Costa Rica FAQs

I spent 8 weeks traveling in Costa Rica. Here are a few common questions.

• Why? How?
  • My lease was ending in Dallas, TX and I work remote. Instead of moving to another US city, I decided to pick an international destination to live for a few months. Costa Rica is safe, inexpensive, and has a lot to do.
• Can I drive in Costa Rica?
  • Yes, with a valid drivers license. They drive on the same side of the road as the States.

• How did you rent a car?
  • I used Alamo & Economy. You will need to purchase additional, required government insurance on top of the daily rental car rate. Ask for the minimum coverage.
• What about navigation?
  • Waze (recommended) & Google Maps.
• What about other transportation?
  • Bus, Uber, Shared Shuttle, Taxi, and Private Transfer are available – listed from cheapest to most expensive. I mostly used Uber & Shared Shuttle. Uber is mostly available in San Jose, and is the cheapest private option. I recommend using Interbus shared shuttle for long distances. They offer door-to-door pickup/dropoff & have great customer service!
  • I used bike rentals once in town.
• Is Costa Rica safe?
  • Yes. The places I felt least safe were San Jose & Tamarindo, but the most common crime in the area is petty theft.
• Where did you stay?
  • I used a combination of Airbnb’s and Hotels. Here’s a list of places I recommend.
    • San Jose – Alameda Cariari Boutique Hotel
    • La Fortuna – Nayara Springs
    • Puerto Viejo – Umami Hotel
    • Jaco – Foresta Residences via Expedia
    • Tamarindo – Tamarindo Garden Boutique Homes via Airbnb
    • Monteverde – Hotel Poco a Poco
• How do you book excursions?
  • I used Airbnb experiences, Viator, and in-person vendors.
• What excursions do you recommend?
  • All of them! There’s so many to choose from. Canyoning, hiking, zip lining, ATVs, nature tours, horseback riding, tubing, rafting, catamaran tours, chocolate tours, coffee tours, cooking classes, mixology classes, scuba diving, snorkeling, & more!

• What was your favorite place?
  • Puerto Viejo de Limon
• How was the food?
  • 4/10 overall.
• What was the weather like?
  • I was there during rainy season (late May-July). Most areas weren’t very rainy. The most rainy, La Fortuna, had around 2 hours of rain daily.
• Are there any COVID restrictions?
  • Yes. Currently, masks are required in public areas & you will need to use hand sanitizer before entering. Everything in Costa Rica closes at 9PM.
• Any other recommendations?
  • San Jose – Multiplaza Escazu, Nova Cinemas
  • La Fortuna – La Roca Adventures, Chocolate & Night Tour, Nayara Nostalga Wine Bar
  • Manuel Antonio – National Park Tour
  • Playas del Coco – Villa Italia Restaurante
  • Tamarindo – Surfing Lessons, Spa day at LADE Hotel & Spa
  • Puerto Viejo – PURE Jungle Spa, Jaguar Rescue Center, Ara Manzanillo
  • Monteverde – El Tigre Waterfall, San Lucas Treetop Dining Experience, The Green Restaurant

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