| Costa Rica is as close to paradise as it gets: the | | | | tell the person attending you that you're paying |
| weather is perfect and the diversity of flora and | | | | cash. No discounts for food items though. |
| fauna is astounding. No wonder it's becoming the | | | | 6) Do check the hotel reviews on TripAdvisor. |
| top destination in the world for eco-tourism. | | | | The hotel/B&B might look charming on their |
| Please take into consideration some of the advice | | | | web site, but be a nightmare in reality. Some of |
| given below and you will have the time of your | | | | the B&Bs have 5-10 year old pictures from |
| life. Enjoy your trip! | | | | when they were brand new, but now all of the |
| Avoid San Jose (the capital of Costa Rica) | | | | rooms and facilities are in desperate need of |
| 1) Avoid staying in San Jose. Especially avoid | | | | renovation. |
| driving there. Many tourists have been targeted. | | | | Driving in Costa Rica |
| Most of the "horror stories" you hear about | | | | 7) Do NOT drive at night. Some roads are very |
| happened in San Jose. Why take the risk? A taxi | | | | narrow and are poorly marked. There are more |
| to SJ will cost you the same as to Grecia or | | | | drunk drivers on the road at night. In the rain |
| Atenas. Note: official airport taxis ("orange") are | | | | season there is a possibility of a land-slide, fallen |
| fairly expensive. It can be as much as $50. If you | | | | rock or tree (happened to us once). Don't take |
| decide to go this way, make sure that the quoted | | | | your chances! |
| price is per trip, not per person. If you speak | | | | 8) Don't speed. It's dangerous and a head-ache if |
| Spanish you should be able to negotiate a price | | | | you get caught. |
| around $25 just outside the terminal with the | | | | 9) Don't worry if you're stopped by police. Be nice |
| "red" taxi. | | | | and patient. If you don't speak Spanish, just show |
| If you want to visit San Jose center (the only | | | | them the papers for your car. Typically they are |
| part of San Jose that might be worth visiting), go | | | | checking your drivers license, your passport and |
| by bus! Stay in the center (around the | | | | the papers for the car. If all of that is in order, |
| "pedestrian-only" street). Take only a small sum | | | | you'll be on your way in no time. |
| of money and a camera (umbrella during rain | | | | Do not try to bribe policemen. It's a criminal |
| season is a must). There are many policemen in | | | | offence here. If they give you a ticket (usually a |
| the center, so it's safe during the day time. | | | | $4-10 fine), your rental company will charge you |
| As you get further from San Jose, crime rates | | | | this amount. Then they will pay the ticket |
| drop dramatically. Even at the touristy beach | | | | themselves. Please re-check this info with your |
| towns the crime rate is not as bad as in the | | | | rental company. |
| capital. | | | | If you plan to drive in Costa Rica, please read the |
| 2) Unless you have some experience driving in | | | | Costa Rica Driving article for many useful tips. |
| Central America, avoid driving from the airport, | | | | Money talk |
| especially if it's dark or raining. Let the hotel / B | | | | 10) If you plan to drive around a lot and eat in |
| and B meet you. Many offer free airport pickup | | | | small cafes (called "soda"), you should always |
| or drop-off service. Even if there is a fee, it's | | | | have some local cash (aka colones). Same goes |
| typically much less than the official taxi rate. | | | | for gas stations (called "la bomba"). Please note: |
| Hotels and B&Bs in Costa Rica, discounts | | | | most hotels prefer dollars, so don't exchange all |
| 3) If your hotel is in the city/town center, bring | | | | the money you brought. Check with your hotels |
| your earplugs! Costa Ricans have a much higher | | | | beforehand what they accept. Many smaller hotels |
| tolerance for noise. What that means is that if | | | | (and B&Bs) have a "cash-only" policy. |
| you are staying in the city center there is a good | | | | 11) ATMs are a very convenient way to |
| chance that the nearest bar will have loud music | | | | withdraw smaller sums of money. Look for the |
| all night long. On Saturdays it seems that | | | | "Plus" logo at the back of your card. If you have |
| everyone is having a party. Also avoid hotels that | | | | it, you should be able to use your card in virtually |
| are too close to roads/highways (think | | | | any ATM. |
| motorcycles and huge trucks using engine breaks | | | | Important! Notify your card issuer that you're |
| day and night). | | | | going to travel to Costa Rica, so that they don't |
| If noise is a big concern for you, email the hotel | | | | block your card at the worst time possible. |
| and ask before you book. | | | | If you are going to use ATMs, remember that if |
| 4) Be careful when booking a smaller hotel or B | | | | you enter your password incorrectly 3 times, the |
| and B. "Private room" almost always means | | | | machine will "eat" the card. You should be able to |
| "shared bathroom". If private bathroom is | | | | recover it, but it will take some time (2-4 days). |
| important for you, confirm with the B&B | | | | You might not have that time. Be careful, |
| that you're getting one. | | | | especially if this is the only card you brought. |
| 5) Some hotels will give you a discount if you pay | | | | 12) Don't bring $100 or even $50 bills. No one |
| cash. It doesn't hurt to ask. Note: you can always | | | | accepts them. You might even have troubles |
| get a 5-10% discount when paying cash for | | | | changing those in a bank. 20s are widely accepted. |
| clothes, shoes, medicine, etc., so don't forget to | | | | Note: the change will be in colones. |