Costa Rica Survival 101 – Tips for a fun, safe and trouble-free visit! by Kenneth Schaafsma, Oceanside Realty, SRL

In order to best enjoy Costa Rica it is essential that you turn off your North American or European mentality and come with a fresh, open mind and experience and enjoy the natural beauty, wonderful culture and growing amenities that Costa Rica has to offer.

What to bring:
If staying at the beach, casual attire is a must. The temperatures are warmest during the day so plan on wearing shorts and tank tops. I recommend staying away from cotton fabrics and investing in some of the new, breathable materials that are offered at sporting goods stores and golf shops. You will feel much cooler and you will certainly enjoy your trip more. If you are planning an overnight in the mountains, it will cool off at night. Bring long pants and a light jacket. If you are traveling during the green season – bring an umbrella for the afternoon showers.

Flip flops (beach shoes). Wear flip flops or shoes on the beach to avoid burning your feet. The sand is beautiful and everyone enjoys a walk on the beach, but the sun’s rays are very direct and hot and the dark colored sands of the Pacific Ocean beaches soak up the heat.

Sunscreen. Again, the sun’s rays are direct and hot – even on a cloudy day. Wear sun screen and a hat to avoid sunburn.

Walking shoes. A good pair of walking shoes that are comfortable for walking the sidewalks and trails alike are recommend. There is much to see and walking is the best way to see it.

Insect repellent. It is always good to keep those pesty critters away. Mosquitos can carry Dengue Fever, a disease that can make you very, very sick. If you are in an area that has a lot of bugs, wear repellent that has Deat. Most open air restaurants will have repellent that you can use if you forget it.

Upon arrival at the Juan Santa Maria Airport
   Complete the immigration and customs forms given to you by the airline.

1. Your first stop will be immigration. If you are a visitor proceed to the visitor’s counter. This may take between 10 minutes and 45 minutes depending on airport traffic. The average wait time is approximately 20 minutes. Proceed to the counter with your passport and immigration form. The clerk will take the immigration form, stamp your passport and send you on.
2. Go down stairs to baggage claim. Claim your luggage. Note – if you are carrying golf clubs or other large or odd sized items, there is an area near the baggage claim where these items will be brought out. Also, luggage carts are complimentary and make carrying your luggage through customs much easier.
3. Once you have claimed all of your luggage you will be required to pass your items through an x-ray machine and give your customs declaration form to the clerk.
4. When your items have cleared the x-ray and customs area you will proceed to the airport exit. You will see window and an exit on your right and on your left. If you have a driver picking you up at the airport you will typically see your name on a sign through the window. If you have an airport provided luggage cart you will be required to leave it at the exit point. Porters are available to carry your luggage to your awaiting transportation. Taxis are also available at this point. Note – if you are taking a taxi, sometimes it is easier to cross the street to the parking garage and go up one level to the departure area. Taxis are abundant and there is less chaos. You may also be able to negotiate a better fare as these drivers have just dropped off their passengers and looking for a fare. Cab fare varies depending on where you are going. If you are going to Jaco, expect to pay approximately $60 to $80 depending on the size of your group, etc. The drive to Jaco is approximately 1.5 hours.
5. The drive to Jaco. If you are arriving during daylight hours you are in for a treat. You will be driving through beautiful mountains, coffee country and several small Costa Rican towns. Note – if you are prone to motion sickness it is advised to take some medication as you will be zig zagging through the mountains. The roads are in excellent shape and the views are amazing. About 30 minutes into your drive as you wind through coffee farms, ask your driver to stop at the mirador or lookout. It is a great place to stretch your legs, grab a cold beverage and enjoy some amazing views. Another great place to stop is the Tarcoles River which is about another 30 minutes. It is after you have left the mountains and are at sea level. Ask your driver to stop so you can see the amazing 15 ft crocodiles.

How To Navigate The Beach And More...
Walk the beach early or late. The day starts early in Costa Rica as the sun rise is around 5am. Use this to your advantage. Get out and walk early before the sun is high in the sky or walk just before sunset when the day is cooling.

1. Plan your tours in the morning – especially during the green season as afternoon rain showers are normal in the tropics especially in May, Sept and Oct.
2. Caveat Emptor – Let the Buyer Beware. Everyone in Costa Rica is a salesperson and every Costa Rican is extremely friendly. Beware of the locals being overly friendly to you – it often comes with a catch. Everyone can sell cars, real estate and tours. Be careful not to over pay and be careful that your tours are real tours. Some of the gypsy tours and gypsy cab drivers may offer you a great price, but most are uninsured and may not be properly trained or carry the appropriate licenses. If you think you are getting too good of a deal, you most likely are.

Pacific Ocean:
Enjoy, but respect the mighty Pacific Ocean. The year around warm temperatures of the ocean may be calling you, but before swimming, ask at your hotel or some locals about the currents. Rip currents / rip tides kill many people each year. If the waves are large – don’t swim. Also, start out shallow and get used to the waves and currents before venturing out. Don’t think that just because there are surfers in deeper waters that it is safe for you. Surf boards float – they act as natural life preservers and most of the surfers know the currents very well. If you are swimming near a river there may be a strong current. If you get caught in a rip current – don’t panic. Float or tread water lightly and observe the current. If you try to swim opposite the current you may run out of energy. It is best to swim parallel to the shoreline or on a slight angle towards the beach. If there are surfers nearby try to get their attention. If you are not a strong swimmer – stay in the shallow water or in the hotel pool.

Sting Rays and Jelly Fish. Sting Rays will typically not be a problem unless you happen to step on one in shallow waters. By shuffling your feet when walking in knee deep water you will nudge and probably never see one of these creatures. If you do get stung, not to worry the pain will go away in a couple of hours. A trip to a local pharmacy can be made to get some anti-inflamatory medicine to assist. Jelly fish look like bubbles floating on the water and seem to come and go depending on the swell, winds and currents. Most jelly fish stings on the Pacific are minor and not all that common.

Dining
When you go out to eat in a restaurant that is not air conditioned (open air soda’s are everywhere and part of the local charm), sit where there is a breeze or sit under a ceiling fan. There is a world of difference between warm air that is stagnant and warm air that is moving.

If ordering water, order bottled water. Note – the water in most parts of Costa Rica is clean and safe to drink. If you are only visiting for a short period of time, it is not worth the risk of getting sick and missing out on a days activities if you body isn’t compatible with the water.

Ask for extra ice (mas hielo) for your beverage. Note – most restaurants purchase filtered ice that is OK for your digestive system. If you aren’t sure, ask!

After dinner you need to ask for the check. It is rude for the wait staff to bring it to you without your asking. Most places understand the word “check.” Otherwise you can say, “La cuenta por favor.”

Tips are often included on the restaurant bill and are 10% of the food cost. Taxes are also on the bill or already included in the price of the food. If the service is exceptionally well it is OK to add a little (up to 5%) to the tip. A small tip from you is a big boost to the salary of the locals. If you aren’t sure whether or not the tip is included it is acceptable to ask.

Currency: The local currency is called the colon or colon - e. Most tourist areas in Costa Rica and hotels accept US dollars. The exchange rate will be approximately 500 colones to $1. Bring new, crisp $20 bills as many places will not accept nor have change for large bills and waiting in line at banks in Costa Rica is not a pleasant way to spend your vacation. Traveler’s checks can be cashed at the banks, but are costly and take a lot of time.

Safety:
Remember that you are a tourist and a visitor to this country. Like any tourist destination, the more you stand out, the more you are a target. Be smart, be diligent and your odds of being a victim of a crime will be very low.

If you have an emergency while in Costa Rica you can dial 911 for emergency service. In almost all cases the operators are bi-lingual (English / Spanish).

If you have a rental car – Never leave anything of value in the car. Never drive in isolated areas at night. Always be aware of who / what is around you. When you walk away from you rental car pay attention to who is watching you and if anyone follows you.

Never leave a bag or purse unattended. Never hang a bag, purse or camera over the back of your chair if you are at a restaurant – instead put them on your lap. If you have a back pack, don’t put your valuables in it. Thieves are great at opening the packs and you never notice until it is too late.

You are required to carry your passport (or copy). Make a copy of your passport and ID to carry with you and keep the originals locked in the hotel safe. Also, make a copy of your passport before you leave home and leave it with someone that you can contact if you lose your original. If you lose your passport in Costa Rica, the US embassy in San Jose is awesome to work with and will assist you in getting a temporary one to get you home.

Leave your expensive jewelry at home. Unless you are staying at the Four Seasons Hotel, tt is not important to wear, show off or impress anyone in Costa Rica with fancy jewelry. You are only asking for the kind of attention that you don’t want. Costa Rica is a very simple and casual environment – “when in Rome do like the Romans do”.

Walk and enjoy. Unlike many other Caribbean locations where you are safe as long as you stay in the “all-inclusive resort,” and with the exception of a few locations in San Jose and Limon (like any city), it is Ok to leave your compound (hotel or condo) and walk and enjoy the area like a local, as long as you are observant to what is happening around you, check with the hotel first to make sure you are in a safe area and never walk alone in an isolated location or walk alone at night.

Places / situations to avoid. Don’t walk alone or in isolated places at night. If you go to downtown San Jose (day or night), beware that it is dangerous for locals and foreigners alike. Stay in groups, beware of pick pockets and guard your backpack (especially at the bus station). Outside of the city, most of the crime in Costa Rica is associated with drugs, drinking too much and prostitution (like the rest of the world). If you put yourself in these situations your odds of falling victim to a crime go up dramatically. Drugs such as marijuana and cocaine are illegal and punishable by prison time.

Car Rental:
If you are renting a car and using a credit card, call your card company before you travel and ask if insurance is covered in Costa Rica. Also, call your auto insurance company and ask if you have coverage. Rental car companies often tell clients that the insurance you have on your credit card is not valid in Costa Rica. If you have done a little due diligence prior to traveling you may be able to save a lot of money. Also, ask about the deductible. Often you can pay a little extra for a lower deductible.

If you are renting a car you must understand the laws of Costa Rica. If you get in an accident, you are not allowed to move your vehicle until the police arrive. Always get a police report and never move your car until they arrive – EVEN IF YOU ARE BLOCKING TRAFFIC. If you don’t speak Spanish and the officer does not speak English, and you don’t understand what is happening, ask for a tourist police or for a translator before you sign anything.

Drive defensively – always. Always, always! There is a method to the madness of driving in Costa Rica, but it usually takes a few days to get the hang of it. Always know that at anytime someone may and probably will pull out in front of you, run a stop sign, pass on a double yellow and blind curves, etc. Be prepared to dodge the incident. Always have an exit plan. Know the shoulder of the road, etc. Take your time. You don’t have to tailgate and drive fast just because the cars around you are. Be especially careful when driving at night as pedestrians have the right away and are often walking on the side of the roads and are always very difficult to see. Be careful and have fun!

One lane bridges. The rule when approaching a one lane bridge is that if you have the red yield sign on your side of the bridge you must stop for approaching traffic and wait for it to clear. If you have the sign that looks like a stop light, approach with caution. Always make sure there is no oncoming traffic before moving forward.

Test the brakes. Always test the brakes, check the tires and major functions of the automobile before leaving the car rental agency. Also, if you are driving in the mountains take extra precautions regarding brakes, etc.

Wear your seatbelt. In addition to being the smart thing to do, there is a seatbelt law in Costa Rica that is enforced.

Transit Police. When driving and approaching a stopped police car you are expected to watch the police officer. If he motions for you to stop, you are being pulled over. Don’t pay a bribe. If you haven’t done anything wrong, then in a friendly voice explain that to the officer. If he is determined to write you a ticket, then smile and agree for him to write it. In most instances they do not want to complete the paperwork, but because tourists are so quick to pay a $20 bill to get out of a ticket, the police officers are happy to pull you over to see if you are going to help support them. If you get a ticket, in most cases it will be no more that $20 or 10,000 colones. It can be paid at most banks in any city.

Have A Great Trip!
As always, the professionals at Oceanside Realty are willing to assist you with all facets of your trip from finding the best hotel or condo to rent to assisting with choosing the best tours, rental cars, etc. Contact Us today for additional information and for assistance. Enjoy your vacation to Costa Rica!