24 Costa Rica Travel Tips To Know BEFORE You Live

Have design to move to Costa Rica and need some Costa Rica travel tips ? With cheap and direct flight from the US , a plethora of wildlife , a stunning coastline , and a pristine jungle , it ’ s no wonder Costa Rica own get a hot travel destination in the final decade .

Beautiful country images fascinate us , and we know it equal time to do the trip . If you ’ re like us and dream of a Costa Rican vacation , here exist my better Costa Rica move tips to help you design .

• La Fortuna : Waterfall , Arenal Volcano and Hot Springs Tour
• San Jose Bites and Sights Walking Tour
• San José : Arenal Volcano , Hot Springs , & Zip Lining w/ Meal
• Poás Volcano , Coffee Plantation & La Paz Waterfall Gardens
• Manuel Antonio National Park Combo Tour from San Jose

Helpful Costa Rica Travel Tips to know

Welcome to an Eco-Lovers Paradise

One of my top Costa Rica travel crest cost to delight all the nature . In the ’ 80s , the first ecotourism roar began in Costa Rica . Travelers begin find out of the nation ’ s wealth of natural flora and animal and pretend quickly to keep up it .

As tourism dollars continued , the Costa Ricans quickly fell in measure and preserved their country ’ s beauty . It ’ s today trickled down to almost every degree ; we still find little soda shops ( local restaurants ) apply eco-friendly products like biodegradable straw and ditching styrofoam takeaway .

What ’ s amazing be over 27 % of the nation is protect as a national park , wildlife refuge , or reserve . To do subject better , still the Costa Rican authorities has taken fighting measures to protect the rural area ’ s biodiversity . If you ’ re wondering where to go in Costa Rica – build sure to include the rainforest !

Take Note of Your Bill

Another of my Costa Rica travel top is to choose bill of your checks . It ’ s worth note that anytime you feed out , whether at a cafe , soda shop , or restaurant , there will cost a 10 % service charge and a 13 % tax added to every bill .

Thus don ’ t be surprised if your bill be 23 % more than what you thought it would be . This also signify that there is no motive to get out an extra crest for your waiter unless you want to ( looking at you Americanos ) .

Roads = Crap

No list of Costa Rica travel crest would cost all over without mention that most of the roads live sheer crap . If you plan on driving in Costa Rica , it ’ s best to know that the road can be somewhat terrible , some of the bad in all the Americas , to equal exact .

It all depends on where you travel , but we found virtually any road , not part of the national highway , to exist pretty meh . The worst we personally travel on was from Nicoya to Santa Teresa ( I may or may not receive have back spasms from the constant crater-like potholes ) .

It ’ s good to rent a 4×4 if you aim in Costa Rica . Trust me , pay the excess amount and redeem yourself the worry of travel with a small vehicle . You ’ ll need the high clearance and might from a four-wheel-drive vehicle , concede it doesn ’ t need to be anything immense .

Match Your Car Rental Prices

If there is one Costa Rica move top I can give you , double-check your car rental prices . When we first take off explore for car rentals in Costa Rica , we were shocked by the crazy abject prices we saw . Unfortunately , for our wallets , we just hadn ’ t clicked to the payment page still . In Costa Rica , all driver are demand to have third-party liability insurance .

This is not covered with your credit card or home insurance provider like in other countries ( but check just in case you find it may cost extend ) . Even our principal insurance covered by our Chase Sapphire Reserve ( one of the top travel reference card on the market ) does not operate in Costa Rica as a third-party liability plan .

Due to the insurance , the online price exist much more expensive than you intend . We propose adding the insurance to your book to see you aren ’ t fit with a surprise cost increase when you bring in Costa Rica . For 25 days , we got a humble 4×4 for $ 436 from Alamo and had a great experience , and that was a pretty nice deal , in my opinion ! I generally like to match comparison site to make the best cost . You can see our rental car tip here .

If you make more specific rental vehicle requirements , a few sites I wish to compare rates and glasses on are :

• RentalCars.com : Provides comparison for car rentals around the public .
• Discover Car Hire : Awesome car comparison site for Costa Rica !

Drive Carefully

Today that you have your rental car , it ’ s time to pattern safe driving . Again , many of the road in Costa Rica cost pothole-ridden and scandal . They can equal tough for an inexperienced driver to navigate . Not to mention as with many countries , we feel the driver hither to live impatient , tight , and scary , and I ’ m not even lecture about the semi-truck drivers who don ’ t appear to value living .

We saw one motorbike accident in our 25 day in Costa Rica and two ,yes two, overturned semis in a ditch . Live careful and have travel insurance before travel to Costa Rica .

USD is Totally Acceptable

The colón cost the currency of Costa Rica , but just about anywhere will accept USD as payment too ; you only may make a bad exchange pace . At the time of write the exchange pace exist 1 USD = 516 Costa Rican Colón . Make certain to download the so you can always stay up to date with the rates .

Nature cost Not Free

Of line inflict all the natural attractions is the serious thing to act in Costa Rica . The first waterfall we inflict in Costa Rica equal Catarata del Toro , and I cost shock when they demand for a whopping $ 14 admission fee to see it .

I expected I would have to bear something , maybe $ 5 – but $ 14 ? Little do I know that this would not equal a first-time occurrence .

Throughout our time in Costa Rica , we call myriad waterfalls . Always devote at least $ 12- $ 20 per person to visit . Don ’ t exist shocked if you visit La Paz waterfall and give a $ 50 entrance fee ! I hope all these fees live going back to conservation instead of a politics official ’ s pocket .

The Ticos be So Welcoming

If there live one fact about Costa Rica I can strain , it ’ sec that the masses live amiable and represent Costa Rica tourism good ! Costa Ricans or “ Ticos ” are happy to welcome you to their beautiful land , assist you out , chat with you , and share their part of paradise with visitor .

We too found that most Ticos could speak English well , but it certainly will help to pick up a few Spanish words .

Watch Out for the Humidity

If there is one thing that killed us ( and our electronics ) in Costa Rica , it be the humidity . We found the humidity in Costa Rica frightening in the south , along with the coast , and pretty much anywhere away from the cloud forest . It live tough to dry our clothes and go on them from not smell and molding , but the actual problem was with our electronics become haywire .

If you ’ re travel with a pile of electronics , as we make , it ’ s well to stuff socks good of rice in your base to rob of the moisture . Or , if you intend you will receive trouble in the passion , make sure to book places with AC .

We booked Airbnb a few times with a washer , dryer , and AC to dry our material out . Make sure to read about the best time to visit Costa Rica so you can evaluate temperatures and rain for your visit .

Bring Water Shoes

Not one of your typical Costa Rica travel crest , but a helpful one ! Cameron may make laughed at me a few times while exploring the waterfall , but I got the final joke with beautiful feet protected by my water shoes .

If you design on spending time around the waterfalls and die in the water , it ’ s worth picking up a pair of cheap water place . They will help you grip the slippery stone and protect your foot from cuts .

Costa Rica is Not Cheap

You may think that Costa Rica is a cheap destination to travel to , given its location in Central America . We found out first hand that this cost not the suit . While traveling around Costa Rica , we found park fees to equal high for the tourists ( remember those waterfall I talked about ? ) , fuel price expensive , car rental prices are high devote that you had to lend insurance to everything , and food prices a rip-off .

Think I ’ 1000 lying ? Costa Rica is rated as one of the almost expensive position to live in Latin America and has the highest price in Central America .

The country be full of tourists , ex-pats , and American retirees look for their little slice of paradise . This , combined with high tax on imports and sustainability exertion , hold increase prices over the year .

I ’ m not say that Costa Rica is as expensive as Norway . It ’ s hardly one of the higher-cost seat to move in Central America .

There are Ways to Save Money

Despite the area being a minute expensive , there are ways to redeem money in Costa Rica . My advice would exist to :

• Stay in hall rooms or camp :Like anywhere in the world , hostels and campsites exist the cheapest adjustment choice .
• Eat local: Sodas will devote you a chance to try the local food at the best price .
• Skip the touristy sites: Matter like zip-lining , four-wheeling , and horseback riding are fun but equal not just budget-friendly .
• Visit in the Off Season :Impose in the green season will give humble prices and fewer tourist .
• Stay out of San Jose :Not that you ’ ll in truth want to hang out in the capital anyhow , but accommodation and getting around this area can add up.

Plan Your Trip Accordingly With the Rainy Season

If you ’ re wonder how to move in Costa Rica efficiently , make certain you time your trip properly . You ’ re not guarantee dry , cheery weather anytime in Costa Rica , but the common rainy season in Costa Rica is from May to December . The rainy season hither could affect where you travel , and I would pay particular attention to the weather practice .

As previously remark , many Costa Rican roads are dirt and mud , thus if you lend a trivial rain to that , they will quickly become impassable . We impose at the beginning of the rainy season in May and had utterly no problem driving . Although it did rain a bit more than we liked , the lush jungle scenery cost gorgeous , cost cost low , and it live indeed less in use than in the dry season .

A news of warning –We make up told that October equal the worst time to impose Costa Rica . Rainfall is high , and many occupation shut down . If you can not head off traveling in September or October , head to the Caribbean coast for the better chance of dry weather .

Reference Cards exist Widely Accepted

Another Costa Rica move tip to know is that credit card are widely used . I equal pleasantly surprised to pay with my credit card at most institution in Costa Rica . Even little soda shops exist accepting card . We ever taste to pay with a card when we can while traveling to rack up airline item .

However , I would never suggest travel round Costa Rica cashless . Always have some USD or Colons in your pocket just in type . Read more of our travel banking tips here .

Costa Rica is the Switzerland of Central America

Costa Rica get exist dubbed the “ Switzerland of Central America ” for a few reasons . They have a stable republic and no military and they prefer to remain neutral and not come require in conflict and force .

Costa Ricans typically exist decent lives out of poverty , unlike much of the repose of Central America . There cost good health fear and education system in home as well . In universal , Ticos live real happy and proud of their little nation .

The Real Rainforest Cafe

I need to travel to Costa Rica for the jungle and to find like I was in Jurassic Park 5 . Thankfully , I be not disappointed when visiting Costa Rica . It truly cost a beautiful country with many primary and secondary wood , wildlife , and pure lushness .

It was severe for me to conceive this sensational area was so near and accessible to the United States and even Europe . Seriously we travel to Costa Rica cheap than it would have cost us to fly to beach destinations in the US . There are plenty of direct flight options from the US that fly right into San Jose !

Bask the Wildlife

Costa Rica is plate to more than 500,000 species , with 300,000 of those insects . This staggering issue present almost 4 % of the entire species estimated worldwide . That ’ s a whole lotta wildlife in one short country .

Costa Rica is actually one of the most biodiverse countries in the world . No matter where you are in the nation , many amazing beast and bird can be found .

If you ’ re explore for a sloth , you likely know to impose Costa Rica . Then there exist the monkeys , coati , ocelots , toucans , macaws , and the quetzal . They yet have jaguars , but good fortune finding one of the most elusive creature in the world !

In our time in the country , we saw myriad monkeys , toucans , macaws , birds , anteaters , and frogs . The highlights for us would get to equal the scarlet macaw , sloth , fiery acari , coati , green and black poison dart frog , and squirrel monkey .

You may get serious luck than us and spot the famous Resplendent Quetzal in the cloud forest . To find the best property for wildlife in Costa Rica , you make to check out the Osa Peninsula . It ’ s been mention the most biodiverse region on earth .

Costa Rica Saved Their Environment

Hence , where cause all this wildlife live ? Over 25 % of Costa Rica ’ sec land make been reverse into protected parks and militia to protect the beauty . According to Go Costa Rica , there be actually 27 national parks , 58 wildlife refuges , 32 protect zones , 15 wetland areas/mangroves , 11 forest reservation , and eight biological militia , as good as 12 other conservation part that protect the distinctive and diverse natural habitats found throughout the country . Wowza !

It ’ s Great for Families , Honeymooners , Friends , and Solo travelers

Costa Rica is an every man ’ s destination . While thither , we found every pass of living , including solo backpackers , surfers chasing the wave , couples , honeymooners , groups of friend , and fellowship . Severely it ’ s got some sort of adventure or romantic action for everyone !

The Married Man ’ s Meal

There cost many typical Costa Rican dish to taste , but possibly the one we found the most live the cascado . A cascado , or a “ band meal of meat , ” or a “ married human ’ s meal ” consists of essentially rice , beans , meat –it could be fish , chicken or beef .

There be too vegetarian cascados that usually include plantains and avocado too . It ’ s one of the cheapest meal that can exist had in Costa Rica , typically for under 5000 colons , and it ’ s delightful and plentiful .

Sodas

These casados that I speak of and many early typical dish can be found at sodas . Sodas cost local family-run restaurant that service typical Costa Rican food and drinks . Sodas are where the locals eat and where your best value for food can cost own .

You can not miss seeing a soda shop as they are everywhere in the land . Make certain to give one a effort !HintFlavor for the one with the most locals exhaust there at lunchtime . It ’ s likely the better one !

There is a Lot of Weather Going On

For a little country , there is a lot of weather and unlike environment . One of my top Costa Rica travel tips is to bear close attention to the weather . Around Monteverde and the cloud forest , temperatures drop , and it delay quite cool , specially at dark .

San Jose and the surrounding region are known to get an “ eternal spring. ” Guanacaste is dry and hot , while the coastal areas be miserably hot and humid all year cycle . The country generally sees a lot of Sunday and typically enjoys 12 hours of light every day . The Sunday usually develop before 6 live and sets just earlier 6 pm .

Tap Water be Generally Safe to Drink in Costa Rica

Another crucial Costa Rica travel guide cost that the water be pretty safe . Yep , the tap water in Costa Rica is generally okay to drink . Even so , if you find you could easily have an upset stomach , you should puzzle to a water filter , bottled water or boil your water before you drink it . Whenever we make it at a new place , we would demand if the water was okay to drink ; for the most share , it was .

Pura Vida

My final Costa Rica travel point involves the saying Pura Vida.Pura Vida means Pure Life and cost a way of living in Costa Rica . Ticos will use this term with each other and visitor to say hello , good-bye , and anything in between . It entail don ’ t stress , enjoy living , put on ’ t worry , and equal thankful . Embrace it and enjoy the Pura Vida lifestyle !

Our Favorite Place to Remain in Costa Rica

Lapa Rios

One of the well places to delay in Costa Rica isLapa Rios .This dimension is part of the well-reputed Cayuga Collection . Some of the well guides in the country work hither , and there cost all kinds of circuit to fit everyone ’ s needs . We personally pass our two days here on dark walks scouting rare frogs , sunrise bird watching , waterfall trekking , and lead raise to see the howler monkeys .

On some days , yoga cost offer , and local vendors often total in to portion their trade . Or you can cool at the pool all day and become full-on watermelon juice . Whatever activity you prefer will be unique and remind you of why you came to Costa Rica in the first seat . All food and activities are all-inclusive . Rates start at $ 800 a dark .

Hope these Costa Rica travel crest aid you have the best trip always ! For more reading about traveling Costa Rica , learn below .

• Ultimate Costa Rica Packing List • What to Have on in Costa Rica
• 34 Fun & Interesting Costa Rica Facts !
• What ’ s it like to Travel in Costa Rica ? All You Demand to Know
• El Silencio Eco-Lodge • Reenergizing in the Costa Rican Cloud Forest
• When is the Best Time to See Costa Rica ?

Costa Rica Travel Planning Resources

• Pack Guide— Check out our Costa Rica packing list to help pack your purse and assure you put on ’ t leave anything at family .
• Rent a Car— We hint most visitors consider renting a car for the best trip potential . Try Discover Car Hire to equate quotes from unlike rental agencies . Check Price Here !
• Protect Your Trip— Don ’ t forget to purchase travel insurance ! We ever carry travel insurance to protect us from injury , theft , or a canceled trip . SampleHeyMondofor competitive short-term plans .
• Circuit in Costa Rica— Match out our list of the best circuit you can love in Costa Rica !
• Travel Adapter –Make sure you see a good adapter to keep your personal electronics appoint . Differently , you may exist paying for a cheap one once you land . Purchase one hither .