Our family of five lived in Costa Rica from June to September. After exploring the country for the first month, we chose the coastal town of Jaco for a couple more. This dream destination offers secluded wild beaches, rain forests, waterfalls for the nature lovers; poisonous dart frogs in multiple colors, howler monkeys, sloths, for the animal lovers; and surfing, white water rafting, canopy zip lining for the adventure lovers. Here a few things we learned about getting in, out, and around Costa Rica.
1. To enter the country, you need proof of onward travel after 90 days. To leave there’s a $28 farewell fee at the airport or $7 if you leave by way of Panama by ground.
2. When renting a car, there will be a $1000 deposit minimum. Comprehensive insurance is required and we knew this. Even when providing proof of insurance either through your credit card or as a rider on your auto policy, they will demand that you buy their coverage or they will double the mandatory deposit to $2000. Not cool.
3. If you plan to explore off the main highways, rent a 4×4. Our car couldn’t make it up steep grades, and everyone but the driver had to get out and walk up the incline. There are also some seriously intimidating potholes out there that you’ll want to be able to clear with your muffler in tact.
4. During road trips, don’t assume you will find gas stations, much less ones that are open 24 hours a day. Calculate gas needs, bathroom needs, coffee needs, and chocolate needs accordingly.
5. Your license is only valid when your passport accompanies it. We learned this the hard way, but were warned by the police and not fined. We were pulled aside at three road blocks where our papers and contents of our trunk were checked. The police were always polite and professional. There is a huge sticker on your car that indicates it as a rental and therefore screams “tourist on board.” So you may as well slow down and make your way to the shoulder.
6. On the highways or roads big and small, vehicles share the roads with cyclists, pedestrians, dogs, and an occasional cow. But, they don’t always share well, and may allow you a foot of space as they whiz by. Be extra careful if you’re biking. If you are driving, remember that may people are cycling at night without reflectors, lights, wearing black, on the highway. Use lots of extra care.
7. There are no addresses. This is for real. Everything in Costa Rica seems to be 300 meters from a landmark. Even if you stop and ask for directions, you won’t know how to “go 300 meters” from buildings you don’t know how to find, which are clearly 300 meters from a different building you know nothing of. And yet, it all works out somehow. There are GPS tricks to map yourself without using a data plan to addresses you don’t have to plug in the search, but this will have to be in another post.
8. The bus system is amazing. You can crisscross the country in style and for much less than shuttles. For example, the public bus from Jaco to the airport was $5 on a comfy coach bus, $90 for a private shuttle.
9. Taxi drivers are notorious for starting the meter early, before you have entered the car, sometimes increasing your
fare by thiry percent (and on the way to church, no less). Understand what the minimum fare is, and make sure they
actually set the meter when you get in.
10. Bikes are expensive to rent $10-$15 daily. If you are staying for a few weeks, consider buying a couple of beach bikes for $130 and selling them when you’re done. Reflectors not included.
Also in this series:
10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Coming to Costa Rica: Food and Drink
10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Coming to Costa Rica: Having Fun
10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Coming to Costa Rica: Logistics