NAVIGATE: Costa Rica Essentials
COSTA RICA ESSENTIALS
Costa Rica is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in the world and a must visit destination. Now, if you know me personally, you know that I am very particular about certain things especially when it comes to traveling. So, I approached planning this trip as I do with most of my international vacations; by researching the location, weather, currency, safety and any random things that may come up that typically are not an issue when domestic. I’ve compiled a basic, seemingly obvious list of essentials to consider when planning for Costa Rica.
Location. Location. Location.
Look up the location of your hotel/AirBnB in proximity to the airport, the beach and any activities you’d like to do while in Costa Rica because things are not as close as they seem. I would strongly encourage staying in multiple areas and venture away from San Jose to get the most out of your trip. San Jose is inland and includes nothing but the city with the closest beaches being 2 hours away. I flew into San Jose International Airport (SJO) and immediately took a private shuttle to Esterillos Este which is about 30 mins from Jaco and Manuel Antonio National Park, a few well known tourist spots with activities such as zip lining, snorkeling, nature trails, etc. There are closer areas to San Jose with beautiful rainforest views if a 2-hour commute is not ideal or you can fly into the Liberia airport which is much closer to the beaches, yet usually more expensive. I stayed in Alajuela for the last day as it was closer to the airport, about 20 mins away. Staying in multiple areas gave me the opportunity to experience more of what Costa Rica has to offer; the beautiful beaches, the local culture and the amazing rainforests.
Transportation
If you are relying on the last minute luxury of Uber or Lyft...this isn’t the place, so plan out your transportation before landing in Costa Rica. There are several options for getting around; shuttle service, taxi, bus and car rentals. "Costa Rica Shuttle" was the private shuttle company I used. Their service was excellent with door to door pick up from the airport directly to the hotel. They even offered to make snack/restroom stops along the way. If you choose to take a taxi, pay attention to the signs when going through customs that indicates what color the “official” taxis are. Anything outside of what is listed is a “ride at your own risk” kind of situation.There are various car rental companies too, however the driving in Costa Rica is similar to that of New York…but with angrier drivers, smaller lanes and more rugged roads.
Be Prepared for the Environment
What most people fail to realize is that Costa Rica is the rainforest, so expect rain and lots of it. Luck was on my side as it rained only during the very early hours of the morning when I was already tucked into bed. Forecasts may show all day rain, but these are mostly scattered and isolated thunderstorms. However, they come swiftly and with heavy downpour.
Bring extra strength bug spray. I cannot express the importance of this. Mosquitos. Are. Real. and seemingly come with a vengeance in Costa Rica. Because there is a lot of greenery and typically always wet conditions due to the constant rain, expect mosquitos at all times.
Know Basic Spanish
The majority of the tourist places have English speakers so not knowing Spanish shouldn’t be a major issue. However, there may be times when you will encounter someone who does not speak English, i.e., my shuttle driver. I found myself speaking more Spanish than English during the trip but moreso as a choice than out of necessity. It may be a good idea to bring a Spanish dictionary or download a translation app just in case. Travel Cheat Code: you will receive a warmer welcome if you make even an attempt to speak the local language.
Money, Tips and Taxes
"Colones" is the local currency in Costa Rica, but American dollars are widely accepted as with major credit cards, Visa and Mastercard. It is beneficial to have small bills on hand too; large bills are not accepted ($50s and $100s).
500 colones (CRC) = $1 USD
Tips (10%) and taxes (13%) are included in your bills at restaurants. Tipping is not necessary but greatly appreciated.
There is a $29 departure tax imposed when leaving Costa Rica, however, most major airlines includes this in the ticket price.
Costa Rica is definitely a place you must experience. The scenery, food, art, culture and people were beyond beautiful and I’ve never seen a more vibrant sunset. Most importantly, I felt safe. My recap of this trip including my thoughts about the hotels, restaurants and things to do is currently in the works.
Stay Tuned.