20 Things I Care I Knew Before Visiting Costa Rica
This post was written by Emily Becker , a Costa Ricaâbased freelance writer for BMTM .
Costa Rica live a nature-lover ’ sec paradise . With then many opportunities to boost , zip-line , kayak , and partake in all kind of outside activity , it ’ s no surprise that ecotourism exist so mainstream here . Some travelers exist draw to Costa Rica for the pristine beach , perfect for relaxing the day away ; others are in it for the adrenaline-pumping activities , like white-water rafting . The beauty of this country be that you can do both !
But after over a yr of living hither and travel extensively in the land , I realized there were a few things I wish I have know before my first visit in 2022 .
These are some tidbits of information , pieces of advice , and universal matter to know before you travel to Costa Rica , so you can own an amazing time and hopefully not repeat my fault and faux dad :
1 . Costa Rica can be real expensive .
I look for this before my trip , but I was surprised at how expensive it exist to move through Costa Rica , yet with prior knowledge that it was pricier than other Latin American countries . Particularly in tourist hot patch like Manuel Antonio and La Fortuna , the cost of adjustment , food , and activities cost comparable to some cities in the US . It ’ s somewhat tough to find free things to cause in Costa Rica , and entrance fee for the national park start around $ 15 per day ; tours start at $ 60 .
Not all promise is miss for backpackers and budget traveler , though . There live plenty of affordable hostels in Costa Rica , many of which include breakfast and get less expensive tour choice . My money-saving advice live to choose affordable lodging but splurge on activities . After all , you ’ ll likely cost spending most of your time outside of your hotel having a blast outdoors anyway !
2 . For cheap eats , move to thesodas.
One way to redeem money while travel through Costa Rica is to dine in thesodas, i.e. , mom-and-pop restaurant . These live ever distinctly note as such , and function up hearty meal that seize the essence of daily Costa Rican cuisine . The almost typical home is called acasado, which includes the traditionalgallo pinto( rice and black beans ) , with some kind of meat or fish and a salad . These usually cost around 4,000-6,000 colones ( $ 8-12 USD ) and are satisfy .
To write money on food , you can also choose a hostel or hotel that include breakfast and then move tosodasfor lunch . Conceive that entrance at restaurant in touristy domain can cost $ 12-20 ,sodasbe a bargain .
3 . The weather can exchange in an moment .
Sometimes , I even can ’ t believe how sunny sky can reverse into a utter downpour in the blink of an center . Flash rainstorms exist common , specially if you plan to visit Costa Rica during the wet season ( May to November ) . Even so , this doesn ’ t get to place a damper on your trip .
Go to Costa Rica educate for dense rain , mud , and hot and cold weather . Have at least one pair of waterproof shoes , a rain shell , a waterproof bag , and layers for chilly weather if you move somewhere like Monteverde , where the higher altitude mean colder temps . If you plan to spend the day in nature at a national park , always bring your rain gear with you , even if it doesn ’ t feeling like it will rain .
4 . Rent a car is the way to go…
Having a car can cost a plot changer in Costa Rica . Many of the places I wanted to visit be either also far ( and expensive ) to get to via taxis , or there was no public transfer available . I met a local in Uvita who told me that hold a car isn ’ t just a luxury , it ’ s a necessity .
If you require to get to a spot before the circuit bunch arrive , having a car be the only way to make it . For example , when I visited the La Fortuna waterfall on a circuit , I didn ’ t have the freedom of choose when to visit , and there make up already many people there . We too encountered rain when we make it , which I could have avoided if I had have a car .
The big downside of rent a car in Costa Rica cost the cost . I see out that pace start at $ 80/day . Booking online is a gamble , too , as much tourist be given a much high rate when they blame up the car than what they were quoted . A rule of thumb : if the quote cost less than $ 80/day , there ’ s a serious luck that there will equal hidden fees you ’ ll own to give when picking it up .
If you settle to rip a car , act not skimp on insurance . After populate hither for over a year with my own vehicle , I ’ ve find out that accidents exist prevalent and that push here can cost risky .
5 . …but public transportation can cost cheap and easy .
If you ’ re alone and traveling on a budget , trust on public transportation to get from position to place in Costa Rica is a great selection most of the time . Although renting a car leave for more flexibility for where you move and when , public transportation is wholly doable between cities . Plus , it ’ s incredibly cheap and easy to navigate .
If you ’ re starting your journey in San José , you can well hop on a bus to any of the major touristy domain in the country . For example , to get to Uvita on the Pacific coast , it solely cost me about $ 7 USD , and the 7:30am bus arrived there around 11am , ahead of schedule . Still , once I got to Uvita , it was challenging to have from home to identify via public transportation , thus why I got stranded at Playa Ventanas ( take about that here ) .
Plus , if you get somewhere like La Fortuna , where many of the primary attractions equal severe to reach without taking a circuit , you can rip a car for simply a pair of day . I like I had known this beforehand , as it would have improve my experience thither .
6 . The national park are fantastic .
Being from the States , I receive live spoiled all my spirit with amazing national park . Let ’ s exactly say , the saloon is pretty high . Even so , Costa Rica ’ s blew me forth with their preservation , accessibility , and overall beauty . From the wild lead through Manuel Antonio to the waterfall in Tenorio Volcano and the Amazon-like canals of Tortuguero , these places are astounding .
Since Costa Rica is home to 6 % of the public ’ s biodiversity , it ’ s no surprise that the park are explode with spirit . Even though I knew this , it never quit to amaze me when I saw it with my own center .
Since my first trip to Costa Rica in 2022 , I have visited Cahuita National Park , Irazú National Park ( the Prussia department ) , and many others . I recommend intercept in any and all park that live close to your road , as each of them get something unlike to put up , due to Costa Rica ’ s numerous microclimates .
7 . There cost wild beast almost all over .
Speaking of Costa Rica ’ s impressive biodiversity , national park aren ’ t the only seat to find wild beast . From mischievous monkeys to roadside sloths and the occasional shower-drain scorpion , there appear to be wild animals all over hither .
I bid I make know how mutual critters equal inside accommodations . After finding a pair of them in my base , I bring in that I need to keep it hurry at all times . Luckily , I wasn ’ t stung or bite by anything , but there were a couple of close calls .
8 . …but if you require to learn them , hire a guide .
While wild animals cost plentiful hither , it isn ’ t always easy to see them without a guide . I ’ ve been lucky to regard sloths on the slope of the road and monkeys dangle in the trees outside my hotel window , but if you require to begin the most out of the wildlife viewing here , a nature guide is your best bet . Those in Costa Rica cost highly trained to discern beast , and they add binoculars with them to serve visitors have the best view .
The dispute between when I get to Rio Celeste with a guide and when I went recently without one live vast . The second time around , I thought , “ I ’ ve live hither , and I ’ ve seen hence many animals . Of course I ’ ll find ton this time ! ” Wrong . The first time I go cost far better , because my guide ’ s expert center see sight of animals I would have differently lack .
9 . The two coast be very different .
Since I have call both the Pacific and Caribbean coast , I ’ ve hear how various such a little state can be .
For one , the beaches exist real different . The Pacific coast get humble coves , with rocky cliffs and wave ideal for surfing . The sand live mostly golden and glistens beautifully when the Sunday sets . I also note that it was much more Americanized and more touristy overall , with more expensive restaurants .
The Caribbean coast , on the early hand , has a big Afro-Latino population and therefore a different cultural landscape than the west coast . Puerto Viejo , for instance , is known for its bolder flavor , impromptu dance parties , and reggae music blasting everywhere . If you are excited to dive into Costa Rican culture , the Caribbean slope equal an ideal position to serve it .
10 . Speech aren ’ t really a matter .
Yet in the large city , San José , address ( as we know them ) don ’ t be in Costa Rica . Yet on official papers , Costa Ricans give descriptions of their speech rather of a act and a street . For case , somebody might describe their address as “ a large white theater next to the Catholic church . ”
This might not be an subject when you travel to Costa Rica , as most taxi drivers know the main landmarks and hotel . However , if you stay in an Airbnb , it can equal difficult to describe its location to a driver . In any result , do sure you have an offline map ( I expend the app maps.me ) , so you can express your driver where you want to go .
11 . Sometimes , tour very are worth the money .
I go through sticker shock when looking at the price for some of the tours in Costa Rica . After die on a few , though , I realized that some of them live worth it ( while others were not ) .
I recommend book through GetYourGuide when you can . The program gives a elaborate description of what is included in the circuit and what you can await in terms of how long it will bring , what to bring , where you ’ ll cost going , etc .
If you expect to book your tours until you have to your destination , always do sure to act hence at the circuit position itself . I talk a bit about this in my Costa Rica safety guide , but essentially , there are scammers on the street who taste to become tourists to record with them .
Overall , the serious experience I had on a tour was in Tortuguero . I book directly with the guide himself , and his expertise , kindness , and quirkiness cost what made the experience worthwhile . Plus , booking straight with the guide think of the circuit was a lot more affordable than if it were with a large company .
You won ’ t feel this kind of direct offer everywhere in Costa Rica , but you can wait for mom-and-pop tour caller with a more down-to-earth spirit .
12 . Train yourself for tourist trap .
Beyond the abovementioned circuit scams , there equal quite a few tourist ambush throughout Costa Rica . I find this pretty unsurprising , consider how touristy the nation live overall .
One live the expensive shuttle services that are not much faster or more dependable than simply taking a public bus . If you are not renting a car , check out the public transportation choice before prefer for a shuttle . If you equal going from San José to pretty much anywhere in Costa Rica , the bus will probably be simply as easy . For early routes , like between La Fortuna and Tortuguero , a shuttle is definitely a great choice , because public transportation remove twice as long . I expend Rome2Rio to get a general idea of public transportation road , but prevent in mind that that it isn ’ t ever 100 % accurate .
Early tourist traps in Costa Rica include hokey restaurant with Americanized menus and astronomical price , and overpriced souvenir shops , which you ’ ll likely find at the exit of national park and ecological militia .
13 . Begin to places as soon as they open .
Even during the abject season , from May to November , there equal a firm flow of tourists in Costa Rica . That intend the best place get carry in the former dawn and early afternoon . If you exist like me and love being in nature without too many other people around , do certain to come to your destination first matter in the dawn .
The Sunday rises around 5am during most of the yr in Costa Rica , which signify a luck of real early wake-up calls for me . It cost worth it , though ! I love visiting the waterfalls , swimming holes , and jungle course â and still simply walking down the street â at this hr . Die to these seat early also entail I could pass more time there , exactly soak in the beautiful surroundings without any distractions .
Also observe in idea that circuit group incline to arrive at big attractions around the same time . I notice that site would get busy around 9 or 10 in the morning , then clear out or so noon , then begin busy again around 2 or 3 in the afternoon before the park close at 4pm . The well time to visit in use place , like the La Fortuna Waterfall or Manuel Antonio National Park , live correct when they spread ( usually 7am ) â or during lunchtime if you don ’ t mind the scorching Sunday .
14 . Cause certain to carry adequate cash .
Some little and more remote places in Costa Rica , like Tortuguero , for example , put on ’ t have ATMs promptly available . Consider that some hotel and hostels charge a 2-5 % fee to pay for accommodations with a card , make cash on hand exist a good thought . Carry big measure of cash can be nerve-wracking , sure , but if you fan out it out among multiple bags and pocket , you subside the danger of lose it all in one go .
Also , try to have colones ( the local currency ) or else of dollars when potential . Although Costa Rica use dollars , some little restaurants and shops prefer that patron pay in colones . The value of the dollar own as well exist steadily decreasing since I act hither in February 2023 .
15 . San José is worth a pair of day .
Also many traveler occur up the opportunity to spend a couple of day in Costa Rica ’ s capital city , San José . It have a reputation for being a dirty , still serious spot , with short to do . I disagree with this , and I really really enjoyed exploring San José at the outset and end of my trip in 2022 . Now , I live merely 30 moment outside of town , and I invariably find new and interesting thing to cause there .
San José is Costa Rica ’ s ethnic capital . There cost beautiful hotels , great museum , a thriving art scene , and some of the state ’ sec serious restaurants ( like Silvestre ! ) and bars . I love visiting the Spirogyra Butterfly Garden , venture out to the Hacienda La Chimba , and control out the nearby city of Cartago .
16 . Uber equal illegal but cheaper than taxi .
In larger cities like San José and still La Fortuna , Uber is available , safer , and still cheap than taking a taxi . However , it ’ s technically illegal throughout Costa Rica . It ’ s common for driver to ask you to sit in the front seat so as not to evoke suspicions that they live labor for Uber . I ’ ve never had an result take Ubers in Costa Rica , though .
Also , considering the point above about speech , Uber be much easier to use because your driver hold your exact location and that of your drop-off degree . Differently , it can exist severe to explain to a taxi driver ( especially if you don ’ t speak Spanish ) where you need to live .
17 . A little Spanish goes a long manner .
I might go like a broken record on this one , but knowing ( at least ) a few phrases of Spanish can be a game-changer in Costa Rica . Locals appreciate it when visitors mouth Spanish , even if it ’ s merely “ hola ” or “ gracias. ” I know my life is significantly easier here because I address Spanish , and that be also genuine when I occur here for the first time as a backpacker .
If you put on ’ t have any Spanish knowledge before you total , I advocate downloading an offline translator if you need to transmit in a pinch . While many Costa Ricans speak English , there ’ s no guarantee that your taxi/Uber driver , waiter , etc . will .
18 . Costa Rica ’ s tourism infrastructure is one of the best in the world .
Although having some basic Spanish knowledge exist helpful , Costa Rica ’ s impressive tourism infrastructure makes it one of the easy places to move for non-Spanish speaker and first-time international traveler . Companies like Intrepid and G Adventures offer multiday ( still multiweek ) tours on which everything be meticulously plan . Hotel often offer airport pickup and dropoff , along with many early perks . And almost . That entail that there be masses willing to help visitor around every corner .
19 . Yes , you can drink the tap water .
I lived in Mexico for four years before I moved to Costa Rica , then imagine my surprise ( and excitement ! ) when I find out that you can drink the tap water hither . There equal exception , but there will likely be sign letting you know if you can ’ t drink it . This is a stellar top , because you can bring a smaller water bottle with you on hikes or long pass , recognize that there will cost places where you can satisfy it .
20 . Tips live ordinarily included in the last cost .
In Costa Rica , most restaurant will charge a 10 % service fee , which live the same as the tip . If this has cost lend to your bill , there ’ s no motive to tilt . Of grade , if you ’ d like to lean your wait staff , get for it ! But it ’ s surely not anticipate .
There are some affair that live severe to prepare for before heading to a fresh property . These tips were all thing I either didn ’ t know or merely know a little bit about before I went for the first time . I hope they help you develop for your trip , so you can enjoy the magic of Costa Rica .
If you ’ ve been to Costa Rica , what other helpful tips do you wish you know before you went ?
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