FAQ COSTA RICA

Should I purchase travel insurance?

We highly recommend that you purchase travel insurance to protect your vacation investment. Unforeseen last minute events and emergencies can occur that may cause you to cancel or alter your vacation. In many cases the money you’ve paid will be completely non-refundable. We offer optional travel insurance when you book your vacation with us. If you want to know more about it, mention it to your TC when you speak to them.

What is the weather like in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica weather is tropical due to our proximity to the equator. The country is unique for having over a dozen micro-climates, all of which feature different characteristics. The degree of humidity or dryness varies depending on what part of the country you’re in and the month you’re traveling. Traditionally our Pacific regions enjoy the least amount of rainfall between December and April, the Northern Pacific generally receives almost no rainfall during these months and the Central and Southern Pacific areas very little rainfall. We call these months our “Dry Season” or “Summer”. Starting in May we’ll begin to get afternoon rain showers and once we get to September we are seeing afternoon rains almost every day. On the Pacific, the further North you go, the less frequent the rainfall, the further South you go, the more frequent the rainfall. This period between May and November we call our “Green Season” or “Winter”.

Our Caribbean regions (like the Arenal Volcano region) receive about the same amount of rainfall month to month year round. This is a humid lush part of the country and an afternoon rain shower is common regardless of the month of the year you visit. If you are visiting a mountain area like Cerro de la Muerte or Monteverde, you’ll be at elevations between 6000 and 11,000 feet so evenings and early mornings will be quite cool and a jacket is recommended.

Where can I exchange money?

Costa Rica’s official currency is the Colón, however, U.S. dollars are still widely accepted throughout the country. Money can be exchanged in banks but the process is not easy. You’ll usually have to wait in long lines and most tellers speak little English. Your passport is required to exchange money at all banks. ATMs are the easiest way to get local currency. At most ATMs, you will have the choice of asking for colons or dollars. Keep in mind most banks charge a transaction fee between $2.00 – $7.00 dollars. There are currency exchange booths in the San Jose Airport, but exchange rates are generally not favorable and fees are generally applied. We recommend bringing U.S. Dollars in denominations from $1 – $20. (avoid 50’s and 100’s). Use these bills for your local purchases and you’ll receive your change in colons. You’ll then have some local currency to spend.

How much cash should I carry?

This is a personal choice based on your spending habits, but we recommend that you have at least $100 cash with you upon arrival.(Only carry $1, $5, $10, $20 bills). How much cash you should carry throughout the trip depends on your plans, if you like to shop, and if you prefer to use a credit card for purchases or not. In almost all destinations you will have access to an ATM Machine. We recommend that you always place your cash, valuables, and passports in your hotel’s safe deposit box every time you leave your room.

Is it easy to get sunburn, or get dehydrated in Costa Rica?

Being in a sunny tropical climate, it’s easy to get sunburned or dehydrated. A bad sunburn or dehydration are two ways to put a major kink in any vacation. Make sure you use plenty of sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15 and drink plenty of liquids to avoid such problems.

Are there many mosquitoes in Costa Rica? Should I bring bug spray?

Mosquitoes are common year-round, however, rare in some areas due to low overnight temperatures (Monteverde or San José). Mosquitoes are most common at dusk and dawn; especially in rain forest or rural areas. It’s a good idea to wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants if you are going to be hiking or walking in the forest during these times. A good insect repellent sprayed onto your clothing or skin will be effective to keep mosquitoes from bothering you (if you use both sunscreen and insect repellent, apply the sunscreen first and then the repellent). A DEET based product is not necessary but is generally the strongest option you can buy. Malaria does exist in Costa Rica (as in every other country in Central America), although it is very rare and any outbreak makes the news. It’s up to you whether you want to bring malaria medication, but be aware that plenty of locals and expats get by without it, and thousands of tourists visit each year without using this medication. More common mosquito-derived ailments are Dengue fever and the Chikungunya and Zika virus, which are easily combatted by taking the precautions mentioned above as protection against mosquito-borne diseases. If you develop one or more of the following symptoms seek medical evaluation for treatment: fever, rash, joint and/or muscle pain, severe eye pain (behind eyes), mild bleeding (nose or gum bleed or easy bruising).

Is Costa Rica safe?

Costa Rica is an extremely safe country. It is very easy to let down your normal guard while you are here in Costa Rica enjoying the “Pura Vida” lifestyle, but it is important to take normal safety precautions.

The largest crime in Costa Rica is petty theft so be diligent in watching over your personal items. Use your hotel safe at all times.
Do not leave cameras, purses, Ipads, Ipods, and cell phones unattended on restaurant tables, pool lounges, or beach towels.
Leave expensive watches and jewelry at home.
If you have a rental car, stow your personal belongings under the seat, make sure the car is locked and if possible park it in an area in which you can keep an eye on it.
We always recommend you bring a photocopy of the picture page of your passport as well.

How much do I tip drivers and other service workers?

Visitors should offer a tip to the service provider if they feel satisfied with the service that they have received. If you feel that the driver, tour guide or person assisting you has done a great job, then please, go ahead and tip him/her. Please, do tip the service employees that enhances your experience based upon how much you think that they deserve. Some guidelines are:

Hotel bellboy, US$1 per bag
Hotel maids US$2 per day
Tour guides US$5 per person
Drivers US$5 per each hour of service
Fishing 15-20% of the charter fee
Do consider that a 10% service fee is added, by law, to all food & beverage bills. Additional tipping for food and beverage is based upon how much you consider appropriate.

Do I need to bring jackets or raincoat?

A light waterproof windbreaker or poncho is a good idea if you are visiting the Caribbean (like the Arenal Volcano area). A sweater or light fleece will get you through cooler evenings in San Jose or Monteverde. If you are visiting the mountains, though (Talamanca Area) you will want some warmer clothing or plan to layer.

What are the requirements for a vehicle rental?

Rental Requirements: passport, valid driver license (a foreign driver license is valid in Costa Rica for 90 days after the last arrival to the country) and the minimum age for rental is 25 years old. Basic insurance for your rental is included in the price. This covers minor damages, scratches, small dents, tires, for ONE designated driver and is non-refundable. Please note that you will need to pay a refundable deposit directly to the car rental agency via major credit card (Debit cards and cash are not accepted for the deposit) at the time of pickup. This refundable deposit varies from $1,000-$2,500 US depending on the rental car agency and covers collision, major damage, and car theft. This deposit will then be released to you by the car rental agency upon return of the car. If you like to add an extra driver or opt for full coverage insurance, please inform the rental company when you pick up your vehicle and you will then pay the price difference directly to them.

When driving in Costa Rica, make sure you have allowed yourself plenty of travel time between destinations as the mileage can be misleading. Not all routes have accurate road signs. We strongly advise against driving at night as roads may be unlit and in some cases are quite curvy which can be dangerous. Currently, Costa Rica does not use street names and numbers for addresses in most areas. We use landmarks to give directions. Keep this in mind when traveling if you do stop to ask for directions. Most Costa Ricans will explain location using North, South, East, West and in meters or kilometers, not miles. Landmarks such as buildings, trees, and waterways are also often used. And again, please be advised there is a risk when leaving unattended luggage or valuables in your rental car. Always lock your vehicle, put personal items out of site, and try to park in areas where you can see the vehicle. Always check into your hotel first, and unload your luggage before enjoying activities.

What should I do in case I have a car accident?

Remember that if you are involved in an accident here in Costa Rica DO NOT MOVE YOUR VEHICLE. By moving your vehicle, even if it is blocking a travel lane, it is accepting responsibility for the accident, whether it was your fault or not. Your rental car agency will leave instructions for you to follow if you are involved in an accident. Make sure to keep those accessible during your trip. If there are injured people please call 911 and proceed to contact your car rental company, If additional assistance is needed you may also contact Costa Rican Vacations 24/7 emergency number 40317711.

What is covered if I rent a car with basic insurance?

If you plan your vacation with us, included in the price of your vacation is basic insurance for your rental. This covers minor damages, scratches, small dents, tires, for ONE designated driver. The refundable deposit that you will pay directly to the car rental agency (via major credit card) at the time of pickup covers collision, major damage, and car theft. This deposit will then be released to you by the car rental company upon return of the car. If you like to add an extra driver or opt for a full coverage insurance, please inform the rental company when you pick up your vehicle and you will then pay the price difference directly to them.

Is Costa Rica Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Costa Rica is a safe country and is a great place for solo travelers, especially female solo travelers. Their culture is very friendly and open, making it easy for solo travelers to have a good time.

Additionally, English is widely spoken in touristic areas and there are several towns popular for backpackers and solo travelers such as Tamarindo, Dominical, Jaco, Manuel Antonio, Santa Teresa, Monteverde and La Fortuna. You can find hostels in all those popular towns to meet other travelers and stay in a safe place.

The main crimes against tourists are petty theft or car break ins. However, using common sense will go a long ways in Costa Rica (lock your doors, roll up windows, don’t leave belongings unattended, don’t walk alone at night or early morning, avoid parking in dark streets, etc.) You can read our post for Costa Rica safety tips and common Costa Rica scams for more tips.

One thing to note is that some male Costa Ricans are quite outspoken and are not shy about persistently hitting on female travelers. If you don’t feel comfortable, firmly tell them to leave you alone and that you’re not interested.

Do not be afraid to speak out if you feel very uncomfortable and go to a public establishment or business. Many establishments have their own security guard (like banks) and many touristic destinations have a tourist police around.

How Much Should I Tip in Costa Rica?

Tip, or service tax as it’s called in Costa Rica is 10% and is included in the restaurants, tours and hotels’ prices. It is not mandatory to tip more but if you want to, it is greatly appreciated. Americans are the main demographic of Costa Rica’s tourists and the American tipping culture is quite intense, so tipping has become a bit more expected in Costa Rica in more American & Canadian dominated touristic places (places like Tamarindo, Jaco, Manuel Antonio, Playas del Coco).

You can tip in USD or local currency, Costa Rican colones. Sales tax is 13% in Costa Rica so on menus, you may see something like impuestos incluidos which would be the 13% or impuestro de servicio no incluido which would be the 10%.

For tipping, the standard amount is 10%. You can tip more or less depending on how you feel the service was.

You can read more about tipping in Costa Rica in this post.