47 great tips to travel in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a multi-diverse, intense, fantastic country! When you visit, never mind your expectations, most likely, Costa Rica will go beyond. However knowing some good tips is always good!

1. Don’t expect things to be like they are at home. They will be different. Costa Rica is a Latin American country, but it also does not have an army, it is family oriented, filled with immigrants and many other things you might find different. And many others, quite similar!

2. Travel with your eyes wide open, there are so many beautiful, fast birds and butterflies!

3. Be open to learning new things… making tortillas or corn tamales, trying cocoa from the fruit and tasting Soursop (Guanabana) is fun!

4. Don’t judge, instead, say, “Tell me more.” Our traditions are part of our culture, and so are our family habits and/or religion.

5. Learn the basics of the local language. Use them often. It is the best way to show respect,  break down barriers and start conversations. Not only “Pura Vida” (The Costa Rican motto) but others too… Hasta Luego (See you later), Hola (Hello), Cómo está? (How are you), and more.

6. Manners are universal, use them.

7. Do not shout at others; in Costa Rica, this can create a problem for you. Either you know it. Or not.

8. Never complain to the people of Costa Rica for not speaking English. Everyone will make an effort to speak your language, but you are the visitor.

9. Do not bargain. in Costa Rica, unless you are dealing with a street vendor is considered to be a lack of respect.

10. And even if talking to a street vendor, do not over bargain. 50 cents is nothing to you, but may mean days worth of work to the person you are haggling with.

11. Respect local traditions, meals, ways to do things. Costa Ricans have a very strong U.S: influence, but still is a Latin American country on its own.

12. Party yes. Have fun, yes, but do not go so far to extremes.  And remember that the law will be enforced if your partying goes into illegal grounds.

13. Leave a good impression of your culture. Wherever you are from, Costa Ricans will be nice. And they will ask you where are you from, and you will be for them, your country’s ambassador.

14. Go for unusual off the beaten path that our consultants may suggest you. You may end up having a lot of fun!

15. Try new fruits, Costa Rica is full of tropical delicious, weird looking fruits.

16. Go in the markets. On Saturdays and Sundays in many towns, you will find the Agricultor’s Market. And every big town has its own market, get in there, try some of the food, juices, and candy!

17. Never mind your age! Either a teenager or a Senior, you will find that there is an activity for everyone in Costa Rica.

18. Don’t listen to the naysayers and scared people. Costa Rica is safe if you play it safe. 

19.If you are to eat street food, eat fruits and vegetables that come with the skin… Forget about the rest.

20. Go for “sodas”. They are small Costa Rican restaurants where you will find homemade food. Usually affordable and delicious.

21.Be nice to children. Costa Ricans are extremely children-friendly. And they will react if you are not super nice to their babies and children.

22. Be flexible, thrive with change. If a landslide blocks your traveling plan… enjoy the other routes, sometimes these unknown routes are the best.

23. Ask for help when you need it, even if it is in sign language and charades. Costa Ricans usually love to help.

24. Carry palm cards or have a good app with important phrases written on it in the local language. There are many apps where you can find Spanish basics.

25. Don’t be afraid to respectfully say no. The Costa Ricans will be nice anyways.

26. If someone in a bar offers you “guaro” shots at 10 pm gently say no. Play it safe. 

27. Talk to the Costa Ricans. Be friendly. It’s amazing what you will learn.

 

28. Do as much local as you can: local food, local transport, local accommodation. Ask our travel agents about that… Costa Ricans are thriving in the travel industry and local can mean excellence in mostly all cases.

29. Smile smile smile and laugh often- you’ll meet so many new friends this way.

30. Do one thing each day that scares you and push those comfort barriers a little further out each time. Canopy Tours, rafting, tubing, rappelling…. Eating rice and beans for breakfast!

31.In the forest, walk slow.. and shut up! You will see much more if you follow these two simple rules.

32. Find out with our travel experts on local celebrations and try to get to any of the festivals that are usually offered in the main towns.

33. Costa Ricans are catholic in the big majority, but can also find several different religions. Respect them all. When you get in a church. Please, shoes and shirt on. 

34. Don’t rely on technology to help get you around; There are many areas where your GPS will leave you totally lost.

35. Try to be at least two nights in each place in Costa Rica. If possible three.

36. Don’t be afraid to take changes in the plans. This is the Tropics. It is warm, humid, and anything can happen.

37. Take a copy of your passport everywhere and leave the original in the safe of the hotels. It will save you a lot of trouble.

38. Have travel insurance, it is so much easier for everyone if something happens. We will be there for you, but medical expenses are always a bummer when you travel.

39.Follow the instructions given by your travel expert in 2Costa Rica. And play it safe. If however you are robbed, let our operations team know about it immediately.

40. If you are driving, just like anywhere else, gas stations and restaurants are the places for bio-stops.

41. Don’t be afraid to try new foods, or experiences. Flying on top of a rainforest like Superman may be a life-time memory!

42.  It’s okay to feel uncomfortable; It is a different country, after all.

43. If you hate it…. naaahhh… You won’t hate it! Tell our travel experts exactly what you want, with detail… and you won’t hate a minute of your trip!

44. If you are traveling with teens, let us know and we’ll plan great things for them… Let them dare to enjoy traveling and outdoors as much as their phones.

 

45. Wake up early, even before dawn. The best of the Costa Rican wilderness happens at dawn. Birds, monkeys, etc will be more active in those two first hours in the morning that in any other time in the day.

46.  Mingle with other travelers. It will give you a feeling of always being among friends.

47. Remember you are supported by a 24/7 team. Don’t worry. Enjoy… Let us take the stress for you!