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Travel to Costa Rica

Overview

Costa Rica’s wealth of attractions will enchant even the most jaded of travellers, with stunning national parks, wildlife refuges and biological reserves accounting for no less than 25 percent of the land. Adventurous visitors can be assured of many opportunities for world-class surfing, kayaking, hiking, fishing, white water rafting, canyoning, climbing, and zip-lining, and those inclined to relax will find sun-tanning, swimming, and snorkeling galore on the destination’s beautiful beaches.

The northwest region of Costa Rica is famous for two spectacular national parks: the Arenal Volcano National Park, with the active Volcan Arenal at its heart, and the world-renowned Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, a unique and awe-inspiring wilderness area that dazzles visitors with its mystical atmosphere. Fortuna is a good base from which to explore the region, and a visit to the Monteverde community, spread in the hills of the cloud forest, is a fascinating excursion.

The Pacific coast is well developed for tourism and is scattered with picturesque villages and great beaches. Jaco is a beach resort town that is perfect for surfing, sunning, and partying.

Puntarenas, the largest town in the region and a popular stop for cruises, is also a good base for exploring the area. The Manuel Antonio National Park is the most celebrated reserve of the region and, here, travellers will find a captivating variety of wildlife, as well as the chance to enjoy numerous adventure activities.

The Caribbean coast of Costa Rica is becoming increasingly popular, thanks to its more relaxed atmosphere and less-developed infrastructure for tourism. It exists as a beach haven, its local communities generally friendly towards tourists. Puerto Limon is a bit rundown, but receives regular cruise passengers and acts as a doorway into the stunning coastal areas and pristine rainforests of Caribbean Costa Rica.

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a popular tourist destination nestled on the coast. The best parks in this area are the Cahuita National Park, which protects a wondrous coral reef and is a treat for divers and snorkellers, and the Tortuguero National Park in the north, a famous breeding ground for sea turtles.

San Jose sits in the middle of this natural wonderland of a country, and is a lively and modern city with good shopping, restaurants and nightlife. It has some architecturally beautiful colonial areas and a few great museums. From this urban centre, visitors will find a magnificent list of things to see and do in Costa Rica.

Climate in Costa Rica

Costa Rica has a typically tropical climate, which means that the seasons are not distinct. There is little difference in temperature throughout the year, and there is a lot of rainfall, particularly from May to November. However, December to April gets significantly less rain.

Temperatures along the coast are hotter, averaging 89F (32C), although they are tempered down by welcome sea breezes. The highland areas are warm during the day and can be quite cool at night. The sun shines year round in Costa Rica and there is no real winter, which makes it a year-round holiday destination. The coolest months of the year are November, December and January, and the hottest months of the year are March, April and May, but there is not a big difference. Peak tourist season in Costa Rica is from November to April, but the weather is good all year round, so for those looking to avoid the crowds, it is better to visit out of season.

Health Notes when travelling to Costa Rica

Vaccinations for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and typhoid are recommended, and a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if visitors are arriving from a country where yellow fever occurs, excluding Argentina and Panama, or if they are coming from Tanzania or Zambia. There is a year-round risk of malaria in some regions of Costa Rica and advice should be taken on what areas are currently risky places to visit. Travellers should also find out the precautions and medication they must take to protect against the disease. Water in cities is generally safe but it is advisable to buy bottled water, especially outside the main towns where there is a risk of contamination. Dengue fever is one of a number of diseases carried by insects that also occur in this region, especially during the rainy season; protection against insect bites is the best prevention. Medical services are reliable in cities and the standard of hygiene and treatment is very high.

Safety Notes when travelling to Costa Rica

There is no history of terrorism in Costa Rica, though there are incidents of violent crime that occasionally target tourists. There has been an increase in attacks on tourists leaving the airport in hired cars in San Jose, so visitors should watch their belongings carefully at all times and in all places, particularly in bus stations and on public transport. Theft of, and from, cars is common. It’s advisable not to wear jewellery or carry large amounts of cash, and to avoid moneychangers on the street. Strikes, protests and blockades can take place without warning, and demonstrations could disrupt travel on main roads, particularly those connecting San Jose with the coast. Visitors should check local information and plan their trip carefully, so as to stay well away from these incidents where possible.

Customs in Costa Rica

Costa Ricans are conservative when it comes to family values, and roles between male and female are expected to be traditional. Machismo is a key characteristic of Costa Rica culture, although women are quickly becoming more empowered in Tico society. The population is largely middle-class, Catholic, and ethnically homogenous.

Duty Free in Costa Rica

Travellers to Costa Rica over 18 years do not have to pay duty on 3 litres of alcohol; 500g of tobacco or 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars. Perfume for personal use is allowed provided it is a reasonable quantity.

Doing Business in Costa Rica

Costa Rica has a formal business environment, where men and women wear conservative suits, appointments are made and meetings begin on time. Business projects can be slow, however, as Costa Ricans are conservative in their approach to new ideas and keen to avoid risk. Spanish is the main language, but most business people speak English. Nevertheless, it is polite to have business cards as well as other promotional material printed in both English and Spanish. A lot of women have high profile jobs but the business world, like the society in general, is still male dominated. Visiting businesswomen will be treated with respect once their ability and authority is clearly established. Hours of business are generally 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday with a two-hour lunch break from 12pm.

Communication in Costa Rica

The international access code for Costa Rica is +506. Costa Rica has one of the most advanced telecommunications systems in Latin America and WiFi is available in most hotels, restaurants, and cafes.

Tipping in Costa Rica

Hotels add a 10 percent service charge and a three percent tourist tax to their bills, and a tip of 10 percent is usual in tourist areas and at upmarket restaurant. Taxi drivers are not normally tipped but passengers can use discretion if it’s been a long trip or there was intense traffic. People will often round off the fare to the nearest Costa Rican colon or US dollar. Tour guides, on the other hand, are normally tipped. In general, staff will appreciate a five to 10 percent tip if service has been particularly good.

Passport/Visa Note

All foreign passengers to Costa Rica must have return or onward tickets, the necessary travel documentation for their next destination, and proof of sufficient funds to cover their stay in the country. Extensions of stay for those who are visa-exempt can be arranged on arrival. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if visitors are arriving in Costa Rica from a country where yellow fever occurs, excluding Argentina and Panama, or if they are coming from Tanzania or Zambia. It is highly recommended that travellers’ passports have at least six months’ validity remaining after the intended date of departure from their travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements for Americans:

US citizens must have a passport that is valid upon their arrival in Costa Rica. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.

Entry requirements for Canadians:

Canadian citizens must have a passport that is valid upon their arrival in Costa Rica. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.

Entry requirements for UK nationals:

British citizens must have a passport that is valid upon their arrival in Costa Rica. A visa is not required for stays of up to 90 days, provided the passport is for an endorsed British Citizen or British Overseas Territories Citizen. A British National (Overseas) does not require a visa for a stay of up to 30 days.

Entry requirements for Australians:

Australian citizens must have a passport that is valid upon their arrival in Costa Rica. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.

Entry requirements for Irish nationals:

Irish citizens must have a passport that is valid upon their arrival in Costa Rica. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.

Entry requirements for New Zealanders:

New Zealand citizens must have a passport that is valid upon their arrival in Costa Rica. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.

Entry requirements for South Africans:

South African citizens must have a passport that is valid upon their arrival in Costa Rica. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.

Tourist Offices

Costa Rica Tourism Board, San Jose: http://www.visitcostarica.com

Tourist Authority Offices in the United States:

Costa Rica Tourism Board: +506 2299 5800 or [email protected]

Costa Rica Embassies

In the United States:

Embassy of Costa Rica, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 499 2991.

In Canada:

Embassy of Costa Rica, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 562 2855.

In the United Kingdom:

Embassy of Costa Rica, London, United Kingdom (also responsible for Ireland): +44 (0)20 7706 8844.

In Australia:

Costa Rica Consulate-General, Sydney, Australia (also responsible for New Zealand): +61 2 9262 3883

In South Africa:

Honorary Consulate of Costa Rica, Johannesburg, South Africa: +27 (0)11 486 4716.

Foreign Embassies in Costa Rica

American Embassy

United States Embassy, San Jose: +506 2519 2000.

Canadian Embassy

Canadian Embassy, San Jose (also responsible for Australia): +506 2242 4400.

British Embassy

British Embassy, San Jose: +506 2258 2025.

South African Embassy

South African Consulate-General, San Jose: (+506) 222 1470

Currency

The Costa Rican colon (CRC) is divided into 100 centimos and is the official currency, although US dollars are also widely accepted. US dollars can be exchanged in banks and many hotels, but currency other than US dollars is difficult to exchange. Using black market exchange options is risky, as these unofficial outlets have been known to pass on counterfeit bills printed in Colombia. Banks close anywhere from 3pm to 4pm. Major credit cards are widely accepted; ATMs are available in major towns throughout the country, but it is advisable to always have some local cash handy.