(also see advantages) Cost As noted under advantages, a rental car can be budget friendly transportation. However with only one or two people, you'll pay more for the convenience. A four-wheel-drive sport utility vehicle isn't absolutely necessary, but there are many places you can't get without … [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
Real Estate Fraud & White Collar Crime in Costa Rica
Big scams involving real estate, investments, contract bribery, and banking are rampant in Costa Rica, but do not typically affect tourists. However if you’re thinking about moving there know that the U.S. department of State rated Costa Rica as one of the worst places in the world for protecting … [Read more...]
Costa Rican Vinagre Chilera Recipe
The only thing that appears on a Tico table more frequently than Salsa Lizano is Chilera (you'll have to ask for salt and pepper outside of tourist restaurants). Our friend Roman taught us how to make it over the course of few weeks at his coffee farm in San Francisco. This is my personal favorite … [Read more...]
What If You’re a Victim?
In reality most foreigners who are victims of crimes, fraud, scams or just plain bad service shrug it off and go home. Tell the Police If you’re the victim of a crime in Costa Rica you should report it to the local police. Even if there is nearly no chance of an arrest, conviction or recovery … [Read more...]
Sopa de Pejibaye Recipe (Palm Fruit Soup)
This dish may be more unique to Costa Rica than any other. Pejibaye's are not commonly eaten anywhere except in Costa Rica. 10-12 pejibayes 3 cups chicken stock 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil 3 cups milk 1 onion chopped 3 cloves garlic chopped or pressed 1 red, yellow or green sweet … [Read more...]
Arroz con Leche Recipe (Rice Pudding)
Costa Rican Style Arroz con Leche Recipe (Sweet Rice Pudding) 2 cups (470 ml) rice 4 cups (950 ml) milk 4 cups (950 ml) sugar 1 Tablespoon (15 ml) vanilla ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) ground cinnamon ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) ground cloves or 6 whole cloves ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) grated fresh nutmeg 4 oz (110 … [Read more...]
Justice in Costa Rica
Not so Much If you’re a criminal and considering relocation, Costa Rica is a very attractive destination. Residency laws are favorable, the standard of living is high and it’s unlikely you’ll be caught, less likely you’ll be prosecuted and almost impossible to be convicted. The rights of the … [Read more...]
Cordillera Talamanca
The Talamancas are a spectacular mountain range rising from sea level on the Caribbean to over 12,000 feet then dropping back down to the Valle General on the Pacific side. In 2012 I crossed the Talamancas from Puerto Viejo to the Pacific coast with some friends and indigenous guides for a 50th … [Read more...]
Caribbean
From Limón to Panama & over the Border to Bocas del Toro the southern Caribbean is one of the most unique areas of Costa Rica. Jamaicans brought in to work the banana plantations and build the railroad from the coast to the capital brought their culture and the English language to the … [Read more...]
Northern Lowlands
Northern Lowlands The Guanacaste and Central Volcanic mountain ranges give way to the northeast to rolling plains that rarely rise above a few hundred feet. The Frío, San Carlos, Toro and Sarapiquí rivers snake north across the lowlands overflowing their banks to form seasonal lakes and wetlands. … [Read more...]
Nicoya Peninsula
The Península de Nicoya is one of the most readily identifiable regions of Costa Rica jutting into the Pacific nearly doubling the coastline of the northern region. Swells arrive on the west facing shores after building over thousands of miles of nearly uninterrupted ocean creating a surfing … [Read more...]
Guanacaste
Guanacaste Beaches, Rainforests and Cowboys Guanacaste is the northernmost region of Costa Rica encompassing much of the border with Nicaragua and expresses its frontier character in everyday life as well as during celebrations. The hot relatively dry rolling hills that rise up from the … [Read more...]
Central Valley
The Central Valley is technically a very small area covered nearly completely by two million residents of the nation’s capitol and the metropolitan area. In practice the phrase is used to refer to the entire Meseta Central (Central Plateau) and the encircling slopes of the Tilarán, Central, … [Read more...]
Osa Peninsula
The Osa Peninsula is rugged and remote. The remoteness prevented wholesale clear cutting, cattle ranching and banana plantations long enough for the government to step in a few decades ago and create one of the finest National Parks in the world - Corcovado. The same isolation still means that … [Read more...]
Costa Rican Rental Car Insurance Explained (Sort Of)
Auto insurance in Costa Rica is a government monopoly of the INS (Instituto Nacional de Seguros). Liability insurance from the INS is mandated by law, but provides only minimal coverage. Rental agencies offer supplemental programs that cover deductibles and contingencies other than a simple traffic … [Read more...]
Extra Costs of Renting a Car in Costa Rica
The Internet Price May be $9.95 a Day But it Will Cost MUCH More The most common complaint on any travel forum for Costa Rica is travelers getting "ripped off" by rental car companies. Hidden charges are a major complaint everywhere in the world but in Costa Rica it has been raised to the … [Read more...]
Map of Costa Rica’s Airports
Note: Updated May 1, 2018 – Nature Air has been grounded since a fatal crash on December 31, 2017. General Directorate of Civil Aviation (DGAC) reinstated their permission to operate in February of 2018 but the airline did not resume operations. As of May 1, 2018 the DGAC has suspended Nature … [Read more...]
Okay to Break the Law
The normal flow of traffic in Costa Rica is often moving at around two to three times the speed limit which can make it extremely dangerous to abide by the law. If you slow down to 25 kph (15 mph) in the school zones on the Pan American Highway you may be rear ended by someone going 100. An even … [Read more...]
Tips for Travel on Domestic Airlines
Domestic flights can be a great way to see some of the more remote areas of Costa Rica. Distances are short, flights from San José are under an hour to anywhere, and prices can be as low as $40-70 one way which is very competitive with renting an SUV or riding in a tourist transport bus for a … [Read more...]
LIR Live Flight Updates
Daniel Oduber Liberia International Airport Costa Rica (LIR) Check the status of your flight. All times are local (Central American Standard Time). Most airlines require you to be at the airport at least three hours prior to your scheduled departure time and Costa Rican law requires you to pay … [Read more...]