Pro Tips
- I would recommend renting a car unless you’re taking a tour.
- If you’re driving in the country, know that many cars will flash their lights at you instead of honking to signal their displeasure.
- Drivers turn on their hazards when they’re going to slow down for stuff like a traffic jam or even for an upcoming turn.
- Make sure to rent a car that can handle huge potholes
- Before heading out, check out the route on google maps and LOOK at the condition of the roads. Google Maps will recommend taking dirt roads. Don’t. They are awful, long and a great way to get stuck somewhere.
- I’d recommend not driving long distances at night if you can help it.
- Be prepared for fog and heavy rain. Know what to do in both.
- Rental companies will give you the option of renting electric vehicles but we didn’t see many charging stations so best to get gas.
- Bring a light for your camera. The rainforest is often dark and you’ll get better animal photos if you have a light.
- I brought hiking shoes and didn’t end up wearing them. I wore wool socks with my Keens sandals. My feet dried quickly and stayed cool. If you’re going on legit, off-trail hikes then I’d recommend something sturdier, especially since Costa Rica has so many venomous snakes.
- Bring lots of DEET and long-sleeved quick dry pants/shirts. Costa Rica does have ticks and breakbone fever, and you do NOT want to get it.
- That being said, before you go out, know where hospitals are that carry anti-venom. And look up what to do if you’re bitten. You have about three hours before the damage becomes permanent.
- Before you head out, stop by a store and pick up electrolytes. It’s good to have on hand in case you get traveler’s diarrhea.
- When you book a flight, get extra leg room (ELR). The seats are much smaller in Latin America and ELR seats are like regular North American seats. If you actually need ELR then you’ll need to look at business or first class seats.
- If you’re flying Avianca, do not sleep if you want a snack/drink. They will not ask you if you want something. You must flag down the cart and ask yourself.
- “Qué chiva” means “how cool.”
- People really do say “Qué pura vida” a lot!
- In the U.S., “Mucho gusto” usually means “nice to meet you” but in Costa Rica it’s used in another way, too. It’s often said by a waiter at a restaurant after you’ve ordered food and means something like “with pleasure.”
- Don’t post pictures on social media of anybody handling animals. It could get the rescue in trouble and their funding rescinded.
- Make sure a rescue is legit before visiting. If you get to handle any of the animals, it’s not legit and you shouldn’t give them your money.
- Don’t spend money on a hotel/airbnb with a beautiful view. Firstly, it rains ALL the time so you’re likely to not even get the view. Secondly, people don’t lie but they do fib a lot so the photos you see on the website are probably not super accurate.
- All the places we stayed at in the rainforest had their showers outside. This is great if you’re really into nature, but not great if you’re prone to mosquito bites! I would try to get a room with the shower indoors.
- People will often tell you what you want to hear but not actually follow through. They’re trying to be polite, but if you don’t know how things roll, it can be frustrating and confusing. I had to see the doctor, and I asked the nurse when he’d be back. He said that the doctor would be back in 10 minutes because that’s obviously what I wanted to hear. Forty-five minutes later… Don’t trust that someone will follow through. Either go with the flow or do what you need to do to make it happen
- Bring ear plugs. Construction happens at all hours. People let their dogs roam around and get into fights/howling contests. A lot of houses are made of metal containers and the rain falling on them is very loud.
- If you get severely dehydrated, go to a Unimed and see a doctor to get an IV. It’ll cost you like $150 for a few hours, and they’re meant for tourists so they’ll speak English. I got sick while I was there, and it was definitely worth the money to feel better.
- We didn’t get to do this, but I wanted to add this to our itinerary: https://badgeofawesome.com/400-metre-jungle-waterslide-costa-rica/
San José Airport
When transferring/layovers, keep the receipt for anything you buy in the airport because you’ll need it when you get searched or they’ll just throw it away.
We didn’t change over any money at the airport, and we didn’t need to. Most places take credit card or US dollars.
When we landed, we stayed nearby at the Fairfield Inn. It was a little noisy between 8 and 9 a.m. when most people seemed to be heading down to breakfast, but it was super quiet overall, and I got a good sleep. Everyone there was very friendly and the checkout time was noon!
I find that travel makes my stomach a bit finicky so we ordered from Denny’s a lot. It’s on Uber Eats, and you can get it delivered to the hotel even late at night!
Poas Volcano
Book tickets online before going. Arriving late isn’t an issue. Be prepared to pay for parking and bring a mask if needed (for the sulfur). If you’re sensitive, plan for a shorter visit. Avoid rainy days, as you probably won’t be able to see anything. I loved the path up the side of the volcano—it was full of huge, beautiful plants I’ve only seen in greenhouses! Lots of birds, too, so make sure to download Cornell’s bird ID app on your phone. The paths weren’t crowded, and we just sat at the top of mountain and watched the clouds roll in. It was very calming, and I felt close to nature.
La Fortuna Waterfall
The La Fortuna Waterfall was underwhelming. The photo above is exactly the same picture you’ll get. Loud music from the restaurant and nearby construction* scared away wildlife, and the orchids on the Orchid Walk were tiny and not colorful like the ones you find in greenhouses. You can walk down a long staircase to the base of the falls, but swimming is often restricted due to weather. With so many other waterfalls to explore, this one didn’t feel worth the trip. Consider alternatives for a better experience.
*In Latin America, someone is ALWAYS building something. Don’t count on peace and quiet anywhere!
Koki’s
Koki Beach Restaurant was the best place we ate! It was a standout experience! Sit in Fabian’s section—he was amazing and kindly lowered the music for me due to my sound sensitivity. The veggie rice dish was fresh, beautifully presented and delicious. Ask to see the owner’s Chavela Vargas museum and the local photography exhibit. The maracuyá crème brûlée is heavenly! Try the local piña arroz drink and their amazing piña coladas. Note: there’s occasional backfiring cars nearby—an FYI for those with PTSD.
Sloth Sanctuary
The Sloth Sanctuary was the highlight of our trip! Ignacio, our guide, was phenomenal—knowledgeable, engaging and passionate. Make sure to bring extra cash to tip him; he truly deserves it. The private tour is absolutely worth it, offering a more personalized experience. The baby sloths were beyond adorable and unforgettable. This sanctuary is doing incredible work to protect these amazing creatures. I’d return to Costa Rica just to visit this center again. It’s a magical experience and a must-see for any animal lover!
Banana Azul Hotel
The villa was a bit out of date, and unfortunately, we had a lot of mosquitos inside and a large roach. We had to go out and buy a mosquito net, which wasn’t ideal. Getting bitten indoors was not fun. The plunge pool was tiny. The restaurant was decent but nothing special. On the positive side, everyone was friendly, which made communication easy. And there were some cute turtles. Overall, while the location had potential, but it wasn’t worth the price.
Jaguar Tour
Carlos led our jaguar tour, and he was fantastic! The group size was about a dozen. The guides are all volunteers, so make sure to bring cash for tips. We saw amazing wildlife, including a howler monkey, toucan and agouti. The sanctuary has great rules in place to protect the animals, which we really appreciated. The stories were fun, informative, and added a lot to the experience. Highly recommend this tour for anyone looking to learn about wildlife and support conservation efforts! (PS There are no jaguars. They explain the misnomer during the tour!)
Spicy Coconut Restaurant
The service wasn’t friendly, and I felt pressured to order something I didn’t want. However, the maracuyá pina and ginger drink was absolutely delicious! I also appreciated the use of metal straws, which was a nice eco-friendly touch. Landscaping outside the restaurant was gorgeous, and I might stop just to take some photos. Overall, the drinks were the highlight of the visit.