Time Zone

GMT-6. Costa Rica observes Central Standard Time, all year round and there is no Daylight Saving Time, nor clock changes.

Language

The official language of Costa Rica is Spanish. However, English is also widely spoken, making it an option to communicate in either (or both) languages here.

Currency

The currency is the Costa Rican Colon (CRC), although many places in Costa Rica may also accept US Dollars.

Tipping

It is our recommendation that the quality of service should determine the extent of any gratuity.  For example, if the service received has been excellent, a suggestion of USD$5- 10 per person for the guide for a full day tour. Please understand that this is a suggestion only: tipping and gratuities are a very personal matter.

Weather

Blessed with a great location, nestled between the Pacific Coasts and the Caribbean, Costa Rica is a year-round destination. Although we don’t really have seasons here, we do have dry and rainy periods, sometimes referred to by the locals as “summer” and “winter”, respectively. The dry season, which runs from November to April, is when we usually advise travellers to visit Costa Rica as it will be easier to bike, hike and make your way across the region in general.

Still, we recommend always contact our local team, as dry and rainy seasons may differ from one place to another. Although Costa Rica is a considerably small destination, our microclimates can make the weather change in the blink of an eye.

Health

No vaccines are required for your trip to Costa Rica. However, the CDC does recommend for travelers to be vaccinated against Hepatitis A and B, malaria, and yellow fever.

Also, it is preferable to choose bottled or filtered water over regular tap water.

If you wear prescription glasses, it is advisable to bring an extra pair.

Always use sunscreen lotion and insect repellent.

For up-to-date information on latest health and vaccination recommendations, please contact your doctor.

Electricity

110 volts, 60 cycles AC.

Arrival and Departure Formalities

According to local Immigration regulations, all foreign visitors entering the country must have a passport with a time validity of at least 6 months from the day of arrival. Furthermore, all travelers must have proof of their outbound flight ticket to exit Costa Rica within 90 days.

US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and most European nationals do not need a visa to enter Costa Rica. Still, we recommend checking this with your Consulate.