soup) – includes black beans, onion, bell peppers, cilantro, tomatoes, hard or soft boiled egg, and spices, along with optional Tabasco sauce.
Whether you want to live lavishly at an all-inclusive resort in Costa Rica or rough it in the scenic landscape of the tropical paradise, there are accommodations for every traveler’s taste and budget. Deciding where to stay during your visit to Costa Rica is one of the hardest issues when planning your trip. And more difficult is deciding among the hundreds of lodging options that Costa Rica offers you: Mountain Lodge, all-inclusive hotels, luxury options in the city, Mountain and beach, cozy cabins for a romantic outing or honeymoon.
The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is a Costa Rican reserve located along the Cordillera de Tilarán within the Puntarenas and Alajuela provinces. Named after the nearby town of Monteverde and founded in 1972, the Reserve consists of over 10,500 hectares of cloud forest.
Playas del Coco is one of the oldest beach communities in Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica. This region is also one of the fastest-growing areas of tourism in Costa Rica. It has long been a popular destination with both local Costa Ricans as well as visitors from other countries during the traditional holiday seasons.
The Poás Volcano is an active 2,708-metre stratovolcano in central Costa Rica and is located within Poas Volcano National Park. It has erupted 40 times since 1828, including April 2017 when visitors and residents were evacuated.
Considered by many to be one of the best beaches in Costa Rica, Playa Zancudo is a gorgeous black sand beach located around 20 km south of Golfito in the Puntarenas province. The perfect location for a relaxing holiday, Playa Zancudo offers backpackers, surfers, and families alike, a fantastic getaway to an area that is far from the hustle and bustle of Costa Rica’s other beaches.
Because it’s not nearly as popular as the Arenal Volcano, the Rincón de la Vieja Volcano, along with its namesake national park, is an underexplored gem. The park features challenging and rewarding hikes, sulfur hot springs, volcanic mud deposits, and the ubiquitous jungle waterfalls.
Although popular with Costa Ricans as a weekend and holiday destination, Playa Sámara is often overlooked by tourists. That may be because the town and its beach themselves are nothing special. But nearby you will find several of this coastline’s most stunning stretches of sand. Take the time to explore and enjoy such hidden gems as Playa Barrigona and Playa Carrillo.
Accommodation:
Hotel or Hostel (single): $14
Double-occupancy room: $29
Food
Meals for one day: $6.46
Tsunami Sushi dinner: $15
Dinner at Finca Exotica: $45
Pizza: $3.02
Lunch: $6.54 – $11
Smoothie: $2.45
Pasta for 1: $2.45
Transportation
Taxis, local buses, train: $3.36
Bike: $22
Bus: $2.26
Taxi from SJO: $21
Intercity: $5.65
Taxi: $6.54
Entertainment
Entrance tickets & shows: $7.06
Bike: $4.07-$8.15
Yoga: $10
Massage: $37
Surf lesson: $41
Tortuga island tour: $81
Dance class: $8.15
Tips & Handouts
Guides & service providers: $1.75
Alcohol
Drinks for one day: $3.02
Night at the bar: $22
Wine: $12
Water
Bottled water for one day: $0.86
Accommodation
Hotel or rental home (single): $38
Double-occupancy room: $75
Food
Meals for one day: $16
Tsunami Sushi dinner: $15
Dinner at Finca Exotica: $45
Pizza: $3.02
Lunch: $6.54 – $11
Smoothie: $2.45
Pasta for 1: $2.45
Transportation
Taxis or Car rental: $9.09
Bike: $22
Bus: $2.26
Taxi from SJO: $21
Intercity: $16
Taxi: $6.54
Entertainment
Entrance tickets & shows: $18
Bike: $4.07-$8.15
Yoga: $10
Massage: $37
Surf lesson: $41
Tortuga island tour: $81
Dance class: $8.15
Tips & Handouts
Guides & service providers: $5.26
Alcohol
Drinks for one day: $7.26
Night at the bar: $22
Wine: $12
Water
Bottled water for one day: $1.89
Accommodation
Resort or hotel (single): $102
Double-occupancy room: $204
Food
Meals for one day: $36
Tsunami Sushi dinner: $15
Dinner at Finca Exotica: $45
Pizza: $3.02
Lunch: $6.54 – $11
Smoothie: $2.45
Pasta for 1: $2.45
Transportation
Car Rentals or private driver: $26
Bike: $22
Bus: $2.26
Taxi from SJO: $21
Intercity: $49
Taxi: $6.54
Entertainment
Entrance tickets & shows: $44
Bike: $4.07-$8.15
Yoga: $10
Massage: $37
Surf lesson: $41
Tortuga island tour: $81
Dance class: $8.15
Tips & Handouts
Guides & service providers: $18
Alcohol
Drinks for one day: $16
Night at the bar: $22
Wine: $12
Water
Bottled water for one day: $3.26
When planning for your trip to Costa Rica, don’t forget about travel insurance! You never know what might happen and it’s better to be safe than sorry.
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