Organize your stay Costa Rica
Money Costa Rica
The currency of Costa Rica is the colón (¢), colones in the plural - named after the "discoverer" of the country, Christopher Columbus. However, prices are often quoted in dollars (US$). Both currencies are used equally in Costa Rica. If you pay in dollars, you will be given change in colones. It is not obvious at first but you will soon get the hang of it. Errors in giving change are rare because Costa Ricans are used to making calculations in both currencies. However, you should know that in small shops, pulperías and other abastadores, only colones are often accepted ; it is therefore better to have both currencies on you at all times. Also note: Costa Rican shopkeepers and restaurant owners almost systematically refuse US$100 bills, so prefer small dollar bills when you exchange your euros.
Exchange rate: in February 2023, 1 US$ = 561 ¢; 1,000 ¢ = 1.78 US$.
Budget & Tips Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a country with a high standard of living, so you will find the same prices as in Europe or the United States. Remember that in the tourist field, as everywhere, everything is a little more expensive
.Access. The average ticket from Europe costs €1,000 (in summer, it costs about €1,400). You may find cheaper tickets in November or May, which are good times to discover the country: they correspond to the beginning and end of the rainy season.
Accommodation.
There islittle chance of finding something decent for less than US$ 40-50 per double room, especially during the high season (from December to April).
Transportation. Except for car rental (about 500 US$/week for a small 4x4, plus insurance of 22 US$/day), transportation is cheap, as well as "local" food. Nature Air and Sansa, two local airlines, allow you to travel throughout the country.
To enter a national park, you need to count between 15 and 20 US$/person, without counting the services of the guide. For
a full meal, 2,500 to 5,000 colones in a soda shop, and 10,000 to 20,000 colones in a mid-range restaurant or at a good table
.
Passport and visas Costa Rica
A visa is not required for French nationals going to Costa Rica: if the stay does not exceed 90 days, a passport is sufficient.
Please note. If your flight is via the United States, you must have a biometric passport and fill out the ESTA form online (only on the official website https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov) with a fee of 21 US$. We advise you to apply for your visa as soon as possible, as it can take up to 72 hours.
Anyone leaving Costa Rica through the international airport must pay a tax of US$ 29 (or the equivalent amount in colones). Some airlines include this tax in the price of their tickets. This is the case of American Airlines for example.
Driver's license Costa Rica
Renting a car is common and easy in Costa Rica, as long as you have a license (an international driver's license is not required) and an international credit card (a deposit will be blocked from the latter, so have enough funds in your account). Please note that crossing the border to a neighboring country is prohibited. To be able to cross the country, on asphalt roads as well as tracks, we recommend you imperatively a 4x4, even the smallest. You will not regret it and will be able to discover regions less accessible to city cars. On the other hand, we do not recommend driving at night. This way you will avoid some mishaps in case of lack of signs and animals on your way.
Health Costa Rica
It is necessary to take precautions against dengue fever and malaria (use mosquito repellent, long-sleeved shirts and pants in risky areas, near stagnant water).
Finally, if the water is drinkable, fragile bodies should only drink bottled water, especially on the coast. The most frequent health problems are diarrhea, airway infections (be careful with air conditioning!) and skin diseases. In the forest, it is common to be bitten by insects, some of which can transmit skin diseases (leishmaniasis, flea-bite...) which can be
after the return. In addition, insect bites are easily superinfected in a tropical environment: you should be attentive to small injuries and take care to avoid bites, mainly by wearing proper clothing. If the problems are more serious, be sure to contact the French consulate. They will help you and provide you with a list of French-speaking doctors. It is also the consulate that informs the family and decides on repatriation in extreme cases.
Mandatory vaccination Costa Rica
No vaccinations are mandatory in Costa Rica, but tetanus, diphtheria and hepatitis A (unless you are immune) are recommended. The more cautious and adventurous should add hepatitis B and typhoid fever. Plan your vaccinations several weeks before departure.
Security Costa Rica
You will surely be told to be careful of robberies in San José, on the Pacific coast in Jacó and Quepos, but also in Limón on the Caribbean coast. Although this mistrust is sometimes exaggerated, petty theft is a reality and it is advisable to watch your belongings, as in any country. However, don't be paranoid: Costa Rica is the safest country in Central America, and you really don't feel in danger! During the day, just dress simply, avoiding if possible the "tourist style", and don't carry big bags when you walk around, try to hide or store your cell phones and cameras, and keep your wallet as close to you as possible (and not in the small back pocket of your backpack very accessible to those who would be ill-intentioned). As soon as it gets dark, avoid walking in San José, Quepos, Jacó or Limón: take a cab instead.
In general, everywhere in Costa Rica, do not leave anything in your rental car because thefts are not rare. Also be careful with the flat tire technique (a system is set up so that your tire bursts on the road and someone arrives to help you...). It is a dying technique, but it is still possible; don't trust this stranger, don't stop and continue driving to a gas station. If you stop, a door or a trunk left open allows thieves to take anything they can get their hands on, and it goes very fast. If this happens to you, don't resist, because some of these thieves are armed and don't hesitate to shoot, even if they are young people.
Also remember that the cheaper the hotel, the higher the risk of theft - but if you lock your door, there shouldn't be a problem. To avoid any unpleasant surprises, make sure that your hotel is guarded by a security guard in the evening and at night. As a general rule, all hotels (mid-range and above) have a night watchman.
For the latest information on local security, consult the "Advice to Travelers" section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/voyageurs). Be aware, however, that the site provides an exhaustive list of potential dangers and that it sometimes gives a somewhat alarmist picture of the real situation in the country.
Time difference Costa Rica
GMT minus 6 hours, i.e. minus 7 hours in winter compared to France, Belgium and Switzerland, and minus 8 hours in summer. Minus 1 hour compared to Montreal.
Spoken languages Costa Rica
The official language is Spanish. In reality, it is more Castilian, which has the reputation of being one of the purest in Latin America, but it is currently so colorful that one wonders when this purity dates back to. The differences between Spanish from Spain and Costa Rica are few in substance. More difficult to grasp are the deformations or old usages such as voseo (an old form of vouvoiement), corresponding to the French vouvoiement, where "vos" replaces "tu". This changes the conjugation of the second person singular: "tu puedes" = "vos podés". But "tu puedes" is perfectly understood by Costa Ricans, as it is in Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. Similarly, usted ("you", singular) and ustedes ("you", plural) are less formal than in Spain and are used in family and among friends to express esteem and affection. In order not to be mistaken, it is better to use usted for everyone, which is what Costa Ricans have been doing for some years. There is no common denomination to group the Indian languages of Costa Rica. They are distinguished according to a territory or an indigenous people. The indigenous languages spoken in Costa Rica are Bribri, Maleku, Guaymí, Cabécar and Boruca. However, these indigenous communities represent only 1% of the population and occupy 350,000 hectares of the territory. For this reason, they are only spoken in isolated areas such as the Talamanca mountain range.
On the Caribbean coast, they speak an English with a Spanish syntax inherited from the Jamaican workers who came to settle here at the end of the 19th century - a Spanish mixed with English or vice versa -, but tourism and the Gringa invasion oblige many Costa Ricans to speak English, in addition to Spanish, which is a little different from the one they learned in school. They speak it quickly and often alter the pronunciation. For example, the double "ll" and "y" are heard more as "dj" than "y" (e.g., amarillo "yellow" would be pronounced more as "amaridjo"; and yo "I", "djo"). In addition, in November 2014, Costa Rica became an observer member of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) at the Dakar summit. Its membership should help consolidate the place of French in the only Latin American country where its teaching is mandatory in secondary education (322,000 learners and 1,000 French teachers).
Communication Costa Rica
Mobile network and Internet. The best way to communicate is to get a SIM card from a local cell phone operator. The best is to go to ICE, Kölbi or Claro. Make it clear that you do not want a subscription but a card without commitment for the vacations. You will be able to make calls and access the Internet on your smartphone. The network and Internet coverage remains excellent throughout the country. You will only be cut off from the world in the most isolated national parks.
Electricity and measurements Costa Rica
110 volts AC. The electrical outlets are American type, with flat plugs. Therefore, you should bring adapters(adaptadores) that can be easily found in general electrical stores for about 2,000 colones.
Luggage Costa Rica
Loose-fitting, lightweight clothing, T-shirts, and cotton outfits are recommended in this hot, humid climate, which prevails most of the year. Avoid thick or synthetic fabrics, which dry slowly! An anti-mosquito repellent will be vital from dusk onwards, especially if you stay near rivers or lakes. In Tortuguero, as in the forest, mosquitoes are fierce, so spray yourself well before going for a walk. Take some in your suitcase as a precaution, but you can also easily find some in the local supermarket. For walking, take what you want as long as it is comfortable in the mountains. Remember to carry a raincoat like a poncho to protect yourself in case of sudden showers (very frequent in the rainy season); this is preferable to an umbrella or a K-Way, which are not very effective in case of heavy rain. Good hiking boots are perfect for hiking in any terrain, rain or shine, and provide good protection against snake bites (rare, rest assured). Put on long pants in the forest, you will be better protected from branches and insect bites. Nights (and even days) can be cool at high altitudes, with temperatures sometimes dropping as low as 3 or 4°C: so bring a little wool, a light and warm fleece, and/or an effective windbreaker. When staying in lodges, bring a flashlight to move around at night, especially from your room or bungalow to the dining room. There is little or no lighting in the lanes due to the concept of ecotourism and therefore energy conservation. When going out, finally, Costa Ricans like to dress smartly; take along an outfit that can be used for such occasions.
In the Osa Peninsula, transfers are made by boat without a pontoon and on the shore, so it is advisable to take a light, flexible and waterproof travel bag. Waterproofing is also the key word to protect your tablet, smartphone and other high-tech devices that can suffer from high humidity. Finally, for extreme sports or snorkeling enthusiasts, a camera with waterproof protection is a must: you'll wish you had thought of it!
