Costa Rica Travel Posts

Travel Tips for Costa Rica

By Patrick Brunelle ⋅ July 24, 2010 ⋅  Email this post ⋅  Print this post ⋅ Post a comment

We have compiled a list of tips that we feel will help your trip to Costa Rica go more smoothly. Costa Rica is a very safe place, but just like any country in the world, it can be dangerous if you make the wrong decisions. Here are the basic rules for staying out of any unnecessary trouble.

1. Try to avoid walking late at night. Take a taxi; it’s very cheap and safe.
2. Don’t wear expensive jewelry visibly or carry large amounts of cash.
3. Do not get too intoxicated or use drugs.
4. Stay away from dangerous areas such as poor neighborhoods and areas catering to adult entertainment.

General Travel Tips in Costa Rica
- It is best to carry a photocopy of your Passport, as opposed to your actual Passport, when going on tours or walking around leisurely. MAKE SURE YOU COPY THE STAMP AS WELL!
- Most restaurants include a 10% service tax to your bill, which means that tipping in these cases would not be necessary.
- If you are to travel in a taxi in Costa Rica, please ensure they are legitimate and not pirate taxis and that they have a Maria (a counter).
- Protect cameras, batteries and other electronic devices in plastic bags.
- Leave a copy of your itinerary, a photo copy of airline tickets, passport identification page, driver’s license, credit cards, traveler’s cheques, prescriptions medical history, and important business documents with a family member and /or friend in case of emergency.
- Don’t put all of your money in one place to protect yourself in the case of a theft or loss.
- Make sure your health insurance covers medical emergencies away from home. If not, look into purchasing travel insurance.
- Always pay attention crossing the street, as Costa Ricans don’t always pay attention to you when driving.
- If you’re ever in a traffic accident in Costa Rica, no matter how minor the fender bender, you must not move your vehicle, no matter how much traffic there is and wait for the police to arrive. Otherwise your insurance will not cover the accident, no matter who is at fault.