Q- Are there any visa and/or passport requirements to travel to Costa Rica ?
Every visitor must present a valid passport to enter Costa Rica and visas are needed by individuals of certain nationalities so check with your local Costa Rican consulate before traveling.
No visa is necessary for citizens of the USA , Canada , or Western Europe .
When traveling with a passport, US, Canadian and most Latin American and European citizens may remain in Costa Rica for a total period of 90 continuous days.
Q- Can I drink the water?
Yes, you can drink the water! The public water system supplies potable water to 98 percent of the country. Water is filtered and chlorinated, and the quality is controlled by the State. If you wish to err on the side of caution, bottled water is available at every hotel and restaurant. Just remember to request putting a hold on ice.
Q. Are immunizations required?
From a general health standpoint, Costa Rica is one of the safest destinations in the developing world. This is largely due to high health standards in our country. Thus, there are no required immunizations when traveling to Costa Rica.
However, it is always wise to keep your basic vaccines current, especially those against tetanus and diphtheria. Risk of contracting malaria is minimal, but for itineraries that include the Caribbean lowlands, travelers might wish to take the extra precaution of prophylactic medicine such as chloroquinine.
Decisions about immunizations and anti-malarial medications should be made on a personal basis after consultation with your personal physician.
Q- Are tips included in meals? Tours ?
A 10% service tax is always added to your restaurant bill, but if the service has been very good extra tipping is common.
Tips are not included in tours or transfers and the amount you offer depends on the quality of service you received. You can follow the same guidelines used at home!
Q- What should I bring? What clothes should I pack?
Pack light! Baggage carts are scarce at airports, and luggage restrictions are tight. Bring comfortable, hand-washable clothing. T-shirts and shorts are acceptable during the day. At least one pair of slacks and dress shoes for dinnertime is highly recommended since some restaurants won't admit you in shorts or sandals. Loose-fitting long-sleeve shirts and pants are recommended if you take any day trips out to smaller towns, where immodest attire may be frowned upon. Bring a large hat to block the sun from your face and neck. Pack a light sweater or jacket for San José's cool nights and early mornings and for trips to volcanoes. Sturdy sneakers or hiking boots are essential if you plan to do a lot of sightseeing and hiking. Waterproof hiking sandals or other footwear that lets your feet breathe are good for strolling about town, beach walking, fording streams, and navigating the myriad mud spots you'll find on rain and cloud forest trails.
Q-Is Costa Rica safe?
San José is a big city, and North American and European visitors bring expensive cameras and other things that can be unnecessarily tempting. Here are a few tips to avoid petty theft:
1. Make a photocopy of your passport and leave the original, your airline ticket, and the bulk of your money in your hotel safe.
2. Exchange currency at your hotel and ask for at least a portion in small bills.
3. Carry backpacks on your front side.
4. Never exchange currency on the street or display large amounts of bills.
5. Don't wear anything other than inexpensive jewelry. A cheap watch may be ideal for the trip.
6. If you are going out at night, take a taxi.
7. Don't leave money or valuables lying around in your hotel room. Use the safe or check them in at the reception desk.
Q-How is the weather in Costa Rica ?
Be prepared for sunshine, rain, cool mountain breezes, and muggy jungle mist depending on where and when you visit our country. Due to our topography, we have a wide variety of microclimates. As you ascend or descend in altitude, or move from one province to another, our weather changes… sometimes abruptly.
The rainy season, which typically brings sunny mornings and afternoon showers, lasts from May to November, but it's best to be prepared for rain at any time of the year. In rain forests and cloud forests, there is downpour almost daily, sometimes several times per day. Costa Rica's beaches are hot and humid, except for the northwestern province of Guanacaste, where it tends to be dry and breezy.
Important Information
BAGGAGE WEIGHT LIMITS
There is a limit of 27-30 pounds per person for in-country local flights. This maximum weight allowance includes photographic/video equipment and carry-on bags so please pack lightly. You must also keep in mind that the luggage compartments are not pressurized. We highly recommend using duffel bags rather than hard suit cases. You must arrive no later than 45 minutes before the scheduled departure.
BAGGAGE STORAGE SERVICES
Baggage weight limit for flights within Costa Rica does not mean that you need to limit yourself to 27-30 lbs of personal items for your entire trip. While it always makes sense to travel light, we will store your belongings as needed. Chartering private planes may be the only way to circumvent the strict baggage weight allowance.
WHAT TO BRING
Bathing suit, sun block, broad-brimmed hat, hiking shoes, insect repellent, basic over-the-counter medication, light jacket or wind breaker, small flash light, binoculars, pair of jeans or long pants for hiking or horse back riding. Expect casual dress. For special occasions or dinner, men usually wear pants or nice shorts and women a summer dress. To be on the safe side, a nice pair of slacks and dress shoes are a good idea.
MONEY: Visa and Master Card are the most common credit cards in Costa Rica, accepted at most hotels, gas stations, souvenir shops, and restaurants. Asides from the convenience and safety, you will get a better exchange rate with the use of your credit card. We do recommend bringing cash in small denomination bills for tips and other light expenses. You can exchange dollars to colones at any hotel, bank, or at the airport. Traveler checks are also widely accepted.
DRIVING: If you have an appetite for behind-the-wheel excitement, Costa Rica offers a tasty sample of fun driving over varied terrain conditions that include highways, gravel mountain roads, river crossings- sometimes sans bridge, and treasure-hunt styled directions. Although somewhat time consuming, land travel rewards you with fun adventure, spectacular views, and a firsthand look at Costa Rican small cities, towns, and villages. We strongly recommend scheduling your trips during daylight. Signage is at times spotty and you may need to ask people for assistance. Bring pencil and paper to jot down their directions! Please do not leave any valuables in the cabin and always lock your car.
CAR RENTALS
Best of Costa Rica works only with the best and most reputable car rental companies. We select these agencies based on their service level, fleet quality, and policy transparency for your peace of mind. The minimum age for renting a vehicle in Costa Rica is 21 and you must present a valid driving license. The LDW (loss/damage waiver) is included in all rentals. The car agency will charge your card between $800-1500 as a guarantee deposit. When you drop off the car the agency will return your credit card voucher and issue a credit within 3-4 days. Please be sure to drop off the car in one of the rental car offices or to a representative of the company. Demand to see proper ID.
