Costa Rica is a small, beautiful country and is one of the best destinations to visit with your family. The country is filled with natural wonders and is a place for all. So, one must add Costa Rica to their travel bucket list, and in case you are already planning a trip to this country with your family or friends, you must check out Southwest Group Travel to make your flight bookings at a much cheaper rate. Also, you must know a few things about Costa Rica before you pack your bags and head to Costa Rica.
We have mentioned some of such facts about the country.
Costa Rica is a Bit Expensive
Since Costa Rica is situated in Central America, people believe that the country is fairly cheap and expect a low-budget holiday. But this is a misconception people have about Costa Rica. Costa Rica is one of the most expensive countries in Central America. Although the food is almost equally expensive as in the US, the gas, entry fees of top attractions, etc., will blow your mind away. So it is important to check the price of every place you want to visit beforehand so that you don’t spend over budget on your trip.
Tap Water is Safe
In most parts of the country, tap water is completely safe to drink and doesn’t require filtration. Since the mountains surround the country, the water also tastes good and clean. However, if you are body is highly sensitive, you should filter the water no matter what. It is important to remember that the water is not safe in all parts of the country, specifically in the rural parts of the country.
US Dollar as Tourist Currency
Since, for the longest period, people from the US have visited the country, most places of the Country accept the US Dollar, and it has become the currency of tourism in Costa Rica. So, if you are from the US and are planning to visit the country, you don’t have to worry about currency exchange. Most tourist spots of this country quote their prices in US Dollars along with the Costa Rican Colón.
Get a Local Sim Card
It is better to buy a local sim card in Costa Rica to stay connected with everyone at much less cost. However, most tourist destinations in the country provide free wi-fi. So you can use wi-fi to call or message your family via online platforms free of charge. In case you need a connection all the time, you can get a recharge on your Costa Rican sim card and connect it to the data pack you bought.
The Standard Tip is Not More Than 10%
While eating at a restaurant in Costa Rica, you don’t have to worry about the tip. It is already included in the bill in most places. The locals don’t even pay any tip most of the time. In case you wish to tip to any service helper, the standard tip of Costa Rica is 10%. You can either pay the tip in Costa Rican colonels or US Dollars, whatever is available to you.
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The Capital City is Not That Bad
Whenever you hear people talking about San Jose, you don’t always hear good things about the capital city. However, San Jose is actually not as bad as people think. The town is a bit small but has some hidden gems that are yet to be explored by people. In fact, the people who are fond of history would love this place. The National Theatre and all the museums are great places to visit.
It is Better to Know Spanish
The national language of the country is Spanish. However, most of the Costa Rican know how to speak and understand English, but you will still find places where people only know Spanish. So, if you know Spanish, it is good news for you, and if you don’t, we recommend you download translation apps on your mobile phones so that you can understand and make other people know what you are trying to say.
It is Not Easy to Get Around Costa Rica
Even though Costa Rica is a small country, it is not easy to get around. You might think that you can visit the entire country in a week, but it is not possible because of the damaged roads. We suggest always adding at least 1 hour to any place you want to visit than what the maps show. In addition to that, due to the not-so-good infrastructure of Costa Rica, it is not safe to drive to every place. The rate of road accidents in Costa Rica is higher than in any other small country.
Costa Rica is perfect for a short vacation with your family. So, if you plan to visit Costa Rica, call on Avianca Telefono, book your tickets, and don’t forget about all the tips, we provided you while planning your trip.