15 Things You Should Know Before Travelling To Costa Rica

No matter how well-prepared you think you are, there’s always going to be surprises whenever you travel somewhere new. Although I definitely did my research before I decided to live in Costa Rica for 6 months, it’s simply impossible to know and be prepared for everything. It’s inevitable that you’ll learn some things along the way! Besides, isn’t that part of the excitement that comes with travelling?

Nevertheless, after months of living and backpacking through Costa Rica, I do have some useful tips to share! I’ve divided them into 4 sections: costs, health & safety, weather and food. Here are 15 things you should know before travelling to Costa Rica!

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What You Should Know Before Visiting Costa Rica – My Top 15 Tips!

COSTS

1. COSTA RICA IS EXPENSIVE

If you come from Europe, the US or any other region with Western prices, you may assume that any country in Central-America is a lot cheaper than what you’re used to. Well, I regret to inform you that you’re wrong. I found out the hard way!

Over the years, Costa Rica has become an increasingly popular tourist destination, especially for retired americans. Consequently, Costa Rica isn’t only catered to tourists, it’s catered to tourists with money. Sucks for us broke backpackers! I’m not saying it’s impossible to find cheaper dining options or accommodations, but in general, prices are higher than you would expect. To give you an idea: You easily pay $50/night for a mid-range hotel or Airbnb.

Read next: How To Travel Costa Rica On A Budget: 9 Money Saving Tips

2. AVOID SMALL SUPERMARKETS

Unfortunately, supermarkets are not an exception when it comes to the high prices in Costa Rica. However, there are some bigger ones – such as Pali & Super Compro – that are A LOT cheaper than the many small ones that can be found in most Costa Rican towns. Sometimes they’re a bit outside of the centre, but I would definitely suggest walking the extra mile if you’re looking to save money.

3. SERVICE COSTS ARE A THING

At first glance a restaurant might seem affordable, until you get the check at the end of your meal. Prices add up quickly when you have to pay an extra 10% service costs + 15% taxes. It depends on the place how much they charge extra, so make sure to check the menu beforehand to avoid surprises!

4. BRING YOUR OWN SUNSCREEN AND MEDICATION

I strongly suggest bringing your own sunscreen, anti-mosquito sprays and any medication you might need. Apparently, locals don’t really use these things often, so it’s only there for tourists at ridiculously high prices. A mosquito net definitely isn’t an unnecessary luxury either, especially if you’re travelling low-budget.

5. LOOK OUT FOR TOURIST RIP-OFFS

Another thing you should know before visiting Costa Rica is that you might get ripped off. This happens in many countries and Costa Rica is no different. Taxi drivers, bus drivers, pharmacies, etc.: some locals know there’s a big chance you have no idea whether it’s reasonable to pay c500 more or less and they do take advantage of it. I’ve had a taxi driver who’d agreed to a certain price, only to raise it by c2000 when we’d arrived at the destination. So ask around and be vigilant.

6. PAY IN COLONES INSTEAD OF US DOLLARS

Colon is the local currency in Costa Rica, but you can also pay in US dollars everywhere you go. However, it’s more profitable for you to pay in colones than in US dollars, as many restaurants or stores will choose a high exchange rate. For example: for my allergy pills I got the option to pay c11000 or $22, which comes down to roughly €17 vs €20. Crazy, right?? Also, don’t exchange money at the airport, but pin it at a local ATM with a credit card.

HEALTH & SAFETY

7. SOME ROADS ARE IN BAD CONDITION

If you’re planning on renting a car, you need to be aware that although some roads are decent, others definitely are not. Depending on the season, roads can be flooded with water or if you go higher up, sudden fog can cloud your vision.

On top of that, there’s still a lot of dirt roads that are bumpy as hell. That’s why anyone who knows Costa Rica will advise you to drive with caution and avoid driving at night. You should also be aware that because of the bad roads, dense jungle and many hills and volcanoes, certain beaches and small towns are hard to reach. What appears to be nearby on a map could easily be a 4-5h drive!

Read next: How To Get Around In Costa Rica Without A Car!

8. BE CAUTIOUS OF THIEVES

When I read online that someone was threatened with a machete for their money, I could hardly believe it. That was until it happened to me. Several people also had their stuff stolen when they left it unguarded at the beach. However, the situation is nowhere near bad enough to avoid Costa Rica altogether. Just avoid being alone outside early in the morning or at night (esp. at the beach!), consider leaving really expensive or fancy equipment at home and you should be fine!

9. YOU MIGHT BE ALLERGIC

Oh, how I wish I had thought of this! Costa Rica is known for its biodiversity and chances are you’re allergic to one of the millions of plants or trees that can be found in this country. It’s a common problem and one that hadn’t crossed my mind for a second. Nothing more annoying than sneezing and having red and swollen eyes during a lovely vacation. As I said, pills are crazy expensive, so bring your own just in case!

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10. DON’T BE AFRAID OF WILD ANIMALS

I don’t know about you but this was probably my main concern when I thought about living in the tropics. Before I left, I looked up all of the info on sharks, crocodiles, snakes, poisonous frogs, mosquitos (+ all of the diseases they carry) and so on. Luckily, the horror stories you read online make things seem so much worse than they are in reality. I haven’t had any issues (of course in most cases you only have to meet a crocodile once) and I’ve been to some seriously off the beaten path places. You’ll most likely see lots of harmless and cute animals!

11. BE AWARE OF RIP CURRENTS

Do be afraid of rip currents! According to the Tico Times, rip currents are responsible for 80% of the 150-200 annual deaths by drowning in Costa Rica. So don’t be a macho (wo)man and go too far into the ocean! Also, there are warning signs everywhere, so it’s pretty hard to ignore.

WEATHER

12. CHECK THE CLIMATE FOR EACH MONTH

You NEED to check the weather per month if you’re planning a trip to Costa Rica… unless you want to risk being stuck inside for your entire stay because of endless rainfall. September and October are the best months for a visit to the Caribbean side, while the dry season lasts from December until May on the Pacific side. Keep in mind, though, that the dry season can be REALLY dry in some areas (hardly any clouds and maybe one day of rain), so you must be able to stand the heat!

13. WEATHER APPS ARE USELESS

Another thing you should know when visiting Costa Rica is that weather apps are completely useless. I quickly gave up on them once I realised they were never right (there are NO daily thunderstorms from morning to evening). The weather is just too unpredictable!

FOOD

14. THE FOOD IS RATHER BASIC

I don’t know how spoiled you are when it comes to food, but for those of you who appreciate fine dining and a variety of tastes and ingredients, I wouldn’t get my expectations up too high. I’m not saying the food is bad: you can get a really tasty rice with chicken & fries for a decent price. However, I wasn’t the biggest fan of the national dish (red beans with rice and plantains) and in general, the options were quite limited.

15. EAT AT THE LOCAL SODAS

Sodas are small, family-run restaurants that serve typical Costa Rican dishes. They’re your best bet when it comes to fresh, local food for an affordable price! In fact, you can’t find anything cheaper than a soda in Costa Rica that still serves quality food.

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These are my best tips for Costa Rica and all the things you may want to know before travelling there. Now, don’t get me wrong, Costa Rica is still an amazing destination in spite of everything I just mentioned. I simply wrote this article so you are fully informed and well-prepared upon arrival. If you want to know why you SHOULD visit Costa Rica, check out this post on the top 10 reasons to visit Costa Rica in your lifetime!

Have you ever been to Costa Rica? What was your experience? Feel free to share any other tips in the comments 🙂

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