Costa Rica: Nature

Located in Central America, between Nicaragua and Panama, bathed by the Pacific and Atlantic oceans; with a population of under 5 million people and thousands of colorful species, all of whom feel proud to call this little piece of land “home".

Five percent of the world’s biodiversity can be found within Costa Rica’s borders and great efforts have been made to preserve this rich resource; protected national parks make up almost 25% of the land – more than any other country in the world. From hiking and surfing, to white water rafting and exploring volcanic regions, Costa Rica is the perfect playground for nature lovers and adventures seekers alike.

Currency
Costa Rican Colón (CRC; symbol ₡) = 100 céntimos. Notes are in denominations of ₡50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 2,000 and 1,000. Coins are in denominations of ₡500, 100, 50, 25, 20, 10 and 5.

Banking
Banking hours: State banks Mon-Fri 09h00-15h00. Private banks Mon-Fri 08h00-16h00.

MasterCard and Visa are all accepted; American Express is slightly less so. Many banks will only process MasterCard for cash credits. Cash may be the only accepted form of payment in smaller towns and rural areas.   US dollars are widely accepted, giving change back in colónes.

ATMs are common throughout the cities and small towns. They will usually accept foreign cards but in some regions, only Visa cards are accepted. Occasionally, paying with credit cards may not be possible for technical reasons. Bringing a good supply of US dollars in cash is advised, as many things such as entrance fees to national parks or meals at restaurants, can be paid for with US dollars.

The exchange rate is based on a range system, so it’s always better to check upon arrival in Costa Rica.

Costa Ricans drive on the right side of the road.

Stretches of the Pan-American Highway leading to and from the major cities tend to be okay, but the rest is a mix of dust, gravel, potholes, and mountainous roads. You must be over 21 to hire a car and a credit card for the deposit.

There are many different car hire companies in Costa Rica, predominantly in San José and at the main airport, but it is advisable to either book a car through a local travel agency or to be exceptionally careful to note and confirm any damage or scratches to the vehicle before you drive off. Also, ensure that the vehicle comes with a spare tire and a jack because Costa Rica’s roads are such that you may well need one.

Taxis are numerous and inexpensive in San José. The taxis are colored red (except those serving the Juan Santamaría International Airport, which are orange). Taxis are usually metered, so make sure they turn it on and that it hasn’t already been running, or ask your hotel concierge how much a fare should be, and negotiate with the driver to an agreed amount before setting off.

Public transport via road in Costa Rica ranges from the large coach companies such as the Tica Bus and Transnica, which are comfortable and air-conditioned, to little shuttle buses in the Nicoya Peninsula.

Costa Rica also has a railway system that offers visitors a fun way to explore parts of the country.

Costa Rica is one of the countries in Latin America with higher health and sanitary standards. Besides the State-owned hospitals, there are many private hospitals and clinics with excellent standards of service.

There are no required immunizations for entering Costa Rica. However, we recommend discussing the itinerary with your physician and checking on personal health needs.

For complete information regarding health requirements, you can visit www.cdc.gov 

Costa Rica is a safe country, but there are cases of theft in several parts of the country, especially in tourist areas, so it is advisable to be alert at all times, do not leave your belongings unattended, avoid walking down the street late at night without company, and avoid entering sites that seem unsafe. As a general rule, do not bring valuable belongings or of high sentimental value that can be lost or stolen. The Costa Rican Tourism Board, in conjunction with the police, have created a subdivision titled tourist police with more than 250 officers, whose primary purpose is to maintain order and security in tourist areas. If you have any questions or concerns, you can seek them.

In the following link you can find a video with Safety Recommendations for visiting Costa Rica:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNOzqCABJ4E

Costa Rica is not a major foodie destination, but what it lacks in sophistication it makes up for in choice.

The Caribbean coast tends to be more influenced by the island nations. Jamaican-style jerk chicken is a staple; rice and beans (gallo pinto) are ubiquitous, but more likely to be prepared with coconut milk; and curry spices feature heavily as ingredients, creating dishes with a very distinct flavor from their counterparts on the Pacific coast.

The Costa Rican diet is fairly healthy with low use of dairy or high-fat dishes. Fresh fruits and vegetables make up a high proportion of meals, while pork, chicken, and beef are the most popular meats. Seafood is available throughout the country, particularly in coastal regions, with sea bass being the most common fish on menus.

WATER: Bottled water is recommended for travelers. In the major cities, tap water is normally heavily chlorinated and, whilst relatively safe to drink, may cause mild abdominal upsets. Drinking water outside main cities and towns may be contaminated and sterilization is advisable. Bottled water is available and is advised for the duration of the stay.

Milk is pasteurized and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit, and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat.

Costa Rica is very close to the equator, so we have tropical weather that is warm and humid.

This means that there are two defined seasons, rainy and dry.
                  The dry season (or verano) goes from December to April.
                  The rainy season (invierno) goes from May to November. There is a mini-dry season (or veranillo) in the month of July.

During the rainy season, expect dry, sunny mornings and afternoon showers. However, being in the tropics, there is always a chance of rain regardless of the month. It's advisable to pack a light waterproof jacket or poncho, just in case!

Your packing list will vary depending on your itinerary. In general, you will experience several changes in temperature and altitudes as you travel from one site to the next.

For this reason, it’s always smart to dress in layers and keep your rain jacket handy. In general, lightweight; fast-drying clothes are advisable, as well as good hiking shoes for the day on the trail and a spare pair for the evening.

Natural colors (browns and greens) are best for blending in for birding and wildlife viewing.

Mosquito repellent is recommended at all times.

There are internet cafes throughout the country, and most tourist hotels also provide facilities such as Wi-Fi. Internet speed may be rather slow but this should improve as the government aims to improve infrastructure to allow for faster broadband connections.

Costa Rica uses the same 110V – 60 cycle system as the USA. European appliances will need adapters.

Electric sockets in Costa Rica are Type B (NEMA 5-15) and/or Type A (NEMA 1-15). If your device's plug doesn't match the shape of these sockets, you will need a travel plug adapter. Travel plug adapters simply change the shape of your appliance's plug to match whatever type of socket you need to plug into. If it's crucial to be able to plug in, bring an adapter for all three above types.

Electrical sockets supply electricity at 120 volts AC / 60 Hz frequency.  If you're plugging in an appliance that was built for 220-240 volt electrical input, or an appliance that is compatible with multiple voltages, then an adapter is all you need. If your appliance isn’t compatible with 120 volts, a voltage converter will be necessary.