Tips Visiting Costa Rica
Before you travel, there are some important things you should know about Costa Rica. The following travel tips for Costa Rica will help you understand the country better. The busiest travel time in Costa Rica is during Christmas and New Years, and the week until Easter Sunday, which is known as Holy Week. If you plan to travel during these weeks, you must book a hotel and a shuttle if you need one in advance
Eating &
Drinking Safely
You can find clean running water throughout Costa Rica and most tourist destinations. Compared with other countries in Central America, tourists are much less likely to suffer from stomach upsets. If your restaurant looks clean, please order any food.
Shopping
& Currency
The unit of currency in Costa Rica is the colon, which hovers between 523-560 colon / 1 US dollar. As long as the bill amount is not too large (50 and 100 dollar bills are rarely accepted), the U.S. dollar can be widely accepted. Hotels and tours usually list prices in US dollars. Compared with other parts of Central America, Costa Rica’s prices are relatively high, which is largely due to the country’s high standard of living. Typical Costa Rican food and agricultural products are unbelievably cheap, while the prices of imported products are similar to those in the United States. A typical Costa Rican breakfast and lunch will cost about 2000-5000 colones ($4-10).
Driving Costa
Rica's Roads
The road conditions across the country vary widely. Due to the tropical climate and mountainous terrain, many roads are difficult to maintain, while many are not even paved. Relatively short distances can take many hours due to poor road conditions and traffic with some roads simply impassable during the rainy season when rivers swell. Before planning a day trip, it's always a good idea to check with the locals about current road conditions.
Geography
& Terrain
Costa Rica is a tropical destination, and it’s look and landscape change throughout the year. Costa Rica is perfect for traveling any time of the year, and your experience in Costa Rica will be satisfying & beyond imaginable.
Costa Rica is in Central America and is bordered by both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, with Panama to the south and Nicaragua to the north. The country’s total area is 19,730 square miles (51,100 sq km), which is slightly smaller than the U.S. state of West Virginia. Costa Rica’s terrain varies between coastal plains and rugged mountains. The highest point is Cerro Chirripó, which rises to 12,500 feet (3,810 meters) in the Chirripó National Park.
Weather &
Microclimates
It rains all year round in Costa Rica, so bring a light raincoat. The mountains and volcanoes of create a series of microclimates. Generally, December to April is considered the dry season, while the rainy season starts in May. However, the Caribbean coast is much less predictable, and it may rain throughout the year.