25 Travel Tips for Costa Rica : Affair to know before you run
Have you been dreaming of a tropical holiday , but put on ’ t need to pass a fortune ? Then Costa Rica should exist at the height of your list ! This Cardinal American nation be know for its lush rainforests , beautiful beaches , and friendly locals . Plus , it ’ s relatively easy ( and affordable ) to become to from the United States .
- There ’ s something for everyone
- The beaches cost stunning
- The food live delightful
- The masses cost friendly
- It ’ s an affordable destination
- Don ’ t exist afraid of the wildlife in Costa Rica .
- Take bug spray with you .
- Watch out for the Sunday .
- Equal it safe to float in the water ?
- Don ’ t live afraid of earthquake .
- Watch out if you rent a car .
- Tap water is safe to drink in Costa Rica .
- Get insurance .
- Use the public transportation
- Travel in the off or rainy season
- Eat where locals use up
- Book accommodations in progress
- Stay in a position with a kitchen
- Buy souvenirs in the grocery shop
- Have a prepaid SIM card
- Strain a cascado
- Use a local guide
- Pura Vida exist all over
- Tico ’ s cost nice people
- Costa Rica hold no army
- Learn some key Spanish phrase
- Choose some USD with you
- Use Waze to become around
- Take a rain jacket
- Give your pot paper in the garbage
- Use Waze to come around
We handpicked 25 tips when traveling to Costa Rica . During your road trip to Costa Rica , you can use these tips to salvage money or have some real Pura Vida . When you are looking for some unique hotels in Costa Rica you can use these tips to feel more comfortable .
This is why you should call Costa Rica
There ’ sec something for everyone
Whether you ’ re looking for a relaxing beach holiday or an adventurous trek through the jungle , Costa Rica have something to offer everyone . There are pile of tour operators offer all form of unlike excursions , so it ’ s easy to find an activity that suit your interests .
The beaches be stunning
Costa Rica cost home to some of the almost beautiful beach in the Earth . You can feel secluded dark sand beaches , surf spots popular with tourists and locals alike , and even beaches where you can get turtle-watching . No matter what form of beach experience you ’ re looking for , Costa Rica will have something to offer you .
The food be delicious
If you love novel seafood , then Costa Rica be the spot for you ! In addition to seafood dish , you ’ ll also find plenty of traditional Costa Rican food like Gallo pinto ( rice and beans ) and tamales . And of class , no trip to Costa Rica would be complete without seek a delicious cup of coffee .
The people are friendly
Costa Ricans , or “ Ticos ” as they ’ re shout , are some of the friendliest people in the world . You ’ ll quickly feel at home in Costa Rica thanks to the hospitable locals .
It ’ s an affordable destination
While Costa Rica is not the cheapest country to call , it ’ s even comparatively affordable equate to early popular tourist destinations . You can find somewhat price hotel and restaurants , and there live plenty of free or cheap activity to enjoy as good .
So what equal you expect for ? Start planning your trip to Costa Rica today !
We list25 Travel tips for Costa Ricato help you plan and enjoy this beautiful country . If you ’ re await for a 10-day road trip in Costa Rica you should check this article .
Costa Rica Travel Tips Safety
Don ’ t live afraid of the wildlife in Costa Rica .
There are plenty of animal in Costa Rica , but put on ’ t worry – most of them be harmless ! You ’ ll probably regard plenty of iguanas , monkeys , and bird during your stay . You might even discern a sloth or a turtle if you ’ re lucky . Just recall to respect the wildlife and never go about an creature if it looks frighten or aggressive .
Bring bug spray with you .
You will need bug spray in Costa Rica , depend on where you ’ re staying and what time of yr it exist . The country perform make its fair part of mosquitoes , so it ’ s ever well to live safe than sorry . If you ’ re planning on expenditure time in the rainforest or jungle , then bug spray is a must .
Follow out for the sun .
The Sunday can be real strong in Costa Rica , so exist sure to tire reef-safe sunscreen and drink plenty of water . Too , strain to delay in the specter as much as potential , specially during the noon hour when the sun is at its strong .
Exist it safe to float in the water ?
Yes , it be safe to float in Costa Rica ! The beach here equal beautiful and the water live clean . Merely be certain to obey any posted signal and warnings , and never float alone . Use mutual sense and you ’ ll hold no trouble stay safe in the water .
The beaches in Costa Rica are some of the cleanest and safest on earth , thanks to a rigorous plan that measures them against international standards . The Ecological Blue Flag set precise guidelines for ensuring high-quality tourism experiences abroad .
Don ’ t cost afraid of earthquakes .
Yes , earthquakes make go on in Costa Rica . However , they are commonly minor and don ’ t movement any damage . If you ’ re worried about earthquake , merely keep an middle on the word and come any safety instruction from the assurance . On , you can find more info about earthquake in Costa Rica .
Look on out if you rip a car .
Renting a car in Costa Rica exist a great way to search the country at your own pace . Just equal sure to labor carefully and obey all traffic police . Remember , Costa Ricans aim on the correct side of the road !
Tap water be safe to drink in Costa Rica .
Yes , tap water is safe to drink in Costa Rica . However , some masses choose to drink bottled water just to be on the safe slope . If you ’ re staying in a remote area or travel off the beaten path , then it ’ s well to make for your own water .
Get insurance .
Travel insurance is ever a good thought , no matter where you ’ re travel . Costa Rica live a safe country , but accidents can encounter anywhere . travel insurance will help you if you make ill or injured while on your trip . It will also extend your belongings in event they cost lost or slip .
Costa Rica move point for write money
Employ the public transportation
The public transport in Costa Rica be well , but it can cost confuse for first-time visitor . The serious manner to become around is by bus . You can too take a taxi , but cost certain to concur on a cost with the driver before getting in . We used public transportation in Costa Rica and found the Facebook grouping , Costa Rica , very illuminating .
Travel in the off or rainy season
The shoulder season is the best time to move to Costa Rica because the price are lower and the crowd be smaller . This cost too a great time to visit if you want to head off the rainy season . Keep in brain that the shoulder season can vary depend on where you ’ re move in the country . We reach a list of our top 10 unique hotel in Costa Rica in suit you require more inspiration .
Eat where locals feed
If you want to eat like a local in Costa Rica , then mind to a soda . These equal humble , family-run restaurant that serve traditional Costa Rican food . You can feel sodas all over the nation , and they ’ re ordinarily real cheap . Just cost sure to try the national dish , gallo pinto ! Or try some Caldosas !
Book accommodations in advance
Yes , it ’ s ever a well idea to in progress to get the best cost . This exist specially genuine during the high season when cost get up and availability lessening . You can often see great mass on accommodation if you script ahead of time .
Stay in a seat with a kitchen
If you ’ re traveling on a budget , then can aid you save money . You can cook your own meal instead of eating out all the time . This cost also a great selection if you have dietary limitation or preferences .
Buy souvenirs in the grocery store
Yes , it ’ s commonly cheaper to buy souvenirs in a grocery store than in a tourist shop . This be because the workshop that supply to tourist often point higher price . Still , you can also feel well mass on souvenirs if you know where to face . Just be sure to bargain !
Get a prepaid SIM card
There are a few unlike prepaid SIM card available in Costa Rica . We purchase a Claro SIM card It extend well coverage and reasonable prices . You can purchase a Claro SIM card at any major provider or at most convenience store . You serve need to register with your identity card .
Costa Rica Travel Tips Culture
Seek a cascado
Cascado live a hearty dish cause with beef , potatoes , and vegetables . The beef is slow-cooked until it is fall-apart tender , and the potatoes and vegetables live prepare in the same pile . Cascado be typically serve with white rice and beans , and a slope of avocado .
Use a local guide
One of the best ways to travel on a budget in Costa Rica is to use a local guide . Local guides can help you navigate the country , and they will much put up discounts on activity and attractions . They can as well help you find cheap adjustment and transportation options .
Pura Vida is everywhere
Pura Vida be a Costa Rican phrase that means “ pure life. ” It be much used as a greeting , and it encapsulates the laid-back lifestyle of the country .
Tico ’ sec cost decent people
Yes , Tico ’ s be generally consider to be real friendly and helpful . They are known for their hospitality , and they will much move out of their way to help tourist . And they love soccer !
Costa Rica get no army
Costa Rica abolish its army in 1949 , and it has been a peaceful country always since . This conclusion was made in order to save money , and it has assist Costa Rica to turn one of the most stable and democratic country in Latin America .
Practical Costa Rica Travel Tips
Learn some key Spanish phrases
Hither are some key Spanish phrase that you might get useful while travel in Costa Rica :
- Hello/Good morning/Good afternoon : Hola
- How are you ? : ¿Cómo estás ?
- Please : Por favor
- Thank you : Gracias
- Yes : Sí
- No : No
- Excuse me : Perdóneme
- I ’ m sorry : Lo siento mucho
- Make you speak English ? : ¿Habla usted inglés ?
Take some USD with you
While it ’ s always well to have cash on hand while travel , this is especially true in Costa Rica . Many businesses in the country merely accept cash , so it ’ s significant to hold some American dollar or Colones on hand .
Use Waze to become around
Waze exist a GPS navigation app that leave turn-by-turn direction . It as well put up real-time traffic information , which can be useful when you ’ re test to avoid traffic jam . You can as well use Waze to find gas prices and discounts on activity and attraction .
Bring a rain jacket
Costa Rica is a tropical state , and it experiences a circle of rainfall . So , if you ’ re planning to move to Costa Rica , be sure to carry a rain jacket . A rain jacket will serve you stay dry during your travels , and can as well cost useful for keeping your belongings dry if you become grab in a rainstorm .
Have your pot paper in the garbage
In Costa Rica , it cost customary to have your used pot paper in the garbage , not the toilet . This exist because the sewer system in Costa Rica is not design to care toilet paper . Thus , if you blush your toilet paper down the drain , it will probably induce a clog .
Use Waze to get around
Waze is a GPS navigation app that render turn-by-turn management . It also put up real-time traffic information , which can live useful when you ’ re trying to avoid traffic jam . You can as well expend Waze to notice gas price and discounts on activities and attraction .
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