Costa Rica is a wonderful place to explore and enjoy.
We would like to share some traveling tips that would make your vacation experience a more memorable journey.
We want to share with you some of the most frequent asked questions we have from our passengers and the suggestions we make.
What time of the year is the best to travel to Costa Rica?
You may visit Costa Rica any time of the year. There are two periods known as the “Green Season”, from May through October and so from December through April we have the “Gold Season”. If you plan to travel around Christmas or Easter Week, you should make reservations in advance.
How many days do I need to enjoy Costa Rica in the best way?
Costa Rica offers a wide variety of activities to the visitor. A range of 7 to 15 days is the ideal, in order to enjoy the country’s attractions.
What do I have to pack for my trip to Costa Rica?
It is important to take into account that the weather conditions vary place to place, determinate by elevation and time of year. When packing consider: Light, practical clothing, especially short-sleeve shirts and fast-drying cotton pants.
There is not like rigid “dressing code” to follow. Casual wearing is the most recommendable everywhere. It is suggested to take a waterproof garment as in some areas of the country it is rainy year round. Among the main suggested items in you suitcase we recommend including:
- Sun block and insect repellant.
- Casual clothes for trips to the city.
- Cotton or light synthetic fabric shirts, short or long sleeve.
- Cotton or light synthetic fabric pants (jeans are not recommended as they don’t dry quickly).
- Shorts for hiking.
- Shoes: Lightweight hiking shoes or boots, sandals, tennis or running shoes.
- Socks: take an extra pair in case your feet get wet.
- Hat with visor for the rain and sun.
- Camera and film.
- An extra prescription for eyeglasses and medications (if applicable).
- Sweater or jacket.
- Swimming suit.
- Any medical prescription you might be taking at the time of your trip.
During my visit, can I pay with a credit card?
Major international credit cards are accepted in Costa Rica. ATMs are also available throughout the country.
How does tipping for services work?
Locally the restaurants include a 10% of service tax on their bills covering the tipping.
This is the only exception. Bellboys, cab drivers, tour guides and chambermaids do not have a tip included on the service they provide. The amount of the tip is at your discretion.
Is it safe to drive a car in Costa Rica?
You are allowed to drive using your valid home country license, for three months. It is safe to drive in Costa Rica if you take basic measures such as driving slowly and attentively. Some streets are not in the best of the shapes, and in rural areas you may come across obstacles like pedestrians and animals.
How to ask for directions?
Avenues run through the city east to west and the streets from north to south. All are numbered and there usually is a sign on corner buildings. However, Costa Ricans don’t use the avenue-and-street method to give directions. Instead, they use reference points, such as parks, stores, churches or bridges. Distances are measured in meters. For instance, an address might be given “from the Central Park, 500 meters (which means 5 blocks) south and 75 east.”
What is the cost of the departure tax?
The cost of departure tax is $26 per person, payable either in dollars, colones or with Visa credit card.
What is Costa Rica’s food like?
Costa Rica offers a wide variety of options regarding food but one of the most basic presentations are dishes based on rice and beans accompanied with either fish, beef or chicken. This is commonly known as “casado”. Throughout the country you will also find excellent option of international cuisine.
What is Costa Rica’s weather like?
Costa Rica’s climate is temperate with average temperatures that range between 14 and 22 degrees Celsius (57 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit). In the Central Valley, where the main cities are located, the climate is a bit warmer, around 22 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit).
On the coasts the temperatures can be higher. The seasons are not very marked; in general each area has a stable climate, without temperature major variations, year round. However, there is the dry and a rainy season commonly know summer and winter.
