Six Costa Rican Vacation Mistakes
When you embark on your Costa Rican dream vacation, there are some simple do’s and don’ts. Here is a small list of don’ts we thought was worthy of posting.
1. Driving – If you can avoid driving, it is best. It’s expensive, somewhat risky and time consuming. Better to fly and if necessary, rent a car once you’ve reached your destination. Many hazards exist that foreigners cannot predict and there is a culture of driving here that is very different from the carefully cultivated autopistas back home.
2. Believing Travel Forums - There are many sites, but don’t take one site or posters comments’ as the gospel. The majority of poster’s have never actually visited Costa Rica. There’s always one guy who hates ice cream and chocolate. Contact local hotels and ask them questions, many will give you straight and honest answers. For example, DayStar Properties, fields calls from potential guests who are asking basic travel questions. While many hotels will see this as a nuisance, many guests appreciate DayStar’s clerks help and often book with them as a result of their help.
3. Not exploring – Costa Rica is a country of rich and diverse landscapes, climates and wildlife. To sit in one location, in one hotel or resort, for an entire vacation would prevent you from experiencing this diversity. A great Costa Rican vacation is a balance between adventure and relaxation, in other words, between the beach and the rain forest.
4. No Pre-Booking A Few Tours – The best tours in Costa Rica often sell out, so it’s best to plan and pay for one or two tours in advance. Once you get here, it will be very easy to convince yourself to not get up at 7 a.m. for a rafting tour unless you’ve already pre-paid for it. Some of the best Costa Rican vacation experiences are the Canopy, Rafting, Rapelling and Sailing tours. Your local tour guides or front desk clerks are also great resources of information regarding how to spend your free time.
5. Not Packing The Right Stuff – Understand the season’s here and the different climates in Costa Rica. The central valley is often chilly and wearing long pants is customary. The higher elevations like Chirripo Park can be downright cold! The beach towns are always hot even when you see locals wearing sweaters. It is best to ask your hotel managers for suggestions of clothing to pack. If coming during green season, a rain jacket or poncho is a must. If you need special hypoallergenic sunscreen lotions, pack them along, you will only find the basic variety here. These simple suggestions help you avoid what many have experienced and that is the new airlines baggage wieght restrictions, so if you overpack you can be sure you will suffer a hit to the wallet.
6. Assuming All-Inclusive Is Better - Maybe in Domincan Republic or Mexico, but not here. Costa Rica is blessed because 80% of the hotels have 30 rooms or less. That is one of the major factors that makes Costa Rica one of the most sustainable, authentic destinations on earth. Coming all the way here just to stay in one of the few mega-resorts is a mistake, you could go to Mexico. Costa Rica is a country that is to be experienced and explored. You cannot do that behind the moat and draw bridge of all inclusive resorts. This country is far safer than Mexico or Jamaica, so staying behind the guarded walls of a disney-style resort just isn’t necessary. If you’re of the impression that you’ll save money at an all-inclusive, this is not the case most are very expensive. Dining out in the popular tourism towns of Costa Rica is reasonable and if you’re willing to explore “tico sodas”, they are cheap.
This article was edited and partially based on a posting from Costa Rica Pages.
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I have lived and travelled in CR for years. Nothing is as it seems here. Corruption exists at every level, (even the former President has been charged and convicted. Theft is rampant, if you get robbed, do not complain to Police, they are in on most crime. You will be detained,fined or deported. When stopprd by the Police… Do not argue, Just pay the fine right there. Standard rate is $20 US per cop.
Do not invest here! Most developments are built with no or false permits and on land not owned by the developer. Whatever paperwork you are shown is most likely forgeries or have been obtained by bribes. Do not pay for anything in advance!
Corruption exists everywhere in the world and in Costa Rica it is fairly transparent. Any person with a little street sense can see what goes on here. The USA has far more corruption on a massive scale e.g. mortgage blackhole putting the US in even greater debt for a few Hamptonites
Personal freedom in Costa Rica is far more protected than it is in the USA, mostly because the government is not a “Big Brother” type where everything the government mandates is backed up by a threat of armed force or loss of liberty.
You are welcome to your views like anyone else and I am replying so that “no-reply” serves as a unpsoken affirmation of your comments. Finally, I would say most developments are legal and have all the permits and there are many that do not permits. It goes back to “it takes two to tango” and it amazes me how so many people would come to Costa Rica and drop money into something without performing the slightest due diligence that would normally take place back home. When I was a kid my mother said to me, “If everyone decides to jump off the bridge that does not mean you have to also” Come to Costa Rica, do not leave your common sense back home, if something smells rotten, it probably is. When investing make sure you certified professionals who have a long track record in Costa Rica, not someone who sell’s canopy tours and real estate, its just plain common sense.
Unfortunately, a lot of police participate in graft and there is no excuse for it. However, if you wanted to be realistic and see the world for what it is, most police are not bad people but husbands and fathers who have a job that does not pay them enough for the risks they take and they are struggling in this world just like everyone else. At then end of the day, they come home and want to be able to provide for their families. By and large, Costa Rica and its people are friendly and the country they inhabit is paradise & beauty only God could create, don’t confuse the two. It is like labeling a US citizen a war monger simply because their government wages imperial aggression.
Cheers
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