Currency Costa Rican colón (CRC, symbol ₡). Reference exchange rate close to 510 CRC per USD (verify before travel).
Pricing Hotels, agencies and domestic flights quote in USD. Colones are convenient for local diners, markets, taxis and small tips.
USD cash Accepted at tourist hotels and restaurants. Bring small-denomination, unmarked bills — worn or marked notes are frequently refused.
Cards Visa and Mastercard work at 95% of tourist establishments. American Express has limited coverage. Notify your bank before travelling.
ATMs Plentiful in cities and medium-sized tourist areas. Scarce in Drake Bay and Tortuguero. Withdraw at a bank or ATM — never at the airport.
Tips A 10% service charge is legally included in restaurant bills. Additional tips for biologist guides, drivers and lodge staff are customary.
Latin America Colombians, Mexicans, Argentinians and most South Americans do not require a tourist visa.
Length of stay Up to 90 days for visa-exempt countries. EU citizens also enter without a visa for stays under 90 days.
Onward ticket Immigration at SJO and LIR frequently asks for proof of an onward ticket. Carry it printed or on your device.
Passport Must be valid for at least six months at entry. Entry rules change: always verify before travel.
Departure tax A departure tax of approximately USD 29 is included in most airfares.
Yellow fever Mandatory only if arriving from an endemic country (Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, African countries). Administer at least 10 days before entry.
Recommended vaccines Hepatitis A, typhoid, and up-to-date tetanus and MMR boosters.
Dengue Endemic in low-lying areas during the rainy season. DEET 30% or picaridin 20% repellent is essential in Tortuguero, Osa and the Caribbean.
Travel insurance Practically indispensable, with evacuation and repatriation cover. Reliable providers: Allianz, IATI, Assist Card.
Water Tap water is safe in most of the country. In coastal and rural areas, sensitive travellers may prefer bottled water for the first few days.
Domestic flights Sansa and Skyway connect San José with Quepos, Drake Bay, Tortuguero, Tamarindo and Liberia on short hops.
Private 4x4 Recommended for Monteverde, Osa and secondary roads. Many routes remain unpaved gravel tracks.
Private driver The CocoVolare standard for longer transfers: saves the wear of Costa Rica's mountain roads, and the driver adds rich local context.
Apps Uber operates in the Central Valley and some coastal areas. WhatsApp is the universal communication channel with guides and lodges.
Distances Deceptive: 80 km on the map can mean three hours on the road. Always add 30% to Google Maps estimated travel times.
Official language Spanish, with a distinctive accent and local expressions. Usted and vos coexist; tú is rarely used among Ticos.
English The highest English proficiency in Central America's tourism sector. Lodges, restaurants and guides handle it fluently.
Indigenous languages Bribri, Cabécar, Maléku, Boruca and others survive in indigenous territories of the Caribbean and south.
Key vocabulary Pura vida (all good / thanks / you're welcome) · mae (mate) · tuanis (great) · con gusto (you're welcome) · soda (local diner).
A note CocoVolare works with local biologist guides — that changes entirely the quality of access a traveller has to the ecosystem.
Wildlife Never touch or feed wild animals. Stroking a sloth or monkey is an environmental offence with real fines and strong social stigma.
Pace The Tico plans ahead and moves without rushing. Pressuring someone to hurry reads as rudeness. Pura vida is the operating instruction.
Bargaining Not part of the culture. Prices in menus and market stalls are fixed — do not haggle.
Cleanliness Costa Rica is obsessively clean. Dropping litter on a trail or beach causes immediate social scandal.
Greetings A firm handshake and eye contact. Between acquaintances, one kiss on the cheek. Say buen provecho when passing a table where people are eating.
01 · Capital
1–2 nights
