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Credible and concise Costa Rica trip-planning help that prioritizes your needs so you can get the travel experience you want.
Listen to the episode Welcome to the Costa Rica Travel Podcast! (Episodes are nonsequential; Start with this episode, then let your wanderlust lead the way!)
- Episode length: 2 minutes, 57 seconds
- Episode description: The podcast’s inaugural episode, which discusses references that you’ll hear Nikki make from time to time, the podcast’s atypical arrangement of episodes, and other important introductory details.
- For episode notes or to submit a question to be featured on the podcast, please see this page.
Costa Rica Travel Podcast Episode List
Which regions in Costa Rica are suitable for tourists?
- Episode length: 12 minutes, 35 seconds
- Episode description: Nikki explains which regions among Costa Rica’s various travel regions are suitable for tourists and why. Costa Rican travel regions covered in this episode include: the Northern Pacific / Guanacaste travel region; the Nicoya Peninsula travel region; the Central Pacific travel region; the Osa Peninsula and Southern Pacific travel region; the Caribbean travel region; the Central Valley and Highlands travel region; and the Northern Inlands travel region.
When are Costa Rica’s 4 travel seasons and what are the must-know characteristics of each?
- Episode length: 10 minutes, 59 seconds
- Episode description: Nikki outlines what you need to know about Costa Rica’s travel seasons. Costa Rican travel seasons covered in this episode include: the high season; the low season; the peak season; and the shoulder season.
What should I pack for Costa Rica and what isn’t necessary to bring?
- Episode length: 17 minutes, 21 seconds
- Episode description: Nikki details a comprehensive Costa Rica packing list that covers essential, must-have items and nonessential but beneficial items, plus unnecessary items that should be left at home. Types of items covered in this episode include: luggage and backpacks; apparel; footwear; toiletries; sunscreen and insect repellent; medical supplies; electronics; safety devices; and other practicalities specific to Costa Rica travel.
Should cash, credit cards, or travelers’ cheques be used to pay for purchases in Costa Rica?
- Episode length: 6 minutes, 29 seconds
- Episode description: Nikki discusses why cash is best (and how much cash to take to Costa Rica) but also explores must-know info about the use of credit cards and provides a stern warning about the use of travelers’ cheques.
Should cash payments be made in USD or Costa Rican colones? What about CAD, Euros, and other currencies?
- Episode length: 6 minutes, 17 seconds
- Episode description: Nikki outlines when payment in US dollars is (and is not) accepted, which denominations of bills are best to use, and what to expect when visiting a bank in Costa Rica.
Is tipping customary in Costa Rica, and if it is, who and how much should I tip?
- Episode length: 9 minutes, 14 seconds
- Episode description: Nikki describes when tipping is and isn’t customary in Costa Rica, which types of workers she tips (and doesn’t tip), and how much she tips each. Worker types covered in this episode include: tour guides; tour drivers; shared shuttle service drivers; private transfer service drivers; boat or water taxi captains; taxi drivers; parking lot attendants; restaurant waitstaff; hotel cleaning staff; hotel bellhops; hotel concierge workers; public bus drivers; restaurant kitchen staff; hotel kitchen staff; hotel reception workers; car rental agency employees; business owners and managers; and souvenir store employees.
How do the 13 hot springs in La Fortuna compare to one another?
- Episode length: 16 minutes, 10 seconds
- Episode description: Nikki details La Fortuna’s public hot spring properties to help you familiarize yourself with—and compare—each. Properties covered in this episode include: the Baldi Hot Springs; the EcoTermales Hot Springs; the Tabacón Hot Springs; the Springs Resort Hot Springs (i.e., the Cascadas Calientes, the Los Perdidos Hot Springs, and the Club Río Hot Springs); the Paradise Hot Springs; the Titokú Hot Springs; the Los Lagos Hot Springs; the Los Laureles Hot Springs; the Kalambú Hot Springs; the Termalitas del Arenal Hot Springs; the Relax Termalitas Hot Springs; the Termales del Arenal Hot Springs (formerly known as the Termo Arenal Hot Springs); and the Rio Choyín Hot Springs (a.k.a., mini Tabacon, Tabaconcito, and La Fortuna’s free hot springs; sometimes styled as the Rio Chollin Hot Springs).
Which hot springs are the best in La Fortuna?
- Episode length: 14 minutes, 53 seconds
- Episode description: Nikki makes it easy to decide which hot springs in La Fortuna is the best to visit by ranking the various properties according to a variety of criteria, including property size, hot spring quantity and variety, cost and value, design and atmosphere, meals served, location, and visitor demographics (child travelers, adult travelers, and local Costa Ricans). Properties covered in this episode include: the Baldi Hot Springs; the EcoTermales Hot Springs; the Tabacón Hot Springs; the Springs Resort Hot Springs (i.e., the Cascadas Calientes, the Los Perdidos Hot Springs, and the Club Río Hot Springs); the Paradise Hot Springs; the Titokú Hot Springs; the Los Lagos Hot Springs; the Los Laureles Hot Springs; the Kalambú Hot Springs; the Termalitas del Arenal Hot Springs; the Relax Termalitas Hot Springs; the Termales del Arenal Hot Springs (formerly known as the Termo Arenal Hot Springs); and the Rio Choyín Hot Springs (a.k.a., mini Tabacon, Tabaconcito, and La Fortuna’s free hot springs; sometimes styled as the Rio Chollin Hot Springs).
I’m visiting hot springs in Costa Rica—what do I need to know before I do?
- Episode length: 14 minutes, 47 seconds
- Episode description: Nikki covers everything you need to know about visiting hot springs in Costa Rica, regardless of the specific hot spring property you choose. Topics addressed in this episode include: what you’ll do at the hot springs and what to expect at the hot springs; eligibility for visiting the hot springs and health-related concerns; hot spring reservations; hot spring operating hours; dining opportunities and meals at hot spring properties; items to pack for the hot springs; hot spring visits and the weather; wildlife-spotting opportunities at hot spring properties; and hot spring hotels.
