Costa rica Tips and Tricks
**This article reflects tips and tricks/prices for 2021. Always be a good little travel planner and check for updates!
Our favorite beach in CR-Penca Beach!
Hey, lost ones! There’s lots of conflicting information out there on Costa Rica. We personally loved every minute of it, but there are some things you should know before you go. Check out the tips below to avoid some of the frustrations Costa Rica has to offer.
Do Your Research
Although we are looking to get lost on purpose here at Lost Among Locals, we are actually pretty big on appropriate planning. You need to know what’s going on in your travel destination, so you don’t get scammed, so you don’t spend more money than necessary, and so that you see the best stuff. For Costa Rica, I unequivocally recommend Two Weeks in Costa Rica. This blog is the most extensive, easy-to-read blog that literally has articles on everything. They are well-written, interesting, and filled with great info from people who live there. Trust me, use it!
Book Early If You Are Going in Winter
Costa Rica is booming in the winter. If you plan to travel there in high season, book your accommodations months in advance for the best deals and places, and then put on your patient pants and get ready to see the amazing sights with lots of other people
.
Natural Bridge in Monteverde
Put on Your Safety Glasses
Costa Rica is generally safe, but petty crime does happen. There are a few ways to avoid this:
NEVER leave items in your car, even the trunk.
Buy a cheap little lock and lock up your bags. At the beach, I put all our valuables into one bag, and then I would find a small tree branch to wrap my little lock around. I was able to lock up our bag and go swim freely with no worries, my backpack hanging safely from the tree. I was able to do this at every beach, due to the amazing rainforest that comes up to meet the sand, at pretty much every beach. It’s not the most sophisticated plan, but it totally worked!
Make sure your rental car has all the essentials (flashers, spare tire, flare, etc.)
One of the biggest scams in Costa Rica is to puncture a tire, offer to help the traveler fix their flat, and then rob them. So, just be aware of this. Check your tires, each and every time you get in the car. If you get a flat, drive until you reach a public place to fix it.
Watch out for poisonous animals. There are many in this part of the world. Stay on the paths, and just don’t touch stuff.
plan for crazy weather
If you travel in the rainy season, you will get way better rates....on everything, but know that it will rain. Even in dry season, it may rain. Usually, it’s a predictable afternoon downpour, but you never know. That being said:
Bring a rain jacket
Wear quick-dry clothing
Reapply bug spray and sunscreen- The near equatorial sun is hot. Apply and reapply. We suggest you bring your own sunscreen. It’s expensive in country. Wear bug spray. I hate it. It’s stinky, sticky, and gross, but you don’t want the Dengue. So, wear the DEET. DEET not DENGUE.
Do research on the drive to your destination for the day. Are there dirt roads? Is it steep? Should I even go if it is raining? Now, we travelled up the mountains, in the rain, on a very loosely paved road with lots of washed out areas, with potholes the size of our car. We took it slow and made it safely. Just know it might be an adventure and plan to take it slow.
Be flexible and be ok with being wet.
Brush Up on Your Spanish
Most tourist areas of the Pacific side will have plenty of English-speaking locals. However, if you want to enjoy the best local “sodas” or restaurants and especially if you want to visit the more local Caribbean coast, it might be advisable to brush up on at least a little conversational Spanish. We managed without studying, but I did realize that by the end of the week, I remembered so much more Spanish than I realized. I was getting good!.........Well, I remember some phrases.
Don’t Worry Over Water
Costa Rica in general, is very concerned with eco-friendliness. The water from the tap is clean and drinkable. In fact, we found it delightful. So, don’t waste money on expensive water. Bring a water bottle and drink away.
Catarata del Toro and Blue Falls
Eat like a local
Lunch is the main meal of the day in Costa Rica. You can get a $5 meal at most local sodas. It’s safe, cheap, and amazing! Go with the local flow. Eat a big lunch and have some cereal for dinner.
Get some cash
Costa Rica is still a largely cash-based society. The good thing is, you can use US dollars if you haven’t gotten cash yet, but you will need some cash for smaller local restaurants, paying local guides, toll roads, etc. As always, make sure you exchange money at a real bank or ATM. We just used our debit card to pull money directly from the ATM. We find this to be the safest way to get money and the best exchange rate. We never exchange cash in the airport, unless you just like losing money.
Bring the Right Shoes
If you do Costa Rica right, you will be doing lots of hiking. So, I recommend a sturdy sandal. I am not a fan of the Chaco. My friends know this. The fashionista in me just refuses. However, I borrowed a pair of Merrell’s from my Madre (see my Spanish excellence there), and I pretty much wore them every day to the detriment of my fashion sense. You will need a good, strong sole and something that dries fast.
Pura Vida
The Costa Rican motto is “Pure Life”. It’s more a way to say “relax, all is well.” You will need to be flexible. Driving is slow. Things will be late. No one is in a hurry. You shouldn’t be either.
Drive Time
Driving will take longer than you think. Pick the places you want to visit most, and plan your route, but know it will take a while to get from place to place. For this reason:
Choose between Arenal and MonteVerde. They are very similar and offer many of the same activities.
We had better luck with Waze than Google Maps.
Make sure you set your app to “no dirt roads.”
Book locally
Unlike many places, most of the experts recommend booking tours the day of with local guides instead of online ahead of time. This might be different if you are travelling during December and January, when Costa Rica is very busy. For us, the deals were way better through the guides at our hotels, or even local guides at the national parks.
We have no doubt that you will love Costa Rica! Don’t let the negative nancies scare you. It’s a relatively easy place to travel. Most people associated with the tourist industry speak English. The locals are helpful and kind. The landscapes are unparalleled, and it’s the safest and easiest country in Central America to manage. From snorkeling tours to surfing villages, and some of the most epic waterfalls on the continent, Costa Rica is a family-friendly vacation destination that your whole crew will love! Just be prepared. Do your research, and have a blast! Stay tuned to our website for a Costa Rica itinerary coming soon!
Now…Get Lost!