Read Prior To Traveling To Costa Rica

 AAA Tour Costa Rica is your direct Costa Rica travel agency. We care about your safety and will go out of our way to make sure you are safe and have a great time. Our guides will always take you to the safest places to stay, the best tourist destinations and will make sure that you will not get taken advantage of.

What to bring:

  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Water shoes
  • Poncho, in case of rain.
  • Motion sickness medicine, as you will be travelling on very curvy roads sometimes.
  • Mosquito repellent.
  • Sunblock 
  • Lite jacket
  • Binoculars
  • Lite weight clothing that dries quickly

To Remember:

  • Once you arrive to Costa Rica, in customs, you need to provide information to the officer as to where are you staying, purpose of your trip.
  • Once you exit the airport… look for a sign with your name, the driver will be holding the sign waiting for you.
  • For better comunication we recommend to have Whatsapp installed in your phone. This application allows you to: share pictures, send messages, make international phone calls, etc for free.
  • You will have free Wifi access in restaurants and hotels.

ENTRY & EXIT OF COSTA RICA:

  • A valid passport is required for entry into the country Tof Costa Rica with more than 6 months validity. Canadian and US citizens do not need a visa.
  • Non-US citizens, please contact the nearest consulate or embassy of the country to which you are travelling to determine your entry/visa requirements. U.S. State Department passport, visa and travel advisory information may be found at www.state.gov/

LANGUAGE:

  • Spanish is spoken in Costa Rica, but you will find that many people speak English, especially in the tourism industry. Do not worry AAA Tours tour guides or tour leaders will translate for you!

 CURRENCY:

  • The currency is the Costa Rican Colon, which currently trades at about 507 Colónes to one US Dollar (CRC ₡507=US $1). (This changes constantly)
  • 24-hour ATM’s are widely available in Costa Rica and usually provide the best exchange rates besides the banks.
  • You can use USA dollars almost anywhere.
  • It is best to exchange money at a bank in Costa Rica , if you want to have colones, for the best exchange rate.
  • Most businesses accept credit cards.
  • Tipping for service is 10-15%, although most  restaurants automatically add it to the bill. 
  • Tipping your driver or tour guide/tour leader is customary and left to your discretion. 
  • Shops in resort towns are often open late to accommodate tourists.

LOCAL TRANSPORTATION:

  • Taxis from the airport cost about $40 and up to downtown San Jose.
  • Rental cars are usually $60-$120 per day; that’s without extra insurance. We fully advise to get the additional insurance when renting a car; to get a car rental quote please contact us. 
  • Local drivers are aggressive on the roads, and at times may make you feel it is a free-for-all when driving.  If you have an accident, you must stay put and do not move your vehicle at all until the traffic police tell you to move it. This is the law, even if you are blocking an intersection for hours waiting for the police to arrive to investigate. If a traffic police tries to get you to pay him, don’t do it! Tell him I will pay the fine at the appropriate agency.
  • We highly recommend private transportation that AAA Tour Costa Rica can provide you; get your quote for private transportation by contacting us. It is much safer and relaxing to hire AAA Tours to do your driving, because we are used to the roads and the local drivers know the laws.
  • Road rules are the same as in the US basically. Most road signs use international symbols. Driving speed in Costa Rica is in Kilometers per hour. Stay within the speed limit and obey the laws if driving on your own to avoid a ticket or fine. The tickets must be paid prior to leaving Costa Rica, and the fines are extremely expensive. It is not worth getting a ticket during your vacation.

1 Kilometer = .62 Miles 60 MPH = 96.5 KPH 40 MPH = 64.5 KPH

ELECTRICITY:

  • 120 volts/60 cycles, which is compatible with the USA.

HEALTH & SAFETY:

  • Use hotel in-room safes for your valuables and passport if available as you would anywhere.
  • Just as you would when traveling to an unfamiliar area, consult any major guidebook or check with your hotel about any areas to avoid or precautions to take, and use common sense.
  • The water in hotels and restaurants is potable, but you should confirm this with the front desk or to your tour guide–if in doubt, drink bottled water.

COMMON SENSE:

  • Don’t wear expensive or flashy jewelry. Keep your real passport in the room safe and take a photo copy of it with you when you go out. Keep your money and a copy your passport in your front pocket as it is more difficult for pickpockets to get at.
  • As you travel , especially in San Jose, always be aware of your surroundings as you would in any big city in the U.S. or anywhere else in the world. Just use common sense.