Travelers’ Costa Rica Questions and Answers

Submitted by travelers like you, we offer answers to all kinds of Costa Rica travel questions!

You asked… We want to go on a trip to Costa Rica in Nov/Dec with our 1 year old son. We want to go to La Fortuna, Monteverde and Manuel Antonio to have a mix of beaches and mountains. I found your website very informative. …

You asked… Which Spanish language/phrase book/dictionary is the best? We answered… This question is a tricky one to answer with one overarching response. Depending on the interest of the reader, we could pick one of many Spanish books included in our personal resource collection pictured …

YOU ASKED… I inquired with Mapache Car Rental and am pleased with the quote. However, in their response (and I have seen this mentioned elsewhere) they require a credit card that is “printable”. All of our credit cards have converted to “flat” cards where the …

You asked… LOVE YOUR BLOG! We are all trying to settle on which white water rafting trip to take. Some don’t mind class 3 and 4, and none of us really want a class 5. Some would probably feel comfortable with just a 3. My husband and …

Need to know the meaning of a particular English or Spanish word that isn’t already included in our glossary below? Leave a comment for us at the bottom of the glossary and we’ll include it! 🙂

You asked… Going for 2 weeks at the end of March with a family of 4 (kids age 10 and 8). Flying in and out of San Jose. Looking for adventure, hiking, surfing etc. Want to hit main spots of Arenal, Monteverde, and beaches such …

You asked… I am flying into Liberia (LIR). Is there a bank at the airport or where is the best place to exchange USD? We answered… If you have decided to exchange USD (or your home country’s currency) into Costa Rican colones upon entry into …

You asked… My friend and I will be travelling to Costa Rica on November 4th, 2017. We have been hearing there has been a lot of damage from the tropical storm. We are wondering if we will be needing to change any of our plans, …

You asked… We are deciding between Hotel Tangara in town or the Arenal Observatory Lodge. There doesn’t appear a lot in town so we are thinking the rain forest would be cool. We have two kids ages 16 and 14. Could you please provide some …

You asked… I am afraid of heights; I would be frightened of windy/high roads, or even roads that are not exceptionally high but do not have guard rails and are bumpy. I love wildlife, birding, and nature. Are there particular areas of Costa Rica accessible …

You asked… Thank you for the site, I have also joined the DIY portion. We are independent travelers who rarely take a tour. Your site seems to be geared more to those who prefer tours. Are they essential? Do you feel you truly get a …

You asked… I am a horticulturist, interested in tropical plants, flowers, palm trees, rain forests, jungle hikes, etc. I would think Costa Rica would be an ideal place for that. Do you have any information devoted to this subject? We answered… We agree! Costa Rica …

You asked… Want to get married at la fortuna waterfall – just the two of us. Best way to go about that? wedding planner seems a bit silly; as just us and a commitment ceremony – not even interested in “legal marriage” there, just an …

You asked… We are a family of 5 travelling to Costa Rica. It is amazing how hotels will only allow a maximum of 4 people per room. Any advice? We answered… Yes! We are familiar with this <akem> “money grab” <akem>, and although we can …

You asked… We were just in Costa Rica in December and were in the Jaco area. We are now coming back the last week of April and are going to Arenal Lodge for 3 days and then off to Puerto Carrillo. We went white water …

You asked… What is there to do (in La Fortuna/Arenal and Manuel Antonio) if it rains? We answered… Given that Costa Rica is part rainforest, rain is inevitable (please see our answer to: What Happens To My Tour Reservations If It Rains for more information about tour …

You asked… A member of our party recently had ACL surgery. Can they participate in Sky Adventures’s Sky Tram aerial tram ride, Sky Trek canopy ziplining tour, and Sky Walk hanging bridges? We answered… This will entirely depend on the traveller’s level of recovery and …

You asked… I am landing in San Jose around 1 pm and will then be heading to La Fortuna. Is it possible to find transportation to La Fortuna that afternoon or evening, or should I stay the night in San Jose and leave for La …

You asked… I am lactose intolerant. I am allergic to milk/cheese. How do I inform restaurant staff of my allergy in Spanish? We answered… Allergy-ridden travellers, we hear you! I have a strange sensitivity to an ingredient found in some milk products – I can …

You asked… How can I raft the Pacuare River to/from Manuel Antonio? How can I raft the Pacuare River between Manuel Antonio and another location, such as La Fortuna/Arenal or Puerto Viejo? How can I raft the Pacuare River between La Fortuna/Arenal or Puerto Viejo …

You asked… I was wondering if you still have car rental discounts available? We answered… Yes! However, over the past year we have made significant changes to our various operations, so the method in which the discounts are obtained has changed. Our free Costa Rica car …

You asked… What is the lunch or dinner included with the Springs Resort Hot Springs Pass? We answered… The Springs Resort hot springs pass (whether it be the 1-day pass including transportation or the 2-day pass excluding transportation that interests you) includes 1 meal at …