--- title: "Costa Rica: Trip Preparation & Destination Information" description: Traveling to Costa Rica? Read on for tips to help you prepare for your trip! image: https://trovatrip.com/hubfs/Manuel-Antonio.jpg --- - TRAVEL - [![Find a Trip](https://21025004.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/21025004/website%20images/flight_icon.svg) Find a Trip ](https://trovatrip.com/trips) - [Read Reviews](https://trovatrip.com/trip/reviews) - [What is TrovaTrip](https://trovatrip.com/trip/group-travel-benefits) - [Traveler Support](https://help.trovatrip.com/en/collections/6193390-traveler-support) - HOST - [![Host a Trip](https://21025004.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/21025004/website%20images/host_icon.svg) Host a Trip ](https://trovatrip.com/host) - [Host Testimonials](https://trovatrip.com/host/host-testimonials) - [Host Support](https://help.trovatrip.com/en/collections/3069035-host-support) - [Itinerary Library](https://trovatrip.com/host/itineraries) - [Referral Program](https://trovatrip.com/host/referral-program) - [ABOUT](https://trovatrip.com/about) - [BLOG](https://trovatrip.com/blog) - [Log in](https://my.trovatrip.com/login) - [Become a Host](https://trovatrip.com/host/onboarding) # Costa Rica: Trip Preparation & Destination Information Print this page as PDF. ![Costa Rica: Trip Preparation & Destination Information](https://trovatrip.com/hubfs/Manuel-Antonio.jpg) ### About Costa Rica - [Overview](https://trovatrip.com/traveler/trip-prep/central-america/costa-rica#overview) - [Packing List](https://trovatrip.com/traveler/trip-prep/central-america/costa-rica#packing) - [Language ](https://trovatrip.com/traveler/trip-prep/central-america/costa-rica#language) - [Weather](https://trovatrip.com/traveler/trip-prep/central-america/costa-rica#weather) - [Fun Facts](https://trovatrip.com/traveler/trip-prep/central-america/costa-rica#funfacts) - [Tipping](https://trovatrip.com/traveler/trip-prep/central-america/costa-rica#tipping) - [FAQ](https://trovatrip.com/traveler/trip-prep/central-america/costa-rica#faq) - [Other if Needed](https://trovatrip.com/traveler/trip-prep/central-america/costa-rica#other-if-needed) #### Overview Costa Rica is a rugged, forested Central American country with coastlines on the Caribbean and Pacific. Though its capital, San Jose, is home to cultural institutions like the Pre-Colombian Gold Museum, Costa Rica is known for its beaches, volcanoes and biodiversity. Roughly a quarter of its area is made up of protected jungle, teeming with wildlife including spider monkeys and quetzal birds.   Disclaimer: You will be staying in jungle lodges, and bugs are common (does NOT mean the hotel is dirty!). This applies especially to Monteverde and Arenal. But all of Costa Rica is tropical and bugs should be expected.   Turtle Nesting Activity: If this activity is included in your itinerary, please make sure to pack dark clothing and closed-toe shoes.   **Capital City:** San José **Population: **5.1 million (2020 est.) **Currency: **Costa Rican colón (USD is also accepted in some tourist areas) **Time Zone:** Central Standard Time (GMT-6) **Emergency Number:** 911 **Outlet:** Type A/B ![Screen Shot 2022-04-21 at 3.51.17 PM](https://trovatrip.com/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202022-04-21%20at%203.51.17%20PM.png) ![TrovaTrip-Ash-Mac-Costa-Rica-Blog8](https://trovatrip.com/hubfs/TrovaTrip-Ash-Mac-Costa-Rica-Blog8.jpg) #### Packing List **Active shoes** - Great for exploring off the beaten paths, hiking trails and waterfalls. We love sturdy hiking sandals, such as Chacos or Keens, for warmer climates! **Closed-toe water shoes** - Or shoes that can get wet. Although active shoes are great for hikes, many water activities will require shoes that can get wet and protect your feet. **Long sleeve or light sweater/light pants** - Particularly useful if you're going to Monteverde where the climate is more temperate and evenings can cool down into the 60s. **Protect Your Tummy** - Pack some Pepto Bismol and Imodium. Dramamine can be really helpful if you're prone to motion sickness. **Sunblock with SPF** - Nothing ruins a vacation like a lobster sunburn. Protect your skin from unwanted damage by loading up on SPF. Make sure you buy Reef Safe too! **Bug Spray** - Use bug spray with DEET or Picaridin to avoid bug bites and stay healthy during your trip. **Day Packs ** - Great for long adventure days! **Reusable Water Bottle** - Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! You will have access to clean water for refilling at all the hotels. **Ear Plugs** - Light sleeper? Nice to have in case of a snoring roommate. **Hand Sanitizer ** - Need I say more? **Portable Chargers** - Stay juiced my people. **Swimsuit ** - We'll be hitting the water! **Towel** - Bring a towel to dry off whether you're whitewater rafting, canyoneering waterfalls, swimming in the ocean, or caught in a downpour. You never know when you'll get wet in the rainforest! **Waterproof phone case** - Take pictures during water activities or when swimming! **Laundry Soap ** - Single packets are perfect for sink washes when you're running low on clean clothes! **Local Currency ** - Make sure to get some local currency. On average, you'll lose around 15% at the airport if you use the currency exchange. While many places do accept cards, small local restaurants tend to be cash only. **Call Your Bank ** - Your bank may suspend your card if they suspect unusual activity. Give them a call to let them know when and where you'll be traveling. **Always pack extra underwear!** #### Speak The Language **Language:** Spanish. A large portion of the population speaks English as a second language.    - **Hello** - ¡Hola! (O-la) - **Goodbye** - ¡Adios! (AH-dee-ohs) - **Thank you** - Gracias (GRA-see-as) - **Do you speak English?** - ¿Habla inglés? (Ab-la in-GLAYS) - **I (don’t) understand** - Yo (no) entiendo (yo no en-tee-EN-doh) - **How are you?** - ¿Cómo está? (KOH-moh eh-STAH) - **I’m fine, thank you** - Bien, gracias (bee-EN, GRA-see-as) - **What’s your name?** -  Cómo te llamas? ((KOH-moh te ya-mas?)) - **My name is…** - Me llamo… (May ya-moh… ) - **Where is...** -  ¿Dónde está… (DON-day es-tah...) - The bathroom - el baño (el BAH-nyo) - An ATM - un cajero (un kah-HEH-roh)   Google Translate: Download the Google Translate app or click [**here**](https://translate.google.com/)   ![trovatrip-costa-rica-traveler-near-waterfall](https://trovatrip.com/hs-fs/hubfs/trovatrip-costa-rica-traveler-near-waterfall.jpg?width=2048&height=1024&name=trovatrip-costa-rica-traveler-near-waterfall.jpg) #### Weather [JACO WEATHER](https://forecast7.com/en/9d62n84d62/jaco/?unit=us) [ARENAL WEATHER](https://forecast7.com/en/10d54n84d89/nuevo-arenal/?unit=us) [PUERTO VIEJO WEATHER](https://forecast7.com/en/10d51n84d19/puerto-viejo/?unit=us) [MONTEVERDE WEATHER](https://forecast7.com/en/10d27n84d83/monteverde/?unit=us)   #### Fun Facts - Costa Ricans refer to themselves as Ticos (males) or Ticas (females). - The Guanacaste is Costa Rica's national tree and the clay-colored thrush is the national bird. The national flower is the guaria morada, an orchid. - Costa Rica has a life expectancy of almost 77 years, one of the highest in the world. - There are more than 121 volcanic formations in Costa Rica, and seven of them are active. Poas Volcano has the second widest crater in the world (nearly one mile in diameter), and Arenal Volcano is one of the ten most active volcanoes in the world. - Chirripo Mountain is the highest point in Costa Rica at 12,500 feet. The country's lowest point is 790 feet below sea level in the caves of Barra Honda National Park. - Costa Rica hosts more than 5% of the world's biodiversity even though its landmass only takes up .03% of the planet's surface. #### Tipping Tipping Suggestions: Tips for Guides, drivers and restaurants are not included. Tips provide supplemental income, and, while not mandatory, are greatly appreciated. If the local teams have added to the experience, please reward them. | **Guides** | | USD $5-15 per person/per day | | --- | --- | --- | | **Drivers** | | USD $5-15 per person/per day | | **Restaurants (full service)**  | | Taxes & tips are typically included in the total bill |       #### FAQ **Where can I find information on travel safety? **Check out the US Department of State's [website](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/costa-rica-travel-advisory.html) for the most up-to-date information on safety while traveling    **Is the water safe to drink? **Tap water in Costa Rica is drinkable and, in many areas of the country, quite good. However, if you have a sensitive stomach, it is recommended to refrain from drinking tap water in most beach destinations. To play it safe, visit any supermarket and buy bottled water.    **Do I need a Visa?** For Visa information, click [here. ](http://www.costarica-embassy.org/index.php?q=node/72)Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months after you return home and has two or more blank pages. Otherwise, some countries may not let you enter.   **What about vaccines?** For vaccination information, click [here.](https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/costa-rica)   **Do you recommend travel insurance? **While not required, we highly recommend all travelers get travel insurance for their trip to protect themselves from the unknown! Check out travel insurance options from our partner, [worldnomads.com](https://www.worldnomads.com/usa/travel-insurance?affiliate=trvtrip&subld=banner&affiliateTrackingld=db44277c07544303b92d043564508276&utm_source=trvtrip&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=Affiliate&utm_content=banner), or from a provider of your choice.    **How much should I pack?** As we will be using shared transfers and spaces throughout our tour we recommend all travelers pack as lightly as possible. Please take a look at our luggage restrictions below.   **What does public transportation look like?** There are many ways to get around Costa Rica. Taxis are affordable and convenient, but be careful to only hire licensed taxi drivers.    I**s Uber or Lyft available?** Uber is available in some cities.** ** #### Luggage Restrictions ![Luggage Restrictions purple ](https://trovatrip.com/hubfs/Luggage%20Restrictions%20purple%20(2).jpg) ![Luggage restrictions purple – mobile – 1](https://trovatrip.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Luggage%20restrictions%20purple%20%E2%80%93%20mobile%20%E2%80%93%201.png?width=390&height=929&name=Luggage%20restrictions%20purple%20%E2%80%93%20mobile%20%E2%80%93%201.png) ### Book With Confidence [![USTOA-Member-Logo-gray](https://trovatrip.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Footer%20Associations%20Logo/USTOA-Member-Logo-gray.png?width=200&name=USTOA-Member-Logo-gray.png) ](https://ustoa.com/)