A valid government-issued passport must be presented to gain entry into Costa Rica. If you do not have a passport, allow time for it to be processed and sent back to you before you leave for your trip. It is recommended that you do not book your trip until your passport has been received.
Before you travel to Costa Rica, you should familiarize yourself with the country's numerous attractions. Make note of the best beaches, rainforests, waterfalls and volcanoes, and add them to your itinerary. Pinpointing the attractions you want to see will ensure that your trip provides cultural enrichment as well as a relaxing getaway. Furthermore, it will allow you to group the attractions according to their locations.
San Jose is the capital city of Costa Rica, and it is also the country's most-visited city. Additional locales of note include National Park Beach, the most visited beach in Costa Rica; Tamarindo Beach, which is known for its great surfing; and Lapaz Waterfall, which provides breathtaking views in a majestic setting.
Group tours are another great way to experience Costa Rica. Furthermore, they provide a safe and organized way to experience any attractions you want to see. Look on the Internet to find tours that interest you and those traveling in your party.
Cash, credit cards, debit cards and traveler's checks are all accepted in Costa Rica. Make an estimated budget for your trip to have enough money during your visit. Banks are open daily, and most major American financial institutions have branches in the country.
There is a nominal departure tax that must be paid by all visitors upon their departure from Costa Rica.
Costa Rica's citizens are generally very healthy because of the country's health care services. However, visitors to Costa Rica should take certain health precautions to ensure safety.
Before you travel, make sure that you are up to date on all of your vaccinations. Pack hand sanitizers and antibacterial wipes to keep your hands clean.
Do not drink tap water or swim in rivers because they are both highly contaminated. Drink purified, boiled or bottled water and limit swimming to hotel pools that have adequate chlorine.
Costa Rica is one of the safest countries in Central America. The country has low crime rates because of a more equal distribution of wealth. Despite its overall safe environment, visitors should be aware of their surroundings.