Costa Rica - Info & Facts

Suggested length of stay

Costa Rica is a tiny country yet packed full of wildlife, smoking volcanoes and gorgeous natural scenery! For a good overview of the tropical forests, national parks and beaches, you will need around 14 days often zigzagging from one corner of the country to the next via the capital San Jose. For cross-border trips into Panama or Nicaragua, you will a minimum of 3 extra days.

San Jose 1-2 nights, Osa Peninsula 3-4 nights, Nicoya Peninsula 3 nights+, Tortuguero 2-3 nights, Arenal 2-3 nights, Monteverde 2-3 nights, Manuel Antonio 3 nights

 

Modes of transport

Road
Costa Ricaā€™s infrastructure is generally very good and owing to its size, you shouldnā€™t need to travel more than 4 hours to reach your destination. However, travel times are affected during the wet season (May to November) when the more “interesting” unpaved tracks are often churned up by rain and mud. Costa Rica is also one of the very few countries in Latin America where we are happy to organise self-drive holidays. There is generally little traffic, even less issues with security and this is an excellent way to explore the country and avoid the inevitable tourist groups.

Air
Costa Rica has an excellent network of small, single and twin engine hopper flights which connect the capital San Jose to all corners of the country. Flights times are very short ā€“ generally no more than 40 minutes ā€“ and they give you an eagle-eye perspective of the stunning, natural landscapes. However, baggage allowance is more limited (12kg) though excess luggage can be bought prior to departure.

Rail
Costa Rica has a small commuter network that links San Jose with the surrounding neighbourhoods as well as isolated lines of track dotted around the country. There is a small replica tourist train at Monteverde as well as sporadic departures for the 11 hour ā€œTico Trainā€ which links San Jose to the Pacific coast. However, for determined rail aficionados, there is currently no comprehensive nationwide service.

Bicycle
Costa Ricaā€™s central highlands lend themselves to cycling and there is excellent mountain biking especially around Arenal and Monteverde. Costa Rica also hosts the annual ā€œRuta de los Conquistadoresā€, a gruelling mountain bike race that retraces the original route of the Spanish conquistadores as they cut their way from the Caribbean to the Pacific Ocean. Any element of adventure will dramatically add to your Costa Rica experience and we are happy to recommend both single- and multi day itineraries for both serious and non-serious riders alike.

Boat
Many of Costa Ricaā€™s National Parks from Tortuguero to the tropical islands, channels and marine reserves of the Pacific Coast are only accessible by water and boat trips are an integral part of the wildlife experience. Inland, Lake Arenal is framed by the towering volcano and offers excellent windsurfing, fishing, kayaking while big game fishing can be organised from the coastal towns of Tamarindo and Jaco.

Trekking
Costa Rica is arguably the eco-adventure capital of Latin America and wherever you turn in the highlands, there are mountains, valleys and volcanoes to be walked! Our favourite destinations include Monteverde Cloud-forest reserve, Arenal Volcano, its neighbour Cerro Chato and Rincon de la Vieja National Park in the north-eastern corner of the country. At 3700m above sea-level, Mount ChirripĆ³ is the highest peak in Costa Rica, a beautiful mountain that rises above the clouds surrounded by a rich blanket of forest and lakes. Reached by an energetic 2 day/1 night trek which leaves from the village of San Gerardo de Rivas south of San Jose, hikers arrive at the famous viewpoint at dawn. There, it is rumoured that on the clearest days both the Pacific and Caribbean Coast are visible.

 

Geography

Costa Rica lies on the narrow corridor that links Central and South America and is a tiny country of 51,000kmĀ². Bound to the north by Nicaragua and the south by Panama, it is hemmed between the Pacific and Caribbean which are separated by the rugged Cordillera Central and the Cordillera de Talamanca mountain range which run through the heart of the country. Almost half of it is covered by forest – mangroves, dry pacific forest, rainforest and lush cloudforest ā€“ which put together with hardy paramo, tropical islands, smoking volcanoes and marine parks, makes Costa Rica among the bio-diverse countries on earth.

 

Food

Black beans and rice dominate Costa Rican cuisine either mixed together such as in Gallo Pinto, the countryā€™s traditional breakfast, or side by side accompanied by tortillas and chicken, pork or even fish as in Casado. Popular fruits include mango, melon, pineapple and MaraƱon (cashew fruit) owing to the countryā€™s tropical climate. Above all bananas and plantain are firm favourites, often fried into crunchy snacks to be served with dipping sauces (black bean!) alongside each meal. On the coast, the fish is delicious and often marinated raw with coriander, lemons and onions to prepare ā€œcevicheā€.

Drinking water Water is treated but to be on the safe side, it is not advisable to drink tap water in Costa Rica. Bottled water is very cheap and widely available in all areas of the country.

 

 

Visas

Visas are currently not required for travel to Costa Rica for Australian citizens.

 

 

Money

The local currency is the ā€œColĆ³nā€ though US dollars are widely accepted (sometimes preferred!) in the majority of hotels, tourist shops and restaurants. ATMā€™s are common in the larger towns though do not expect them to always be in service ā€“ it is always advisable to have a ready back-up supply of US dollars just in case. Credit cards are accepted in the more established shops and restaurants though discounts will be offered for payments made in cash. However, once you head into the local villages and markets, having small denominations of local currency is important. Travellerā€™s Cheques are still accepted though often prove more of a burden.

Tipping is common throughout Costa Rica and as a guideline, you should allow US10 for a half day guided tour (US20 for the full day) while for the driver US5 (US8 full day). Of course, only pay for good service. For general transfers, there is no need to tip unless of course they have gone out of their way to help you (ie stopped at a local pharmacy on route).

 

Inoculations & health precautions

Please consult your doctor at least 6 weeks before travelling to Costa Rica. There are no mandatory vaccinations required although anti-malarials may be required for travel to areas of the Caribbean Coasts.

The standard of medical facilities and care in Costa Rica is generally very good. Foreign private medical clinics and hospitals throughout the country have facilities and services comparable to Australian standards. Medical care at most public hospitals is also good though medical evacuation to a major centre may be required for minor operations. Most hotels work with a private doctor who will visit you at your room, however, both doctors and hospitals will expect cash payment prior to providing medical services, including for emergency care. It is vital to have good medical insurance before you travel.

 

Australian Embassy and Consulate-General contacts in Costa Rica

Australian Consulate
Centro Corporativo Plaza Roble
Edificio El Patio, 3rd Floor
EscazĆ¹, San JosĆ©
Costa Rica

Telephone: +506 2201 8700
Fax: +506 2201 8707
Email: aushonconsul.costarica@gmail.com

 

The Australian embassy in Mexico City, Mexico, is responsible for embassy matters relating to Costa Rica:

Australian Embassy
Ruben Dario 55
Col. Polanco
Mexico City 11580
Mexico

Telephone +52 55 1101 2200
Facsimile +52 55 1101 2201
Website: http://www.mexico.embassy.gov.au

 

Electricity

Costa Ricaā€™s electrical current is 120/240 volts at 60 cycles. Plugs are US 2 flat pins often earthed with a central round prong. Many of the remote lodges run off generators and it is recommended you bring along a small torch.

 

Getting there

Costa Rica is best accessed via Dallas on a daily direct American Airlines/Qantas codeshare service which flies from Sydney. There are other routes available via the US or even Santiago (Chile) and I would look closely at additional travel before deciding upon an airline ā€“ there are a number of discounted airpasses available. Please contact us for more information.

Non-stop flight time Sydney ā€“ Dallas Fort Worth approximately 15 hours
Dallas Fort Worth ā€“ San Jose approximately 4 hours

 

Timezone

GMT – 6 hours

 

Tipping

Keep some local currency on departure for airport tax

smiling white male wearing a backpack

Ready to discuss your trip to Costa Rica?

Speak to one of our travel specialists and weā€™ll create your personalised itinerary just for you.

Start Planning