Top Tips For Traveling In Costa Rica! | Planning your first visit

Richard is the owner/broker of Coldwell Banker Tamarindo, and the founder of the vacation rental company www.viptamarindo.com. Please get in touch if we can help.

Costa Rica is a wonderful country with friendly people, beautiful beaches and amazing jungle and wildlife. But bring your smarts, to avoid problems.

1. Beach,educational,wildlife, relaxing, cultural. You should prioritize, spiritual
It is good to think about what you want to get out of the trip, there are so many options. Learn to make pottery the traditional way, make tortillas, pick and grind coffee. See sloths etc
2. Which airport? Liberia or San Jose (Juan Santamaria)
There are 2 airports, Liberia (LIR) and San Jose (SJO). Both are clean and efficient and eye wateringly expensive food drink and souvenirs. Neither town has much to offer. At a push there is an interesting half day tour in San Jose, but only really if you need to fill your time. Best to get to your first nights accommodation if you can, rather than a night in an airport hotel
3. The people
In general the people are friendly and welcoming to visitors. You should take time to make some new friends. But just be aware there is an element out there looking to take
advantage and earn money out of you unfairly
4. Seeing the animals and sea life- rainforest walk, boat trip. Stay quiet
In the last month, doing no tours and just staying in my little town I have seen turtles, humpback whales, sharks, crocodiles, sloths, monkeys, iguanas, mapaches. Costa Rica has incredibly plentiful and diverse wildlife. When you are booking a wildlife tour, ask the guide what they have seen in the last few days. Stay quiet, it is not a zoo so if you make noise the animals will go away.
5. Car rental
Book well in advance, research if you need to pay the CDW or if it is covered on your card. They will try to sell it to you
6. Petty theft
Be aware of petty theft, don’t leave things in the car, on the beach, watch your wallet and phone
7. Packlightly,leave expensive jewelry at home
You won’t be dressing for dinner often, so pack lightly, a carry on bag should be enough. Light cottons are great. Leave the

jewelry at home, otherwise it will be a stress if you are leaving it in your car/hotel room.
8. Internal ‘puddle jumper’ flights are great
Take advantage of the great network of local 12 seater puddle jumper planes. Very good and reasonably priced. They use San Jose as a hub. A 5 hour drive is a 30 minute flight. Luggage limits
9. Use airbnbs and small local hotels
There are some beautiful chain hotels such as Four Seasons and Marriott, but try to get the local experience, small hotels and airbnbs. The all inclusives really seal your off in a bubble, get out and experience the local flavor
10.Each beach town is completely different to the next
Research your beaches carefully. Each one has its own unique flavor. Some you need a car, some you don't. Some black beaches some white, surf or no, rocky or swimming beach
11. It is hot
From 11am to 3pm it is hot hot hot. If you have activities, plan them for early or late in the day. Bring lots of water and sunscreen
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