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Costa Rica is a land of plenty, even though it is only the size of West Virginia. Its name means “rich coast” in English. It is said that Christopher Columbus found it in 1502. But Mother Nature is the only one who can take credit for its beautiful natural sights.
This tranquil Central American country has a long coastline on both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean.Costa Rica has some of the most diverse ecosystems on earth, as well as beaches that are among the best in the world. Scientists made ziplines so they could study the many layers of the country’s cloud forests. They say that 5% of the world’s species live here.
Those who haven’t been to Africa yet can’t find a better place to see wildlife than in Africa. Think of sleeping sloths, majestic scarlet macaws, beautiful but poisonous tree frogs, and thousands of sea turtles nesting (who leave behind hundreds of thousands of hatchlings). All of them do well even though they live near some of the world’s most active volcanoes.
When it’s best to go
What you want to do in Costa Rica will help you decide when it is the best time to go. If you want to snorkel in clear water in the Caribbean, choose a month with less rain, like September. The best time to see the volcanoes and cloud forests in the central area is also during the summer, which is the dry season. Between November and April, you can drive on the roads and the rain doesn’t last all day. So, if you want to save money and avoid crowds, you should go during the wet season, which is usually May through October.
Visit during the first two weeks of January for Palmares, which is like a mix of Carnival, a rodeo, and a music festival, or during Easter week for the best cultural events. Since Costa Rica is mostly Catholic, many of its biggest holidays line up with those of the Church. No matter what time of year you go, you can always see sea turtles nesting or hatching, go zip-lining (they do it rain or shine), and learn how to surf (waves are always good).
What You Should Know
Costa Rica is a good place to start learning about Latin America. Most tourist areas speak and understand English, and the U.S. dollar can be used almost everywhere. Tipping isn’t always expected, but it’s always appreciated. Check your receipt to see if a tip or “service charge,” which is usually 10%, has already been added.
Even though the unpaved roads can be dangerous, especially when it rains, there are rental car agencies everywhere. If you can’t drive a manual car, it’s easy to rent an automatic car. On the other hand, it’s hard to find an outlet that doesn’t work with a U.S. plug, so you don’t need to bring an adapter. Also, the voltage is the same. Converters aren’t needed.
Colon (CRC)
Check the current exchange rate: $1 USD = 613 CRC.
Language: Spanish
I don’t speak Spanish: No hablo español
How much does it cost: Cuánto cuesta
I want…: Quiero…
Find out more Spanish expressions
How to Get Around: Trains and Buses: After the earthquake in 1991, Costa Rica is working to fix its train system. Buses are the best way to get around right now. Most are privately owned, but because the government pays for them, fares are cheap. For example, a bus ride that takes four hours might only cost $8. Choose “directo” buses if you want nonstop service. Choose “colectivos” for cheaper and more exciting rides. Almost everywhere along the route, even if it’s not an official stop, they stop.
Even though they aren’t as cheap as buses, taxis can be a cheap way to get around. The official taxis in Costa Rica are red. The yellow triangle on the car’s doors shows that they are licenced and authorised. But if you want to take a taxi from the airport, look for orange cars. Only these taxis are licenced and allowed to pick up people at the airport. Online, it’s also easy to book shuttles or private car services ahead of time. If a driver approaches you on the street and doesn’t have the yellow triangle, they are probably a local trying to make money with their own car.
Ridesharing: Uber has been around for years in Costa Rica, but it’s mostly only in big cities and tourist spots. Don’t count on it in places that are hard to get to or at busy times because it can be hard to find a car.
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