Top 3 Things to Know Before Visiting Costa Rica

Exploring the vast diversity of Costa Rica is a dream, but it isn’t an adventure you should embark on lightly. As with an trip, being prepared can mean the difference between the experience of a lifetime and a vacation disaster destined for regrets. There are certain things to know before visiting Costa Rica that can vastly improve your experience, and we want to share them with you! When planning our road trip through Costa Rica, we did extensive research, but as they say, experience is often the best teacher. Here’s what we wish we had known before visiting Costa Rica.

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Our Top Things to Know Before Visiting Costa Rica

1: Road Conditions

If you’re comfortable with it, we recommend renting a car if you’re planning on exploring several areas of Costa Rica. A rental cars gives you the freedom to explore on your own timeline and means you avoid the stress of public transport. In our experience, renting a 4×4 vehicle was a must. Some locations may take you onto dirt roads, and those dirt roads can become quite slick when it rains. Honestly, even the paved roads were rough in some areas. Driving in Costa Rica is certainly doable, but being prepared with the right vehicle and a GPS are essential.

2: Distances Can Be Deceiving

Don’t be fooled by the distance between destinations. Road conditions and traffic mean most trips will take a lot longer than they might otherwise. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it is certainly something to consider when planning out your itinerary. Ample buffer periods are always a good idea, and they often mean you get to enjoy the the scenic drive other than stressing about when you’ll arrive.

Also, don’t be surprised if you miss you’re turn for your hotel or vacation rental, but it’s all a part of the experience. The best views are often a little off the beaten path. Another import thing to know before visiting Costa Rica, if you think you should stop for fuel, you should. There’s nothing worse than finding yourself in a remote area exploring and wondering if you’re going to make it to the next gas station!

3: Keep Cash on Hand for Convenience

If you’re venturing to smaller towns while exploring Costa Rica, it can be helpful to keep cash on hand for things like parking, tolls, and small shops. While paying with card is possible in many areas, we found it best to be safe than sorry. In fact, we mostly used cash other than paying for accommodations, tours, and fuel. You’ll pass loads of fruit stands as you go from region to region, and this is certainly a treat where cash comes in handy. There really is nothing like drinking straight from a coconut after hiking through the rain forest to a waterfall.

Even More Things to Know Before Visiting Costa Rica

This is just a few things to keep in mind when planning your dream Costa Rica adventure. Make sure to check out our other posts for even more things to know before visiting Costa Rica. You can find our full road trip itinerary here and our list of essential adventures for your upcoming trip. Wondering what to pack? Check out our Costa Rica packing essentials.