CostaRicaVacationHomes.com
is part of

Tips for visiting Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a “big heart” country, full of gently people and beautiful and exotic places to visit and to live, but please try to understand that you will find many different things than the ones you have in your own country.
Maybe our highways, roads or public institutions, among others things are not as the ones you know or you have expected, however we hope you have a good time in Costa Rica. Be sure we are worried about it, and we are working to improve many things to have a better country to visit and to live.
We are not better or worse than other countries, all of them have their own richness, we are just different.
Our country is a worldwide famous destiny because of its people, nature and tropical weather. Please help us to conserve our beaches, mountains and rivers for you and for us to enjoy them forever.

Without exception, a valid passport is required to enter Costa Rica, but many nationalities do not need a visa.
Please make 2-3 photocopies of your passport and always keep one in each bag, luggage, case or back pack you carry.
It will be better if you leave your passport and airline ticket or any other important document in your rental apartment or home safe.

Departure tax is $26 per person, but always you better check it, things could change without notice.
Restaurants charge 13% tax and also add on a 10% service charge, for a total of 23% more on your bill.

If you come during the driest months bring a raincoat or rain jacket. In Costa Rica you never know when it will rain.
Even Bring a swimsuit, comfortable shoes for walking in the city or on the trails in national parks, sandals, a flash light and a cap or hat for very sunny and hot days.
If you like mountains, bring a light sweater or jacket. It might get chilly.
Do not forget this: people say "San José is a big city in a small country and in big cities you always find pickpockets.", so please take care.

You never change your currency into colones on the street. Please always do it at a bank or at another safe place.
Most companies that issue travelers cheques recommend that you record on a separate piece of paper the number of your cheques.
Credit cards are invaluable when traveling, and they are widely accepted in Costa Rica. Credit cards are a safe way to carry money: they also provide a convenient record of all your expenses, and they generally offer relatively good exchange rates.
Never carry extra cash. Try to carry just the amount you think you will need each day.
If you need to carry any type of valuable item, such as a cell phone, video camera, digital camera, Ipod, laptop, calculator etc, please do not leave them in any bathroom or at any table or seat which if is not watched by someone you trust. Always hang them or ask someone else to do it for you.

If you need help on how to get to a particular destination, please ask for information before.
Always and mainly in San José downtown, if you go out at night, try to call a cab.
If you will walk in downtown San José, please do not wear valuable jewelry.
All licensed taxi cabs in Costa Rica are red and have a yellow triangle on both front doors. The license plate is painted in the middle of the triangle. Taxi drivers must carry visible identification, with their name and photograph. Please be sure on it.
The use of a taximeter (called "María") is mandatory although for longer distances, but prices are negotiable with the driver.
If you rent a car, remember that some highways and national roads are under bad conditions, so drive with caution, especially in places that you do not know. Be patient and understand that you are in a different country than yours. Try to adapt you to road conditions. Ask for climate and road conditions about places to go. Try not to travel alone, especially at night.

Internet cafes can be found all over San José and at most major tourist destinations in Costa Rica. Rates run between $1 and $3 per hour. You also can buy prepaid cards in 5-, 10-, and 15-hour denominations for connecting your laptop to the Web via a local phone call. Some knowledge of configuring your computer's dial-up connection is necessary. These cards are sold at many supermarkets and drugstores around the country, or contact Racsa (tel. 2287-0087; www.racsa.co.cr), the state Internet monopoly, to find out where you can buy one.

Newspapers: There are six Spanish-language dailies in Costa Rica and one English-language weekly, the Tico Times. In addition, you can get Time, Newsweek, and several U.S. newspapers at a few of the bookstores in San José.

Emergencies: In most emergency cases, dial tel. 911 for the police, an ambulance or to report a fire, and you should be able to get someone who speaks English on the line.

Radio & TV-- There are about 10 local TV channels; cable and satellite TV from the United States are also common. There are scores of radio stations on the AM and FM dials.

Drugstores: are quite common throughout the country. Those at hospitals and major clinics are often open 24 hours a day.

Enjoy Costa Rica as much as possible, but always remember that you do not know everything about wildlife and natural dangers. Ask for information about places you will visit. If you are in a guided tour, follow the guide advices.

Always follow the safety signs posted in national parks and at beaches. Please take care especially with children or older people.

At beaches, do not get in the water if there is a "Dangerous currents" sign. Always ask at local shops about dangerous currents, high and low tide and unsafe points.

Just walk along marked trails. When it is possible, walk on trails in groups of 2 or more, never alone.

Do not touch plants or animals and please do not take them from their natural setting, help us to conserve our country.