Your Questions Answered: Traveling to Costa Rica

When you’re traveling to Costa Rica, you should know that it’s nestled between Nicaragua and Panama, with the Caribbean to the East and the Pacific to the West and South. As a result, Costa Rica has an island feel. Because it’s near the equator and in the tropics, its climate is mild year-round. Located at the heart, San Jose is the capital and most populated city. Typically, visitors fly into the airport there, but quickly drive to their destinations. A few of the most desirable beach resorts including Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo and JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa are located on the Pacific side.

Also read: The 10 Best Tropical Vacation Spots with Travel Guide Videos

There are too many interesting facts about Costa Rica to share, but here are few:

• Bats and monkeys are two of the most common mammals in Costa Rica. 
• It has 800 miles of coastline, is smaller than Lake Michigan but has 5% of the planet’s biodiversity. 
• Costa Rican men call themselves Ticos and women are Ticas. 
  

Tourists can be easy targets no matter where they travel. To prevent getting into sticky situations, don’t carry any valuables or large sums of money with you, and use the resort safe. Be sure to avoid local scams and only use official Wi-Fi connections. If your taxi driver says the meter is broken, find another taxi. If they say your hotel is overbooked or an attraction is closed, then be sure to call and confirm before you go. 

Also read: Why You Should Get Travel Insurance for All-Inclusive Resort Vacations

The Costa Rican Colon is worth a small fraction of the U.S. Dollar. You can exchange Dollars for Colones once you there, just be sure to use a trusted bank or hotel. Oftentimes stores may list prices in U.S. Dollars and even take them. In other words, don’t feel pressured to exchange all your money before you go. If you’d like to see the latest exchange rates, then look here. 

The Costa Rican rainy season is from May to November—the opposite of our warm season. It’s probably wise to avoid the rainy season if you’re looking for beach weather or planning long drives on dirt roads. Many roads are in poor condition with large pot holes and are not paved, which is something to consider when asking “is Costa Rica safe?” Landslides are not uncommon either. It's a popular destination for the holidays, so if you’re trying to avoid crowds then mid-January might be a good time to visit.
 

With dozens sprinkled throughout the country, Costa Rica’s national parks are breathtaking and picturesque, perfect for sharing on Instagram. One of the most popular is Arenal Volcano National Park, known for its natural hot springs, adventure travel attractions and wildlife, including hundreds of bird species. If the clouds lift, then you may be lucky enough to see the top of the active volcano in the distance. It is the rain forest, so be sure to bring a waterproof case for your phone or camera. If you’re more interested in the beach, then Tortuguero National Park and its sea turtle nesting grounds may be what you’re looking for. Again, it’s one of the rainiest parts of the country, so dress accordingly. 

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