At the Water's Edge Costa Rica Adventure

Visitors to the Republic of Costa Rica will find that despite its small size, the country has an incredible number of attractions and activities to offer. Five per cent 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 fishing and surfing to white water rafting and exploring volcanic regions, Costa Rica is the perfect playground for nature lovers and adventures seekers alike!

Currency 

Local currency: Costa Rican Colón 
Symbol: ₡ 
ISO code: CRC 
Subunit: Céntimo 
Banknotes: ₡1000, ₡2000, ₡5000, ₡10000, ₡20000, ₡50000, ₡100000 
Coins: ₡5, ₡10, ₡25, ₡50, ₡100, ₡500 

Banking 

Card Transactions: Yes 
ATMs: Yes 
Mastercard: Yes 
Visa: Yes 
American Express: Yes 
Diner’s club: No 

Banking Hours: 
Weekdays: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM 
Weekends: Closed 
Public Holidays: Yes 
Foreign exchange services: Yes 

Air: 

Main airlines: Avianca, Copa Airlines 
International Airports: Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) 
Domestic Airports: Tobias Bolaños International Airport (SYQ), Limón International Airport (LIO) 

Road: 

Driving on the: Right 
Tar roads: Yes 
Gravel roads: Yes 
Valid International Driver's License needed: Yes 
Car hire available: Yes 
Taxis: Yes 
E-hailing services: Yes 

Bus: 

Inter-city bus services: Yes 
Local city bus networks: Yes 

Rail: 

Railway system: No 
Subway System: No 

Water: 

Ferries: Yes 
Water taxis: Yes 
Leisure cruises: Yes 

Food and water safety: 

Can you drink the tap water: No 
Fresh fruit and veg: Yes 
Ice: Yes 
Meat: Yes 
Street food: Yes 

Local cuisine: 

Costa Rican cuisine is diverse and flavorful, often featuring rice, beans, plantains, and fresh seafood. Gallo Pinto, a dish made of rice and beans, is a staple. Other highlights include Casado, a traditional lunch plate, and ceviche, a seafood dish marinated in citrus juices. Notable local drinks include horchata, refrescos (fruit drinks), and guaro, a sugarcane liquor. 

Tipping: 10-15% 

Annual rainfall: 2000 - 5000 mm 
Average temperature: 24°C 

Summer: 

Average highs: 30°C 
Average lows: 22°C 

Winter: 

Average highs: 28°C 
Average lows: 20°C 

Best time to visit: 

The best time to visit Costa Rica is during the dry season, from December to April, when the weather is sunny and the wildlife viewing is excellent. 

Spring and Summer 

Cool, light, breathable and comfortable: Yes 
Lightweight warm clothes: No 

Winter and Autumn 

Jerseys, cardigans, sweaters, jackets: Recommended 
Heavyweight clothing and boots: No 

General 

Umbrella and raincoat: Yes 
Warm gloves, hat and scarf: No 
Swimming costume (bathing suit): Yes 
Hat, sunglasses and sunblock: Yes 
Walking shoes: Yes 
Casual: Yes 
Smart-casual attire: Yes 

Plug Type: Type A, Type B 
Voltage (V): 120V 
Frequency Hertz (Hz): 60Hz 

*Travel plug adapter and voltage converter might be necessary depending on your appliances. 

Tipping Guide:

Restaurants:

• All Costa Rican restaurants automatically add a 10% gratuity to your bill, along with a 13% tax. Tipping is optional, but it's polite to offer an additional sum if the service was exceptional.

Other Services:

• Taxi drivers typically receive 10-20% if they are helpful and friendly.
• Tour Bus Drivers: Tip around $10 for an all-day tour (8-12 hours), sometimes shared with accompanying guides.
• Water Taxi Drivers: Typically receive around $2 per journey.
• Private Transfers: Tipping is not necessary but appreciated, especially if the driver goes above and beyond by teaching you Spanish, explaining local culture, stopping for photo opportunities, or taking you to local eateries. Consider $10-$20 depending on length of transfer.
• General Tour Guides: Tip between $5 and $20, depending on group size and length of tour plus how helpful they were.
• Scuba Diving Tours: A tip of about $10 per tank is generous.
• Dolphin/whale Tours: Tip the crew, usually the boat driver and the guide.
• Turtle Watching Tours: Tip the guides a few dollars on the beaches, as they often work on a volunteer basis or with very little pay. Any gesture of appreciation is greatly valued by the guides.

Tipping in Hotels:

Hotels and Boutique Resorts:

• Tip around $1 per bag for bellhops.
• Leave about $2-$5 per day for housekeepers, preferably on the first day for better service.
• Tip around $1 per drink at the hotel bar.

Remote Jungle Resorts and Lodges:

• Tipping is often collective to support local communities and behind-the-scenes workers. Each place has its own recommendations, so consult your travel advisor.

All-inclusives:

It isn't necessary, and the Costa Rican culture doesn't expect it since this is their job, but if someone goes out of the way and you feel the need to, we encourage it. Please see above hotel tipping guide. A few dollars at meal times is appreciated if you receive great service.

You can tip your driver(s) and guide(s) at the end of the week if you know it will be the same people all week. Otherwise we recommend tipping them individually at the end of each day.

Dive crew are often tipped at the end of the week to the main guide or Captain or in a tip box on the boat or in the shop if provided. Most dive shops share tips.