FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. What's the weather like in Costa Rica?
2. Where to buy your airplane ticket?
3. What should we bring?
4. What kind of accommodations can I find in Costa Rica?
5. Do I need to take any shots before going to Costa Rica?
6. Entry requirements
7. Is Costa Rica a safe place to visit?
8. What about travel insurance?
9. What's the food like in Costa Rica?
10. I've heard roads in Costa Rica are terrible…
11. Car insurance, how does it work?
12. Requirements for renting a car
13. Metric conversions
14. About taxes and tips
15. Credit cards and currency
16. Business hours
17. Souvenirs and gifts
18. Electricity
19. Tips once you're in Costa Rica
20. Internet Services
What's the weather like in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica has two seasons: a dry season that starts at the end of November and ends at the end of March and a rainy season that takes place during the other 8 months. The driest months within the rainy season are July and August, and the rainiest are September and October. During the dry season it is usually sunny all day long (5:45 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.) and during the rainy season it is usually sunny until noon, then it rains for a few hours and clears up. The North Pacific - Guanacaste Beaches - is the driest part of the country and the South Pacific - Corcovado, Drake Bay - and the Northern Zone - Ciudad Quesada, Arenal - are the rainiest ones. Temperatures range between 37º Celsius (90 ° F) in the coastal areas and 0º Celsius (32° F) on the highest peaks. San José, located in the Central Valley, has an average temperature of 20º Celsius (70 °F) throughout the year. The following chart exemplifies it better.
| Season |
Central Valley & Pacific Areas |
Caribbean Coast & Northern Plains (including Arenal and Sarapiqui) |
Dry months |
December – April |
September and October |
Green season |
May to November (with a drier
period between July & August) |
November & August |
Rainy season |
September to November |
December, January and July |
| Temperture |
Central Valley & Mountains |
Coasts & Plains |
Daytime |
20 – 27 °C (70 - 81°F) |
25 – 35 °C (77 – 95 °F) |
Nighttime |
15 – 20 °C ( 59 – 70 °F) |
20 – 30 °C (70 – 86 °F) |
top
Where to buy your airplane ticket?
Due to our location in Costa Rica, we’re not able to offer International air tickets. Nowadays, it’s easy and practical to buy tickets over the Internet. The following airlines fly into Costa Rica and have a web site where you can buy the ticket from:
Flights to San José:
Flights to Liberia:
top
What should we bring?
Carefully consider the clothing you are bringing. Don't pack more than you need and end up lugging around heavy suitcases. Remember that local flights allow a maximum of 30 pounds (12K) per person including your carry-on(if you have extra weight, you may ask the hotel to keep it until your return0). Since Costa Rica is a tropical country and nature its main attraction, this is what we recommend you to bring:
-Field guide and binoculars
-Sunscreen and insect repellent and flash light if you have one (comes in handy on hikes), hat and sunglasses
-Casual clothing for traveling in the city
-Cotton shirts, long and short sleeved
-Cotton or lightweight pants
-Shorts, swimwear
-For those hiking in the rainforest bring: waterproof lightweight hiking boots and an extra pair of tennis or running shoes. Everybody else should bring a good pair of walking shoes and beach sandals (Some lodges provide for rubber-soled boots and raincoats for guests’ use)
-Poncho, raincoat and umbrella
-Sweater or light jacket
-Camera and film
- Refillable Water bottle: If at all possible bring your refillable water bottle or get one here In Costa Rica we receive an average 1,6 millions tourists every year that consume approximately two 500 cc bottles of water. That means 17 million plastic bottle waste per year. Bringing your own refillable water bottle will help reduce this amount considerably. Most of the hotels have water dispensers where you can refill it and also tap water is safe to drink in many (almost all) areas of the country). If you’d rather drink bottled water, please try to buy the biodegradable bottles and dispose of them properly.
- If visiting Tortuguero during Turtle nesting season (July to September) and you’re going to take the Turtle Evening Walk Tour, make sure you bring BLACK clothes. Turtles are disturbed by the reflection of color.
First aid kit: For a basic one, package bandages, a pain reliever, antibiotic cream, and a thermometer; sunscreen, insect repellant, burn ointment and a medication for upset-stomach like Peto Bismol or Imodium are recommended.
top
What kind of accommodations can I find in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica has a hotel-type for any kind of traveler.
In a country with such diverse hotel types, among nature lodges, boutique-style hotels, small bed and breakfasts and more, it’s hard to categorize the hotels into a simple star-rafting list.
Costa Rica offers small quaint properties tucked away in the mountains, with incredible services such as SPA treatments, Jacuzzi in the room and such, that can’t be rated into a star category, because it won’t probably have services required of a 5 star hotel like elevators, or valet parking. We tend to prefer the hotels that make a statement, those that stand among the others, and usually these hotels are smaller, and most probably won’t belong to a chain of hotels. We like them because they offer great service, personalized service and have distinctive characteristics that make them outstanding.
For this reason we created our own categorization of hotels, in order to help you decide which suits best your interests and budget. In some cases, a hotel may fit into more than one category.
Budget hotels: Hotels in this category are usually among the 2* rating or bed & breakfasts. Their services are basic and limited. Usually they do offer restaurant service, parking, and private bath with hot water, all with a simple décor. Rates for these hotels do not go beyond $ 80 USD per night per double room
Bed and Breakfast: Commonly found these small properties (Less 20 rooms) are usually family run and many are renovated houses to which additional facilities / services / rooms have been added. As their name indicates it, they all include breakfast, usually served in communal settings that invite to mingle and meet other travelers. Depending on their facilities and how well appointed (Exclusive) their services are B&B’s pricing run all the way from $ 40 to $ 120 USD per room, per night
Standard hotels: Hotels that usually fit the 3* to 3* plus category. These hotels offer various services, among which we can find: swimming pools, restaurants, conference rooms, cafeterias, Internet service and similar kind and usually (but not always) air conditioning Their rates are usually among $ 85 - $ 120 per double room
Resorts: These tend to be large properties (usually 100+ rooms) and often all inclusive or sold in packages. Facilities usually feature restaurants, tour desks, sports (golf, tennis, water sports, etc), swimming pool, spas, room service, gyms, etc. Price is variable depending on the services included and if its an All Inclusive property.
Boutique Hotels: These offer exclusive or creative designs, delicate attention and a charming atmosphere, with less than 100 rooms, instead, they’re usually private quaint properties. Some offer a wide range of services and some others are dedicated to offer a cozy location and personalized service, in a distinct style and feel with a unique style. Their rates usually range in $ 150 - $ 350 per double room.
Deluxe properties: Here we present a mix of 4* plus hotels and properties we consider deluxe because they have the combination of being a boutique hotel plus offering other additional services. Some hotels in this category might be chain hotels. Their rates usually range in $ 185 - $ 400 per double room.
Jungle or Nature Eco Lodges: These can range from the truly basic and rustic to the high-end top luxury (boutique style) and are in remote / jungle locations. Getting there usually involves traveling in the most creative ways (from tractor rides, to horseback to boat rides), and be greeted with incredible sights of nature when there.
House and Villas: Our recommendation for larger groups and families traveling together. Can be found all around the country and offer added values like equipped kitchenettes and living room areas in a private setting. Some even feature private pools, decks and bbq facilities.
Rural Lodges and Tourism: Suitable for those who really want to be immersed in the local way of living of the Costa Ricans, and have a meaningful interaction with them. These lodging facilities are usually run by local cooperatives or associations. Meals are family style, and lodging sometimes means shared baths.
top
Do I need to take any shots before going to Costa Rica?
There are no required vaccinations for coming to Costa Rica. However, in the last few years, we have had some cases of Dengue Fever, and Malaria. These diseases are found in very remote areas of the country where tourism is hardly present. If you feel safer by taking Malaria pills and other medicines, do so; it's always better to be safe than sorry even though these diseases are not very common. From the US, you can obtain information on immunizations and health precautions for travelers from the local health departments, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's international travelers' hotline at (404) 332-4559, private doctors, or travel clinics. General guidance can also be found in the U.S. Public Health Service book, Health Information for International Travel.
top
Entry Requirements
If you are a U.S. or Canadian citizen or a member of the European Union, all you need is a valid passport or a birth certificate to enter Costa Rica. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months before date of entry, and at least 30 days after it. Visitors of some countries require a Visa to enter Costa Rica, so please contact the Costa Rican Embassy or Consulate in your country for more details. More information on VISAS can be found on http://www.migracion.go.cr/visas/index.html# (website’s in Spanish, though). Maximum stay without a visa depends of the country of origin, but ranges from 30 to 90 days.
Before traveling, make sure to make some copies of your passport, visas (if any), traveler’s checks serial numbers, and any other important documents. Whenever possible, carry these copies with you and leave the originals at the safety deposit box of the hotel, and leave another set at home. Remember your passport is your most valuable document.
Some Embassies and Consulates abroad are:
Costa Rica Embassy in Washington, DC: 2114 “S” Street, NW. Washington, DC 2008. Phone: (202) 234-2945 and (202) 234-2946. Fax: (202) 265-4795. Office hours: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm (Monday – Friday). Web: http://www.costarica-embassy.org and email embassy@costarica-embassy.org
Consulate of Costa Rica in Washington, DC: 2112 “S” Street, NW. Washington, DC 20008. Phone: (202) 328-6628. Fax: (202) 234-6950. Open to the public: 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. E-mail: consulate@costarica-embassy.org.
Consulate of Costa Rica in New York: 80 Wall St., Ste. 718, NY, 10005. Phone: (212) 509-3066. Fax: (212) 509-3068
Costa Rica Embassy in the U.K.: Flat 1, 14 Lancaster Gate, London W2 3LH. Phone: (44) 207 706 8844. Fax: (44) 207 706 8655. Open M-TH 8:00 – Noon and 12:30 – 4:00 pm; Fridays 8 am – 1 pm. Email: costarica@btconnect.com .
Costa Rica Embassy in Berlin, Germany.: Dessauerstrasse 28-29, D-10963 Berlin, Germany. Telephone: +(49 30 2639 8990 and email emb@botschaft-costarica.de , web page http:// www.botschaft-costarica.de . Open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm
Costa Rica Embassy in Canada: 325 Dalhouise St., Ste 407, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 7G2. Phone (613) 562-2855. Fax: (613) 562-2582. Open 9 am – 4 pm (Monday-Friday). E-mail embcr@costaricaembassy.com Toronto: 164 Avenue Rd. Toronto, ON, M5R 2H9. Phone: (416) 961-6773. Fax: (416) 961-6771
More information can be found in
top
Is Costa Rica a safe place to visit?
It is a very safe place to visit but always take into account some standard security measures. Use credit cards and travelers' checks instead of cash (bring just a certain amount for arrival expenses). If you are visiting San José, avoid wearing any jewelry or expensive equipment and do not to walk through the city at night. When your luggage is in the car, make sure you leave it in a guarded parking lot or some place where you can see it. Always lock your car and never leave valuables unattended. When driving on your own, drive slowly and during the day and do not pick up hitchhikers.
Before traveling, make sure to make some copies of your passport, visas (if any), traveler’s checks serial numbers, and any other important documents. Whenever possible, carry these copies with you and leave the originals at the safety deposit box of the hotel, and leave another set at home. Remember your passport is your most valuable document.
If you lose your passport while in Costa Rica, immediately notify the local police and the nearest embassy or consulate of your home government. We can provide a list of consular services offices in Costa Rica.
top
What about travel insurance?
We do not offer travel or cancellation insurance as the only insurance company is owned by the government (it's a monopoly) and the options are few. If you want to purchase a travel or cancellation insurance, you will need to contact your local travel insurance company. In the US Travel Guard www.travelguard.com provides insurance services This or any other company you select should be able to offer travel protection such us medical emergency, evacuation, trip cancellation, AD&D, Baggage Loss/Delay, Loss Damage Waiver & Flight Insurance.
top
What's the food like in Costa Rica?
Costa Rican's diet is based on rice, beans, meats and a variety of vegetables. International and ethnic foods can be found throughout the country. If you are booking a guided tour with us and require a special diet, please let us know so we can make all the necessary arrangements.
Costa Rica’s daily cuisine consists of a main dish of usually chicken, beef or fish accompanied by rice and beans plus vegetables and salad. The typical lunch menu is a “casado” that includes one of the main dishes, rice and beans and vegetable. In the coastal areas it is common to find fish and sea food dishes, where the “ceviche” is an all-time favorite. It consists of chopped fish cooked in lemon and mixed with onion, pepper and celery. If looking for vegetarian dishes, there are plenty and really good vegetables available as well as a great array of tropical fruits. The water in cities is safe to drink, but you might also feel it has a different taste to it, this because of the chemicals used. We suggest drinking bottled water simply for taste reason.
Food glossary:
ARROZ: rice
HELADOS: Ice cream
ARROZ CON…POLLO: Rice with…chicken
TRES LECHES: Sponge cake in sweet milk
BOCAS: small dishes for nibbling
CERDO: Pork
CARNE / BISTECK: meat / steak
CORVINA: sea bass
CEVICHE: Fish marinated in lemon and spices
LANGOSTA: lobster
GALLO PINTO: rice’n’beans mixed with spices
MARISCOS: sea food
PLATANO: plantains, often fried
PESCADO: fish
POLLO: Chicken
TORTILLA: corn-flour pancake
top
I've heard roads in Costa Rica are terrible…
Even though our roads have many potholes and aren't even paved in many areas, they are not unsafe; most of our clients drive. In the recent years, roads have improved a lot from what they used to be 10 years ago. In fact, this is demonstrated in the last poll by the ICT where “bad condition of roads” was not an important issue or complaint of departing travelers. We do suggest you rent a 4-wheel drive vehicle, drive slowly and do so during the day. This will help you prevent accidents and will allow you to truly enjoy the beautiful landscapes. Remember Costa Rica has many mountains and hills, which is what makes this country so special, but it also makes our roads small and full of curves.
Recently, the Government has put up more signs on the roads and dirt roads like the one to Monteverde and the last few miles to Puerto Viejo de Limón have been leveled and are not as bumpy as they were a few of years ago. Always respect the speed limits and avoid driving at night. Just think of it as an adventure: take your time and enjoy the scenery! It's all part of the beauty of Costa Rica.
More information about driving / renting a car in Costa Rica on our Transportation page and in our Blog.
top
Car insurance, how does it work?
Basic Insurance is mandatory in Costa Rica. Mandatory insurance covers in case of collision or theft (plus a basic Third party cover in the case of Europcar), subject to an excess (Deductible) amount. Basic cover (LDW) does not include windshield, tires, or car accessories. Full Coverage is available at most rental car companies for an extra amount (usually between $15-18 USD additional per day). This covers frees the renter of paying any excess amount in case of an accident (** Subject to Negligence and exclusions**). Rental companies will keep a deposit of $750 to $2000 on your credit card until the car is returned, note that debit card or cash is not accepted as a form of deposit. The amount of the deposit depends on the car rental company.
Rental companies might also keep blank credit card vouchers until you return your car. Make sure these vouchers are torn when you return your car and substituted with a final payment voucher. Upon your request, the rental company will fully explain the type of insurance you are purchasing at the delivery moment. For more details, please refer to the Car Rental & Transportation section of our website.
top
Requirements for renting a car
First and most important is that you must posses a valid driver’s license in order to rent a car. You must be 21 years or older and have an International Credit Card with at least $ 750.00 USD available in order to cover the mandatory deposit (Cash or debit card deposits are not accepted).
If you need an automatic transmission car, please make sure to let us know in advance. These might have a higher rate than standard shifts and they’re least available throughout the country.
top
Metric Conversions
DISTANCE
Kilometers / Miles:
To change kilometers (km) to miles (mi.) multiply km by .621.
To change mi. to km, multiply mi. by 1.61.
km to mi. mi. to km
1 = .62 1 = 1.6
2 = 1.2 2 = 3.2
3 = 1.9 3 = 4.8
4= 2.5 4
= 6.4
5 = 3.1 5 = 8.1
6 = 3.7 6 = 9.7
7 = 4.3 7 = 11.3
8 = 5.0 8 = 12.9
Meters / Feet:
To change meters (m) to feet (ft), multiply m by 3.28.
To change ft to m, multiply ft by .305.
m to ft. ft
to m
1 = 3.3 1 = .30
2 = 6.6 2 = .61
3 = 9.8 3 = .91
4 = 13.1 4 = 1.2
5 = 16.4 5 = 1.5
6 = 19.7 6 = 1.8
7 = 23.0 7 = 2.1
8 = 26.2 8 = 2.4
LIQUID VOLUME
Liters / U.S. Gallons:
To change liters (L) to U.S. gallons (gal), multiply L by .264.
To change U.S. gallons to L, multiply gal by 3.79.
L to gal gal to L
1 = .62 1 = 3.8
2 = .53 2 = 7.6
3 = .79 3 = 11.4
4 = 1.1 4 = 15.1
5 = 1.3 5 = 18.9
6 = 1.6 6 = 22.7
7 = 1.8 7 = 26.5
8 = 2.1 8 = 30.3
TEMPERATURE
Centigrade / Fahrenheit:
To change Centigrade or Celsius © to Fahrenheit (F), multiply by 1.8
and add 32.
To change F to C, subtract 32 from F and multiply by .555.
| F |
C |
F |
C |
| 0 |
-17,8 |
50 |
10 |
| 5 |
-15 |
55 |
12,8 |
| 10 |
-12,2 |
60 |
15,5 |
| 15 |
-9,4 |
65 |
18,3 |
| 20 |
-6,7 |
70 |
21,1 |
| 25 |
-3,9 |
75 |
23,9 |
| 30 |
-1,1 |
80 |
26,7 |
| 32 |
0 |
85 |
29,4 |
| 35 |
1,7 |
90 |
32,2 |
| 40 |
4,4 |
95 |
35 |
| 45 |
7,2 |
98,6 |
37 |
| |
|
100 |
37,8 |
top
About Taxes and Tips
Your tour package includes for hotel taxes for those hotels hired through us. Same way, if any meal has been contracted through us, these include sales and service tax.
Most restaurants in Costa Rica include on their bill a 13% sales tax and a 10% service tax. Thus, it is not mandatory to tip the waiter / waitress. Moreover, it is customary to leave a tip if you have been satisfied with the service. If the service tax is not included on the bill, it must be clearly indicated by the establishment on their menu. Restaurants should clearly identify their prices without and with taxes.
Airport departure tax is NOT included in your travel package. It has to be paid at the airport upon departure and has a cost of $ 26.00 USD per person. It can be paid either in colones or dollars in cash or VISA card. We recommend you pay exact fares or requiring a small change. Dollars are not always available for change.
Bellboys and chambermaids receive tips between $1.00 and $ 2.00 per item or day. Taxi drivers are not tipped and tour guides can be tipped as you see fit, remember, the tips reflect the degree of personal service and attention rather than an assumed payment, so the tip reflects your level of satisfaction.
top
Credit Cards and Currency
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted around the country, while American Express is usually accepted only at larger hotels and restaurants. Still, smaller establishments, kiosks and markets might not accept credit cards yet.
Please make sure to bring a valid ID (driver’s license or such) as it might be asked for when paying with credit card and is a must when renting a car.
Costa Rica currency is the colón or colones. US dollars are accepted in certain areas, and can be changed at the hotel, at the San Jose airport and at banks around the country. We recommend you use ATM machines, which are widely available around the country. The exchange varies daily and depends on a free rate exchange system. The Central Bank determines a daily minimum to maximum range and the banks can choose which one to use. Be careful where you change your money so you get a good deal.
Approximate exchange rate is $ 1.00 = 580 – 585 colones (as of August, 2009)
Approximate values per dollar
US Dollars Colones
$ 1.00 - 585.00
$ 5.00 - 2,925.00
$10.00 - 5,850.00
$25.00 - 14,625.00
$50.00 - 29,250.00
$100.00 - 58,500.00
· These figures can go up or down, as exchange rate varies daily, but
it gives an example of approximate values
When carrying cash, don’t advertise you are a tourist. We recommend you don’t pay with high denomination bills as the establishment might not have enough change or will offer just colones for change. Use the hotel’s safety box and take along just the necessary amount.
Don’t exchange money on the streets.
top
Business Hours
Government offices are generally open from 8 am to 4 pm, while banks close anytime between 3:00 and 6:00 pm, according to the bank and its branch. Most shops are open from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, while some open at 8:00 am and others close at 9:00 pm; most grocery stores close at 10:00 pm. Some shops also close for lunch, between noon and 1:00 or 2:00 pm.
top
Souvenirs and Gifts
There are some really neat locally made products that make great souvenirs or gifts. Costa Rican coffee is among the best in the world and makes a great, affordable gift (we recommend Café Britt). Other popular items are hot sauces, hand made wood and ceramic crafts, hammocks, leather rocking chairs and jewelry. The artisan town of Sarchi is a popular tourist stop where gifts can be purchased direct from the craftsmen. There are also plenty of tourist shops in downtown San Jose. Don’t buy any items made from endangered species including turtles, animal skins and coral.
top
Electricity
110v electricity is used in Costa Rica. 220v items will require a plug in converter. The oulets take 2-pronged US plugs, so you will need to purchase an adaptor if you are using something that requires a 3-pronged socket.
top
Tips once you're in Costa Rica
- Always wear sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher is good). Remember we are a tropical country and even if it isn’t sunny outside you are at a higher risk of getting burned. If you get sunburned, drink more fluids than usual and apply an aloe-based lotion.
- Drink plenty of liquid and eat salty foods (like crackers or peanuts) if you feel exhausted by the heat. Heat exhaustion leads to nausea, excessive thirst, headaches and dizziness. Abstain from drinking dehydrating beverages like alcohol and caffeinated drinks if you are experiencing any of these symptoms.
- While hiking or camping in wet or forested areas, try to wear comfortable and cool long pants and sleeves, tuck the pants into your socks and wear insect repellant to avoid a mosquito or insect bite.
- Tap water is safe to drink almost everywhere in Costa Rica, and if at all possible, let’s try to avoid the use of bottled water. If you can bring your own bottle down here and refill it when necessary, we contribute to the lower the amount of waste produced by plastic bottles. That way you can reserve the use of bottled water areas to remote areas, or where water might not be potable. If you don´t feel comfortable drinking tab water and prefer to buy bottled, please try to buy degradable plastic bottles.
- Medical attention in the country is very good, in both public and private hospitals, but the number of facilities may be limited outside the urban areas. If you have a medical travel insurance, you can go to the private CIMA Hospital or CLINICA BIBLICA for attention in the city.
- Costa Rica is 6hr. behind Greenwich Time, equivalent to Central tIme in North America. Costa Rica is 1hr. behind New York, two ahead of Vancouver and San Francisco. We don’t observe Daylight saving time, so fall and spring switchover times vary.
top
Internet Services
Costa Rica has ample Internet covering, except in very remote areas. Many hotels offer this service at an added value (sometimes at an additional cost), either via a server or WI-FI. Bigger towns and cities usually have Internet Cafes as well.
top
HONEYMOON &
