Costa Rica is the perfect destination for any kind of traveler, whether you are with family, alone or on honeymoon. Our goal here is to provide a condensed guide that you can print and take with you to use for reference.
Country Information
Costa Rica is in Central America north of Panama and south of Nicaragua. The Pacific Ocean borders the country to the west and the Caribbean to the east.
In Costa Rica the friendly citizens are called Tico’s and Tica’s. They are very hospitable and similar to North Americans in their thought process, and welcome in travelers and investors alike.
The highest literacy rate found in Latin America is in Costa Rica. Even the democratic government is stable and strong as 95% of the population participates in the voting process every four years when elections are held. Since 1946 there has been no military force in Costa Rica and at least 27% of the budget is spent on health care. Costa Rica is truly considered to be the “Latin American success story,” as there is no civil unrest.
The country itself has six active volcanoes, and about 110 volcanic craters. Let’s not forget the incredible mountain ranges that span the central portion of the country and the secluded beaches surrounded by rainforest filled with wildlife.
The temperature in Costa Rica can vary with elevation. There is some humidity at sea level, meaning mosquitoes are a part of life in the rain forest but are not such a problem as they are in parts of Florida. This could be due to the natural predators maintaining an ecological balance.
Costa Rica experiences a wet, or “green” season from May until November. Sunshine is still present during this season as it appears for an average of at least five hours a day, with only light showers at night. Hotels and other tour operations offer “green season” discounts, so be sure to look into that. The northwestern portion of Costa Rica is the best “green” season destination as there is less rainfall.
General Information
Entry requirements: depending on your country of origin entry requirements might be different. A valid passport is all that is required when traveling as a US, Canadian or British citizen. When traveling in this manner a ninety day stay is all that you can do, but can be extended by ninety days through a travel agent.
Vaccinations are not required for malaria and other diseases
The water in most areas in Costa Rica is clean, and safe to drink. Exceptions to this would be found in some coastal areas, where bottled water is recommended due to taste considerations.
Some of the best fruit in the world can also be found in Costa Rica! I highly suggest eating anything and everything that you can find.
Driving on the other hand can be quite the adventure. Stop signs are treated more like yield signs and potholes can be huge and even dangerous. If renting a car, make sure to consider the following:
? Do not leave valuables in the car.
? Rental agencies look for any trace of dents and dings
? Roads are narrow and guard rails are usually not present
? Did I mention POTHOLES
Electricity is similar to that in the US, but is not grounded, so make sure to bring an adapter as a three prong plug will not work without one.
English is spoken in popular tourist areas and major metropolitan areas. I would only suggest bringing someone along with you when renting a car that can speak a little Spanish. For the most part however, communication is quite easy.
Medical Facilities are easy to use and are throughout most of the country. In remote areas however there are only clinics to address minor issues with few English speaking staff members. In San Jose though there are excellent medical facilities with many English speaking physicians. If you have health concerns while traveling speak with your hotel proprietor to choose the best medical facility while there.
Emergency Service similar to that in the US, it is available by dialing 911.
Holidays are meant to be celebrated in Costa Rica, so if you are traveling around Easter or Christmas, it can seem as the whole town has shut down, and will stay shut down as they are celebrated for over a week.
Traveler Safety while crime exists in any society, Costa Rica is a relatively safe place to bring your family and even travel alone. What is seen is some property theft and pick pocketing. I’d highly suggest leaving your Rolex at home.
? Do not keep your wallet in your back pocket. Keep it in your front pocket.
? Do not place valuables in backpacks slung over your shoulder.
? Many places are perfectly safe to walk at night. Others are not. Ask a local.
Watch out for rip tides! Riptides are narrow and can take you far out to shore. If you get caught in one, do not panic! Swim parallel to the shore for a short distance until you can no longer feel the pull. The important thing to remember is to stay calm as salt water is easy to float in.
Sharks can be dangerous and are prevalent in certain areas of the Pacific and the Caribbean Oceans. While it’s always wise to be aware of your surroundings sharks are mostly a concern for fishermen and surfers. Always look into the area where you plan to swim.
Sunscreen is important, and meant to be used liberally as Costa Rica is just north of the Equator. Also make sure to drink a lot of liquids if out in the sun.
Taxi’s make sure to set a price before traveling to your destination as many unofficial taxi’s ply their services in the country, and do not employ a meter. If they are using a meter, it is not as necessary, but always watch where you’re going so as not to end up in circles.
Transportation to and from the airport is usually provided when staying at a hotel, resort or bed and breakfast. It is also a nice way to compare prices to taking taxis.
Beaches are not all the same in Costa Rica. Each one has a something different to offer. Some are great for surfing but not great for small children. Most beaches have amenities close by and beautiful scenery to admire. Other beaches can offer privacy and secluded splendor, but have fewer amenities. Make sure to plan carefully when deciding on a beach.
The beach options are too numerous to even mention here. Please consider looking at our beaches page for information about some of the best beaches. For surfing we have a surfing page highlighting the best spots to catch a wave.
Volcanoes
Volcanoes are so abundant in Costa Rica that it can often times look more like the moon than Central America.
If you want to see an exciting active volcano, then make sure to check out Arenal. The Tabacon hot springs is another beautiful area not to be missed when looking for relaxation and romance. Poas volcano is San Jose in the Central Valley and provides an incredible view of one of the world’s largest volcanic lakes! It is an easy hike compared to some other places but has no facility for food or drink, so pack a lunch!
A more challenging hike is the Rincon de la Vieja, in northwestern Costa Rica. It is a compound volcano, with more than one composite volcano all aligned on a ridge. It has nine eruptive crates, bubbling mud pits and volcanic geysers. As this is a more difficult hike, park rangers are on hand to keep people from getting lost.
Rain Forests
The biggest attraction of Costa Rica is all the incredible rain forests! All kinds of creatures abound in this lush environment creating a feast for your eyes as you can spot birds, flora and fauna, monkeys, sloth’s and much more. Each region is a little different, offering slightly different plants and animals in each one. You can stay in luxurious accommodations or primitive and exotic. Make sure to take your time and chose an area that best suits your traveling interests.
One of the most popular parks in Costa Rica is Manuel Antonio. It is located in the Central Pacific and offers great accommodations with great activities, rain forests, waterfalls and beaches.
Monteverde Cloud Forest is a wonderland of nature. Located near the Arenal volcano about 3 1/2 hours from San Jose this misty forest is a great place to see birds, monkey's and other wildlife in a well tended easily hiked park.
Corcovado National Park is lowland rain forest and is home to a large population of scarlet macaws. The park features well designed trails, camping, and plenty of ranger stations. The hiking is strenuous, pack your own food and get back to nature in the southern Pacific portion of Costa Rica.
Cahuita National Park provides flat easily hiked trails, and plenty of wildlife in thick lowland forest. White face and howler monkey's are your companions here. Generally rustic accommodations and fewer amenities are characteristic on the Caribbean coastal areas.
Final Thoughts
Do not miss out on an incredible trip! Visit Costa Rica and use this information to help guide your much deserved vacation. Our goal is to provide useful information so that you can enjoy your trip to the fullest!
