Do I need a visa to visit Costa Rica?
You will need a passport that's valid for at least 6 months in order to travel to Costa Rica, but a visa is not required for tourism.
When is the best time for a trip to Costa Rica?
The
most popular time to visit Costa Rica is during the dry season from December to April, but many people enjoy the less crowded months of the green season from May to November, when daily showers might be possible. Overall, there's never a bad time to visit and the temperatures are relatively consistently warm year-round.
Is tipping customary in Costa Rica?
Tipping is, of course, not required on any of our trips, however it is always appreciated. If you'd like to tip, budget $2-10/person/day for the guides and $1-3/person/day for the drivers.
Will I need power adapters or converters in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica uses 110 volt, 60 cycle electricity, with two flat prongs. This is the same as the United States, so you will not need a power converter unless you are traveling from another country.
What is internet access like in Costa Rica?
Internet access in the developed parts of Costa Rica is pretty strong and high speed. In public areas you might find a WiFi hotspot, and most restaurants and hotels will also have high speed internet. You could also easily find a cyber cafe with a good connection.
Will I have access to WiFi during my cruise?
Maybe, but don't count on it. Some ships or yachts do offer free WiFi, but more often than not these boats focus more on the experience and comfort rather than connectivity to internet.
What are the bathrooms like in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica has standard western flush toilets, but per local tradition, you should throw your toilet paper in the waste basket next to the toilet to avoid clogging the pipes.
Can I use my cell phone while in Costa Rica?
If you have a GSM phone, you can use international roaming, or to avoid roaming charges, use an unlocked smartphone and simply replace the SIM chip with a local chip from Kolbi, Claro, or Movistar and then charge it with a balance based on how much you plan to use it. This can usually most easily be done in the airport upon entry at various kiosks.
Can I drink the tap water in Costa Rica?
In general, yes - unless otherwise told - it is safe to drink the tap water and eat any foods washed with it; however, if your cruise visits other neighboring countries, like Colombia, Panama, or Cuba, it is not safe to assume that you can drink the tap water there too.
Are credit cards generally accepted? Are ATMs accessible?
In the more developed parts, you can use your credit card and find ATMs fairly commonly, but smaller stores and more remote destinations will likely be cash-only. Fortunately, most of our tours are are all-inclusive, so all of the meals and activities from the beginning to end of your itinerary are included in the price, unless you decide to depart from the itinerary or add on extra activities.
Should I purchase travel insurance?
Absolutely! Having travel insurance is very important just to make sure that you're covered no matter what happens - a small investment now can save you thousands if something doesn't go as you expect it to. Our
Once You're Booked page has more details on this, including discounts through one of our partner companies.
