Costa Rica
Last checked:
- Capital
- San José
- Currency
- CRC · Costa Rican colón
- Languages
- Spanish
- Plugs
- Type A, B · 120 V
Emergency numbers
Top 5 places
- Arenal Volcano and La Fortuna · La Fortuna
Volcano views, hot springs, hanging bridges and the La Fortuna waterfall.
- Monteverde Cloud Forest · Monteverde
Misty cloud forest reserves with hanging bridges, ziplines and birding.
- Manuel Antonio National Park · Quepos
Small park with beaches, monkeys and sloths; book tickets online in advance.
- Tortuguero National Park · Tortuguero
Canals reachable by boat; sea turtle nesting season roughly July to October.
- Corcovado National Park · Osa Peninsula
Remote rainforest with high biodiversity; visits require a licensed guide.
Getting around
Taxi
Official red taxis
Official taxis are red with a yellow triangle on the door; make sure the driver starts the meter ('la maría'). At San José airport, use the orange 'Taxi Aeropuerto' with fixed fares. Avoid unmarked 'taxis piratas'.
Ride-hailing app
Uber / DiDi
Widely used in San José and some other areas and usually cheaper than taxis, but not fully legal; pickups at the airport can be difficult because of police and taxi drivers (varies).
Buses
Public buses
Very cheap and reach most towns, but slow, with several companies and terminals in San José. Pay in colones.
Buses
Tourist shuttles (Interbus and others)
Shared door-to-door vans between main tourist towns; more expensive than buses but much simpler. Book a day or more ahead.
Car rental
Car rental
4x4 is useful for rural roads. Mandatory third-party liability insurance is added at the counter, so online quotes can look much cheaper. Photograph the car at pickup to avoid false damage claims.
Money and cash
Currency: CRC · Costa Rican colón
US dollars are widely accepted, especially for tours and hotels, and many prices are quoted in USD. Cards work in most hotels, restaurants and supermarkets; carry colones for buses, sodas (small local eateries), markets and tips. Change given for dollars is often in colones at the shop's rate. Use ATMs inside banks or malls.
Tipping
Restaurants add a 10% service charge (set by law) plus 13% VAT (IVA), so extra tipping is not required. Tipping guides, drivers and hotel staff is common, especially in tourist areas.
| Restaurants | A 10% service charge is normally included. Extra tip is optional; some people leave a little more for great service. |
|---|---|
| Cafés and bars | Service is usually included where there is table service; counter service needs no tip. |
| Taxis and ride apps | Not expected; round up if you like. |
| Hotels | About US$1-2 per bag for porters and a few dollars per day for housekeeping (varies). |
| Tours and guides | Tips are customary for nature guides, often around US$5-10 per person for a day tour or about 10% (varies). |
| Food delivery | Optional small tip. |
Service charge: what’s true
Yes. Restaurants add a 10% service charge required by law, plus 13% IVA, and both appear on the bill. Menu prices may or may not include them; 'i.v.i.' means taxes are included. The service charge is meant for staff. As it is mandatory where charged, you cannot refuse it, but you do not need to tip on top.
Pressure tactics to watch for
Card terminals or staff in tourist areas may still suggest an extra tip even though 10% service is already on the bill, and some tour operators suggest tips in US dollars. Extra tips are optional; check the bill for 'servicio' before adding more.
Useful phrases
- La cuenta, por favor. The bill, please.
- ¿El servicio está incluido? Is service included?
- Pura vida. Common friendly greeting and thanks.
Etiquette
- 'Pura vida' is used for hello, thanks and goodbye; Costa Ricans are informal and friendly.
- Greet with 'Buenos días' or 'Buenas' before asking for anything.
- Addresses use landmarks rather than street numbers; give drivers a landmark or GPS pin.
- Do not feed or touch wildlife in parks; it is illegal and harmful.
- Expect a relaxed pace ('tico time') for buses and service.
- Bargaining is limited; mild haggling at craft markets is acceptable.
Scams and how to handle them
Flat tyre robbery
Where: Roads near San José airport and rental car routes
How it works: Criminals slash or puncture a rental car tyre, then 'help' when you stop, while accomplices steal bags from the car.
How to avoid it: If you get a flat, drive slowly to a busy, well-lit place like a gas station before stopping. Keep bags locked and out of sight.
Pirate taxis
Where: Airport, bus terminals, nightlife areas
How it works: Unmarked or unofficial taxis overcharge (often about double) and can be unsafe.
How to avoid it: Use red taxis with the yellow triangle, the orange airport taxis, or an app ride.
Rental car add-ons and false damage claims
Where: Rental car desks
How it works: Mandatory insurance is added at the counter, and some companies charge for damage that was already there.
How to avoid it: Read the total including insurance before booking, film the car at pickup and return, and use companies with good reviews.
Theft from cars and beaches
Where: Beach car parks, trailheads, Caribbean coast
How it works: Thieves break into cars or take bags left on the sand while people swim.
How to avoid it: Leave nothing in the car and take only what you need to the beach.
Spiked drinks
Where: Bars and nightlife areas
How it works: Drinks are spiked to rob or assault victims. Cheap spirits have also caused methanol poisoning deaths.
How to avoid it: Watch your drink, buy your own drinks and avoid very cheap or unlabelled spirits.
ATM theft and skimming
Where: Street ATMs
How it works: People watch users at ATMs and follow them, or skimmers copy cards.
How to avoid it: Use ATMs inside banks or malls during the day and stay aware of who is around you.
Safety
- Theft and mugging are the main risks, especially on the Caribbean (Atlantic) coast and in San José at night.
- Do not leave anything in parked cars, even in the boot.
- Do not stop for strangers signalling for help on the road; staged accidents and carjackings occur.
- Rip currents cause frequent drownings and few beaches have lifeguards; ask locals where it is safe to swim.
- Crocodiles live near some Pacific river mouths and beaches; follow warning signs.
- Keep an eye on bags on buses, including overhead racks.
How widely English is spoken
Good in tourist areas, lodges and with tour guides; limited in small towns and on local buses. A few Spanish phrases help a lot.
Sources
- GOV.UK Foreign travel advice: Costa Rica, safety and security
- Wikivoyage: Costa Rica
- Wikivoyage: San José (Costa Rica)
We check these guides against official and well-known sources, but rules and prices change. Spot something out of date? Email support@tourits.app.