In the following, we have collected some general information on Costa Rica that we consider important for you when planning your trip. We do not intend to give you a complete overview on this website. Rather, for extensive information on Costa Rica and helpful advice on planning your trip, we recommend you to visit the country’s official tourism website.
Overall, February is the dry season, but this does not mean that it never rains. The Pacific coast gets little rain, especially the north, the Caribbean coast will get comparatively more rain. Costa Rica has many microclimates and the weather can change completely within a few hours drive. In the highlands as well as in the cloud forest it can get chilly, so be sure to pack long pants and a sweater, then you are well equipped together with a rain jacket. At the coasts, it is tropically hot, so breezy clothes and flip flops are advisable. Good shoes are also important there, as there is always a waterfall or a national reserve within reach waiting to be explored.
Credit cards are widely accepted in Costa Rica. Also, tour operators or the like accept US dollars sometimes. For smaller stores or on markets, you need cash. The local currency is Costa Rican Colones (CRC). We do not recommend exchanging money at the airport, but instead, withdrawing cash with a credit card. The state-owned banks Banco de Costa Rica (red, blue and white logo) or Banco nacional de Costa Rica (green and blue logo) are recommended, as they do not charge for withdrawals (charges might still apply on the side of your bank).
It is quite easy and very cheap (around one Euro) to buy a prepaid SIM card for your cell phone. You can buy the chip card and top up credit at big supermarkets or small corner stores. Look out for the logos of the big carriers Kölbi (green frog logo), Claro (red logo) or Movistar (green and blue logo). The SIM card has to get registered by calling a hotline and registering your passport number. The shop may support you in this process.
Please note that in Costa Rica, you do not use exact addresses (i.e., street names or house numbers). Rather, orientation is given in reference to important landmarks (e.g., on the main road, 300 meters south of the church; 100 meters south and 75 meters east of the gas station etc.), or nowadays with GPS-coordinates.
In general, Costa Rica is safe and easy to travel. The majority of criminal activity concerns petty theft, with a rather low rate of violent crimes compared to the region’s neighboring countries. Nevertheless, it is sensible to follow some basic rules. Always beware of pickpocketing in crowded areas, especially in the major cities. Do not show big amounts of money in public. Also, never leave belongings unattended, e.g., at the beach while you are in the water, or in the car. Cars should generally not be parked unattended, check with your hotel for information or leave it at a paid parking lot. In the Great Metropolitan Area in the Central Valley (GAM, the cities of San José, Heredia, Alajuela and Cartago), there are some sketchy areas at night, where it is not advisable to walk after dark. In case of doubt, better catch an Uber or a taxi. However, in the tourist regions, such as at the beach, this is less of a problem, with many restaurants or bars lined up along the shore. The port cities of Limón at the Caribbean coast and Puntarenas at the Pacific coast have a rather high crime rate but not much to offer in terms of tourism, so it is no pity to steer clear of them.
