Costa Rica Travel Hints

PASSPORT

By now, you have one. At this writing, the Costa Rican government requires that your passport be valid for at least one day after your arrival. But this seems to be a moving target. We try to stay up to date. But any blog shouldn’t be your sole source of information. Please check out the official government website for the latest info: http://www.costarica-embassy.org/index.php?q=node/72

If your passport isn’t correct, they will send you home on the next flight. They are very serious about this, so check your passport!

Now scan the first page with your picture and the other important info. Send the file via Email to yourself and a friend who is not traveling. If you lose your passport, a good copy will make things a heck of a lot easier at the embassy. Make a photocopy while you are at it, and carry this day to day in Costa Rica. You can leave the original in your room safe. Although chances are slight that you will ever be asked to produce it, the copy works just fine. You are supposed to also have a copy of the page from when you entered the country too. But unless you are under arrest, this copy should be good enough.

ENTERING THE COUNTRY.

When you arrive, you will go through immigration first and then customs. All pretty routine stuff. There are free luggage carts in the baggage claim area, but these can’t be taken outside the building. They are handy for going through customs. Unless you look like an international arms smuggler or drug addled loser, you will find customs simple. You will be asked to place all of your luggage on a conveyor belt at the x-ray machines. They only open your luggage if they see something suspicious on the x-ray. Once you exit the building, you have to surrender the cart. But there are guys there to assist if you need it. Just stay with them. I always get a little nervous when someone grabs my bag and takes off.

Something fun about this airport is that they have a series of duty free shops after you pass through immigration, and before you enter baggage claim and customs. You can buy wine and liquor to bring into the country. Imported liquor is expensive in Costa Rica. So if you can’t go the week without Johnny Walker, this is a good stop. The wine prices are good too. We usually buy a couple of bottles for our room or to give as gifts to friends.

Do not exchange money at the official looking currency exchange in baggage claim! See below.

SECURITY.

Violent crime against tourists is almost non existent. Unless of course, you are looking for trouble!

But petty theft is a real problem. So it is important that you keep an eye on your stuff. Do no leave luggage in an unattended vehicle, or anywhere else. Keep an eye on your belongings at the beach too. Use the security box in your room.

99.9% of the locals you meet will be very friendly, honest, polite, and usually willing to assist you in every way. Everyone is so nice, it is easy to relax and forget the rules. Don’t let that happen. When you relax, that is when that tiny part of the population is looking for their opportunity. My best advice is to treat your belongings as if you were visiting a large US city. Practice the same due diligence, and you won’t have a problem.

WHAT TO PACK?

First of all, you will NOT need an electrical converter if you are traveling from the US or Canada. We are all on the same current.

You want to bring your sunscreen and insect repellent. Yes, you can buy it in Costa Rica. But foreign goods have a hefty import tax. These items are expensive in a US discount store. Imagine the price in a gift shop, in a remote place.

Bring rain gear. You can encounter a shower any time of year. You are going be on your feet a lot, so bring some good shoes. I recommend something with a tread on the bottom, and that dry quickly. Look for “outdoor shoes” or “trail shoes”. These are cut like a tennis shoe, with a sole similar to a hiking boot.

Don’t forget the binoculars. It is best if everyone has their own. Whenever you see wildlife, it is probably moving. If you are trying to pass around one pair between several people, someone is going to get left out.

Bring the family pharmacy. Not that you should expect a problem. But if you need an Alka Seltzer or Imodium in the middle of the night, doesn’t it make sense to have it with you?

INTERACTING WITH THE TICOS (the locals).

It is almost a little embarrassing to have to mention this. But there are some cultural differences. Latin folks tend to treat each other with a little more kindness than we sometimes do here in the States. It is a very polite culture. Even though we mean no offense, our urgency and sometimes abrupt manner often comes off as rudeness.

The waiters will treat you very well, but there is a different philosophy in play here. No one will fawn over you, even in an expensive restaurant. But they will treat you like an honored guest in their home. Play along, and be a great guest. You will be amazed at the warm treatment you will receive. Be demanding, and suddenly the service is horrible.

The pace here is slower. It isn’t laziness, it is just relaxed. We call it “Tico time”. So if your food takes a little while, don’t stress. Just order another cerveza. Also, be aware that you will never get a restaurant check without asking for it. Ticos consider it rude to bring a check too early. To them, it is the same as telling you to leave. Maybe you wanted another cup of coffee or another cerveza? Many folks mistake this as slow service or laziness. Actually, they are being polite.

It is best to go back to what our mothers taught us, and be polite. Say hello (Hola) when entering a business establishment. A simple “Please” (Por Favor, or even just Porfa), goes a long way. Thank (Gracious) everyone for everything.

One last thing. If things are not going well, keep your temper. Ticos tend to be non confrontational, and polite. Even when they are boiling inside. Yelling at a waiter or hotel clerk is extremely bad manners (even if you are in the right). You may not be aware of it, but this loss of control is extremely embarrassing for everyone. Especially for the one causing the commotion.

MONEY Again, do not exchange money at the official looking currency exchange in baggage claim! The commission they charge is an outrageous rip off. Period.

Your US money spends well here. Just bring small bills, and make sure they are in good condition. The one hundred dollar bill is the most counterfeited in the world, and is always viewed with suspicion. Don’t bring anything larger than a twenty.

You will probably want to use local currency. It is just easier. Your hotel can usually change a small amount of money for you. But they are not a bank, so they don’t keep a lot of cash on hand. You can also get money from an ATM. They usually give the best exchange rate. Most big US networks (Pulse, Cirrus, Maestro, etc.) are in use here. But not at every bank. So when you find one that works, make note of the name for future reference.

Stash some US money for the last day of your trip. Costa Rican colons are hard to exchange back home, and you will get murdered on the exchange rate. You want to spend all your colons, and live on US money at the end of your stay.

If you are going to be using a credit card, it is a good idea to let your provider know. They will often turn a card off when they start seeing a bunch of foreign charges. A quick call today can save a hassle and expensive international call later.

STAYING HEALTHY:

You can eat the food and drink the water just about everywhere. Bottled water is widely available. I drink it out of convenience, but not out of necessity. So food and drink are not a concern. I find that the biggest problems my guests encounter are sun poisoning and digestive problems.

You are only slightly above the equator here. The sun is a lot more intense than it seems. If you forget your hat and don’t wear sunscreen, you are asking for trouble. Sun poisoning will lay you out for a full day or longer. It is just like the flu. Sniffles, nausea, diarrhea, fatigue. Take precautions, and you will be fine. I can’t stress the importance of this enough.

You should bring some Imodium or other anti-diarrhea medication. Sometimes just a change in diet will cause this kind of problem. The good news, is that it probably is not a problem caused by bacteria. If you are affected, lay off the fried food. They use palm oil a lot, and it is hard to digest if you are not used to it.

There is a slight incidence of tropical diseases. This is a fact of life in the tropics. But they are not nearly as common here as in other parts of the third world. Most of the things that can affect you are mosquito borne. Just use your repellent, especially in the early morning and at dusk. Pay close attention to your ankles. In over thirty years, I don’t think that any of our clients have come home sick. But take your precautions. It is always better to be safe than sorry.

If you are going to be drinking alcohol at the hot springs, make sure you hydrate! And no, a frozen margarita doesn’t count. Hot springs are great fun, but extremely dehydrating. Mix this factor with alcohol, and you can see the party ending early. An occasional bottle of water is the smart thing to do.

TIPPING.

All restaurant checks have a 10% Service Chart, and 13% tax added. By law, they have to give you a bill. This 10% service charge is a starting point, and is divided among the staff. If your waiter has been good, then add another 10%. If you pay this extra on a credit card, it will most likely go to the employee’s mutual pool. If you want to assure that your server gets it, give the extra tip in cash. Leave it on the table, or give it to them discreetly as you depart.

If you are being transferred a long distance, make sure you take care of the driver / guide. Tips are an important part of their income. If you are just a couple people or a family in a small van, figure $20.00 to $30.00 is good. If you are part of a large group, figure $5.00 per person, per day.

Important hint: If you ask the driver to stop for a meal while during a long transer, invite them to join you and pay for their lunch. And no, this doesn’t count as a tip. The driver would be having lunch with their family, if they were not driving you. The drivers receive a small wage, and depend on your gratuity for the lion’s share of their income. Don’t expect them to spend their tip on lunch, or give them lunch as a gratuity. Be fair.

The drivers doing local transfers from / to the airport should get $10.00, but taxi drivers are usually not tipped. There are usually some guys that will help with your luggage at the airport. Tip like you would in the US. Tip anyone that helps with your luggage at the hotel. Figure a buck a bag for the luggage assistance.

Don’t forget the chamber maids, figure at least $2.00 per day, unless you are really messy! Some hotels leave an envelope in the room. Others have a box in the lobby for staff tips. A couple of bucks left on the table after the free breakfast buffet is always appreciated.

KEEPING IN TOUCH

The best way is by email. Internet cafes are pretty common, although not all of them offer a high speed connection. Most hotels now offer some form of Internet access. If you must call home, I don’t recommend that you use your US based calling card. They usually are your worst deal, and it can get expensive quickly. If you must call home, purchase an international phone card from a pharmacy or large grocery store. These are sold in US denominations ($5. $10, $20), and are your best deal at about fifty cents per minute.

Though the recent developments in internet have been a game changer. We have also found these free apps that seem to work well. Everyone’s favorite is WhatsApp. This is widely used in Costa Rica. Have your friends and family members install this on their phones, and you do the same. Once everything is set up correctly, you can call or text as long as you have internet available. You can even send pictures!

You can also enter almost of your suppliers on your phone. All of the vouchers that we send you, have their telephone numbers. You can enter these enter these on your phone ahead of time. WhatsApp works on cell phones, so look at the vouchers with a phone number that starts with an 8. Or go to the website of the supplier, and see if they have a WhatsApp phone number listed.

LEAVING THE COUNTRY

All carriers want you to check in two and a half to three hours in advance. You have to comply. This is a small airport. If two or more big jets are leaving around the same time, the security lines get long. If there is an elevated threat level in the US, they search every bag by hand. You can see how this can slow things down.

Check in with your airline to see if they included the exit tax in your ticket. Most North American carriers do, a few international carriers don’t.

If you haven’t paid your exit tax, you have to do so before you get in line at the ticket counter. There is area in of the corner of the terminal, across from the ticket counters. It looks like a bank line. The lines appear long, but they move quickly. At this writing, the tax is $29.00 per person.

I hope that you find this information useful! Enjoy your stay, you are going to a very special place.