Costa Rica: Useful Information

- The water is actually quite safe to drink.
- You do not need any inoculations such as typhoid and malaria, though many people who visit are juiced up to the eyeballs with them.
- You could conceivably burn to a crisp in 30 minutes, such is the intense heat. If you’re going to Costa Rica, pack a spacesuit or lots of sun cream.
- If you have a traffic accident, you are required by law to wait with the vehicle until both the police and your insurance company arrive.
- The unit of currency is the Costa Rican colon and you should be sure to avoid any shops selling in dollars. Try to pay for things via credit card to get the best exchange rate.
- You are very unlikely to be on the receiving end of violent crime, but petty crime is rife. Keep the car windows done up when not moving and be sure to keep all valuables out of sight.
- The Costa Rican way of life is extremely relaxed. If you’re coming here on holiday, don’t get frustrated at the laid-back nature – that’s just the way the country is.
- You can legally drink alcohol and drive in Costa Rica. It’s an example of many things that are slightly wrong with Costa Rican law, so be careful when you are on the road.
- While you do not need to worry about malaria or typhoid, you DO need to worry about Dengue Fever. This is especially true if you visit the tropical areas, rainforests or beaches. However, it also affects the Central Valley.
- Most tourists are afforded a 30-90 day visa when they enter Costa Rica – be sure to check how long yours is. Your passport must also not expire within six months of going.
- You will need an exit visa to leave Costa Rica. These are mandatory and cost around 26 Euros.
- Costa Rica has many different tropical climates, despite being only 32,000 square miles.
- Standard of living is high, as is the economy. Its major income is foreign technology investment.
- Costa Rica is a democratic republic and is home to some of the wildest and rarest species in the world.
- Costa Rica is known as one of the world’s top nations for conservation efforts. Approximately 25% of this country is protected wildlife. Given the fact that Costa Rica has 5% of the world’s biodiversity, conservation is crucial. Biologists and other scientists from all over the world share a great interest in Costa Rica’s wildlife.