Are you ready to explore the incredible beauty of Costa Rica? Learn all the essentials you need to know before your Costa Rica Travel, including important information on visa requirements, language, culture, and natural attractions. Get ready to experience the adventure of a lifetime in beautiful Costa Rica!
Are you planning a Costa Rica travel anytime soon? Well, before you start packing your bags, you should read this article.
Costa Rica is a favorite destination for adventure seekers and fun lovers. The beautiful Central American country has a lot to offer visitors. If you love the outdoors, there are plenty of national parks with some of the best landscapes and wildlife. There are activities like zip lining, cave exploration, river rafting, and snorkeling for the sporty type.
Our article explores things you need to know before traveling to Costa Rica.
Is Costa Rica Safe to Travel
When embarking on a trip, one of the things you need to know is whether you will be safe. Like any other country, Costa Rica has its fair share of crimes. But overall, safety should not be a concern as long as you take due care.
Some simple measures you can take to stay safe in Costa Rica include:-
- Avoid wandering into isolated areas because you risk getting robbed. Potential muggers can sniff a non-local a mile away. You will become an easy target if you are not careful about your surroundings.
- Leave expensive jewelry and items like phones in the hotel room. You will become a hunting ground for petty thieves if they think you have stuff worth stealing.
- Keep your belongings where you can see them. Leaving your items unattended gives the thieves an easy picking.
- Only use licensed transportation when moving about.
- Use the services of a Costa Rica travel agent. The professional guides know the best and safest places to visit. They will also arrange your itinerary. That way, you can spend your time enjoying the beautiful country without the hassle of worrying about the logistics.
Best Time to Travel to Costa Rica
Costa Rica enjoys tropical weather, which means it stays pretty warm throughout the year. But the best time to travel to Costa Rica is in the dry season, which falls between December and April. May to June and November are green and excellent for quiet days at the parks.
Make sure you pack a raincoat or buy one when you get to the destination. The weather is quite interesting because it can change at any time, depending on the region or altitude. What starts as a sunny day can quickly turn into showers.
Also, bring along some sunscreen and bug repellent. Tropical climates are excellent breeding grounds for mosquitoes. You don’t want to deal with nasty bites and sunburn on your Costa Rica travel.
For budget-friendly Costa Rica vacations, target the low seasons. These fall in May, June, September, October, and November. The Costa Rica travel packages have some incredible yet low-cost offers.
As we stated above, consider using a Costa Rica travel agency. They can use their networks to negotiate some excellent deals on your behalf.
Is Costa Rica Open for Travel
Costa Rica is open for travel to visitors from all over the world. Please take time to verify the entry and visa requirements beforehand.
If you travel to Costa Rica from the USA, you do not need a visa. But you must have a valid passport and a return ticket showing you will exit the country within 90 days. Other countries that do not require visas include Australia, New Zealand, Bulgaria, Singapore, South Africa, and Iceland.
Costa Rica Currency
The official Costa Rican currency is the Colon. But many places will accept the US dollar. Unfortunately, this is not the case with the Euro.
A good tip is to always walk around with small denominations. It is not a good idea to remove a wad of high-value currency when paying for transactions. As we stated, do not do anything that will make you an attractive candidate to muggers and petty thieves.
There is also the option of withdrawing money from the many ATMs. You can get both the Colon and US dollar from them.
Costa Rica Language
The official Costa Rican language is Spanish. English is also common in tourist areas. Do take time to brush up on some basic Spanish phrases. But thanks to technology, you can always use your smartphone to translate words.
Alternatively, let your Costa Rica travel guide handle most of the communication. This is especially important if you want to buy things. They can haggle pricing for you so that you get better deals than what other tourists will pay.
Get Ready To Spend Plenty of Your Costa Rica Vacation Time Outdoors
Costa Rica has some of the best outdoor attractions you will ever find anywhere. The country is rich in wildlife, amazing landscapes, and more.
Pack plenty of outdoor clothing and comfortable shoes for your travel to Costa Rica. And please remember your camera and phone charger. You will be taking plenty of pictures as you explore this gem of a country.
Some places you need to visit include:-
- One or more of the 30 national parks, protected areas, and reserves
- The cloud forests with the most popular being the Monteverde Rainforest. The cloud cover is so low that it forms a misty shroud in the trees. The sight is quite thrilling to see. After that, you can go zip lining or hike and enjoy the scenery.
- Tour the Caribbean coast and visit the Tortuguero national park. You will love the landscape and the abundance of wildlife.
- Explore the capital city, San José, for a taste of Costa Rica city life. Plenty of museums will give you a glimpse of the culture and traditions of the people.
- Take part in water activities like snorkeling, surfing, kayaking, and canoeing.
- Spend the days basking and getting that perfect sun tan at the beach.
Final Thoughts
Costa Rica is a beautiful country that every traveler should aspire to visit. There is much to love, including the climate, people, cuisine, biodiversity, and more.
We have shared some things you should know before your Costa Rica trip or vacation. Do find out about visa requirements specific to your country of origin. If you are traveling on a budget, go during the low season.
Finally, make use of a reputable Costa Rica travel agency. It helps to have someone show you around in a foreign country. Also, the professionals take care of all the travel logistics. That way, you can spend your time enjoying Costa Rica.
