On Oct 30 the ICT (Costa Rican Tourism Board) posted an infographic, "COVID Travel FAQ" with some answers about how the January 8, 2022 vaccination mandate will work. Unfortunately, they sidestep some of the actual most frequently asked questions so our LFAQ (Least Frequently Answered Questions) … [Read more...]
Practical Information & Logistics
Once you know when and where you want to go and what you want to see and do it's time to get down to the nitty-gritty, make sure your budget can handle the trip, get your documents in order, find out if your phone will work (if you want it to), pack your bags, buy travel insurance and stash away the $29 bucks you may or may not need for the departure tax. This section includes all the logistical information we've accumulated over the decades.
Required Covid Vaccination for Costa Rica
NOTE: By presidential decree Costa Rican hotels, restaurants, adventure tours and other non-essential businesses have the option of requiring all guests 12 years and older show proof of vaccination or enforcing distancing and operating at 50% capacity starting Dec 1, 2021. Starting Jan 8, 2022 … [Read more...]
Covid Testing Requirements & Locations
UPDATE MAY 15, 2021 - SJO international airport finally joined LIR in offering one hour antigen testing. Reservations required (both airports available here). antigen test locations | insurance | electronic health pass | PCR test centers | planning/logistics assistance The U.S. announced as of … [Read more...]
Tipping Guidelines
how much to tip? | 23% or 10% | not customary? Tipping was not the cultural norm in Costa Rica until it was introduced from the U.S. in the '80s. What About the Service Tax Included in the Bill? When you go to your automobile mechanic you receive an itemized bill for parts and labor. … [Read more...]
Required Travel Insurance
NOTE: After a "transition period" from Dec 1, 2021 until Jan 7, 2022 hotels, businesses, restaurants, and tours will require proof of full vaccination...read more Vaccination is not a requirement to visit Costa Rica but if you want to do anything or go anywhere you'll need it NOTE: the insurance … [Read more...]
Electronic Health Pass – Pase de Salud
Update Dec 15, 2021 - If you are fully vaccinated you are no longer required to purchase travel insurance to visit Costa Rica but you must still fill out the "Pase de Salud" and include documentation that the last dose of approved (Moderna, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, or Johnson & Johnson) vaccine was … [Read more...]
Passports & Visas
NOTE: As always tourist visas are issued to most visitors (see list of automatic visa countries) upon arrival. However, since Dec 1 the length of stay indicated on the visa may be less than the previous automatic 90 days. Unvaccinated travelers will be permitted to stay for the number of days … [Read more...]
Packing List
Cool Fun Stuff | Full Annotated List | Simple Checklist | Unpacking List | 25lb Carry-On List Packing is a personal process. I've seen people arrive with nothing but baggy shorts, flip flops, a t-shirt and sunglasses. I've also seen travelers with two huge roller suitcases bulging with who knows … [Read more...]
Immunization Records
No immunizations are required for travelers entering Costa Rica from the U.S., Europe or Canada. You do not need an "immunity passport" (aka World Health Organization international certificate of vaccination). However, since November 0f 2020, each visitor must purchase approved Covid 19 insurance … [Read more...]
Airport Check In
NOTE: As of November 1, 2020 every visitor is required to purchase Covid insurance and fill out a health survey prior to arriving in Costa Rica. NOTE: As of January 26, 2021 any traveler boarding a flight to the U.S. from Costa Rica is required to show a negative virus test (details and … [Read more...]
Camping
Camping in Costa Rica is a great way to get to out of the way places, and experience the fascinating night and very early morning hours in the tropical forests. Costa Rica's Best Camp Sites boondocks | national parks | RV parks | backpacking | cabinas | glamping Tips for Tropical Camping in … [Read more...]
When Can We Travel to Costa Rica?
By far the most FAQ of all of the Frequently Asked Questions since March has been "¿When will Costa Rica reopen for international travel?" requirements to visit | best time to go | Covid perfect destination | health pass The Answer is "Now!" Costa Rica re-opened to travel from Europe, the UK … [Read more...]
Costa Rica Travel “After” the Pandemic
The number one question we get is... "when will Costa Rica open for travel?" ...the answer to "when?" depends on... "what will international travel be like when Costa Rica re-opens?" crazy idea | when? | outdoors! | crisis | immunity passports? | gone | prices The Ministry of Health's … [Read more...]
How Much Does Costa Rica Cost?
A week of vacation in Costa Rica costs between $850 and $1,450 for an average traveler in mid-priced hotels, lodges or rental houses and doing standard tours (assuming double occupancy). Beachfront accommodations and high dollar activities like deep sea fishing will quickly push the budget over … [Read more...]
Costa Rica Travel Budget & Cost Calculator
instant...no e-mail or credit card required It only takes a minute to estimate how much you'll spend and what you will get for your money. Enter your info and your travel budget reads out instantly at the bottom. other Costa Rica budget information save a million | kids | food | tour … [Read more...]
Save a Million
A million Colones is about $1,700 and it's possible for two people to save that much on a week long vacation in Costa Rica using the money saving ideas below... How to Save a Million Colones Traveling in Costa Rica...sensational title for some sensible advice Credit card car insurance … [Read more...]
Bribery
It's not common, but it does happen. In thousands of kilometers of driving I've been pulled over twice... three... four times — once "legitimately" and three times fraudulently. I haven't paid mordida (a bribe) or received a ticket in any of the stops. $1,800 parking ticket | corruption | the bite … [Read more...]
Rent-a-Car Cost Comparisons
As you can see from the rate quote comparisons below the cost for a full size SUV rental can vary from $55.59 per day from Alamo using Credit Card coverage, to $95.90 from the local company Vamos, and up to $207.92 per day with full insurance coverage. 50% off | compare prices | damages | … [Read more...]
Save Money Renting a Car in Costa Rica
Renting a vehicle in Costa Rica is surprisingly expensive for visitors used to north American or European rates. The roads are rough and hard on vehicles. The import duties, taxes and circulation fees all add to the cost of maintaining fleets. local | shop twice | don't rent | skip days | … [Read more...]
Useful Costa Rica Websites
A directory of sources for Costa Rica information - actually useful* not paid promotions birds | docs | embassy | gov | health | hike | maps | news | public works | transport | trivia | weather Finding anything useful in the tsunami of advertising and search engine optimization garbage returned by … [Read more...]