44 Costa Rica Travel Tips: Things You Need To Know
- costaricacorner
- 4 days ago
- 10 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
The San Jose Airport is not actually in San Jose.
Costa Rica’s main international airport, Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), is in the city of Alajuela, not in San José itself. This is helpful to know if you want to book a hotel close to the airport, Alajuela is where you want to be.
Wildlife shows up when you least expect it, not just when you’re on a tour.
Some of the coolest animals I have seen were completely by chance when I was out walking trails, driving down the highway, or just relaxing outside. Slow down, keep your eyes open, and don't forget to look up because nature doesn’t wait for a scheduled tour.
You could be asked to show proof of departure when you are entering the country.
Costa Rica often requires travelers to show proof that they plan to leave the country within their allowed stay period. This can be a return flight, onward ticket, or other confirmed travel plans. Not every traveler is asked, but it’s smart to have it ready so arrival goes smoothly.
We suggest renting a car to get around.
Renting a car gives you the most freedom to explore at your own pace. With a rental you can visit waterfalls, beaches, national parks, and small towns that can be much more inconvenient to get to with public transportation. I have had great experiences renting though Expedia, but just be sure to get clear details on what is included and what insurance covers so there is no surprises when you arrive.
Everyone here uses Waze and What's App.
Waze is the best app for getting around, especially with road closures, traffic, and local driving conditions. WhatsApp is how most people message, and you’ll use it to talk with hotels, tour companies, shuttle drivers, businesses, and even new friends you meet along the way.
There are no formal addresses here.
In general, there are no traditional street addresses used the way there are in many other countries. You will often get directions with landmarks, nearby businesses, intersections, or distance from a known point.
There are a handful of tolls leaving San Jose.
If you’re driving out of the San José area, especially toward popular destinations like Manuel Antonio, you will probably pass through a few toll booths. Most tolls are a couple dollars and it’s a good idea to keep some colones or small bills ready so you can cruise on through.
Try the local fruits you've never heard of.
Costa Rica is full of so many delicious tropical fruits many people have never seen or even heard of before. A few of my personal favorites are mamón chino, mangosteen, passionfruit, and maracuyá. You will usually find these fruits at one of the fruit stands on the roadside or in a market, as long as they are in season.
Klook is great for booking activities.
It’s easy to compare options, read reviews, and reserve ahead of time on Klook. It can be especially helpful during busy travel seasons when popular tours fill up quickly.
You will always get your change back in colones.
Even if you pay in U.S. dollars, your change is returned in Costa Rican colones. This is why it helps to understand the local currency and have a rough idea of exchange rates, so that you can quickly double check your change.
Eat at the local sodas for delicious, affordable meals.
A soda is a small local restaurant that serves traditional Costa Rican food, usually at very reasonable prices. They’re one of the best ways to enjoy fresh, local meals like gallo pinto, casados, and homemade juices while experiencing local culture. I choose a soda over anything else 90% of the time.
Staying at places with a pool is a great idea.
Costa Rica is HOT (and very humid) and after being in the heat doing basically anything, having a cool pool to hop into midday or at the end of the day can really feel like a luxury. I generally don't reserve anywhere that doesn't have a pool unless I'm after a specific experience (for example, a Treehouse villa).
Do NOT touch or feed the wildlife.
If you truly love wildlife, loving them means respecting them. A lot of people say they love sloths or monkeys, for example, and know that touching or holding them causes harm, but will still choose to touch/pet/hold them. This changes their natural behavior and almost always creates serious health issues. It’s also illegal in Costa Rica to handle most wildlife. Truly caring about the animals and loving them is giving them space and letting them stay wild, not interacting with them for a photo or clout. When we know better, we can do better.
Yes, earthquakes are common.
Occasional shaking is a normal part of life here. Small earthquakes and tremors happen regularly because of the country’s location on active tectonic plates. Most times the shaking is minor and cause little to no issues, but just be aware you might feel them.
June and November are my favorite months to visit.
These transition months are my personal favorite. Everything is so lush, the colours are extra vibrant, the wildlife is active, and it's just quieter and more authentic feeling than the busy/wet season.
Rip currents are a huge danger and risk to be aware of here.
Learn about them before travelling to Costa Rica. Drownings are reason Number 1 for death of tourists coming to the beaches. Strong rip currents can happen on both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, and even on calm-looking beaches. Try to swim where lifeguards are present, always watch for the warning flags (and obey them), check local advice, and before coming, learn how rip currents work so you know what to do if caught in one.
Petty theft is on the rise.
Keep valuables out of sight, stay aware of your belongings, and never leave bags or or anything really, unattended in a car or on the beach. A few smart habits can lower your risk and decrease the chances of any issues with theft. I also wrote a blog post with helpful Costa Rica safety tips if you’d like to read more.
Don't forget to buy travel insurance.
It’s one of those things you hope not to use, but I wouldn't come to Costa Rica without it. This country is full of adventures and unknowns, and you wouldn't want to be stuck paying for unexpected medical expenses. Also, travel insurance can be worth having for trip delays, cancellations, lost luggage, or rental car issues. We use World Nomads to cover our family when travelling.
Distances might seem short, but can take a long time to drive.
On a map, distances can look short, but usually it takes longer than expected, and can sometimes be MUCH longer than expected. Mountain roads, one-lane bridges, traffic, weather, wildlife, winding routes, just to name a few, can all make things take longer. Always allow more time than the map suggests.
Visit a chocolate/coffee farm.
It’s a fun way to learn where some of Costa Rica’s most famous products come from, support local businesses, and experience something authentic and tasty!
You don’t usually pump your own gas in Costa Rica.
At most stations, an attendant does it for you, which is a really cool surprise if you’re used to always pumping your own gas. It’s one of those small differences travelers often remember.
Read reviews before booking tours.
We usually compare options on Viator or Klook to compare reviews, prices, and what’s included before booking.
Green-and-black Poison Dart Frog
You’ll remember the sounds.
Rain on the roof, jungle noise at night, waves, frogs, dogs, roosters, and howler monkeys are all part of everyday life in Costa Rica, and part of what makes the experience feel so unique.
Pack a phone power block for charging on the go.
I take one of these everywhere when I'm travelling around. Especially here, you can drain a battery extremely fast with navigation apps like Waze, looking up information, taking photos, translation tools, and WhatsApp. You also never know where a charging outlet will be accessible. I use the one below, which can also charge almost any device. You can check it out here.
Drivers can be pretty crazy.
Driving in Costa Rica can feel very different from what many people are used to. People change lanes quickly, motorcycles weave through traffic, and people often park wherever they want. Staying alert, calm, and defensive behind the wheel is the best way to go.
Some of the best memories come from unplanned moments, not booked excursions.
A random roadside fruit stop, spotting monkeys from your balcony, finding an empty beach, or chatting with locals can end up being the moments you remember most. Leave a little space in your schedule for the unexpected.
Do not leave anything valuable in your car.
Even if it’s just for a few minutes, don't leave anything in your car worth value. Bags, phones, passports, or cameras visible in a vehicle, are likely to get taken. Theft from parked cars can happen in tourist areas, beaches, trail heads, and parking lots. If you must leave something, keep it fully out of sight, but best to leave it where you are staying if possible.
Sun rises and sets early and fast.
The sun generally rises around 5:15–5:45 a.m. and sets around 5:30–6:00 p.m., and darkness comes quickly once the sun sets. This is because Costa Rica is close to the equator, which also means sunrise and sunset stay fairly consistent all year. It’s smart to plan drives and activities in the daylight if possible.
Jaco Beach
Costa Rica has many microclimates.
The sun can be shining in one area, and you might arrive an hour later in the next town, in the rain. Pack for changing weather , especially if you are going between beach, mountain, and jungle areas.
Your shoes matter more than your outfits.
Cute outfits won’t help much when you’re walking on uneven roads, muddy trails, slippery paths, or pothole infested streets. Comfortable sandals or solid runners will get used way more than anything fancy. That being said, you could bring an outfit for a nice dinner out, but truly you will dress comfortable and cool far more than anything else.
Gallo Pinto is an elite breakfast - do not miss out.
It might sound simple, but rice, beans, eggs, plantains, cheese, and fresh Costa Rican coffee just works. It’s filling, full of protein, tasty, and one of the best ways to start the day.
If you order coffee, chances are it will be delicious.
Costa Rica is known around the world for its coffee, and it continues to be an important part of the country’s culture, history, and daily life. Coffee in Costa Rica just hits different.
Don't overpack your itinerary.
Travel here often takes longer than people expect, and some of the best moments happen when plans change. Leave room for random beach stops, wildlife sightings, naps, and slow mornings.
Costa Rica rewards people who slow down.
The more you rush, the more you miss. Slow breakfasts, longer swims, sitting outside in the rain, or chatting with locals or other tourists is what visiting here is all about. I also found this is also the ticket to seeing more unique wildlife. I have seen quite a few sloths while out on my own by just walking slowly and looking around.
A howler monkey alarm clock is real.
Depending where you stay, there’s a good chance you’ll wake up to the loud, roaring howl of the monkeys. It can be surprising at first, but once you know what it is, it is really cool to hear.
Watch a few sunsets.
Even if you’re not usually a “sunset person,” Costa Rica can convert you fast. Beach sunsets especially, can feel like an evening ritual where everyone stops for a minute and just takes it in. I've often even seen police officers parked near the beach, watching the sunset, which says a lot about how special sunsets can feel in Costa Rica.
The Pacific and Caribbean feel like two different trips.
They each have their own vibe, scenery, culture, and rhythm. The Pacific side is known for bigger beach towns, surf culture, vibrant sunsets, and many of the country’s most popular destinations. The Caribbean side feels more laid-back with Afro-Caribbean influence, lush jungle meeting the blue sea, reggae rhythms, and a completely different food scene.
You do not need to see the whole country in one trip.
Many people try to cram in too much on their first trip. It’s better to experience fewer places properly than spend your whole vacation travelling between stops. If you are able, try to come back to Costa Rica to see both sides. It really shows you how different the country can feel depending on where you go.
Staying connected to the internet makes travel much smoother.
Having data the moment you land makes a huge difference for getting transportation, using maps, messaging accommodations, and checking directions. I usually sort this out before my trip so I’m connected as soon as I land. I use Yesim for my eSIM card and have never had an issue. Airalo is another great option.
You’ll hear the jungle before you see it.
You will often hear animals like birds, insects, frogs and monkeys before you can spot where the sound is coming from.
A beach can change completely in a few hours.
Tide, wind, weather and whether it's light or dark can make the same beach feel totally different morning to evening. The beach you see in the morning could feel like a different place by sunset.
You could really love a place you never planned to visit.
Some of the towns people end up loving most are the ones they almost skipped. Sometimes it’s the unplanned stop or the place you knew nothing about that ends up being one of your favorite parts of the trip.
Gas stations can feel surprisingly important.
In more rural areas, they’re often the best chance to use a clean bathroom, grab snacks, or reset before a long drive. Between some destinations, there might not be another one for quite a while, and not every stop will have a restroom.
Relax and let the trip unfold a little.
Not every great memory comes from an itinerary. Sometimes the best parts are the unexpected ones. A random stop, a change of plans, or something you never saw
coming can end up being the highlight of the trip.
Costa Rica has a way of surprising people in the best ways. I hope these tips help you feel more prepared, more excited, and ready to enjoy every moment.
Happy Planning & Pura Vida,
Shaya
Costa Rica Corner
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