I’ve never traveled outside the country before. What are some good things to know?
First of all, congratulations on your first international trip! It will be a great time. Here are some basic things to know that are good for anywhere in the world – including Costa Rica.
Tell your bank you’ll be traveling. Many banks will disable your credit card if they see any suspicious purchases. And they might consider sudden Costa Rica purchases suspicious. Call the customer service number on the back of your card and let them know when you’ll be arriving and departing Costa Rica. This way you won’t be stuck in another country unable to use your card.
Check your passport’s expiration date. Most countries require that you have at least 6 months left on your passport. If your passport is set to expire April 2012 or earlier, it’s time to renew!
Make copies of everything. You might lose your passport at some point. So before you leave, make a couple copies of the photo page. Leave one copy with someone at home – someone you can easily contact. Take another copy with you, and keep it separate from your passport. If your passport gets lost, having this information will make it much easier to get a new one.
In fact, it's always a good idea to do this with all important documents. Passports, prescriptions, itineraries, photocopies of credit and debit cards... make 2 copies of everything. Leave 1 copy with the
trusted friend or relative stateside. Bring the other copy with you on your trip.
Exchanging money in the airport is usually more expensive. In general, airports are convenient, but will charge a higher fee to exchange money. So if you can, wait until you can go to a bank in town. (Or exchange some money before you arrive in the country.) But most places in Costa Rica accept dollars as well as the local currency – colones.
If you take prescription drugs, bring a copy of your prescription with you. In case you need a refill in Costa Rica, or you lose your medication. Keep the info with the passport and other copies that you’re also bringing. (You are bringing a copy of your passport, right?)
Bring earplugs and an eye mask. Great for buses, hotels with thin walls or bad curtains, airplanes, etc. They’re always a good idea while traveling.
Bring a few meds. Diarrhea medication like Immodium and headache medication are good starts. Just in case.
Keep and bring receipts. If you book anything in advance, bring along the receipts and confirmation number. If you booked through a travel agency, bring their information as well.
Keep an open mind. You’re sure to experience things that are outside your comfort zone – that’s the fun of traveling! So loosen up, have fun, and don’t expect everything to be just like the States. (You’ll also have some great stories.)
What’s the best way to deal with money?
The first thing you should do is call your bank and tell them you’re visiting Costa Rica. This way they won’t disable your card if they see purchases coming from another country. You should also ask them about any international fees they might charge. Some banks add on a small foreign exchange fee on all purchases and ATM withdrawals.
Don’t put all your money eggs in one basket. Take a variety of cash, credit cards, and (if you want), traveler’s checks. That way, if something happens to your card, at least you’ll have some cash to use while the card situation is sorted out.
Costa Rica has many ATM’s in tourist areas. They give good exchange rates, are bi-lingual (both English and Spanish), and usually offer both dollars and colones. Bring your ATM card, but make sure you call the bank and tell them you’ll be going to Costa Rica and ask about any extra fees and daily withdrawal limits.
Don't worry about exchanging currency at the airport. The rates are not good at all, and everyone who's services you will need when you land accepts dollars and will give you a very fair exchange rate. Just MAKE CERTAIN that the US bills you are traveling with are $20 or smaller, and that they are relatively if not very new. People are fine with accepting US$ but they will not even look twice at the money if it is torn or very worn.
While travelers’ checks offer a sense of security, they can be tough to use in Costa Rica. Many places don’t accept them, and there are often long lines to exchange them for cash. As ATM’s become more popular, many people are using their debit cards instead of travelers’ checks. However, if you do decide to use them, make sure to photocopy the receipts before you travel, and leave the copies with a trusted person in the States. And always keep the original check receipts separate from the actual checks.
I googled Costa Rica and there were tons of horrible crime stories! What’s the deal? Is Costa Rica dangerous?
Look, bad things happen everywhere. It’s highly unlikely anything will happen to you if you just use good old-fashioned common sense. In fact, a good rule of thumb is to treat Costa Rica like you would treat any large city in the U.S.
Try not to walk alone outside at night.
Don’t leave your valuables unattended.
Don’t leave your backpack or expensive camera on your towel while you jump in for a swim. Don’t leave your iPad in the passenger seat in your car. And don’t hang your purse on the back of a chair in a crowded restaurant or bar.
Like so many other places, pick pocketing and breaking into rental cars are the main crimes you have to worry about in Costa Rica. Thieves look for passports, cameras, iPods, expensive sunglasses, watches, jewelry, and yes – cash and credit cards. So by using a little common sense, you’ll be fine. Don’t leave valuables lying around (including in your hotel room). Use your hotel safe. Don’t carry your passport around with you (unless you need it for some official business).
Costa Rica is full of friendly people and is a major tourist destination – don’t worry. Have fun.
Should I carry my passport around with me?
Unless you need it for official business, like exchanging money or going through customs at the airport, then a copy should be fine. Leave your actual passport in a secure place, like the hotel safe.
Ew! I heard you can’t flush toilet paper down the toilets in Costa Rica! That’s just a horrible rumor, right?
Costa Rica doesn’t have the sophisticated plumbing and strong water pressure we enjoy in the US. If you flush the paper, it might either clog the toilet or come back up to say hello. So yes, most likely there will be a small trashcan next to the toilet in which you can throw your toilet paper. Suck it up. It’s not that gross.
And while we’re on the subject, it might be a good idea to bring your own roll of toilet paper around with you. And hand sanitizer. Some bathrooms might be without paper and/or soap, and many bathroom attendants will charge you extra for toilet paper.
I don’t need sunscreen, right? I want to get TAN!
We’re only 10 degrees above the equator, folks. Bring sunscreen. And a hat. And sunscreen.
Do I have to tip everyone?
As always, tipping is up to you. But here’s a general rule of thumb when it comes to tipping in Costa Rica:
Restaurants: Bills will include a 10% service charge. Anything over and above that is up to you, but much appreciated. Workers don’t get paid much here.
Taxis: Cab drivers are generally not tipped, unless extra service is provided.
Bellboys: Approximately $1 a bag.
Housekeeping: Often overlooked, but very hard working. $1 per night is nice, and tipping them in the beginning of your trip can greatly increase the cleanliness of your room.
Tour guides: Average tip is $10-$15 per person per day depending on the size of the tour group. Generally the fewer people in the group, the higher the tip.
It might be a good idea to bring a stack of US $1 bills with you for easy tipping. And it’s always appreciated; so if you’re feeling generous, by all means… tip!
Costa Rica is full of diseases, right? Which shots should I get?
There’s always a (small) chance of picking something up whenever you travel. The likelihood of that happening on a short trip to Costa Rica is small – you’re more likely to suffer from sunburn than anything else.
Currently there are no vaccination requirements for Costa Rica.
But, as always, check with your doctor if you’re nervous.
And it’s a good idea to wear mosquito repellent. And sunscreen!
Can I drink the water in Costa Rica?
The water in Costa Rica is potable in larger cities, but it’s always a good idea to stick to bottled water (just in case).
And drink a lot – dehydration is no fun.
Brushing your teeth and showering with regular water should be fine.
What about renting a car in Costa Rica?
There’s a fantastic public transportation system in Costa Rica, but if you are planning to travel extensively and don't have a stomach for long bus rides, you may want to rent a car. We don't necessarily recommend it for the following reasons:
Roads are pretty crazy – lanes can end without any warning, drivers are unpredictable, and sometimes roads are poorly maintained.
Thieves often target rental cars.
Definitely do a lot of research before renting.
Does Costa Rica have a departure tax?
Yes. Like most countries, Costa Rica charges a departure tax for you to leave the country. When you arrive at the airport for your departing flight, you should pay this $26 departure tax before going through security or anything else. Turn right when you walk into the airport, and you’ll see the counter labeled, “Departure Fee.” Save your receipt – you’ll need to show it later. They take dollars, colones, and credit cards. However, they treat the credit card payment as a cash advance, and banks often charge a fee for it. So your $26 might become $36. Just a heads up.