Three main factors determine the best way to access funds while traveling in Costa Rica. Security Economy Convenience The most convenient and economical way to carry and spend money would be to just stop by your bank at home, get $5,000.00 in U.S. cash and stick it in your pocket. … [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.
Will My Phone Work?
Five years ago the answer to the question - will my phone work in Costa Rica? - was just a simple no. A couple of years ago the addition of new networks in Costa Rica and changes to phones in the U.S. meant the answer changed "yes it will probably work." Now the big question is "how much will … [Read more...]
How Much Does Costa Rica Cost?
A week of vacation in Costa Rica costs between $750 and $1,250 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...]
Public Drinking is Illegal
Don't cross that line. As long as you stay on the patio you're fine but if you step off into the public sand you could be facing a fine of almost $400. Looking forward to relaxing with a beer on the beach? A few years ago Costa Rica passed legislation making it illegal to drink in public … [Read more...]
Unpacking List
There are a few things that you should make a point of leaving at home. Copies of your documents - Minimally a Xerox or digital photo of your passport, drivers license, credit cards, airline tickets, and any reservations that you've prepaid. Having someone fax or e-mail these things to you in a … [Read more...]
Eating Cheap?
Supermarkets, Produce Stands and Local Mercados Buying food in stores is cheaper than going to restaurants but it's still relatively expensive in Costa Rica. Comparing the untouristed rural area where we work in Costa Rica with our hometown in Colorado, shopping in the local produce markets, … [Read more...]
Budgeting with Children
We often talk to families who are surprised that other than the bar tab the cost for Mom & Dad plus a 16, 13, 11 and 9 year old to travel will most likely be about the same as three adult couples. Airfare, Transfers & Rental Cars On airplanes anyone older than one year may require a seat … [Read more...]
First Aid Kit for Travelers in Costa Rica
Anyone on a Costa Rica vacation should have ready access to a minimum first aid kit containing the items listed below. You might also want to look over the contents of the advanced kit to see if anything there sounds like a good idea-especially if you are going on a particularly active or … [Read more...]
Help
Feeling a bit overwhelmed trying to get started on that dream vacation to Costa Rica? Here are step-by-step instructions to save you time and frustration planning a Costa Rica vacation for yourself, your family or group. 1. Get ¡Pura Vida! ... you're not required to have a relaxed … [Read more...]
Dollars Accepted – Changing Money in Costa Rica
Travelers frequently ask if they need to go to the bank in the U.S. to get Costa Rican colones (the local currency) before traveling. Not only is it quite unlikely that any U.S. bank would have so much as a single colón to exchange but if they order them the commission is very high. The airport … [Read more...]
Money-Currency in Costa Rica
The new banknotes are so attractive they even made Time Magazines "most beautiful" list. Costa Rica's currency, the colón (colones plural) currently exchanges at around ¢580 per US dollar (Exchange Made Easy). Until September of 2006 the currency devalued against the dollar consistently for … [Read more...]
Departure Tax (Exit Tax)
NOTE: There's a lot of old information on the internet but by the end of 2018, most airlines (see list) are including the tax in the price of newly issued tickets so you probably don't have to worry about it. The "new" system including the tax in tickets has been "phasing in" since way back in … [Read more...]
DEET Alternatives
The Buzzz on Mosquito Repellents Finally! There’s an alternative to DEET that actually works. Picaridin was developed by the German pharmaceutical giant Bayer in the eighties, has been used in Europe for years and was recently approved by the EPA as an insect repellent. It is marketed in the … [Read more...]
Potential Health Problems
Your ultimate medical resource must be your physician. We have provided some general information, and daily updates by qualified medical professionals are available on the WHO and CDC web sites. Volcanic Ash Back in March of 2015 Turrialba volcano west of San José began intermittent significant … [Read more...]
Discount Travel Websites
Expedia, Orbitz, Travelocity, Priceline and dozens of others offer wily travelers savings of up to 60% in the U.S., but do they deliver in Costa Rica? Not so much-and here’s why 1) Limited participation – Corporate chains have entire departments who do nothing but manage discount site relations. … [Read more...]
On Your Own
How to Plan a Trip to Costa Rica On Your Own The easiest way to travel independently in Costa Rica is to pick a beach resort, go there and relax. Second easiest is to rent an SUV, grab a guidebook and wing it, finding places to stay as you go. If you're not comfortable with that much … [Read more...]
Who CAN You Trust?
Who should you take advice from when planning travel? Your mom? TripAdvisor? Costa Rica Guide? Fodor’s Guidebooks? The guy who cleans your pool? It can be confusing so we’ve provided some advice and insight that might help. Better Business Bureau Since its founding over a hundred years ago the … [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. Camping is not necessarily a great way to travel around tourist destinations Costa Rica. Twenty years ago, camping was … [Read more...]
Cell Phone Coverage
If you haven't already you'll want to determine if your phone will work at all in Costa Rica. Cell phone signals in Costa Rica are a bit like the wildlife, you never know what you're going to get until you get there and it could be there one minute and gone the next. One of our favorite spots … [Read more...]
Bribery
It's not common, but it does happen. In ten thousand kilometers of driving I've been pulled over twice — once "legitimately" and once fraudulently. Neither stop ended with mordida (a bribe) or a ticket but it was suggested. Bribery, Mordida, Chorizo - The Bite The first stop was on the Pan … [Read more...]