There are a number of causes to make Costa Rica your subsequent journey vacation spot, each for work and for pleasure. Past the magnificence of the pure magnificence, the friendliness of the Ticos, the superb meals and the extraordinary climate, Costa Rica is a small nation characterised by its easygoingness and relative peace.
A rustic with out a military since 1948, Costa Rica is a paradise on Earth, working virtually utterly on inexperienced vitality and internet hosting roughly 5% of the biodiversity of the total world.
My first go to to Costa Rica was only a glimpse into this range. With the cloud forest and tropical seashores, with the indigenous archeological websites and the quite a few volcanoes, you’d want a lifetime to find all of the sides of this small nation.
Whereas touring from the capital San José to the Pacific takes you solely two hours, and it’s simply three hours from the Capital to the Caribbean, Costa Rica has an excessive amount of to supply and also you’ll positively battle with any short-term itinerary. All of the extra purpose to go to once more. And once more.
This introduction to Costa Rica is an invite to get misplaced within the nature and the city atmosphere, providing you essential customs and an area’s perception, in addition to warning you concerning the risks that you simply would possibly face.
In any case, touring to Costa Rica is an journey and there’s no journey with out danger. So, pack your umbrella and your rain jacket, seize your sandals and your swimsuit and comply with me into the unique and thrilling Tiquicia (the title Costa Ricans use for his or her homeland).
Costa Rica Journey Ideas
One of the vital essential ideas for visiting Costa Rica for the primary time is to plan upfront. Take a few hours earlier than leaving your nation and manage your journey, making an allowance for the nation’s geography and permitting time for adjustments.
For those who actually plan to remain within the seashore for simply two days, you would possibly discover it onerous to depart. You possibly can discover the capital San José, the rainforest, a volcano and a few seashores on the identical journey. Nevertheless, the farther you go, the extra time you want. Costa Rica’s treasures are hidden in all places.
Whereas locals are capable of communicate English, studying a couple of phrases in Spanish is useful. Costa Ricans have their very own dialect and generally they communicate in phrases with a number of meanings and hilarious puns.
Don’t overlook to hold some money once you’re transferring round, however do not forget that even when Costa Rica is among the most secure international locations in Latin America, carrying more cash than you want shouldn’t be actually good.
Identical goes for leaving your baggage unattended or your digicam sitting within the passenger’s seat, however that’s actually widespread sense in all places, proper?
When to Go to
Costa Rica is a good vacation spot year-round. With solely two seasons—dry and wet—the nation doesn’t have to fret about too-hot summers, or too-cold winters.
Yr-round, you’ll get virtually twelve hours of solar day by day, and twelve hours of evening. The wet season begins in Might and goes till mid-November, and the dry season goes from mid-November to April.
Nevertheless, the wet season doesn’t imply much less solar, however somewhat simply an virtually every day rain beginning early every afternoon. Regardless of once you determine to go to, Costa Rica is well-known for its microclimates and strange adjustments in climate situations, so that you higher be ready for decent and humid environments, for sunburns and chilly nights.
What to Put on
Your greatest guess is to carry garments and equipment for each event, with out making your baggage a residing hell. You’ll want seashore necessities like sandals, towels, swimsuits and relying in your actions, all that you would possibly want for sunbathing, snorkeling, browsing or walks across the tropical forests.
For many volcanoes and rainforests, together with the extraordinary cloud forest in Monteverde, I like to recommend bringing the other: waterproof sneakers, denims, scarves, gloves and winter hats. Don’t overlook that Costa Rica additionally has an fascinating city life and it’s possible you’ll want nicer garments for some eating places or theaters in San José, in addition to brief informal clothes for salsa dancing and nights out clubbing.
For those who overlook one thing, native shops provide low-cost choices to purchase the necessities, whereas markets promote native crafts and clothes souvenirs (t-shirts).
Getting Round
Costa Rica has a extremely difficult geography. That’s partly why you could have all these pure lovely landscapes and breathtaking panoramas. Nevertheless, transferring round shouldn’t be essentially horrible, however it will possibly be. For these touring on a funds, you must depend on native buses for each brief and lengthy distances, whereas taxis are an ideal choice just for brief journeys or for late-night adventures.
Buses are a standard mode of transport by the provinces of Costa Rica–Cartago, Heredia and Alajuela–with some regularity. For journeys to the seashores and the rainforests, some buses can be found day by day, relying on the vacation spot.
The 2 well-known volcanoes, Irazú and Poás, have their very own direct bus from San José. A small prepare additionally strikes you round San José downtown and it connects with among the neighboring provinces, however frequent small accidents make the prepare unreliable.
Renting a automotive is a good and low-cost choice for exploring the nation. Whereas it’s dearer than taking a bus, it gives you the chance to cease alongside the approach for roadside meals (search for an area soda—that’s the phrase for small eating places).
With your personal rental automotive, you’ll discover Costa Rica’s pure magnificence extra simply accessible. Roadside eating places, sodas, generally have unbelievable views, or you may entry much less easily-reachable seashores. Whereas some roads are problematic on account of neglect and upkeep, the nation’s main highways are in nice situation.
Simply be warned that—largely in the course of the wet season—floods and landslides are an actual downside, inflicting delays and generally even blocking total roads. Be sure you have knowledge in your telephone or entry to a GPS when renting a automotive.
The place to Go to in Costa Rica for the First Time: San José and the GAM
San José is the capital of Costa Rica and the GAM (the Nice Metropolitan Space) which incorporates Cartago, Alajuela and Heredia. It’s the middle of Costa Rica’s city life.
There are a number of issues to do within the heart of the nation and you may spend some days questioning round these small cities, discovering the every day lifetime of Ticos.
Issues To Do in San José
Mercado Central – The central market in San José is a cultural establishment. Locals go to for lunch or to purchase groceries and flowers. It’s additionally an ideal place for memento searching (that is the place you will get your Costa Rican espresso or different bric-a-brac). Be certain that to strive the sorbet ice cream at Helados De Sorbetera. Costa Ricans have a candy tooth and it is a native favourite for a lot of.
Teatro Nacional – As a visionary mission began by Costa Rican President José Joaquín Rodríguez, the Nationwide Theater was inaugurated in 1897 and is a jewel in the midst of the capital, providing theater, dance and different performances. A sculpture backyard and occasional store are open to the general public day by day.
Museum Nacional – With an authentic indigenous sphere situated within the entrance of the constructing, the Nationwide Museum tells the story of Costa Rica by its’ archeological artwork, crafts and excavations. The constructing was a army fortress and now features a butterfly sanctuary—a pleasant attraction for kids.
TEOR/Ética – This small artwork gallery situated in Barrio Amón has grow to be a celebrated artwork establishment in Central America. With its’ goal to focus on political and social messages, the gallery gives nice modern artwork day by day—at no cost! TEOR/Ética is a should for lovers of contemporary and modern artwork. They usually showcase new and rising artists alongside established modern ones.
Parque Morazán – A small park situated a few blocks from the Nationwide Theater, it’s the house to the Templo de la Música, a preferred pavilion ceaselessly visited by avenue musicians, jugglers and different buskers. The park can be the venue of a number of creative festivals all year long and it’s a preferred hangout for locals.
La Sabana – Thought of “el pulmón de San José,” (the lung of San José), the Sabana park is a big open area within the heart of town with inexperienced areas, lakes and sport venues. Contained in the park, the not too long ago renovated Nationwide Stadium hosts each soccer matches and worldwide live shows.
Day Journey to Poás Volcano – One of many extra simply accessible volcanos in Costa Rica is only a brief 2-hour drive from San José. Many tour operators run every day excursions (both half-day or full-day) from town heart to the volcano, together with stops to the La Paz waterfall and close by nature parks. It’s additionally to get to with a rental automotive, however be sure you set out early—by 10 a.m., usually the volcano crater is tough to see on account of fog.
Issues To Do in Cartago, Alajuela and Heredia
The opposite three provinces of the GAM provide nice choices for day journeys—simply visited by leaping on a bus from San José downtown. Cartago is known due to its cathedral: the Basilica of Our Girl of the Angels, devoted to the Virgen de Los Angeles.
Locals consider that the virgin appeared in a stone and the temple was erected on the exact same website. One other attraction is the temple regionally often called Las Ruinas (The Ruins), a church that was destroyed in a significant earthquake in 1910.
Alajuela, the province closest to the San José worldwide airport, hosts the story of Costa Rica’s warfare heroe Juan Santamaría (whom the airport is known as after). The town features a sculpture and museum devoted to this chapter of Costa Rican historical past: Museo Histórico Cultural Juan Santamaría.
Heredia, regionally often called the “metropolis of flowers,” is a small city with quite a lot of cultural sights, together with the well-known Barva with its volcano and the custom of mascaradas (avenue events with stay music and big dancing dolls).
The place to Go to: Central Pacific Coast
This primary time customer’s information to Costa Rica explores the perfect locations within the Central Pacific Coast. From the gay-friendly Manuel Antonio to the port city of Quepos and the touristic hotspot Jacó, the Central Pacific Coast is a good introduction to Costa Rica’s pure magnificence.
Issues To Do within the Central Pacific Coast
Tarcoles River – Positioned within the Costanera Sur, this small bridge is an compulsory cease for each locals and foreigners. Take care whereas strolling this tiny sidewalk alongside the bridge and look down to find the gorgeous but horrific view of dozens of crocodiles ready peacefully within the waters of the Tarcoles River. You may get actually nice photos together with your digicam from above and the roadside cafés promote contemporary juices and smoothies (even when overpriced). It’s a type of excellent stops throughout a highway journey.
Jacó Seaside – Infamous for medicine and crime, Jacó Seaside is an fascinating city on the Central Pacific coast. It’s small, however is house to a pleasant seashore, a few eating places and numerous memento shops.
Quepos – The port metropolis of Quepos is a small village with a couple of native sodas, bars and eating places. The town not too long ago opened the La Marina Pez Vela, a membership and shopping center for native fishermen and boat homeowners. Open to the general public year-round, the marina has nice eating places, bars and ice cream cafés. It’s an ideal native spot for a sundowner versus the hillside bars on the highway to Manuel Antonio.
Manuel Antonio – One in all Costa Rica’s greatest seashores and a favourite for LGBT guests, Manuel Antonio is situated alongside a hill with unimaginable panoramic views out to sea. The brief 15-minute drive from Quepos to Manuel Antonio is dotted with a variety of fashionable eating places and bars. In Manuel Antonio’s metropolis heart you’ll discover the doorway to Costa Rica’s hottest nationwide park—the place you’re assured to see monkeys and raccoons. The nationwide park has quite a lot of sloths, however observe that they’re generally tough to identify in the event that they’re hiding up within the bushes all day. The nationwide park additionally consists of splendidly peaceable seashores and a panoramic viewpoint (mirador) out to the Pacific Ocean.- Puntarenas – This small city is known for the Churchill, a dessert product of sugar and extra sugar and utterly unhealthy, however liked by everybody. The Malecón in Puntarenas is a small space for strolling alongside the seashore. Whereas the city is usually mocked by locals because the vacation spot of low-income Costa Ricans, the city has funds eating places, stands for avenue meals and native bars for a chilly beer.
Playa de Doña Ana – Positioned solely 10 kilometers away from Puntarenas, this small, hidden seashore with black sand and robust waves is a good cease for sunbathing and for swimming. The seashore has an entry payment (like most of Costa Rica’s nationwide parks) however some companies can be found, together with parking, a restaurant and grills to your personal use.
Essential Issues to Take into Account
Whereas Costa Rica is a protected nation, you’ll need to take some precautions to have an ideal vacation. The native emergency quantity for each medical emergencies and the police is 911.
Comply with the indicators: There are many indicators on the seashores and pure parks warning you of potential risks, so don’t be an fool. If the native authorities designated an space as a no swimming or crocodile zone, don’t take the chance. That video of you being eaten by some bizarre animal shouldn’t be definitely worth the likes.
Sunscreen and water: Sure, you want plenty of sunscreen—even when visiting San José downtown. Costa Rica is a tropical paradise however that doesn’t imply your pores and skin and your physique are invincible. You want to hold your pores and skin protected and your physique hydrated. Benefit from the dozens of choices for native juices and drinks, and use a hat to guard your neck. Critically, you don’t need to appear to be a lobster after your vacation.
Hold the mosquitoes away: Defend your self from dengue fever and the latest addition of threats, the zika virus. Costa Rica has a powerful and energetic group who continuously work on eradicating the locations the place mosquitoes reproduce, however repellent is your greatest guess for security.
For those who really feel signs of a extremely unhealthy flu, higher double examine together with your physician for as much as two weeks after your journey. Higher be protected than sorry and simply use repellent.
Drive like an area: Site visitors legal guidelines in Costa Rica, I’m positive exist, however in some way there’s nonetheless a certain quantity of creativity utilized. Typically it’s perhaps safer to comply with the requirements set by the opposite drivers on the highway.
Keep alert when driving and conscious of your environment, and you ought to be effective. Most of the automotive rental corporations in San José are less-than-reputable (even the worldwide rental automotive chains) they usually’ll usually argue even tiny scratches on the automotive upon return, so be vigilant to return your rental automotive in as greatest situation you may.
Watch your belongings: Violent robberies and assaults have diminished in Costa Rica, however some persons are affected by pickpocketing and different thefts.
San José downtown is protected in the course of the day, however some streets are harmful at evening (equivalent to across the bus station) and even locals choose to depend on taxi drivers than taking their probability. Cellphone apps like EasyTaxi are widespread amongst locals.
Carry money: Whereas credit score and debit playing cards are universally accepted, some locations work within the old style approach. Avenue distributors and different small funds are ceaselessly achieved in money.
Use a paper map: Web entry and WiFi are straightforward to seek out, however the service shouldn’t be out there all through your complete nation, contemplating each geographical and climate situations.
Earlier than you discover your self utterly misplaced in the midst of nowhere, carry a paper map and hold it helpful—particularly when visiting nationwide parks or coastal areas.
Learn the native information: The Tico Occasions is Costa Rica’s most well-established English information supply. You’ll discover useful articles about current occasions and information from Costa Rica, together with particular options with helpful ideas for guests.
Want extra assist planning your first journey to Costa Rica? Take a look at the official Costa Rica tourism web site at visitcostarica.com. Learn extra Costa Rica journey tales right here on TravelsofAdam.com.
