Read on for Family Travel Forum's overview of travel to Costa Rica, including general regions, cautions, customs, and basic, practical facts.
Bordered by Nicaragua, Panama, the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, Costa Rica is the most well developed country in Central America for adventure tourism and is known throughout the world for its bio-diversity and its incredible variety of wildlife. About 30% of the country is protected land, many of the hotels and tour programs are geared toward eco-tourism, and the certified wildlife guides in Costa Rica are among the most well trained in Latin America.
Costa Rica is also a very peaceful and democratic land and has been so for many years. There are no armed forces and democratic elections have been conducted since the 19th century. Costa Ricans also enjoy one of the highest standards of health care in Latin America as well as an excellent educational program, with a literacy rate of over 90%, and, like all Central American countries, the people are warm and friendly and eager to show you their beautiful country.
Regions of Costa Rica
San José and Area:
Besides the capital city of San José, this area includes the picturesque mountain towns of Barva, Alajuela, Sarchi, and Zarcero, plus the national parks of Poas Volcano, Braulio Carrillo, Irazu Volcano, and the Rain Forest Aerial Tram.
Caribbean Coast:
This region includes Puerto Limon and Tortuguero National Park, famous for its extensive wildlife and turtle nesting site.
Pacific Coast:
This lush coastal area encompasses many places such as Guanacaste, Jaco Beach and Manuel Antonio National Park.
Monteverde Area:
This region includes the town an cloud forest of Monteverde as well as surrounding attractions such as Arenal Volcano.
[FTF note: Check out our feature stories by Brenda Elwell on each of these unique areas of Costa Rica by searching the site]
Be Aware
Dangers РPetty thievery, which can occur both in the city and in outlying areas. Be particularly careful in San Jos̩, especially after dark. Do not display your wealth. Leave expensive jewelry at home and wear a cheap plastic watch. Keep car doors locked and windows up when driving in the city.
Tap Water– Safe to drink in San Jose and major cities only. Avoid uncooked fruits and vegetables unless you can peel them.
Money– Take cash, some travelers checks, and bring fifty $1 bills. They come in handy. You can easily draw cash off your credit card in all the major cities and tourist areas. U.S. dollars are accepted if you are short on colones.
Credit Card Acceptance – Because of the well-developed tourism infrastructure credit cards tend to be more widely accepted here than in other Central American countries. Prices tend to be a little higher as well, although still cheaper than the U.S. Some ATM machines in the major cities will accept your credit card for withdrawing cash.
Necessities – take flashlights, batteries, Kleenex pocket packs (for use in public toilets) and rain gear (for the rainy season).
Languages and Customs
There are three Spanish phrases you should know before you enter Costa Rica.
The first phrase is “Pura Vida” (Poo rah vee dah) which literally translated means “Pure Life” but actually means “Way to Go!” or “Awesome!” To the Costa Ricans it is a joyful way of expressing approval.
The second two phrases are “Por aquÔ (poor ah key) and “Por allÔ (poor ahl yee) – “This way” and “That way.” When you drive through the mountains of Costa Rica, with your trusty map and guidebook you will find that most roads and decision points are unmarked. When you ask directions to a place, people often ignore your maps and say simply “Por aquÔ or “Por allÃ.”
One word to be familiar with is “Tico” (Tee Coh) which is the nickname for Costa Ricans. The word is used frequently throughout the country and is not considered derogatory.
Note: December 1 is a Christmas bonus payday in Costa Rica. It is impossible to get a taxi in the afternoon or evening in any of the cities without at least a one to two hour wait. Plan accordingly.
Itinerary Suggestions
Costa Rica offers so many varied and interesting attractions that the first-time visitor will be hard pressed to cover the highlights even on a two-week vacation. Choices must be made which will be determined by your interests and preferred pace of travel.
There are numerous vacation packages catering to special interests such as bird watching or white water rafting.
If you just want to park yourself on a beach for a week and have easy access to nearby wildlife then a week in the Guanacaste area will do just fine.
If you want a more active vacation with a variety of locations, then you might want to consider basing yourself in the San José area, making a few day trips to the surrounding mountain towns and attractions and then taking off for several nights in one of Costa Rica’s major ecological tourist areas such as the Monteverde Cloud Forest in the northwest or the Tortuguero Nature Preserve in the northeast part of the country.
If you are planning a ten-day vacation, we recommend adding a two night stay in Tortuguero to our suggested one week itinerary. If your time and budget permit a two-week stay, we recommend lengthening your stay in one of the beach/wildlife areas such as Guanacaste or perhaps arranging for some special interest day tours such as white water rafting or wildlife excursions.
Getting Around
It is easy to rent a car and travel on your own throughout Costa Rica. The major roads are in good condition year round but some of the remote attractions may have poor road access, especially during or immediately after the rainy season (May to November). If you do drive on your own, rent a four wheel drive vehicle, do not drive the mountain roads at night, and keep your doors locked and windows rolled up when driving through San José, even in the daytime.
Guides
Hire local certified guides whenever the opportunity presents itself. It will add immensely to the pleasure of your trip.
Fast Facts about Costa Rica
Language – Spanish is the official language, but English is understood in major tourist areas.
Religion – Most of the population is Roman Catholic and Semana Santa (Holy Week) is a national holiday with everything (public services, businesses) closing down for a few days starting with Holy Thursday. The black population along the Caribbean coast tends to be of the Protestant faith.
Electrical Outlets – 120 volts (same as U.S) .
Currency – Colones – about 566 to 1 USD. Visit www.oanda.com for current rates.
Taxes – 13% tax at better hotels and restaurants.
Tips – 10% in restaurants, optional in very small comedores. Tips not expected by cab drivers, but optional if they help you with luggage. Tour guides should receive a tip of several dollars per person, per day.
Time – CST, one hour behind the Eastern U.S.
Weather – Varies depending upon the region and the altitude. Most of the country has a warm spring- like climate year round with the Pacific and Caribbean coasts being more humid. Evenings cool down so bring a sweater. The dry season runs late December to April. The rest of the year is considered the rainy or “green” season. The Caribbean coast can have rain year round.
Documents – U.S. citizens need a valid passport. information and on-line
Vaccinations – A prescription for malaria is recommended if you are planning to visit jungle or mosquito-infested areas. Discuss any children’s vaccinations at least three months prior to departure with your pediatrician. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) also has up-to-date information on worldwide health conditions and recommended vaccinations or visit www.mdtravelhealth.com.
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I would like to suggest a site where you can find a lot of cheap shelters and hostel. http://www.hostelrail.com
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we really appreciate your comments and have just updated this story in response. Thanks for keeping us up to date! – editors
Please check this web site to get informations about trekking in Morocco.
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Hello,
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There are so many great ranches that it is a fun challange to find the right one for you…but I have to say that the Dude Ranchers' Association website and directory are a very big help…you will find quality ranch vacations that will match what you are looking for. I recommend contacting the Association for more information.
Story tapes allow the driver to be amused and entertained along with the troops. The website Audible.com has a selection of stories for children and families and it allows you to preview a story to see if you like the reader.
A & J Aparments are no longer a vacation rental.
Sage Mountain Villas, the area code would be (284) not (809) we have not used that area code in many many years and is now used but the Dominican Republic.
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Hello to all ! Great site. I am new here greetings to all from Poland.
These are all great options and sound like lots of fun. We've been planning to visit New Zealand and the Butterfield & Robinson vacations seem to be right up our alley.Thanks for the suggestion it sure beats me stressing over the details.
If you're looking for a place to stay try to have a look on http://www.rivierAds.com. Hope this helps.
For the bargain hunter, the beauty of Yosemite can still be enjoyed with an inexpensive stay at Yosemite Pines RV Resort & Family Lodging. The resort is now offering <a href="http://www.yosemitepinesrv.com">Yosemite lodging</a> starting at only $39 for two nights for a yurt that can accommodate up to five people. Yosemite cabins start at only $49 for two nights for a basic cabin that can accommodate four people. With the Yosemite National Park entrance fee of $20 per car for unlimited entries for seven days, a family can spend less than $100 for two days of Yosemite-area lodging and admission to the park. These special rates are available at http://www.yosemitepinesrv.com/yosemite-lodging-camping-specials.html during the fall and winter season. Some restrictions apply. Yosemite Pines (http://www.yosemitepinesrv.com) is an RV resort, campground, and lodge located near Yosemite National Park. Yosemite Pines offers <a href="http://www.yosemitepinesrv.com/yosemite-camping-rv-tent.html">Yosemite camping</a> near Yosemite National Park with full hook-up RV and campsites. Yosemite Pines also offers Yosemite lodging and <a href="http://www.yosemitepinesrv.com/yosemite-lodging-cabins-yurts.html">Yosemite cabin rentals</a> near Yosemite National Park with cabin and yurt rentals. Amenities include a clubhouse, gold mine, gold panning, petting zoo, swimming pool, hiking trail, general store, children’s playground, horseshoe pit, and volleyball.
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You can find information about the Caribean zone at http://www.Cahuita.cr
D.C. is incredible. I love going there for the cherry blossom festival and I have also been lucky enough to get a tour of the White House's West Wing.
The Verizon Center is a great place to see concerts, and the metro is such an easy and convenient way to get around.
I'm lucky to live just a couple hours away in Colonial Beach, a great little riverside resort town.
I always wanted to visit Jamaica with my kids (boys 7 & 12), but lots of people really discouraged me with horror stories about the safety and attitude of locals towards tourists. I was told if we decide to go just make sure we stay inside our resort. We love exploring and learning new things so this keeps me away.
Thanks,
busymom
http://www.freeguideforbusymoms.com
Hi Guys,
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Claire
You can contact this tour operator in South Africa that specializes in African Safari. http://www.journeyintoafrica.co.za/
Hi. I like your story. I'm here in Växjö on a study abroad semester from SFSU. I found a nice Miyata 12 speed and totally refurbished it, including a new free wheel and brake levers. My main question is how easy it is to get on Swedish highways? I giving serious thought to riding to Copenhagen via Malmo from Växjö. I'm sure I can make an average of 80 miles a day but I would really like to just hop on a highway and tread right to Malmo. Do you know if Swedes allow riding on larger roads? I had a some problems with this in the states.
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Thank you for the interesting piece about Provence, and for giving us the courage to consider a French holiday with OUR teenagers the coming summer! It sounds like it was a great time for all. Looking forward to following your further family holidays.
The Gaylord Resort is a great place, although it's a bit far from downtown Nashville. But if you don't mind driving a bit, it's an empire unto itself and older kids can amuse themselves for hours just exploring the place.
UNLESS ITS NOT A CROWDED DAY, I THINK THE CABLE CARS ARE A MAJOR PAIN WITH TODDLERS. I WOULD WAIT TIL KIDS ARE OLDER TO GO TO THE TROUBLE UNLESS YOU DON'T HAVE TO WAIT IN LINE AND JOSSLE FOR A SEAT.
I ALSO THINK CROSSING THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE IS FUN, BUT ALSO LOST ON TODDLERS, SO UNLESS YOU WANT TO DO IT, SKIP THAT ATTRACTION OR MAYBE JUST WALK OUT A LITTLE WAYS.
THE EXPLORATORIUM SHOULD BE AT THE TOP OF THE LIST FOR A COLD, FOGGY OR RAINY DAY – IT'S THE PERFECT PLACE FOR LITTLE ONES TO RUN AROUND AND PUSH, PULL AND POKE ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING.
if you're in Scotland you have to try the national dish, haggis, just don't tell your children what it is! It's actually quite delicious. Scots often refer to dessert as pud or pudding, but they mean the entire gamut of dessert items, not just pudding.
I think it's important to get out of the city and go into the country if you get the time. Check the calendars to see where a Scottish game might be where there will be bagpipers, the tossing of the caber, and all kinds of interesting Highland games. They take place throughout the spring and summer throughout the country and are well worth a detour.
I'd skip Poble Espanyol in Barcelona — way too touristy — unless you want to take advantage of the kids crafts activities.
Kids adore Gaudi's crazy Sagrada Familia, the high-spired church that soars above the skyline. Pay to take the elevator up and then climb down the tight spiral staircase – your kids will be thrilled.
Barcelona;s beachfront was developed during the Olympics, it's now a relaxing way to spend an afternoon with the kids after too much busy city-touring.
Another great kid pleaser is the aerial tram ride up to Montjuic where older kids may enjoy the Olympics museum or a quick stop in the Miro museum.
Villa Cosmica
Villa Cosmica is located on the south side of Puerto Vallarta, far away from the noise, where only the sound of wild birds and the whispering of the waves colliding in the ocean will awaken you every morning. Enjoy this 5 bedroom house, where all bedrooms surround a beautiful swimming pool with a Jacuzzi for 10 people and the most marvellous view to the bay is just a glance away from you. All the bedrooms have air conditioning, also our T.V. room with a game table and SKY cable at your service. Our living room, in the center of the villa is open to the breeze, under a beautiful palapa roof with a small bar to pamper all your senses.
Bedrooms: 5 Sleeps: 10 Baths: 6
Floors: 2 Parking Space: 2 Year Built: 2007
Size of Unit: 450 sq. mts.
Period Nightly Weekly Monthly
Jan 6, 2009 – Apr 30, 2009 $1,495.00 $10,465.00 N/A
May 1, 2009 – Nov 15, 2009 $978.00 $6,846.00 N/A
Nov 16, 2009 – Dec 17, 2009 $1,495.00 $10,465.00 N/A
Dec 18, 2009 – Jan 5, 2010 $1,840.00 $12,880.00 N/A
Jan 6, 2010 – Apr 30, 2010 $1,495.00 $10,465.00 N/A
May 1, 2010 – Nov 15, 2010 $978.00 $6,846.00 N/A
Nov 16, 2010 – Dec 17, 2010 $1,495.00 $10,465.00 N/A
Dec 18, 2010 – Jan 5, 2011 $1,840.00 $12,880.00 N/A
http://www.pvrpv.com
Gay Friendly Puerto Vallarta
Nestled between the lush jungle greenery of the Sierra Madre Mountains and the sparkling waters of one of the world’s largest bays, The Bay of Banderas, Puerto Vallarta has earned an international reputation as one of the best Gay tourist cities in the world.
Being a port city and a destination for many cruise lines including RSVP and Atlantis, Puerto Vallarta is tolerant and abundant with all things gay.
The center of the activity is the charming section of old town known as The Zona Romantica. Here you will find cobbled streets, red tiled roofs and lovely white washed buildings rich with Spanish architecture. Many gay owned and gay friendly businesses including restaurants, bars, shops and art galleries for every pallet and taste, fill the narrow streets of this splendid fishing village.
Coming Events
There are no scheduled events.
Most tourists spend their day on the gay beach. With its white sand and raging surf Playa Los Muertos is the place to be and be seen. Find a deck chair, sit back and relax and let the friendly servers indulge you with great cocktails and yummy food while you unwind and watch whales and dolphins frolic in the blue ocean waters. If beaching is not for you, Puerto Vallarta offers many gay tours to fill your days. Bay cruises, horseback riding through the jungle, bike rides along the Rio Cuale and canopy tours are just a few of the many activities available.
Late afternoon the roof top bars of the gay hotels offer entertainment and a place to enjoy and view spectacular sunsets. These lively spots are crowded with beautiful men and women drinking, laughing and sharing their stories. After the sun sinks into the ocean, it’s time for dinner. From internationally recognized 5 star restaurants to small local eateries Puerto Vallarta is a foody’s delight. At last count, Puerto Vallarta boosted over 1100 restaurants of every description. Haute cuisine to meatloaf, the list of places to dine is extensive and wonderful.
Being a top gay destination, Puerto Vallarta offers more gay bars and dance clubs than most mid-sized American cities. Cantinas, martini bars, stripper and drag shows and fabulous dance clubs await you. As some of the clubs serve until 6am, most are not busy until 1am, so it is advisable to take that all important ¨Disco nap¨ before heading out.
While the vast majority of gay travelers are from Canada and the United States, Vallarta, recently has seen an increase in gay tourists from Europe and as far away as Australia. Gay men and women world wide are discovering and falling in love with the little spot of paradise that is Puerto Vallarta, making it Mexico’s and perhaps the world’s, gay mecca.
It’s good to be gay and it’s great to travel to such a gay friendly resort town. Puerto Vallarta beckons and embraces its gay tourists and it will be a spot you will return to often.
Agree that the skiing is absolutely terrific – the tram to the top of the mountain makes this resort absolutely awesome top to bottom. But I think there is one level of skier/rider who would have trouble – the advanced beginner or beginning intermediate. There isn't as much terrain to select for this group. But it's a resort that you definitely have to experience at least once – and you might get hooked and never want to go anywhere else!
It's important to start 'em young! Of all the family vacations you can pick that can last through the decades, skiing is the very best. When the kids are little you get a break because they're having fun in ski school. When they're older and more accomplished you can ski together. When they're teens and are whizzing past you, you can still ride up the chairlift with them and have them to yourself in the condo. Then when they're in college, you get to spend quality time with them on the slopes and in the condo because you're buying your lift ticket. It's a family vacation that can continue on as a tradition until you're too old to strap on a pair of skis…
i think many accidents occur when new teen or young men (and sometimes women) who are not very experienced are out with their much-more experienced pals. They get talked into trying a part of the mountain that is too much for them and then they try to keep up. They get themselves into trouble that way and often are injured.
If you are looking into hostels and you are a family, call the hostel to get a sense of the character of the place. We went to a hostel once with our elementary age kids(not in a ski area) and it was filled with young 20 somethings and teens having lots of fun – smoking pot in the parking lot, partying, etc. Even though some hostels have family rooms, if the place is full of kids it can be uncomfortable. Some hostels do have older visitors and more families, so it pays to ask.
Don't forget to plan some time to see some of the other attractions in Monterey, like the aquarium, which has an amazing sea horse exhibition coming up and take a drive to Point Lobos to hike around and Big Sur to see some of California's most spectacular coastline. Have lunch at Nepenthe in Big Sur.
Great advice and some fun ideas for new places to try. thanks for sharing your family secrets!
All of Wyoming is a great destination with kids, but my family especially loved this place because it is really a unique bit of the Old West. Definitely worth a detour!
Hello People,
I Just joined up and am trying edit my profile but i can't see the button!! probably staring me in the face lol
thanks guys
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The 25-year-old tour company Wildland Tours has a family vacation package for 2009. It will be a great multi-generational adventure for folks who like whales, puffins, comfortable hotels, and the many wonders of Newfoundland.
Just stopping by to say that the fourm seems to be a great place so i thought that i would signup and join in on all the fun
Hello People,
Just joined! I'm liking it around here 🙂 hopefully i can contribute something to the forum in future.
G
Great article- I am a resident of oregon and my family and I enjoy the coast and central oregon. Oregon has some of the best fishing in the northwest and such a diverse climate to choose from year round. The weather is very tempermental and almost impossible to plan around so bring a rain coat and sunglasses. I think this article gave a pretty good overview of everything that Oregon has to offer.
Sunriver Resort is a quality organization with a great reputation in Oregon. I have been to sunriver probebly 10 times since moving to Oregon and we have used the resort 7 times to book vacation rental accomodations. I highly recomend them and also visiting Sunriver.
Good hotel in a great location.
I find it to be a good value hotel, breakfast facilities are one of the best i have seen. Room is great for people on a budget who want the amenities and cleanliness of a 5 star. I'm very happy with our choice.
Hello Cassiano!
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Bibiana
This is very interesting and helpful information.
Thank you,
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Very useful for me. Thanks!
This is a very good article. Thank you.
Just wanted to add that we're on Central Daylight Time and now open at 9:30 am (Holiday World) and 10:30 am (Splashin' Safari). In 2009, we're introducing the World's Tallest Water Ride, Pilgrims Plunge, plus the new (free) HoliWatch program which will help separated family members find each other during their visit.