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. The answer is no. It's unlikely that any U.S. or other foreign bank would have so much as a single Colón in the vault and commissions on special orders are … [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.
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...]
DEET Alternatives – The Buzzz on Mosquito Repellents
Finally! There are natural alternatives to DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide) that actually work. "supernatural" | lemon eucalyptus | picaridin | field test | useless | clothing Lemon Eucalyptus Oil Lemon Eucalyptus Oil (para-menthane-3,8-diol) is an excellent option if you can stand the … [Read more...]
Currency Exchange Credit Card Rip-Off Scheme
It’s called convenience exchange, dynamic currency conversion or many other names and defended by businesses as a “practice instituted for the convenience of our valued customers.” We call it a rip-off. The concept is that travelers are most comfortable paying for purchases in their home … [Read more...]
Costa Rica Questions People Also Ask
In recent years Google has been attempting to shortcut the world wide web by posting "People also ask" lists of frequently asked questions with their "machine learning omniscient artificial intelligence selected best answers" directly on search results pages so you don't have to waste time visiting … [Read more...]
First Things First – as soon as you get off the plane
There are a few things we always do upon arrival. We're usually traveling for a couple of months so some of these may not apply to you. Everyone's first stop is immigration for the required document inspection and passport stamp. Next Stop Duty Free You are allowed to purchase duty free … [Read more...]
Camera Tips & Packing List
You'll never see tougher lighting or composition challenges than those you'll face in Costa Rica. skip down to the photography packing list The interior of the rain forest is about as bright as a big room with one forty watt bulb hanging from a high ceiling. In the age of digital cameras the … [Read more...]
Finding (Usable) Public Restrooms
It used to be very difficult indeed to find a public restroom in Costa Rica. 25 years ago your best bet was a bar where you'd likely find only a gent's and it was often nothing more than an outside wall with a drain hole at one end. The advent of fast food restaurants, modern supermarkets and … [Read more...]
Volunteer Opportunities in Costa Rica
Expectations of volunteers and the organizations needing help are sometimes quite different and high quality gratifying volunteer opportunities can be difficult to find. Below are some projects we recommend based on personal visits, previous volunteer's experiences, and established history of … [Read more...]
The Costa Rica Bathroom Experience
No we don't have some kind of weird fetish but Costa Rican restrooms have enough unique attributes that it's worth a word or two of warning for first time visitors. The Great Outdoors You never know so look before you go. Outdoor bathrooms come in many shapes and sizes and in some of the … [Read more...]
“Good” & “Bad” Exchange Rates
Essentially everything in the Costa Rica Costa Rican tourism sector is for all practical purposes priced in U.S. Dollars. The Colón to Dollar exchange rate has very little impact on costs for visitors. Unless travelers get quite a ways off the beaten path the cost of most hotels, lodges, … [Read more...]
Travel Insurance
No Coverage = No Refunds, No Exchanges & No Credits Use it or lose it. It's a standard policy for airfare, cruise reservations, and tickets to events like concerts. For international travel "use it or lose it" frequently extends to ground transportation, activities, tours and lodging which is … [Read more...]
How to Find an Address
Addresses, directions and navigation in Costa Rica are simultaneously methodically logical and maddeningly chaotic. Addresses by The Method... The method is a rectilinear roadway grid with north south calles (streets) and east west avenidas (avenues). Calles count up by odd numbers from the … [Read more...]
Sixaola Panama Border Run
Costa Rica Departure Tax The $7 departure tax when leaving Costa Rica by land is considerably less than the $29 exit tax charged if you are departing by air. It can be just as painful however. Theoretically paying the departure tax should be a breeze at machines similar to ATMs … [Read more...]
Tipping Guidelines
Tipping was not the cultural norm in Costa Rica until it was introduced from the U.S. a couple of decades ago. A service "tax" of 10% was added to restaurant bills but it was not dependent on the quality of the service and was not considered a tip. More like when you go to your automobile … [Read more...]
The Ant Dance
There's wildlife everywhere in Costa Rica and not all of it is your friend If you're standing watching a pair of toucans hopping though the treetops and suddenly you feel a sharp burning pain on your feet, ankles or calves you're probably standing in an ant hill. Tip to Avoid Multiple Painful … [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...]