Where is Costa Rica?
Costa Rica is located in Central America with Nicaragua bordering to the North and Panama to the South. It is bordered on the East and West by water. The East coast is the Atlantic Ocean and the West coast is Pacific Ocean. Costa Rica is situated very near the equator at just 8 degrees latitude.
How's the weather?
Costa Rica's year round climate is pleasant with naturally occurring breezes cooling down most of the coastal areas. Temperatures in the highlands and the mountains are warm by day and brisk at night, giving an "eternal spring" feeling. The average annual temperatures range from 31.7C (89F) on the coast to 16.7C (62F) inland. The rainy, or "green season" lasts from approximately May to December with noticeably drier days during the rest of the year. For a current forecast, check out this link:
What type of wildlife can I see in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica has long been a destination of choice for birding enthusiasts, biology scholars, and nature lovers of all types. Nearly all of the National Parks in Costa Rica are home to an incredible variety of wildlife, including those types mentioned above and more. Manuel Antonio National Park is famous for its semi-tame monkeys. You can also see fantastic jungle creatures on the Osa Peninsula, Tortuguero and other more remote areas. If you love wildlife, be sure to take a guided tour of one of Costa Rica's National Parks. The tour guides at the National Parks are usually incredibly knowledgeable and can point out things you may not notice otherwise. Scarlet macaws, marine turtles, hummingbirds, sloths, leaf-cuter ants, quetzals, toads, frogs, monkeys, crocodiles, toucans, bats, iguanas - the list of wildlife one can see here seems endless. Costa Rica is considered to be one of the most "biologically intense" places on earth, particularly the Osa Peninsula. Due to Costa Rica's unique position at the continental divide there are a plethora of exotic creatures, flowers and trees. We recommend you purchase a guidebook for more information on what species you can find in each region.
How is the local economy?
You don't have to drive very far in Costa Rica, past the coffee, pastures, bananas and other crops, to realize that agriculture is the basis of its economy. Coffee has historically been the country's most important crop, and Costa Rica continues to produce some of the finest coffee in the world. Bananas are the second most important export crop, with vast plantations covering parts of the Caribbean lowlands, there is also significant land dedicated to the cultivation of pineapples, sugar, oranges, rice, hardwoods and ornamental plants, as well as raising cattle for beef and dairy products. For further information about economic indicators, please contact the Central Bank of Costa Rica at www.bccr.fi.cr
Is the government stable?
If you have read any of the many guidebooks on Costa Rica, then you are probably aware that Costa Rica is a diplomatic, peaceful country with NO standing military. Costa Rica has been fortunate to have never had a single war or major political turmoil. It is considered by many political experts to be the most stable country in Central America and among the elite of Latin America. An impressive public healthcare system and strong emphasis on education (CR is the most literate of all Latino countries) have resulted in a happy, affluent culture. Like in most developing nations, there is a degree of unrest with the political corruption and shortage of strict law enforcement, but by and large Costa Rica is a country whose people seem quite content with their political leadership.
Is Costa Rica dangerous for tourists?
While there have been some unfortunate incidents involving young tourists in the past few years, Costa Rica remains a very safe, stable country. Violent crime against tourists is a rarity here and in most cases, avoidable. Do NOT do anything in Costa Rica that you would not do in your home country. Do NOT buy drugs, party late with strangers, walk alone late at night in San Jose, flaunt cash or wear fancy jewelry. The most common crimes against tourists are pick pocketing and breaking into rental cars. If you get a flat tire, or experience a minor roadside emergency do NOT stop and accept assistance from strangers. Instead, drive to the nearest gas station or public place to change it. Be careful, use good judgment and you will most likely come and go without a hitch.
What type of food can I expect when dining out?
Costa Rican local cuisine consists mostly of chicken, beef or fish accompanied with rice and beans. The typical lunch menu is called a "casado" and includes one of the first three items, rice and beans and a small salad. The greater San Jose area has a wide variety of dining due to a high concentration of foreign residents and locals of mixed ethnic backgrounds. Dining options are more limited in the beach towns, although Manuel Antonio offers a pretty impressive variety of restaurants. If you like seafood, you can't go wrong ordering Dorado (Mahi Mahi) or Yellowfin tuna. In San Jose, Asian, Italian, French and international cuisine are all readily available.
Are there modern medical facilities?
YES! Health care in Costa Rica is excellent and there are several ultra-modern hospitals with English speaking Doctors (some are North Americans) in the greater San Jose area. Below are some phone numbers. For emergency assistance in Costa Rica, dial 911.
Clinica Catolica (225-5055) in Guadalupe
Clinica Americana (222-1010) in downtown San Jose
Clinica Biblica (257-5252, 257-0466) also in downtown San Jose
KOP Medical Clinic (228-4119) in San Rafael de Escazu/span>
Is the sun really intense in Costa Rica?
Being in a tropical climate, it's not difficult to get sunburned or dehydrated. A bad sunburn or dehydration are two ways to put a major kink in any vacation. Make sure you use plenty of sunscreen (remember, we're just 9 degrees above the equator!) and drink plenty of liquids so as to avoid such problems.
What do I do in case of emergencies?
In Costa Rica, the 911 Emergency System is in place, however it's sometimes faster to call the Costa Rican Red Cross (128). Make sure to leave a copy of your itinerary with a family member or a neighbor at home with contact numbers for where you'll be each day.
Is it safe to eat the local produce?
The food (fruits and vegetables) in Costa Rica is safe to eat. However, if you are susceptible to upset stomachs when traveling abroad make sure that you only eat peeled fruit and well cooked foods. The water in cities is safe to drink but quite often has a fairly strong chemical taste. We suggest drinking bottled water simply for taste reason, however, if you are in remote areas, drink bottled water for safety reasons as well.
Are there many mosquitoes?
There are surprisingly few mosquitoes on the popular tourist beaches. There are more in the rainforest and along the rivers. If you intend to take a river rafting tour or hike the jungle, bring insect rappellent.
Can I drink the water?
The local authorities state that the drinking water in Costa Rica is perfectly potable, but we recommend that you stick to the bottled variety wherever possible to play it safe. Costa Rica is by NO means Mexico (where Montezuma's revenge has become the stuff of tourist legends) but there MAY be bacteria in the water in some areas that disagrees with your system. As such, we simply suggest you play it safe and be cautious of what you eat and drink.
Identification / Entry Requirements:
A valid passport is required. Upon entry, each tourist is issued a 90-day tourist visa. If you plan to stay beyond the 90 days, make sure you leave the country for 72 hours and then re-enter for a new 90 day visa or receive special permission / work visa before you arrive. It's also a good idea to have several copies of the picture page of your passport with you when you travel. If you are not a U.S. citizen, please check with your Costa Rican embassy regarding travel requirements as travelers from some countries (China, for example) need to have a visa to enter prior to arrival in addition to their passport.
What should I pack in my suitcase?
- Sunglasses
- Swimsuit
- Beach towel
- A hat
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellant
- Light raincoat and/or umbrella
- Sweater/light jacket
- Long Pants: evenings can be chilly
- Clothing comfortable for hiking, touring, etc. (70-90 degree weather)
- Hiking shoes - Day pack (fanny or backpack)
- Your Passport or Birth Certificate and 3 copies of whichever you bring
- Driver's license
- Credit card or traveler's checks
- English/Spanish dictionary
- A Costa Rican guidebook (Fodor's, Lonely Planet, etc.)
- Drugstore items (toothpaste, soap, lotion, razor, etc.)
- Sandals
- Camera and film
How are the roads?
If you do any driving in Costa Rica, you will almost certainly do some traveling on the Pan-American Highway. This is the main artery of Costa Rican travel and is heavily used. The road is windy and somewhat dangerous driving in parts. However, the main highways are constantly improving in quality and in general are not unpleasant to drive. The roads to the more popular beaches are fairly well kept, but there are potholes that you would not expect in North America.
The biggest problem with driving in Costa Rica isn't the roads, it's the slow-moving vehicles (mostly trucks) that cause delays and the dangerous passes that frustrated drivers make in attempt to overtake them. You will probably have to make a few passes on double yellow lines if you rent a car and want to get anywhere fast, but use caution and drive VERY defensively. As there are few traffic cops in Costa Rica, drivers tend to be a little aggressive in their maneuvers. Roads to more remote locations (Osa Peninsula, Dominical, Monteverde) are in very poor shape and require a very sturdy 4x4. Driving times can vary greatly depending on traffic and road conditions. The drives to Jaco, Quepos, Playas del Coco and Puerto Viejo are, in our opinion, among the most pleasant and easiest to manage.
If renting a car in Costa Rica, make sure you've allowed yourself plenty of travel time between destinations. The mileage can be misleading when planning short trips, road signs are few and far between and driving at night is not a good idea. Also, please be advised of the risk of leaving
unattended luggage or valuables in your rental car. Consult the map on our site, which has driving distances between destinations. Bear in mind that you will probably average speeds of 70 to 80km per hour on highways and 40 to 50 on back roads:
What are the driving times between destinations?
It is very difficult to estimate accurate driving times as road conditions, traffic, time of day, and weather greatly affect how long it can take. These are very rough estimates. Typically one can average around 65-75 kilometers per hour on highways and 30-50 on side roads. Be careful to not allow yourself enough time between destinations. Driving in Costa Rica is much more fun if you are not in a hurry.
San Jose to Manuel Antonio: 3.75 hours
San Jose to Arenal: 4 hours
San Jose to Tamarindo: 5 hours
San Jose to Puerto Viejo: 3.75 hours
San Jose to Monteverde: 5 hours
San Jose to Jaco: 2 hours
San Jose to Golfito: 8 hours
Where can I exchange money?
Dollars - Carry US dollars with you when you arrive to Costa Rica. As the local currency is on a fixed devaluation schedule with the US dollar, you will most always get the best rate of exchange.Credit Cards - Most vendors give discounts for using cash, as credit card merchant companies charge high percentages on transactions here. Some vendors do not accept credit cards, while many only take VISA.
Travelers Checks - Although accepted by most establishments, you will usually be charged an exchange commission fee between 2-5%.
Exchange - When you arrive, you may exchange your money at any local bank or most of the upscale hotels (if you are one of their guests). Note that you will get a better exchange rate at banks. You may also get foreign currency by using your ATM card. However, it's important that you know the exchange rate before you do this. Currently, the rate is about 500 colones to the dollar. In a pinch, dollars are pretty widely accepted, but you'll probably receive your change in colones.
How much money should I bring?
That really depends on what you intend to do, see, buy, etc. But to give you a fair estimate on costs, a typical lunch costs around $5 at an affordable restaurant or "soda" or up to $15 at a nicer establishment. Beer or mixed drinks run about $2.00 per at a typical bar or restaurant, and up to twice as much at a nicer hotel or high-end eatery. Taxi fares are very affordable compared to U.S. cities. A short trip (2-3km) within San Jose or at a beach town where taxis are prevalent (such as Quepos) costs around $2. Costa Rica is seen by some as a very affordable destination by some and expensive by others. There is a dual economy here (local/foreign) and if you wish to make the effort to find bargains they certainly do exist, as do tourist traps which overcharge. Be smart, know the value of the colon vs. your currency and purchase accordingly.
What time is it there?
Costa Rica is 6 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time, which is equivalent to Central Standard Time (CST) in North America. Costa Rica does not change clocks ahead for daylight savings time, so from April through December local time is one hour ahead of CST.
Is the electricity standard North American voltage?
YES! You can plug any normal electric-powered device (hair dryers, shaver, laptop computer, etc.) into an electrical wall outlet in Costa Rica.
How much do I tip waiters and other hired help?
Although tipping is not very common in Costa Rica (because it's usually included), a general rule of thumb is to tip like you would in your own country. In most restaurants a 10% service charge is already added to your bill. If you receive exceptional service, we recommend leaving an additional 10%. For porters, 150 colones (about 50 cents) per bag is a fair gratuity. Tipping taxi drivers is almost unheard of but if you feel the urge, it will be well received! For tour guides, follow the guidelines for each company or again, tip like you would in your own country for similar services.
all Q&A are from the web site vacationscostarica.com
