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Overview - Costa Rica is in Central America, between
Nicaragua and Panama. Half of Costa Rica's 4 million people live
around the San Jose area in the Central Valley. Costa Rica is
proud of its peaceful, democratic tradition. It has no military,
remains politically neutral, and is well known for its political
stability. Costa Rica is a Second World Country, has a good
infrastructure and is a safe, friendly country to visit.
Climate -
Temperatures fluctuate by
elevation, not by season. In the highlands (San Jose, Arenal,
Monteverde), temperatures are 75-80 degrees year-round. On the
coasts, expect 85-95 degrees year round. Dry season is December
- May. Green season is June - November. Don't be discouraged by
the rainy season (Green
season). It typically has brief, warm afternoon rains that bring
green life to everything! It should not affect your plans or
your reasons for coming!
Food and Tipping -
Generally, you can eat the food and drink the water in Costa
Rica. Nonetheless, we recommend you drink bottled water. Food in
Costa Rica is dominated by beans and rice, with meat (chicken,
beef, pork or seafood). It can be bland, but is generally
well-prepared. Exotic tropical fruits are widely available. Use
common sense when choosing restaurants - look for cleanliness.
Restaurants automatically add 10% tip plus 13% tax. So your bill
is automatically 23% higher. Still, food is not expensive in
Costa Rica. If you want to tip more, do so, but remember you are
already paying a 10% tip!
Electricity - 115 volts,
nationwide service. US-style appliances work without the need
for adapters.
What to Bring - The general
tone is very casual - it is not necessary to dress up for
dinner. Comfortable, lightweight apparel is best. Shorts,
T-shirts and sandals are great for the beach. For hiking, bring
light pants, sneakers or hiking shoes. Evenings can be cool in
the highlands, so light sweaters or light coats might be needed.
Don't wear valuable jewelry or carry large sums of cash.
Definitely bring sunscreen for the beach!! Insect repellent is a
good idea, although you probably will not use it much.
Currency - The unit of
currency is the Colone. We
recommend travelers checks, and exchanging them at your hotels,
but many credit cards are widely accepted. ATM machines are NOT
readily available, so don't plan on getting cash this way while
you are in Costa Rica. Passports are typically required to cash
travelers checks.
Entry Requirements - A
passport is
currently required for U.S. citizens to enter Costa Rica
Visas are not required for U.S. citizens. No immunizations are
currently required nor recommended. Citizens of other countries
should consult the Costa Rican consulate in their country for
entry requirements.
Driving/Transportation -
Rental cars and private transportation are available in Costa
Rica. It is best to have a rental car, because you have the
flexibility to go where you want, when you want. You cannot
always rely on other forms of transportation. It often takes a
long time to get from one point to another. Renting a car is
cheaper, easier and less time-consuming than relying on private
transfers or public transportation. You do not need an
International Driver's license and you drive on the right side
of the road.
Most of the roads are paved, but many have potholes. Road
conditions have improved dramatically due to large investments
in highway construction. Roads are not very well lit, and not
well-marked in many areas. On some roads, trucks and aggressive
drivers can be problematic. If you get lost, most people are
very helpful and will gladly assist you. You need to use common
sense when driving in Costa Rica:
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Drive in the daytime
whenever possible
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Use the passenger as
navigator
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Have your Passport and
driver's license with you
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Do not leave valuables
unattended for any length of time.
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