Costa Rica is a foreign country with its own quirks and blessings. If you have made the decision to visit, you probably have Costa Rica questions. Here are some quick travel tips and frequently asked questions about Costa Rica!
Do I need a COVID test to enter Costa Rica?
No, you don’t. You do, however, need to purchase medical insurance to cover you in the rare case you contract COVID while here. We like Trawick International for cost-effective insurance. There are other options including Costa Rica’s government recommendations:
https://www.grupoins.com/seguroparaviajeros
Once you have the insurance, you need to fill out a Health Pass 48 hours before you depart. You will have to show this at immigration when you enter Costa Rica.
Do I need to know Spanish when coming to Costa Rica?
The answer to this question is really yes and no. It really depends on what you are planning in the country. Most tourism-based businesses (i.e. hotels, restaurants, transportation companies, and tour operators) will have fluent English-speaking personnel. But, smaller restaurants (called “sodas”), super markets, or even police officers will likely speak Spanish. If you find yourself in need of a translator, it won’t be too hard to find someone to help you out. However, if you truly need some help and can’t find any way to communicate, please feel free to contact Costa Rica Vacations we will be happy to assist you.
What is the currency and how much money should I plan on bringing?
The currency here is a Costa Rican Colon. For the past few years, the exchange rate has hovered around 600 Colones to $1 United States Dollar. Almost all locations accept credit cards and dollars, but most do not accept $50, $100 dollar bills. Or slightly damaged bills. Please be cautious when using credit/debit cards as they can be subjected to unfair exchange rates, improper amounts, and usage surcharges. Contact your bank and authorize foreign charges on your credit card and to find out if there will be any charges on behalf of your bank for foreign usage.
Also, please make sure to READ AND UNDERSTAND ANY CREDIT CARD CHARGES BEFORE SIGNING THEM. There has been instances where a client was accidentally mischarged, and a signed credit card voucher is difficult to negotiate. We suggest bringing a small amount of spending cash for tips, gifts, etc. Traveler’s checks are safe, but end up being a hassle to use because in most towns. Only banks redeem the checks and you can end up waiting up to an hour just to cash one of them. ATMs are available in most of the towns you will be visiting.
Is it better to pay in Costa Rican Colones or U.S. Dollars?
Always try and pay in the advertised currency price to avoid complicated and pesky exchange rates.
- If a corner store is advertising sunscreen for 6,000 colones, and you pay in Costa Rican colones, you will be charged exactly 6,000. (Pretty obvious, right?!)
- However if you pay for the sunscreen in US Dollars, you might get charged about $10.00.
- Now, the same sunscreen is advertised as $10.00 US Dollars, you might get charged about 6,200 colones.
- In other words, you will most likely get charged a few percentage points in the wrong direction every time you pay in a non-advertised currency.
How much should I tip?
Tipping should always be at your own discretion. If you feel the tip was deserved based on the level of service, give what you are comfortable giving. Tips are seen as a sign of appreciation in the country. As a matter of fact, some workers (i.e. parking lot attendants) depend solely on the tips. The average salary in Costa Rica is approximately $20/day. Feel free to base your tipping upon that figure.
It is also important to note that in every restaurant in Costa Rica, the law mandates a 10% service fee to be added on to every bill. This 10% must legally be passed on to the wait-staff and kitchen staff. Every menu should state whether the publicized prices include or do not include this service fee, so please note so as not to be surprised.
What kind of electricity does Costa Rica have?
Costa Rica has standard 110V/220V electricity which is the same as the North American outlets. Therefore, your ipad charger will work just fine down here.
Can I drink the water in Costa Rica?
Most of the public water in Costa Rica is drinkable. In fact, the law states that all provided water from public sources should be potable. Whether or not this is enforced in every corner of the country is questionable. Please be aware that not all Costa Rica locations maintain a public water connection, especially in remote locations. Most of these depend on their private wells or treatment systems for water. And, sometimes these water systems are not properly treated or maintained. As a golden rule, you should always ask a hotel employee or tour guide before drinking non-bottled water. If there is any doubt that the water is potable, it is just better to drink bottled water.
What should I do if I feel unsafe, unhealthy, or unsecure?
If at any time, you feel unsafe, unhealthy, or insecure, please do not hesitate to call our 24-hour, in-country phone number 8303-1892.
And if you are experiencing a medical or other emergency, please call the country’s emergency number: 1-9-1-1. All operators speak very little English. If you are unable to communicate with them, please feel free to contact us, your guide, or your hotel staff.
