There isn’t much you need to know about this blissful paradise of sun, sea and sand – except that you’ll be doing a lot of smiling! The beautiful tropical homes of Playa Flamingo, Playa Potrero, Playa Grande, and Brasilito have just about everything you need for your perfect tropical escape, but it’s useful to know a little bit about one of Central America’s most spectacular gems. Costa Rica is a diverse, magnificent, and breathtaking country, renowned for its natural splendor and for an open and progressive society which makes living here – as well as visiting – so fulfilling.
How to Get Ready for Costa Rica: Food and Culture
As with any vacation, the key is to prepare ahead of time. When staying in a tropical rental home, life will be different from staying at a resort, hotel, bed and breakfast and hostel. You can bring a little bit extra to your home away from home and enjoy the comforts of your own self-catering tropical paradise. When visiting Costa Rica you can enjoy a multitude of farmers’ markets, known as ferias, throughout the region which opens all day on Saturdays and Sundays offering some of the most delicious organic produce, locally baked goods and unique crafts around, so filling up your shopping list will be easy. Warm and welcoming, residents are more than happy to help give advice and offer bargains on some delicious dishes and fruits and vegetables which are exclusive to Latin America. And of course, there are plenty of restaurants ranging from seaside restos to elegant dining. Costa Rican cuisine is by nature very healthy, based largely on fruit and vegetables (particularly beans) and is mild and flavorful, and there are other options available as well for cosmopolitan eaters.
Costa Rican culture is equally enticing, combining Mesoamerican and South American cultures with Native American, Spanish, and African influences. Festival calendars are packed with every kind of party, from religious holidays and carnivals to jazz and arts festivals. One of the most socially progressive countries in the world, Costa Rica invests conscientiously in the arts as well as the environment. This arts haven is a great place for the high-spirited heart and visitors and locals alike can find plenty to delight in at concert venues and bars, restaurants and clubs.
Health & Environment
Home to protected sites like Corcovado National Park, Tortuguero National Park, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, and beautiful coastal sanctuaries, Costa Rica has preserved its ecosystem (containing 5% of the world’s biodiversity). It is known for iconic fauna and flora like the squirrel monkey, the scarlet macaw, and thousands of orchids among several other plants and animals. It is a national ethos to respect the environment and visitors are encouraged to do the same. The climate is idyllic, but of course its geographical location means that the weather is tropical year-round (with micro-climates providing some variation where elevation and rainfall differ). Visitors will find it easy to acclimatize to the hot and humid days and afternoons, but always be vigilant about rehydrating, and applying sun lotion.
This terrific climate, combined with an excellent health care system and happy, laid-back lifestyle (which is reflected in saying “Pura Vida” meaning “Pure Life” as a common greeting) makes Costa Rica one of the world’s leading countries where life expectancy as well as quality of life is concerned, with the average Costa Rican expected to reach 79 years of age and beyond. It has a social health care service which is ranked even higher than the US and is run by mostly government hospitals and charities, earning it great international acclaim.
Travel Info
Costa Rica does not require a visiting visa for Canadian or American citizens, though it does require passports and/or other documentation. Before travelling, check with your government’s Costa Rican Embassy or website to check what you need to bring. Visitors with medical conditions should check with a comprehensive travel insurance policy but they can use emergency services for free. Documentation for any prescription medications is a good idea to carry as well. Many holiday companies offer discount deals on airplane tickets as well as airline operators’ websites which vary based on time of year (off-season is always a good time to look for deals) and how many days or weeks in advance of departure as well as time of day. It’s also easy to find good bargains on travel money as well by comparing online. Some travelers prefer to exchange smaller amounts at a time while monitoring the currency market, and can purchase traveler’s checks and bank cards. Costa Rica uses the colon, which averages to about 500 to 550 per US dollar.
Common sense prevails when it comes to safety, but Costa Rica has a low crime rate and is very safe, especially for families and couples. More information on Visiting Costa Rica can be found on the government’s official website as well as popular travel sites.