FAQs

Question

Will my cell phone work in Costa Rica?

Answer

AT&T, Verizon and other major carriers have phones and wireless plans that work in both the US and Costa Rica. Please inquire with your long distance carrier.

Question

What will the weather be like?

Answer

Average temperatures, year round, don’t vary more than 5 degrees! Low and high temperatures range from 70F to 89F year round. What does vary greatly is rainfall, from an almost negligible amount of rain between the months of December – March, sporadic rainfall in April, Increased rainfall between May – August (and November) and a substantial amount of rain in the months of September and October.

Question

Where can I exchange my money?

Answer

Carry US dollars with you when you arrive to Costa Rica. Local currency is on a fixed devaluation schedule with the US dollar, you will most always get the best rate of exchange. When you arrive, you may exchange your money at any local bank or your hotel. You will get a better exchange rate at banks and one of the worst exchange rates at the airport. You may also get foreign currency by using your ATM card at marked ATMs. It's important that you know the exchange rate before you do this. Currently, the rate is about 610 - 621 colones to the dollar (Nov. 2018). In a pinch, dollars are pretty widely accepted, but you'll probably receive your change in Colones. Credit Cards - Most vendors give discounts for using cash, as credit card merchant companies charge high percentages on transactions here. Some vendors do not accept credit cards, while many only take VISA or Master Card. Travelers Checks - Although accepted by some establishments, you will most likely be charged a service fee

Question

How much money should I bring?

Answer

That really depends on what you intend to do, see, buy, etc. But to give you a fair estimate on costs, a typical lunch costs around $7 at an affordable restaurant or "soda" or up to $15 at a nicer establishment. Beer or mixed drinks run about $2 per at a typical bar or restaurant, and up to twice as much at a nicer hotel or high-end eatery. Taxi fares are very affordable compared to U.S. cities. A short trip (2-3km) within San Jose or at a beach town where taxis are prevalent (such as Quepos) costs around $3. Costa Rica is seen by some as a very affordable destination and expensive by others. There is a dual economy here (local/foreign) and if you wish to make the effort to find bargains they certainly do exist, as do tourist traps that overcharge. Be smart, know the value of the Colon vs. your currency and purchase accordingly.

Question

Is the sun really intense in Costa Rica?

Answer

Being in a tropical climate, it's not difficult to get sunburned or dehydrated. A bad sunburn or dehydration are two ways to put a major kink in your vacation. Make sure you wear sun protective clothing while outside, use plenty of sunscreen (remember, we're just 10 degrees above the equator!) and drink plenty of liquids (tequila doesn't count) to avoid such problems.

Question

Can I drink the water?

Answer

The local authorities state that the drinking water in Costa Rica is perfectly potable, but we recommend that you stick to the bottled variety wherever possible to play it safe. Costa Rica is by NO means Mexico (where Montezuma's revenge has become the stuff of tourist legends) but there MAY be bacteria in the water in some areas that disagrees with your system. As such, we simply suggest you be cautious of what you eat and drink as an upset stomach can really put a dent in a short vacation.

Question

What kind of food can I expect when dining out?

Answer

Costa Rican local cuisine is based mainly around chicken, beef or fish dishes. The typical lunch menu is called a "casado" and includes one of the aforementioned items, rice and beans and a pasta or cabbage salad. The greater San Jose area has a wide variety of dining due to a high concentration of foreign residents and locals of mixed ethnic backgrounds. Dining options are more limited in the beach towns, although Manuel Antonio offers a pretty impressive variety of restaurants. If you like fresh seafood, you have come to the write place and usually can't go wrong ordering Dorado (Mahi Mahi) or Yellow fin tuna. Other delicacies like giant shrimp and lobster are often available as well.

Question

What time is it there?

Answer

Costa Rica is 6 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time, which is equivalent to Central Standard Time (CST) in North America from mid March through the first Sunday in November (two hours behind EST). Since Costa Rica does not change clocks ahead for daylight savings time, from mid November through March local time is one hour ahead of CST, or one hour behind EST.

Question

Is the electricity standard North American voltage?

Answer

YES! You can plug any normal electric-powered device (hair dryers, shaver, laptop computer, etc.) into an electrical wall outlet in Costa Rica.

Question

Do I tip in Costa Rica?

Answer

A 10% service fee is included in restaurants however if you feel you received excellent service it is not uncommon to tip an additional 5 to 10%.

Question

How much do I tip waiters and other help?

Answer

Although tipping is not very common in Costa Rica, a general rule of thumb is to tip like you would in your own country. In most restaurants a 10% service charge is already added to your bill. If you receive exceptional service, we recommend leaving an additional 10%. For porters, 300 colones (about 50 cents) per bag is a fair gratuity. Tipping taxi drivers is almost unheard of but if you feel the urge, it will be well received! For tour guides, follow the guidelines for each company or again, tip like you would in your own country for similar services.

Question

What are normal business hours?

Answer

Government offices are generally open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., while banks close anytime between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., according to the bank and its branch. Most shops are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., while some open at 8 a.m. and others close at 7 p.m.; most grocery stores close at 8 p.m. Some shops also close for lunch, between noon and 1 or 2 p.m.

Question

What sort of souvenirs and gifts can I find there?

Answer

There are some really neat locally made products that make for great souvenirs or gifts. Costa Rican coffee is among the best in the world and makes a great, affordable gift. Other popular items are hot sauces, handmade wood and ceramic crafts, hammocks, leather rocking chairs and jewelry.