Zika is the latest tropical mosquito borne virus to appear in America. While more closely related to West Nile virus the symptoms are like a mild case of dengue or chikungunya - usually a slight fever, headaches and sometime red eyes or mild joint pain. The disease is spread by day flying … [Read more...]
Travel
Practical travel information like transportation options, driving, safety, health, packing, lodging, holidays, festivals, money and much more. Includes a section on weather, seasons, crowds and pricing to help you decide the best time to visit
Vacation Rental Mistakes
Renting a house or condo can be a great way to get more family togetherness, settle in and get to know a region, and possibly save some money compared to resorts or eco-lodges...if you're aware of the potential pitfalls. Mistakes to Avoid When Renting a Vacation Home Location, Location, … [Read more...]
Rental Car & Driving Tips
Driving a rental car in Costa Rica has distinct advantages and disadvantages, but if you do get behind the wheel you'll be happier and safer if you heed the driving tips below. Slow down and be careful. You are in an unfamiliar environment, and the unexpected is the rule rather than the … [Read more...]
Seasons in Costa Rica
Note: contrary to predictions from the Costa Rican weather services that El Niño would delay or mitigate the onset, the 2019 rainy season is right on time and more intense than normal. Costa Rica's two seasons are the dry "summer" (verano) - January through April and rainy "winter" … [Read more...]
Costa Rica Weather
This is a lot of information about weather in Costa Rica. To skip the meteorological details go to "The Best Time to Visit" or "Make Your Own Accurate Forecast" or use the menu to read one of the other more generic posts in the weather category. If you really want to know about weather in … [Read more...]
Fast Food in Costa Rica
“Fast food” has been in Costa Rica for decades in the form of Pollo Frito which as the name implies will fry you part of a chicken and Sodas which offer quick traditional meals. The quality varies a lot. The soda El Río on the southern edge of La Fortuna near Arenal volcano has excellent, hot … [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...]
All Roads (and Flights, and Bus Routes) Lead to San José
San José is the capital of Costa Rica, the main population center, and located in the middle of the country surrounded by mountain ranges. The main roads radiate out from San José in a web and anywhere you go it sometimes seems you must return to San José to get anywhere else. You might … [Read more...]
Costa Rican Cuisine
Visitors to Costa Rica sometimes comment that the food isn’t very exciting. On the tourist trail, it is easy to get the impression that Tico cuisine is rather unimaginative and nondescript, in part due to the ubiquity of Gallo Pinto. Rice and black beans cooked together with barely a hint of onion, … [Read more...]
Chikungunya New Mosquito Threat
It spreads like Dengue and it feels like Dengue but it's a newly introduced mosquito borne viral disease from Africa called Chikungunya. The name is an African word with the ominous meaning "contorted with pain" The virus is spread when an infected individual travels to a previously unaffected … [Read more...]
Altitude Sickness in Costa Rica
A number of popular tourist destinations in Costa Rica are at high enough elevations that Acute Mountain Sickness and Altitude Sickness are a concern. Some are even high enough that potentially fatal High Altitude Pulmonary Edema and High Altitude Cerebral Edema are possible. There’s no … [Read more...]
Batido, Refresco, or Natural – Fruit in a Glass
The first time we leaned our bikes against the side of a typical soda twenty five years ago and saw the mystery phrase "batido - ¢80, con leche ¢100" followed by a list of what our phrasebook told us were mostly fruits - maracuya, piña (pineapple), papaya, guanábana, mango, cas, tamarindo, chan, … [Read more...]
Taxis in the City or Countryside
Taxis are a viable method of transportation in the countryside as well as in the cities and towns of Costa Rica. While they are expensive compared to public buses they are convenient and comparable in price to tourist van transfers or rental cars if you are traveling with two or more … [Read more...]
Costa Rican Gallo Pinto Recipe
No one who's ever visited Costa Rica is likely to forget gallo pinto, and those who haven't visited rarely understand how people can be so enamored of rice and beans. It's on every typical menu. Ticos look at you like you're a little crazy if you ask how to make it; sort of like if you asked a … [Read more...]
Costa Rican Tamale Recipe
Tamales are a traditional Tico Christmas specialty, but many tipico restaurants serve them year round for the tourists, and if you're a really good boy sometimes Christmas comes in July. We met Emilse and Joya at their home in Pital, and in the course of the small talk about what we liked about … [Read more...]
Organization for Tropical Studies Palo Verde Lodge
The Organization for Tropical Studies' main mission is to facilitate scientific research but they also provide unique and educational experiences for tourists who are interested in Costa Rican nature. In the heart of Palo Verde National Park the OTS lodge provides rustic (very clean, comfortable … [Read more...]
Ensalada Palmito Recipe (heart of palm salad)
Read the story of our introduction to Costa Rica and authentic typico ensalada palmito. The first day of our honeymoon, and the beginning of some of the best friendships we've had the privilege to enjoy over the past twenty two years. Ensalada Palmito Recipe (heart of palm salad) ½ of a palm … [Read more...]
Costa Rican Ceviche Recipe (Marinated Raw Seafood)
Sue and I are both sushi fans, so when we heard about ceviche we jumped at a chance to try it. Now it's our favorite boca by a long shot. You can't beat an ice cold beer (literally if you're in Guanacaste, because they traditionally serve it over cubes), a dish of ceviche, and a sunset over the … [Read more...]
Sopa Negra Recipe (Black Bean Soup Costa Rican Style)
Sopa Negra is what we always order at the bottom of the hill. When you're cycling the bottom of hills can be pretty chilly places even when it's 70 °F. Sweat soaks your clothes as you climb, then refrigerates you evaporatively when you coast down. A steaming bowl of black bean soup is perfect at … [Read more...]
Advantages of Driving in Costa Rica
(also see disadvantages) Convenience Outside of San José a private vehicle can be very convenient. In San José, you may find that parking and traffic jams make having a car more of a headache than it is worth. Versatility & Flexibility If the bed and breakfast you were planning on staying in … [Read more...]