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Before Leaving:
Before Leaving:
Figure out cell phone plan: if you don’t have an international plan, your phone will only work in places that have wifi!
Download WhatsApp: messaging tool that allows you to communicate with people in Costa Rica and friends & family back home
Check in to getting a Hepatitis A or Typhoid vaccine
Navigation:
Navigation:
Airports:
Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) is the main airport located in San José (the capital of Costa Rica)
The second airport is Liberia International Airport located in the province of Guanacaste
After going through customs, you will need to go to the basement in order to find baggage claim (it is dark and there is poor signage)
After baggage claim, you will put your luggage in an X-ray machine and will be asked to provide an address of where you are staying in Costa Rica
There are a few hotels near SJO and the airport will provide a shuttle service for transportation
Other transportation:
The bus system is your best friend in Costa Rica!! There are bus stops everywhere and the cost varies from 200-400 colones (less than $1 USD)
If you want to travel to a different province, use Nicabus Internacional S.A. This is the bus system used to travel farther distances
If you are traveling somewhere very close or don’t want to take the bus, use Uber or the taxi service
Travel/Excursion Recommendations:
Travel/Excursion Recommendations:
Rio Agrio or La Fortuna Waterfalls
Irazú Volcano National Park
Monteverde Cloud Forest
Beaches in Guanacaste (Playa Flamingo or Playa Tamarindo)
Aventuras del Sarapiquí (white water rafting and zip lining)
National Museum of Costa Rica
Irazú Volcano
Playa Flamingo
La Fortuna Falls
National Museum
Food/Restaurants:
Food/Restaurants:
Get ready to eat a big breakfast every day! Typical Costa Rican breakfast is called gallo pinto which is beans and rice. Usually served with eggs and fried plantains
Most common food: rice, beans, plantains (ripe or green), sweet breads/pastries, tortillas, chicken, & LOTS of coffee
Restaurants/Cafes:
Cafe Dolce Storia
La Pataconería
Panadería Colombiana
Rosti Pollo
Freddo Fresas
La Granja
La Empanada
Typical breakfast of pinto, eggs, and sweet plantains
Fried green plantains (called patacones) with toppings of beans, pico, and guacamole
Culture:
Culture:
The Costa Rican culture is slow-paced, valuing relationships over tasks
People are always late!
Ticos are friendly, polite, and easy-going
They value family and it is common for adult children to live with their parents
Don't take off your shoes when you enter someone's house!
If interacting with a host family, eat what they serve you (can be seen as very rude not to eat the food in front of you)
Cafecito time every day! (A break in the afternoon where people drink coffee and visit with one another)
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