Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a small, Central American country with a population of about 5 million, rich with wildlife, amazing beaches, and biodiversity rivaled by few other countries.  Bordered by Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south, Costa Rica has both Northern Pacific and Caribbean coastlines.  The Costa Rican economy is primarily based on tourism, including a growing portion of ecotourism, with people seeking to responsibly enjoy the country’s natural beauty, flora, and fauna.

Costa Rica has a great many sights and activities for visitors.  Both white and black sand beaches are available for those who fancy a sun-drenched relaxing visit.  There are a great many active, adventure, and thrill-based activities such as jungle hikes, zip lines, surfing, whitewater rafting, active volcano park visits, and forest canopy tours. In fact, with the diversity of the ecology along with the many activities for visitors, you can most certainly wander through Costa Rica, your way.  The possibilities are endless.

Before You Go…

Visa Requirements

The requirements for a visitor visa to enter into Costa Rica vary, depending on your nationality and country of residence, and the duration of your stay.  In all cases, a valid passport is required and it’s generally sound travel advice to be sure that the expiry date is at least 6 months beyond the last day of your stay.

If your visa is a temporary visitor permit, which most are, you will need to have a ticket for your return trip exiting the country.  This may be a ticket back to your country of residence or it can be a ticket for the next leg of your journey.

Be certain to check for the appropriate visa requirements while planning your trip, before you purchase tickets and well in advance of your departure.  More specific information on visa requirements can be found on the Costa Rica embassy website.

Getting Around – Transportation

Given that Costa Rica’s economy is built around tourism and visitors, the transportation system is pretty robust.  The main airport is Juan Santamaria International (the airport code is SJO) is located near the capital city of San Jose.  The airport is relatively small but efficient and easily handles the annual passenger load of over 5 million visitors.  Additional information can be found on the Juan Santamaria Airport website.  Costa Rica also has some domestic airlines if you need intra-country transportation while you’re there.

Rental cars are commonly used by visitors and are available at the airport as well as at various rental car outlets in the cities and some towns.  The roads are generally well marked and in good condition.  We made good use of Google Maps while driving in Costa Rica, but be sure to have an international data plan if you are going to use a mobile device mapping service.

Visitors are permitted to drive in Costa Rica as long as you have a valid driver’s license in your home country and a visitor visa stamp in your passport, and you must have both with you while driving.  Having access to a car gives you the freedom to come and go as you please and to explore the many unexpected attractions across the country.  The rules of the road and road markings are very much like you might expect in many other westernized countries.  The main roads are generally well paved and in good condition, but take great care if you get off into the rural areas.  Also, be sure to check with your rental car agreement as some may have conditions that do not allow you to drive off of the main roadways.

Time Zone

Costa Rica is in the North American central time zone, which is GMT – 6 hours.  It’s also important to note that Costa Rica does NOT use the daylight savings time system, so the time difference with your home country may change during the summer months.

Electricity

The electrical grid in Costa Rica is based on a 110-volt, 60 cycle power system, which is very similar to and compatible with the power standards used in North America.  Plugs are typically the 2-pronged flat type, and North American travelers typically do not need either an adapter or a power converter.  If you are traveling from other areas of the world, you may require an adapter and/or a power converter, depending on the requirements of your electronics devices or small appliances.  Additional information on planning for your power needs while traveling can be found in our Shedding Light on Electricity blog post.

What to Expect While You’re There

Climate

The Costa Rican climate is certainly tropical but often moderate year-round with average high temperatures of around 80° F or 26° – 27° C, but that is very dependent on your location.  While the averages are in that moderate range, temperatures can reach the high 90’s F or even 100° or more in the warmer seasons.  The biodiversity and varied terrain in Costa Rica create many smaller microclimates that each have their own weather patterns with something for pretty much everyone’s preference.

Given its closeness to the equator, there is not much seasonal variation in the weather patterns.  There are two primary seasons, known as the high season (think dry) and the green season (think rainy).   While the actual months for these seasons vary a bit depending on the region within the country and its microclimate, the high season, which is the dry season, generally runs from November or December to April or May.  The green season, which is the rainy season, will also vary by region, but fills the balance of the other months.  The exception to this pattern is the Caribbean coast, which flips the dry and wet seasons

The high-ground areas are often cooler with a damp and misty air for a good part of the day throughout the year.  Some areas in the Costa Rican mountains get a ton of rain, up to as much as 300 inches per year.  Heavy rainfall is also common in the rainforest regions.

The coastlines have their own specific microclimates.  The Caribbean coast is warmer with trade winds that help keep the climate hot and humid.  The Pacific coastal regions typically experience higher temperatures and humidity, particularly in the Northern Pacific region.  The climate in the rainforests is also warm and very humid, often with a significant amount of rain. No surprise there, right?  Interestingly, the cloud forests, which are similar to a rain forest but found in the mountains at higher elevations, are typically cooler, but also with lots of rain.  Temps in the rain forests can get as high as 100° F or 38° C.

Food and Water Safety

Drinking tap water is generally safe in the larger cities, with water quality being similar to what you would experience in most cities.  The water quality can vary more when you get into some of the rural areas.  It’s generally sound travel safety to be cautious about drinking local water or consuming uncooked food washed in local water.  If you are unaccustomed to the local mineral or bacterial content you may have an unpleasant reaction to the water.  Bottled water is always a safe bet and it’s important to stay well hydrated in the heat.  And remember, alcohol is dehydrating – just sayin’.

Restaurant food, particularly cooked meals are generally of good quality and safe to eat.  Our best bet rule is to stick to dining establishments that are generally busy and frequented by many people.  That out of the way spot with nobody inside might be empty for a very good reason.  Be sure, though, to be very cautious about the consumption of street food.  Street food vendors are a popular attraction, but they may have a very different food preparation and cleanliness standards than you are used to.  This is no different in Costa Rica than it is any other country.  Just be sure that food is well cooked, and that the vendor appears to maintain a clean cart or stand.

Safety Considerations

Traveling anywhere requires some diligence and safety consciousness.  For more information on general safe travel tips and practices see our Travel Safely – Know Before You Go blog post.

There are a few tips and practices that you should be particularly mindful of during your visit to Costa Rica.

Take Care of Your Belongings

As always, you need to protect your valuables and belongings when you’re traveling.  This is as true in Costa Rica as it is anywhere you travel.  One unique thing to think about as you travel in Costa Rica is the wildlife.  Wild monkeys are common in the country and are often found in and around visitor areas.  These are highly intelligent animals who often have learned that a purse or a bag can contain interesting treasures and can readily open or run off with them.  Don’t leave your things lying around and be mindful that they could be snatched.  During our visit to the National Park at Manual Antonio, we watched a monkey open a woman’s backpack, rummage around, and run off with several interesting items in the National Park at Manuel Antonio.

Don’t Feed the Wildlife

Wildlife is plentiful in Costa Rica, including many birds and animals not common in other parts of the world.  Feeding these animals is a danger to both them and you.  While you might find it interesting and cute to feed a monkey or one of the tropical birds, you’re actually putting them in harm’s way by teaching them to frequent populated areas in search of treats.  Also, the items you may have to feed them are often not part of their native diet and could be harmful.

You also put yourself into harm’s way when feeding the wildlife.  It’s important to remember that these are wild animals and they may become frightened or aggressive and react by biting, scratching, or otherwise attacking you or someone around you.

Good intentions are fine but it’s important to be safe and responsible and just don’t feed the wildlife.  The restaurant, store, or resort owners will also thank you for not doing so.

Keep the Bugs Off with Insect Repellant

One of the most appealing aspects of Costa Rica is the amazing vegetation in the rainforests and other regions.  These environments are ideal for many things, including homes for many, many insects.  The use of good insect repellant will go a long way to avoiding itchy and potentially painful insect bites.  Seek out a high-quality repellant, often with a high amount of DEET included, and apply it before and during trips into the tropical regions of the country.  Remember that sweat and rain can wash away or reduce the effectiveness of these repellants so it’s important to reapply occasionally as well.

Dress Appropriately

Dressing for the environmental and weather conditions is especially important.  Considering wearing loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts and lightweight pants when in the rainforests to provide additional bug protection.  Socks and shoes as opposed to sandals are also highly recommended.  Lighter colors appear to work best as well.  If you’re traveling in the rainy season or in the mountains, consider packing a lightweight rain poncho or similar gear to protect against unexpected showers.  When in the heat and sunshine be sure to bring a hat and have UV protective clothing in case you’ve had enough of the sun.

Stay Hydrated

Warm to very hot temperatures along with the high humidity in Costa Rica make it very easy to become dehydrated.  This is particularly true if you’re active outdoors with things such as hiking, kayaking, or even just exploring in the rainforest.  It’s recommended that you drink 16 – 24 oz of water each hour, more if you are sweating heavily.  Be sure to bring enough water that you don’t get dehydrated which can make you feel poorly or worse.

Keep an Eye on the Sky

It’s also important to keep a close watch on weather conditions, particularly if you are out on the water for any reason.  Weather conditions in Costa Rica can change quickly and you may need to quickly hit the shore or take shelter temporarily.  A pop-up storm can cause conditions to change for the worse pretty rapidly and it’s a very good idea to check the forecasts before you depart on your day’s activities and to keep a close eye out for changing conditions.

Culture & Social Customs

Holiday traditions in the United States honor many of the traditional Christian occasions such as Christmas and Easter, along with several domestic traditions based on historical events such as Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Martin Luther King Day. Many of these holidays are bank and government holidays that are celebrated with family and friends.

Sporting events and entertainment such as movies, concerts, and live theater are at the center of the American culture.  Hollywood has had a dramatic impact on trends, social norms, and fashion across the country.  The country has several premier professional sports leagues including the National Football League, Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, and the National Hockey League.  Auto racing, in several forms, and soccer (also known as football in other parts of the world) are also hugely popular.

Food Customs

The food in Costa Rica is not what you might expect, assuming that you’re thinking that it would be some variation of spicy Mexican or Caribbean cuisine.  The Tico food culture can generally be summarized as being based on two ingredients, rice, and beans.  While this may sound boring and unappealing, these staples are normally accompanied by a diverse and rich mix of very fresh seafood, meats including beef or chicken, and an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables.  This all adds up to a delicious and healthy but perhaps not all that exciting food experience.

Perhaps the most famous Costa Rican dish is Gallo Pinto, which is a breakfast meal based on refried beans cooked with rice and flavored with cilantro, red pepper, and a variety of spices and sauces that seemed to vary depending on the cook.

Another well-known dish is the Casado, which is a traditional mix of guess what?  Rice and beans, served with vegetables and a specialty meat protein such as fish, chicken, or beef.  A Casado also normally includes some fried plantains.  This dish is traditionally served as a full meal during the lunchtime hour.  For many decades this has been the foundational dish in the traditional Costa Rican diet.  If you want to experience the local food culture and eat like the locals be sure to try Casados.

Another of our favorites was the Costa Rican ceviche.  Seafood in general is plentiful and amazingly fresh in Costa Rica and this applies to the ceviche, which is one of our summer seafood favorites.  Ceviche is also a favorite with locals, for good reason.  A healthy seafood dish, which is low in calories and contains healthy fats, ceviche is a mix of spices and raw seafood that is marinated in citrus juice, which essentially ‘cooks’ the food without traditional heat.  The abundance of fresh fish and shellfish along with the fresh citrus widely available in the country makes ceviche a must-try dish when you are in Costa Rica.