Things you should know
<strong>Travel agents are generally nice folks, but sometimes they don’t tell you what you need to know.</strong>
What I DO know for sure is that many travel agents tell people who are visiting Costa Rica a whole lotta bunk on many subjects… and they FAIL to tell folks about the stuff they NEED to know. So here are a few things that are really important to know when visiting Costa Rica.
● The water here IS safe to drink! The local authorities assure us that it is perfectly potable. Exceptions may vary in VERY remote or rural areas, but unless you are way out in the boonies, you’re OK.
● You do NOT need typhoid or malaria shots when you visit Costa Rica. That is just silly. Folks always get a bunch of inoculations before visiting, probably because they were told to do this by their travel agents. A tetanus shot or booster is of course always a good idea. See your doctor.
● DO be concerned about Dengue Fever! It is endemic to Latin America and the Caribbean and can occur throughout the year. There is no vaccine or immunization to prevent dengue fever and you should take usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.
● The sun here is HOT. We are only ten degrees North of the Equator. The UV factor here is at least double that of Florida or Arizona. Skin cancer has affected many Costa Rican’s because of this, so please be sure to bring sunscreen and use it.
● If you rent a car here, remember there are FEW or NO street signs here. There labeled streets, and usually only the BIG highways are marked. Also, Costa Ricans seldom pay attention to traffic laws, so be careful.
● Organize your credit and cash needs before you come. When renting a car here, HUGE deposits get pre authorized on your card, and this may freeze your available funds. You can find yourself unable to use your credit card if you do not have a large enough credit limit.
● Lanes often end without notice. Many bridges are narrow and one way (alternating). The potholes here are DEEP and DANGEROUS. Do NOT drive at night until you thoroughly know what you are doing.
● In general, do NOT shop at stores or restaurants that have no prices marked, you are just asking to get taken. This is especially true in any area that caters to the tourist trade.
● Credit Cards. Use your credit card as much as possible for purchases as you will always get the correct exchange rate. It is VERY important that you TELL YOUR BANK and credit card companies you are going to CR.
● Be very careful of petty theft like pickpockets, grab and run… etc. Don’t carry your passport. Have a copy made of your front (picture) page and the entry stamp. The police here are cordial to tourists and unless you act like a jerk, all will accept that as a valid ID.
● Never act like a jerk in Costa Rica. Relax. Enjoy this wonderful country and remember always you are a guest. Things are different here, and not always the way you want them. Costa Rican culture is wonderful, but very different from your home country.
● Distances here are weird. Folks look at a map and say things like, “We can drive that in an hour, honey!”. No… you can’t. There are mountains, traffic, accidents, bad roads… So , if you see a place that is 100KM away (about 66 miles), plan on at least two to three hours to get there.
● They do NOT accept dollars and credit cards everywhere in Costa Rica. Many hotels and restaurants take credit cards and dollars, but there are MANY places where nothing is accepted except the colón. The good news is that CR is full of ATM’s where you can use your bank card to get some colones at the proper exchange rate. The same goes for travelers checks.
● When you leave Costa Rica, you will need an exit visa… about $26.00 per person as of this writing. You get them inside the airports. They accept dollars, credit cards or colones. Great way to get rid of the extra colones as you leave.
● Check your bills at restaurants. While almost all restaurants are honest folk, customers experience ‘errors’ on a great number of their bills. Check for ‘extra items’.
● Learn how to convert your money before you arrive in order to avoid getting it taken. As businesses here are now catching on to the fact that most tourists have no clue to convert currency, it is not unlikely for you to get screwed when exchanging dollars for colones.
● Never leave your bags inside your vehicle unattended, particularly at tourist spots. I would say the number one occurrence of theft in Costa Rica is caused by tourist leaving their bags and valuables in plain sight in their vehicles. Even while in the car, it is not unlikely for someone to just reach in and grab your things.
● Always keep a backup source of money in a separate location. This way, if your wallet or purse gets snatched, you will have something to really on.
● Get to know the flawed banking system in Costa Rica. In major cities, this won’t be a problem; however, in the smaller tourist spots, there is often only one ATM that will decline cards for no reason 40 to 50 percent of the time. If you’re heading to a smaller city, always take out money before you leave.
● When you head to the beach leave your valuables safely put away at place you’re staying. In addition, if you head into the water; put your sandals and beach stuff next to someone who will watch it. Most people will be more than happy to watch your stuff.
● Ask questions about the right locations for swimming and surfing. The rip currents and hidden rocks can end your vacation in a hurry. Its always a good idea to follow the crowd when in doubt, so if you don’t see anybody in the water at a certain location, there is probably a reason for it.
● DO Ask, ask, and ask; and always use your common sense. The people working at the hotels and restaurants are your best source of information. So just ask; ask what to do, and what not to do, this will help your trip will be a safe one.
● DO NOT disrespect the locals. Ultimately, they are friendly, helpful people just looking for a good time. However, If you get into a conflict with a local, don’t bother trying to win. This usually ends in a fight that will include ignorant Americans, bottles thrown, and victory going to the home team, as Ticos always stick together against the Gringos.
● Avoid places like San Jose and Puerto Limon, if possible, or spend the least amount of time there you can. San Jose is the only place you will find robberies as apposed to petty theft, and Puerto Limon is the drug port of Costa Rica, which is controlled by fierce gangs who even intimidate the local authorities by threatening their families. The locals don’t go out at night in Port Limon, and you shouldn’t either.
● DO make a local friend. The people of Costa Rica consider themselves to be the friendliest and happiest people in the world. Many locals are from small farming communities where helping others is a part of everyday life. From being lost to having a flat tire, the locals seem to like to participate and show tourists their pleasant and charming nature.
These are precautionary rules and guide lines to follow while traveling to Costa Rica or any country in Central America. Thousands of tourist and travelers head down there every year and have safe and amazing trips, so do not be discouraged to come visit. If you follow these simple rules, I can almost give you a 100% guarantee you will not have any problems on your journey or vacation. Pura Vida and safe travels!
Diana Wilson
