My top ten travel tips for Costa Rica.
These Travel tips are invaluable for having a safe and fun trip in this wonderful country. Please don’t let this dissuade you from traveling to Costa Rica. If you follow these travel tips; you’ll have the time of your life.
(Travel Tips #1) Never leave your bags inside your vehicle unattended, particularly at tourist spots. I would say the number one occurrence of theft in Costa Rica is caused by tourist leaving bags and valuables in plain sight in their vehicles. You’re asking for trouble if you don’t follow this rule. While in Bagaces, I was fortunate enough to have a local tour guide show me around to all the tourist spots like the Bagaces waterfalls. Two days earlier, a group of tourist who had just landed, stopped there take a look at the falls. They returned to find their window broken and valuables stolen. Unfortunately, at secluded spots, there is no police presence and local thieves pray on these areas. Always use the trunk or drop your bags off at the hotel/hostel before heading out.
(Travel Tips #2) Be on guard when using the public bus system. Particularly to and from San Jose, groups of thieves look for tourists to pick-pocket while they’re loading or unloading their bags. Usually it’s a female who attempts to distract you and invade your personal space, while the accomplice attempting the pick-pocket. They’re professionals and will be very unassuming and quick; so be on guard. You can prevent this by being aware your personal space and watch out for friends. It’s a good idea to keep your passports, money, and credit cards in a travel belt around your waist, or under your shirt. I know there not stylish; but having one for going from spot to spot is smart. The Interbus (mini shuttle) is the safest and best way to travel in Costa Rica.
(Travel Tips #3) Always keep a backup source of money. You should keep a bank card or credit card in a separate location, always keeping an alternative means of getting money. I always keep my valuables, money and passport in my travel belt. And I keep one bank card stashed away in my bag with a little petty cash. Traveler checks are always a good idea as well; and be sure to keep the receipts in a separate location from the checks.
(Travel Tips #4) Get to know the flawed banking system in Costa Rica. In the major cities like Tamarindo and Jaco this won’t be a problem; but in the smaller tourist spots like Santa Theresa and Manuel Antonie, there is often only one ATM. Costa Rican ATMs are know to decline cards for no reason. So if you’re heading to a smaller city, always take out money before you leave. With today’s modern banking, Traveler Checks have become less popular; but I would’ve been screwed without them. Twice, I was trapped in towns where ATMs wouldn’t work for me and many others. In Santa Theresa, it wasn’t uncommon to see backpackers in liquor stores asking people if they could purchase their booze on credit card and get cash back from the purchase because they had no other means of getting money.
(Travel Tips #5) When heading to the beach leave your valuables at place you’re staying. In addition, if you head into the water; put your sandals and beach stuff next to someone who will watch it. Ask someone who looks like they’re on the same type of trip as you. Everyone was happy to do this for me and I didn’t lose a thing at the beach. If you surf, try hiding your stuff somewhere on the beach out of view. And don’t put down your camera or purse on tables or bars. A girl I met from Miami, got hammered and while fluttering around the bar kept leaving her purse and camera laying around. Twice I picked it up and gave it; but she ended up losing it anyways. Before she had time to cancel the credit cards; the thief was able to charge over 190$ at the local gas station. I witnessed a German lady get her pursed snatched from the back of her chair. The assailant made a quick snatch and run to the beach and got away. So be smart.
(Travel Tips #6) Get to know the Ocean by asking questions about the right locations for swimming and surfing. The rip currents and hidden rocks can end your vacation in a hurry; so ask for information before you dive in. Its always a good idea to follow the crowd when in doubt: if you don’t see anybody in the water at a certain location; their is probably a reason for it.
(Travel Tips #7) Be friendly to the locals. Treating the locals poorly or without respect is asking for trouble. And never get into a conflict with a local at the bar; they always stick together against the Gringos (which is you or any other traveler). If a situation does occur, my best advice is to say sorry and Pura Vida. Saying Pura Vida with compassion in your eyes may just save your life. Ultimately, the locals are very friendly and helpful people who are out for a good time as well. In my month stay in Costa Rica, I was out every night and only saw two fights. Both included ignorant travelers, bottles and victory going to the home team.
(Travel Tips #8) Ask, ask, and ask; and always use your common sense. The people working at the hotels and restaurants are your best source of information. So ask what to do, what not to do, it will help your trip be a safe one.
(Travel Tips #9) Avoid San Jose. San Jose is considered by the locals to be the shame of Costa Rica. You’ll hear about robberies there, not petty theft. Land at Liberia Airport, or get the hell out of San Jose as soon as you can. Port Limon is also a place you want to avoid. It’s the drug port which is controlled by fierce gangs who even intimidate the local authorities by threatening their families. Even the locals don’t go out at night in Port Limon and you shouldn’t either.
(Travel Tips # 10) Make a local friend. They people of Costa Rica are a beautiful. They consider themselves to be one of the friendliest and happiest people in the world. I believe this to be true. All the locals that I met were very kind. I heard more stories of locals helping travelers here then any other third world country. From being lost to having a flat tire, the locals want to help you and show the beauty of their country.
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Note:
These are precautionary tips and guidelines to follow in Costa Rica, or any country in Central America. Please don’t let this discourage you from heading to Costa Rica. Thousands of tourist and travelers head there every year and have a safe and amazing trip.
Pura Vida and safe travels…
More Travel Tips Coming Soon….
Although San Jose and Puerto Limon are not the ‘highlights’ of Costa Rica per se, I would never advise people not to visit them. San Jose, although not the prettiest place to visit- still has a lot of historical landmarks such as the Museo Nacional and El Teatro Nacional. No matter where one travels in Costa Rica, safety precautions apply for all places. In terms of Puerto Limon, the Caribbean side of Costa Rica has the most amazing beaches of the whole country (at least in my opinion) and there is a major project under way to make the largest port more tourist-friendly; including building more hotels and boosting security. I’m not saying it’s not dangerous, and that there is no drugs coming into the country- i’m just saying where’s the flip side to your argument? Are you seriously going to characterize all of Puerto Limon based only the negative you know?
There’s a whole rich tradition of Afro-Costa Ricans in Limon. Many people don’t know that salsa and merengue was bought in through the Caribbean and influenced the rest of the country. There’s more to a place than what the travel guides care to cover, so I suggest that the next time you advise someone to not travel to a certain part of the country- you get facts and not merely your prejudices of what ‘you heard’. There are plenty of ‘locals’ that enjoy the nightlife in Costa Rica- not without taking safety precautions, as should be taken anywhere you visit.