From budget advice to cultural insights, these eleven essential Costa Rica travel tips will make your trip as smooth as possible.
Planning a trip to Costa Rica? This stunning destination offers incredible experiences, but insider knowledge can transform a good vacation into an extraordinary one. Here are 11 tips to help you navigate this tropical paradise like a pro.
Jump to:
- Why Costa Rica should be your next destination
- Tip 1: Pack Right
- Tip 2: Budget appropriately
- Tip 3: Understand Costa Rican roads
- Tip 4: Know the season
- Tip 5: Tipping
- Tip 6: Safety
- Tip 7: Tap water is usually safe
- Tip 8: Wildlife is wild.
- Tip 9: You may need permits or tickets
- Tip 10: Learn a little Spanish
- Tip 11: Embrace pura vida
Why Costa Rica should be your next destination
Costa Rica is a breathtaking Central American paradise offering travelers an unparalleled blend of adventure, natural beauty, and rich cultural experiences. Regardless of which part you're visiting, there are plenty of things to do in Costa Rica.
Tip 1: Pack Right
Costa Rica's diverse ecosystems demand strategic packing. It's essential to choose the right shoes for Costa Rica, while also packing the right gear. Depending on what you're planning to do, you'll need to pack appropriately, but it's always a good idea to have some of the following:
- Lightweight, breathable clothing
- High-quality insect repellent
- Reef-safe sunscreen
Pro Tip: Pack clothes that can handle both rainforest humidity and beach environments.
Tip 2: Budget appropriately
A lot of travellers expect Costa Rica to be a budget destination where their dollars may stretch farther than home. This isn't necessarily the case. Due to the large amount of North American tourists, and the very high percentage of imported goods (and import taxes!), prices are much higher than most expect (this includes at local stores).
On the plus side, you will be able to pay using US dollars almost everywhere you go (though I do recommend paying in local colones if possible).
Money-Saving Strategies:
- Travel during shoulder seasons
- Use local accommodations (AirBnBs instead of resorts)
- Eat at traditional sodas (local restaurants)
- Learn basic Spanish for better negotiation (it makes a difference!)
- Some parts of Costa Rica have a higher tourist tax than others - La Fortuna and Tamarindo being examples. The Caribbean side of the country is slightly cheaper
Tip 3: Understand Costa Rican roads
Costa Rican roads are notoriously challenging. While most major roads are well-maintained, expect longer travel times due to the winding mountain roads. There are also some large speed bumps to be aware of!
You can rent a 4x4 vehicle for a little extra comfort, but keep in mind that this isn't a replacement for general road safety and awareness. Expect wildlife and sharp turns (sometimes very high on the sides of mountains), so drive safely and plan the extra time into your Costa Rica travel itinerary.
Tip 4: Know the season
Understanding Costa Rica's climate is crucial. The dry season (December-April) is the peak tourist period, and is not always completely dry. Expect to experience some quick showers!
May to November is the rainy season, and I strongly recommend you take a rain jacket (though it may often still be too warm to wear the rain jacket comfortably).
Tip 5: Tipping
Tipping is not a requirement or expectation in Costa Rica. However, tips are appreciated wherever you go. Tour guides are typically tipped 10% of the tour cost, and taxi drivers appreciate you rounding up the bill.
Pro tip: Restaurants often automatically add a 10% service charge. It's completely fine to tip in addition to this, but do check your bill so that you know.
Tip 6: Safety
Costa Rica is generally quite safe, but remember to always practice safe travel habits:
- Use hotel safes for valuables
- Stay aware of surroundings
- Avoid displaying expensive items
- Use official transportation services
Tip 7: Tap water is usually safe
As long as you're in a major city, tap water is likely to be safe to drink. However, if you're travelling into particularly rural areas, carry some bottled water or a water filtration system. It's good practice to always double-check with your host as well.
Tip 8: Wildlife is wild.
While the tourism industry in Costa Rica is well-developed, please do remember that quite often you will be out in the wild. Explore nature responsibly:
- Never feed wild animals
- Maintain safe distances from the animals and do not pester them
- Use eco-friendly products
- Hire local guides for responsible viewing
- Respect national park regulations
Tip 9: You may need permits or tickets
Make sure to familiarize yourself with the regulations of anywhere you plan to visit. Many of the national parks and sights will require tickets or limit daily visitors, while climbing Arenal Volcano requires specific permits.
Tip 10: Learn a little Spanish
While many of the locals and most of the major tourist spot staff and guides speak English very well, it is immensely helpful to speak some basic Spanish (A1-A2 level is sufficient!). Not only do the locals appreciate it, but it grants you the ability to negotiate prices, and access to some tours that are more focussed on the local market (i.e. better pricing, more customization).
Tip 11: Embrace pura vida
You'll hear the phrase pura vida a lot in Costa Rica. People use it to say hello, goodbye, and generally to wish you well. Meaning pure life, this saying is a part of Costa Rica's culture.
Embrace the pura vida and roll with any punches your journey throws. Leave your stressors at home, and have a great trip!
Final thoughts
By following these tips for visiting Costa Rica, you'll be well-prepared to explore one of Central America's most spectacular destinations. Costa Rica offers an unparalleled travel experience combining natural wonders, adventure, and warm hospitality - make the most of it!
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