Tips For Trips
#1 Booking the right airport
One classic travel blunder to dodge when planning your trip to Costa Rica: make sure you’re flying to the right San Jose! It sounds silly, but it’s a common mix-up for visitors. When booking your flight, remember to look for SJO – that’s Costa Rica’s San Jose International Airport. Don’t accidentally end up in San Jose, California, unless you’re up for a completely different adventure. Triple-check your destination to save yourself from a pricey detour!
#2 Don’t Avoid Booking a Trip in the Rainy Season
Costa Rica is a country of microclimates (12 of them, in fact). Imagine this: it could be raining cats and dogs on one side of the country while the other side is basking in sunshine. One town might be overcast, while a nearby one enjoys sunny skies in the morning. Rain one moment, then hot and sunny the next – it’s like getting a 2-in-1 weather experience!
#3 Don’t Be Fooled by the Size of the Country
Costa Rica might look small on the map, but don’t let Google Maps fool you! What seems like an hour and a half drive can easily stretch to at least two hours, if not longer. Always give yourself extra driving time, especially during Semana Santa (Holy Week), high tourist season, or holidays. Everyone’s trying to escape to the beach!
And let’s not forget about the roads – they’re full of surprises like ongoing construction, landslides, potholes, and even slow-moving vehicles loaded with cows. So, just take your time and enjoy the scenery!
Lastly, don’t expect to see all of Costa Rica in a week – it’s impossible!
#4 Don’t wait for a better deal
Don’t just assume it’s only busy from December to Holy Week. Costa Rica is a hotspot even after April, as the green season brings nature into full bloom, making waterfalls and rivers flow beautifully.
Don’t make the mistake of waiting for a better deal because you might end up with no deal at all! Car rentals, especially, get booked up months in advance. So, plan ahead and secure your ride to avoid missing out on the adventure!
#5 Do Not Believe Everything You Read on Google Maps
Google Maps is great, but it might not be your best friend in Costa Rica, especially during the rainy season and off the main routes. Waze is a popular app here, so it’s a good idea to have it along with your downloaded offline map. You’ll be grateful when you hit heavy traffic or accidents.
It’s not uncommon to follow Google’s directions only to end up on a remote road, surrounded by trees, wondering if the water is too deep to cross. Trust me, it happens more often than you’d think!
#6 Tico time
One of the most important tips for foreigners: “Tico time” is no joke. Bring along a little patience, and it will go a long way toward having a good visit. Don’t take the word “ahora” literally when you’re in Costa Rica. “Ahora” may mean “now,” but not necessarily to those who use it.
Plans can change depending on the weather, from rains making certain activities dangerous to washing out roads. Embrace the flow of things here and have some backup ideas ready. It will teach you to slow down—you’ll have no choice!
#7 Use free apps for communicating
Google Translate can be a lifesaver in Costa Rica. It’s a great tool for navigating menus, especially when there’s no English version available. While some might not be ready to dive into a bowl of sopa de mondongo, knowing what you’re ordering can help!
English is common in some tourist areas, but even in big cities like San Jose, it’s not as prevalent. So, have an app ready to help you get by and avoid getting lost.
#8 Valuables
Even though the crime rate isn’t too bad in Costa Rica, DO NOT leave your valuables in the vehicle, especially when parking at tourist destinations or popular attractions. Even if you lock it, you could still lose it.
The same goes for valuables on the beach. Remember: better safe than sorry!
#9 Carry More Than One Form of Payment
Always have some cash on you, both colones and US dollars. Some places accept only cash, and it’s often better to use cash anyway. Parking attendants, roadside stands, and some food vendors are just a few examples. Don’t toss away those heavy coins either; they add up quickly and can be quite useful.
Pay in USD when things are quoted in USD, like tours, private/shared shuttles, and hotels. This is the best currency to use for these more expensive tourism-related expenses.
Tours are better paid for in US dollars rather than by credit card, as using a card may incur an extra 8% or 13% tax. Cash is usually tax-free in these cases.
Exchange money before you come to Costa Rica, as bank lines can be hours long. ATMs are available in both English and Spanish, and you can withdraw both Costa Rican currency and USD. It’s still cheaper than paying the extra tax with a card.
