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Disclaimer
The information provided in this resource is for informational
purposes only. We have made sure that everything is as up to
date and correct as possible before publishing and the reader
uses this information at their own risk. Mytanfeet does not
assume any responsibility or liability for damages that may occur
from using the information within this ebook.
No part of this ebook may be reproduced or sold in part or whole
without prior written consent of the authors.
Copyright 2014 Mytanfeet
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Table of Contents
1) When should I visit Costa Rica? 7
i. To help you decide when is the best time to come
for your vacation
2) Entry Requirements 11
i. Check if you need a visa
3) What to Bring 12
i. Packing tips and suggestions for the different
seasons and parts of the country
4) Safety Tips 18
i. How to stay safe while traveling in Costa Rica
5) Stay Connected 20
i. How to get a prepaid SIM card
6) Getting Around 23
i. Taking the public bus
ii. Taking a taxi
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7) Driving Safely 25
i. Tips for driving safe and a general overview of
various road conditions
8) Tipping 31
i. Learn the customs for tipping
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About the Authors
We are Yeison and Samantha, the authors of Tips for Traveling in
Costa Rica. Yeison is a true Costa Rican, born in San Jose and
grew up in Heredia. He’s more Tico than gallo pinto! Samantha
was born and grew up in the United States.
In 2012, Samantha moved down to Costa Rica and we began our
new life in Playas del Coco, a beach town in Guanacaste.
We found out that life at the beach is drastically different than life
at in the city. There was a lot we had to learn! After two years of
living and traveling around the country, we’ve finally figured out
all the ins and outs of traveling as a foreigner and as a local in
Costa Rica.
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We know it’s tricky to find genuine information about traveling in
Costa Rica and that is why we’ve put together this detailed free
guide so that you can be an expert before your trip!
We hope this guide is useful to you and if you have more
questions or want to contact us, visit Mytanfeet our travel blog.
Happy reading and traveling!
Yeison and Samantha
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When Should I Visit Costa Rica?
The best time to visit Costa Rica will depend on
what kind of vacation you're looking for and what
your budget is.
The two tourism seasons are largely determined by the climate of
the country and the rates for hotels, car rentals and tours change
accordingly.
Dry season is generally from Nov/Dec - April/May
o This is high season, Costa Rica's "summer" with much
more tourists. Rates are higher during this time of
year.
Green season is generally from April/May - Nov/Dec
o This is rainy season, Costa Rica's "winter" with fewer
tourists. Rates are lower during this time of year.
Peak season is Christmas, New Year and Semana
Santa (Easter)
o These dates are generally Dec. 18 – Jan. 4th and
whichever week Easter falls on. Rates are highest this
time of year.
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If you want a beach vacation:
The best time to visit Costa Rica for a beach vacation is during
dry season, particularly the months of March and April.
Temperatures rise up to the mid 90’s, it’s nice and sunny for days
on end and you will not have to worry about a drop of rain during
your vacation.
If you’re on a budget:
For budget travelers, the best time to come is during green
season. Rates are lower for hotels, hostels, car rentals and even
some tours.
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If you want to wildlife watch:
Interested in whale watching or seeing baby turtles hatch? The
rainy season is the best, particularly August to November.
Humpback whales, dolphins and sea turtles are commonly seen
out in the water and the mass gatherings of mother turtles laying
their eggs are the most intense during that time of year.
If you want an outdoor adventure vacation:
This depends. River rafting is the best right after the start of the
heavy rains during green season as the rivers are at their fullest.
Canopy tours can be done all year long but if it is raining too
hard, they won’t run the lines. Hiking is done all year long but
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rain could hamper your hike during green season and the chances
of your view at the top being too cloudy to see anything greatly
increases.
If you want to escape from the rain, come during dry season.
Your plans won’t get ruined or depend on the rain but if you’re OK
with getting wet once in a while, come during rainy season.
Everything is green, the temperatures are cooler and rates are
cheaper!
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Entry Requirements
Costa Rica does not require a consular visa for
many countries.
Countries are grouped into four categories for visas. Countries in
Group One are allowed to stay in the country for 90 days without
a visa such as the United States, Canada, Australia, the UK,
France, Germany, Mexico, Italy, New Zealand and Brazil.
For up to date information and information on other nationalities,
check the Costa Rica Immigration Visa List.
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What to Bring
Tips to help you pack for both seasons and
different parts of the country.
Packing for Costa Rica isn’t too difficult – it all depends on where
and when you are going.
First, Costa Rica has only two seasons: dry and rainy. Second,
there are around 25 different micro-climates in the country so the
weather can change drastically from one part of the country to
another. It can go from a clear and sunny day to thunderstorms
in just a few hours!
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Make sure to research the area you are going and what the
weather will be like during that time of the year so you can pack
accordingly. These suggestions below will cover you if you’re
going to multiple microclimates.
For the ladies!
Clothing:
At least 2 bathing suits so you’ll always have a dry one
Sundresses with one that can double as a beach cover up
Shorts, at least one pair that is quick dry like running shorts
Tank tops and t-shirts
Bras with light padding and at least one sports bra
Undies that are thin material or quick dry
Skirts that aren’t fancy material so you can slip it on at the
beach
A pair of yoga or exercise pants, around knee length
Capris or khakis
One or two night outfits
Shoes:
At least two pairs of flip flops
Hiking sandals, preferably water friendly and closed toed
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A nice pair of sandals for going out (or heels if you prefer
to wear those instead)
Toiletries and Medications:
Basics like toothpaste, toothbrush, contact lens case, contact
solution, face wash, shampoo/conditioner, any makeup
(minimal/waterproof), soap, deodorant and razor.
Sunscreen with at least SPF 30 (or higher if you burn easily)
Face moisturizer
Lots of mosquito repellent , after bite eraser or
hydrocortisone cream for mosquito bites
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Allergy, OTC and anti-nausea medicine. Don’t forget your
birth control if you’re taking it
Basic first aid kit with band aids, antibiotic cream and
bandages
Face wipes
Hair accessories – hair ties, hair bands, clips and anything to
keep your hair out of your face and neck
Comb and detangler spray to take out the knots from the
ocean
Body and hand lotion
Aloe vera/after sun gel
Chapstick with SPF
Baby powder
Hand sanitizer
Kleenex
Technology and Entertainment:
Camera, preferably one that is waterproof
Extra batteries and chargers
Kindle/ebook reader/magazines
Laptop if you must but if not, tablet or cell phone
iPod or MP3 player
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Accessories and Extras:
Hat or visor
Sunglasses, at least one pair that is cheap and you won’t cry
if they get lost in the ocean
Jewelry but nothing flashy. Same reason as the sunglasses
Beach towel or sarong which can double as a towel and skirt
Water bottle
Light scarf, this is handy if you are taking the bus. They
always crank the AC and it gets freezing cold
Beach tote/day pack
Ziplock bags to protect your electronics
Flashlights, try to also bring a headlamp for hands free
Spanish dictionary
For the gentlemen!
Board shorts
T-shirts and tank tops
Thin boxers
Swimming trunks but none with mesh
Regular shorts
Hair gel
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Everything else like shoes, accessories and technology will be
pretty much the same for men and women.
If you’re coming in rainy season, add these to your list:
Raincoat/poncho
Waterproof backpack
Waterproof phone/laptop/tablet protector
Light sweater or hoodie
Waterproof map
Water resistant or waterproof camera case
If you are doing activities, bring the appropriate clothing such as:
Rash guard for surfing
Hiking clothing and hiking shoes
Socks
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Safety Tips
Practical tips for staying safe while traveling in
Costa Rica.
Before leaving home:
Leave contact information and travel plans to a family
member or someone you trust
Try not to bring items that you will regret losing unless they
are 100% necessary for your trip
Jewelry is nice but leave the expensive pieces at home
If you are taking medications, make sure to bring a list of
them and also a copy of your prescription if you are taking
narcotics
If you are not going to use all your credit cards, leave the
ones you don’t need
Take note of your embassy (phone number and address)
During your travel:
Don’t wander alone at night, especially women
Have a full color copy of your passport with you at all time
and leave the original at a safe place
Keep your valuables close to you at all times
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Make ATM withdrawals during the day if possible
Before you go in the ocean ask about the current wave
condition
Keep your eyes open and use your common sense
If you are driving don’t pick up strangers on the road. If you
get flagged down make sure it is a real cop
When you park, don’t leave valuables visible. Always roll up
your windows and lock your doors
Always have a little bit of cash with you, preferably colones
(~10 000)
Bring a map and if you get lost, ask the police or a public
business
If you see any suspicious activity or feel uncomfortable,
don’t take any risks. Go to a safe place immediately
The emergency number is 911 and they have English
speaking staff
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Staying Connected
How to get a prepaid SIM card for your
phone.
Where can I get a SIM card?
Most of the phone companies have stands all over the country.
Both airports (SJO and LIR) have booths when you exit the
terminal.
At the borders, it is common to see local vendors selling SIM
cards for all companies.
Other locations:
Computer stores
Electronic stores
Appliance stores
Shopping malls
Phone company’s office
You should see signs in the window or by the door of which
company the store sells. You will need to present your passport
or picture ID and fill out a short form.
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Different phone companies and rates
The 4 major phone companies in Costa Rica are:
Kolbi
Movistar
Claro
Tuyo móvil
A SIM card costs about 2000 colones (~$4) and they put the
same amount for credit on the SIM card. You can put as much
credit as you like.
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The rate per minute for local calls is 34 colones. You can buy data
by the day ($1), the week ($5) or the month otherwise it will
charge you by amount of data used. Rates depend on the phone
company.
Phone requirements for Costa Rica Networks
Your phone must be quad band and it has to be unlocked. The
type of phone doesn’t matter. Call your carrier to find out if and
how to unlock your phone.
How to recharge your SIM card
There are two ways to recharge:
Buy recharge cards for a specific amount. You have to call
the phone company and enter the pin number to activate
the credit
Go to a business where the employee can do it directly for
you. This is automatic
There are several places you can recharge your card:
The supermarket
The phone company’s office
Online (if you have a Costa Rican online bank account)
The electronics store, pharmacy or any cell phone store
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Getting Around
How to take the public bus and taxis
Tips for taking the bus:
All bus fare must be paid in colones when you get on
o For some companies and longer journeys you buy your
ticket beforehand
o Bus fare depends on how far you are going and you can
check this website for all the rates
From San José, you can take a public bus to nearly
every tourist destination at affordable rates
Bus stops are not always clearly marked
o If you are not sure where the bus stop is, ask a local
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Check the bus schedule before you go!
Public-transportation-Costa-Rica itinerary
Tips for taking a taxi:
Color is important
o Taxis are red with a yellow light and yellow triangle on
top
o Both the driver and passenger door have the plate
number
License plates always go by province
o Indicated by the first letters of the plate
TSJ – Taxi San Jose
TH – Taxi Heredia
TL – Taxi Limon and so on
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Avoid pirate taxis
o They charge more and don’t have insurance like the
legal taxis
Check the meter is on (called MARIA)
o It is the law for every cab driver to use the meter
o If your driver refuses to turn it on, you can report them
Rates change depending on the area and automobile
capacity
o Rural and city rates are different
Orange taxis exist
o These taxis are exclusively for the airport
o Charge more than red taxis
Pay with small bills and colones
o Most drivers don’t have change for big bills and in some
areas, do not take dollars
Don’t slam the door
o This is for courtesy. Taxi drivers take care of their car
very well so please be respectful
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Driving Safely
Tips to help you drive safe and watch out for
various road conditions.
Driving License
If you plan on driving in Costa Rica as a foreigner, you are
allowed to drive using your driver’s license that was issued by
your home country.
You can only use it within the time of your visa so if you are here
on a tourist visa (90 days), then you can drive for those 90 days.
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Road Conditions
City
Road conditions will depend on what part of the country you are
in. In San Jose, most of the roads are paved with painted lines
and signs.
You need to be careful on freeways because roads can end with
no warning and you’ll have to merge with little space.
They have speed bumps here too but they don’t always have the
reflective lane markers to warn you.
In the smaller cities and beach towns, the paved roads aren’t as
well done as the city and they don’t normally have painted lines.
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Rural
If you are heading out of the city, a 4×4 is highly recommended.
Roads to national parks, some beaches, waterfalls and the little
country towns are not normally paved and require a car that will
be able to pass through muddy roads, sand and rivers.
It is also common to see animals out on the road such as bulls,
horses, goats, chickens and dogs. Many locals ride scooters and
often you’ll see as many as 4 people on one!
Accidents
If you get in an accident, do not leave the scene! Wait there until
the police and insurance agent arrives, and if there is a fatality
you also have to wait for the doctor on duty to pronounce. Unless
a police officer instructs you to, don’t move your car either.
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Driving Restrictions
In San Jose, they restrict driving days according to the last
number of your license plate.
If your plate ends in
1 or 2: Mon
3 or 4: Tues
5: 6 : Wed
7 or 8 : Thurs
9 or 0 : Fri
There are no restrictions on weekends.
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Tips for driving:
Don’t let your road rage take over
Be patient, especially when turning onto busy roads
Drive defensively
Don’t speed!
o Many roads are curvy without warning signs
o When it rains, the roads can be very slippery
o Driving tickets are very expensive here
If driving at night, be very aware of people walking and
biking in the road
o Many people don’t wear reflectors at night
Always signal
Don’t pass the car in front of you unless you have
experience
If someone flags you down, make sure it is a real police
officer first
If you get a ticket, pay it.
o There is a new law that any unpaid ticket gets handled
by immigration and you can be denied exit out of the
country
Have a copy of your passport including your visa stamp
o There are many immigration stops on the road where
police officers are allowed to ask for your documents
Planning on renting a car? Our blog has a discount with
Adobe Rent a Car where you can save 10% and more.
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Customs for Tipping
How much is the right amount to tip?
Tipping is not a normal part of the Costa Rican culture. This is
because it is usually already included in the price. Costa Ricans
do not normally tip extra, no matter how great or lousy the
service is.
At a restaurant: Tip is usually included in the prices on the
menu (it will say if it is or not).
Tours: Most of the time tip is included in the tour price that you
pay. Some tour places will have tip boxes but it is completely
optional.
Same goes for drivers. It’s not typical for a Costa Rican to give
their driver a tip.
Hotels: We always try to leave a little something for the maids
since they don’t make very much here. Again, it’s not required
but it is always nice.
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We hope this guide was helpful to you and don’t forget to stop by
our blog Mytanfeet for more stories, tips and photos!
For a more in-depth travel resource, we will have our complete
Costa Rica travel guide published soon so you can find out all
there is to know about living and traveling in Costa Rica with the
most up to date and accurate information.
To find out when it is available, you can keep in touch by liking us
on Facebook or following us on Twitter.
If you would like to support our blog and help keep it running,
you can make a donation here. Any amount is greatly
appreciated!
Thank you so much!
Yeison and Samantha
Mytanfeet
