FREQUENTLY Asked QUESTIONS
Before your trip:
Yes! Our private tour experiences are 100% customizable. We offer packages with or without accommodations.
When you book a tour with us, we will send you a personalized welcome package that includes a packing list.
No, all visitors must have an entry and exit ticket in order to enter the country.
Depending on your country of origin, you may enter Costa Rica without a visa. USA, Canada and most European countries enjoy this privilege.
If you want to use a cell phone in Costa Rica, you must bring an UNLOCKED cell phone and buy a prepaid SIM card (We can help you with that when you book a tour with us). Also at the airport there are booths where you can buy a SIM, you can ask for the different SIM prepaid cards they offer, and it will be inserted in your phone.
The currency of Costa Rica is the colon, colones plural.
While in Costa Rica:
The water is potable in most of the country. However, we recommend asking your hotel tour guide or server at the restaurant, if the water is safe to drink. We recommend bottled water in areas around the coast.
Costa Rica is wonderfully warm all year, with an average annual temperature of 26°-32° Celsius on the coasts and 23°26° along the mountainsides. The most stable weather is between December and April. These months have little to no rain in most of the country. Other months typically have rain at some point during the day which gives the country vibrant, lively green views. Keep in mind that when visiting the "Rainforest" there is always a chance of rain, this is what gives the "Rainforest" it's name.
NO!! This is strictly prohibited. This is protect the natural environment and the health of the beautiful Costa Rican wildlife.
All major credit cards are widely accepted, except American Express. ATM machines are located throughout the country.
Restaurants
Tipping your server an average of 15-20% is the norm in Costa Rica. Many restaurants automatically add a 10% service charge (a gratuity charge) to their bills, which may appear as a 10% service tax or service fee. Tipping is always appreciated, but not expected.
Hotels
Depending on the type of accommodation you choose, tipping etiquette can change. If you’re staying at a high-end resort, a good rule of thumb would be $1 per bag for whoever helps you with your bags, $2 per day for housekeeping and if you have a few drinks at the hotel bar $1 per drink. Of course this a personal choice, tipping is not expected of you.
Transportation
In longer cab rides, a tip of between $1 and $5 is sufficient, but if you’re traveling a long distance, giving a little extra is appreciated. Tipping tour bus drivers will cost you a bit more. For an all-day tour, a tip of around $10 is appropriate, but again, is by no means expected.
Tour Guides
A tip of between $5 and $15 is considered polite for a day tour, depending on how many people are in your tour group.
These guidelines are just rough estimates. If you feel the people you meet deserve a little extra, then by all means tip generously.
ARTICLES
Travel Spanish
Today, I am going to help you with some basic phrases and words that will come in handy when travelling around Costa Rica. First, I want to mention that downloading a good translation app is always a good idea. SpanishDict was recommended to me and works very well. Please do not use Google translator as it tends to mistranslate things. I have had a couple embarrassing experiences using google translator, I am trying to save you the same embarrassment haha. With that being said, here is your Spanish for beginners travel kit:
I hope this collection of phrases helps you with your travels around Costa Rica. Do not be embarrassed to speak Spanish with the Costa Rican people, they are always very grateful when foreigners try to communicate in their language. Most of all, have an amazing trip! Pura Vida!
Hola & Adios - Greetings
Como le va? - How’s it going? *Less formal
Adios & Chao - Goodbye
Con Gusto - Your welcome *In Costa Rica they use “con gusto” not “de nada”
Donde esta el baño? - Where is the bathroom?
Donde esta el hotel “Name of hotel”? - Where is hotel “name of hotel”?
Cual es el precio en dolares? - What is the price in dollars? *When speaking about dollars in Costa Rica, they are always referring to American Dollars.
Supermercado - Grocery Store/Supermarket
La Playa - The Beach
Perzoso - Sloth
Como esta? - How are you? *More formal
Hasta Luego - See you later
Por Favor - Please
Cuanto cuesta? - How much does it cost?
Donde esta la parada de buses? - Where is the bus stop?
Donde esta…….? - Where is……?
La Bomba - Gas Station
La Feria - Farmer’s Market
Mono - Monkey
Pura Vida - This is a Costa Rican phrase that translate directly to “Pure Life” however is means much more than that. Pura Vida can be a greeting, it can be term of acknowledgement or a term of endearment. Most of all Pura Vida is the way of life in Costa Rica, to simply just not take life too seriously. “We are living the Pura Vida.”
Travel Spanish
The Costa Rica Bucket List
- Surf Lessons with Dante Water Sports
- Snorkeling or Scuba tour at Caño Island
- Zipline in Monteverde (We recommend Sky Adventures)
- Sarapiqui River Tour (Ask us about booking)
- Guided tour in Manuel Antonio National Park
- Hiking an El Tigre Waterfalls
- Relaxing hot springs (We recommend Baldi Hot Springs or Bio Thermales)
- Catamaran Tour in either Tamarindo or Quepos
- Guided tour of Cahuita National ParkHiking in the Gandoca Reserve
- A combo tour of Sierpe Mangroves and Corcovado National Park (MUST SEE)
- Picnic at Cerro Pinocho in Monteverde
Must See Beaches:
- Playa Ventanas
- Stay at Playa Hermosa in Guanacaste
- Visit Playa Conchal (You can not drive to this beach, you can access it via Playa Puerto Viejo in Guanacaste or Playa Brasilito)
- Playa Punta Uva
We hope this helps with your trip planning and discovering new places to explore in Costa Rica. If you have any questions about any of these experiences, please email us at traveltropicaltours@gmail.com or give us a call +506 4030 7099. Pura Vida!
The Costa Rica Bucket List
My Favorite Souvenir
YES! I love to get a souvenir every time we visit a new place, and hopefully something fun & functional. Here we go! We packed up one weekend and headed for a road trip to the Nicoya Peninsula with our puppy, Ceema. We drove to Puntarenas to catch the ferry (which takes about an hour) across to Paquera. After a short drive, we arrived at our Airbnb and it was picture-perfect!
The next day we went on a driving adventure where it stopped at CURU RESERVE and enjoyed a horseback riding tour which was absolutely fabulous. CURU is 100% worth a visit, after that we drove along the coast we stopped for lunch and I realized “I forgot my bathing suit”. The following day we were going on a kayaking tour for the entire afternoon with Ceema, so I really wanted to have my bathing suit.
After lunch, we decided to head into a town, close to where we were having, to find me a new bathing suit. So the hunt begins! I saw this one piece bathing suits with long sleeves and fell in love. I'm ending up buying a bright find one with monkeys and palm tress on it, this is my favorite souvenir! It is so super vibrant, comfortable and protects me from the sun. IT IS A WIN-WIN!
My Favorite Souvenir
Sarapiqui - The Hidden Gem
My husband Greivin, one of the owners of Travel Tropical Tours, was born in the region of Sarapiqui. This part of Costa Rica has so many beautiful places to visit and stay. The lush rainforest that boasts some of the best birdwatching, wild observation and tranquility in Costa Rica. Today I am going to share with you a few of our favorite experiences or places to stay.
Things to do:
Green Ship Sarapiqui - Safari Tours on the Sarapiqui River owned and operated by Oscar Lau. His family has years of connection to this beautiful river. Oscar does not speak English, however we work with him to operate tours in English. Honestly, one of our favorite tours in Costa Rica.
Pierella Garden - Enjoy a chocolate tour, tour of the butterfly gardens and the beautiful grounds. You will have the chance to see many different lizards, white bats, sloths and beautiful butterflies.
David and Dave’s - A wonderful bird watching experience. A BBC Wildlife Magazine and National Geographic published destination offering a guided tour by the owners Dave Sr. and Dave Jr.
Places to stay:
Hacienda Pozo Azul - A hotel located right by a beautiful river! This hotel offers horseback riding, zipline and more! A great stay for adventure travellers.
Yatama Ecolodge - This is our number one recommendation for a place to stay in Costa Rica! Getting to the hotel is an adventure in itself, you can make it up with
your own 4 x 4, but the road is next level wild. We recommend using the transportation service that the hotel offers, and you can leave your vehicle in the parking lot. This is the ultimate escape into nature. You can enjoy hikes to water falls, birdwatching and night walks.
These are just a few of our favorites in Sarapiqui! Are you planning on visiting this region or are interested in adding it to your itinerary? Email us at traveltropicaltours@gmali.com and we can help you plan or book.
Sarapiqui: The Hidden Gem
Planning Tips: Costa Rica
Planning a trip to Costa Rica? Feeling a little overwhelmed? Don’t know where to start? I have designed this list to help you break down your trip planning. I know first hand that when planning a trip to Costa Rica, it is hard to figure out where to go and what to do after reading all those posts in the Facebook groups or blogs. It can be hard to figure out what is the best for you. So here goes nothing……
- How many destinations to visit. Here are my recommendations that will give you enough time to get to know each location: 2–4 nights in one location, 5–7 nights in two locations, 7–10 nights in three locations.
- Pick your Destinations. I like to divide the destinations into two categories, Relax and Adventure. This way you can stick to one category or mix and match depending on which vacation vibe you would like. Here are some examples. Relax: Caribbean Coast, Tamarindo, Uvita, Dominical Adventure: Monteverde, Corcovado, Tortuguero.
- Pick your airport. There are two international airports you can fly into, which are in San Jose or Liberia. I would recommend flying into Liberia if you are staying in Tamarindo or only travelling the Pacific Coast. If you are travelling to the Caribbean Coast, La Fortuna, Monteverde or a combo with the Caribbean Coast, the San Jose airport is the best option. Savings Tip: San Jose is always cheaper!
- To Drive or Not to Drive. Now that you know where you are going, you can decide whether you would like to rent a car, hire a driver or take public transportation. Depending on your travel destinations, you may choose a few different modes of transportation. For instance, bussing from San Jose to Puerto Viejo is very easy, and you can easily get around by bike once there. On the other hand, Corcovado may be a better option to hire a tour operator for a tour and Monteverde might be a nice place to have a car. If you decide to rent a car, check out our article about driving in Costa Rica → Click Here
- Decided to rent a car. Find a car rental agency with the best prices that fit your schedule. We recommend Rent a Car, Saraipiqui. They are a responsible business with great rates!
- Decided not to drive. Looking for a tour? We offer private tours around Costa Rica that include transportation, accommodation and excursions. If we do not offer what you are looking for, we are happy to make recommendations.
- Taking public transport, try this app → Click Here
- The dreaded weather discussion. Yes, there are certain times of year that are better for viewing animals and that are less rainy. I have travelled all of over Costa Rica whether is it rainy season or not, I AM NEVER DISAPPOINTED. In my opinion, the rain is not a reason to postpone your travels to Costa Rica. That being said, here are the months with the most rain: September to November on the pacific coast, in the Central Valley, Monteverde and La Fortuna are the rainiest Months. May to July are the wettest months on the Caribbean side. Please keep in mind that there is always a chance of rain in the rain forest.
I hope this list helps simplify your trip planning to Costa Rica. If you have any questions, please feel free to email us, we are happy to give free advice about trip planning. We want everyone to have the best experience possible in Costa Rica. Pura Vida!
Planning Tips: Costa Rica
Car Troubles in Paradise
Are you planning on renting a car in Costa Rica? Or buying a car for a longer stay? We have a few tips and tricks to ensure that your travels run smoothly, but first a little story.
My husband and I went o the Panama border, which is approximately a 5-hour drive from where we live. It was like any other trip until our car just stopped, stopped running completely in the middle of the road. My husband that is Costa Rican just went and asked some lovely strangers for help. They did a little tinkering, and we were off to the races….or so we thought. We drove another 200 meters and our car shut down again. YIKES! A kind-hearted man with the kindest eyes towed us to a local mechanic for free. The mechanic adjusted something to do with the starter, which was “supposed” to get us home.
We were not surprised when we were halfway home on the highway, in the pitch black, and the car turned off again. What a nightmare! We did remain calm, called a tow truck and finally made it home. We were very thankful that we could communicate in Spanish, had cell service and our emergency kit. We did laugh it off once we arrived home, just another story for the books.
Here are our tips and tricks when driving in Costa Rica:
- Make sure you have your emergency kit with pylon, jack etc.
- Know basic Spanish or have a translator on your phone (We recommend SpanishDict).
- Drive only on major roads where you might have cell reception at nighttime.
- When driving in Costa Rica, defensive driving is very important. Costa Ricans, do not follow the road rules or signs, courtesy does not exist on the roads. Stay alert & Stay safe.
- Beware of potholes, there are A LOT of them.
- Having your tires & oil checked as well as your windshield cleaned at all gas stations is complimentary. You can tip if you want to, we normally tip 1000 colones which is approximately $2.00 CAD
- All gas stations are full service.
We hope this helps with your decision to rent or buy a car when in Costa Rica. There is always the option of hiring a driver/transportation if you are not comfortable driving. If you have any questions about renting or buying a car in Costa Rica or driving safety, please feel free to email us, at traveltropicaltours@gmail.com.
Car Troubles in Paradise
Salsa, Sand & Sloths
Travelling with Travel Tropical Tours, you will experience the best of both worlds. From beautiful walks on white sandy beaches, to rainforest hikes to see sloth or taking a private salsa dancing class by the pool. We pride ourselves on designing tours that everyone in your group will enjoy. Click on the destinations tab to discover different places to visit in Costa Rica. If you do not see a destination on the list, just send us the name and we will send along more info. You want to see a sloth? We will make is our goal to show you one. Looking for the best beaches with a view? We will take you there. Would you like to enjoy some salsa dancing lessons on your vacation? The owner of Travel Tropical Tours, Sarah Bethune, is also a professional dance instructor. She will be your driver as well as your personal dance instructor.
Basic Packages:
- The hotels are more basic(3 stars) and may not have pool, for example Hotel Casa Madonna
- The excursions may not all be private, some could be group tours with other travelers
- Your private driver will be available from 6 am until 9pm unless required for a scheduled excursion
- Your private guide will be available from 6 am until 6pm unless required for a scheduled excursion
Standard Packages:
- The hotels are 3–4 stars and will all have a pool, for example Hotel Fonda Vela
- The excursions will all be private.
- Your private driver will be available from 6 am until 12am unless required for a scheduled excursion
- Your private guide will be available from 6 am until 10pm unless required for a scheduled excursion
- Private WhatsApp group for group coordination
Premium Packages:
- The hotels are 4–5 stars and will all have a pool, for example Baldi Hot Springs & Resort
- The excursions will all be private.
- Your private driver will be available from 5 am until 2am.
- Your private guide will be available from 5 am until 12am.
- Includes a private coordinator to help throughout your trip planning process
- Private WhatsApp group for group coordination
- Welcome package upon arrival in Costa Rican
Salsa, Sand & Sloths
Why choose a private tour?
Are you wondering, is a private tour worth the money? Is a private tour the right choice for us? We say yes and yes! A private tour is the hassle-free option for an adventure around Costa Rica. Your trip coordinator will make all your reservations for hotels, excursions, private transportation and private guide. Your coordinator will be there to guide every step of the way. Here are a few reasons why private tours would be the right choice for you:
- Flexibility - Before and during the tour, your coordinator/guide will be there to help manage your itinerary. For example: If the itinerary says the excursion starts at 10 am, but you would like to start at 8 am, your team will work to make that happen for you. Our tours at Travel Tropical Tours are fully customizable.
- Private Driver - When travelling with Travel Tropical Tours, you will have a private driver available to you throughout your entire vacation. Feel like going out dancing or grabbing a drink? Our driver is there! Want to check out a different beach? You got it! Enjoy this exclusive service on all the tour private tours booked with Travel Tropical Tours.
- Choice of Destinations - When you are designing your private tour with Travel Tropical Tours, you have the freedom to choose your destinations from our list of destinations. Here is the list : Monteverde, Caribbean Coast, Corcovado, La Fortuna, Guanacaste, Tortuguero, Manuel Antonio & the Central Valley. Your coordinator can answer any questions about the destinations.
- Private Bilingual Guide - Your private guide is there to show you the best time possible in Costa Rica. Your guide is also there to give recommendations such as tasty bars/restaurants, the best sunset locations, things to do in your free time and great spots for wildlife viewings. Your guide will teach you all about the natural beauty of Costa Rica.
In conclusion, if you are looking for the ultimate Costa Rican experience, a private tour is the way to go! Enjoy a hassle-free vacation! See you soon in Costa Rica.
Why choose a private tour?
Weather in Costa Rica
Most people ask about the weather before travelling to Costa Rica, and the answer you will receive can vary immensely. There are many different microclimates here in Costa Rica, therefore many different weather systems. I will tell you that anytime is a good time to visit Costa Rica, the different types of weather bring different types of animals and activities to enjoy.
Certain parts of the country are always more wet and humid than others. For example, the Caribbean Coast. The lush tropical rainforest make it, so it is always quite humid and often more rain than other parts of the country. That being said, the Caribbean is home to so much beautiful wildlife, pristine beaches and glorious national parks. You do not want to miss visiting the Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica.
There are parts of the country that are known to be more dry and very hot at certain times of the year. This would be Guanacaste, home to many beautiful beaches, water activities and great nightlife.
Costa Rica is also home to beautiful mountain villages like Monteverde, where the weather is cooler. I will mention that even though is it cooler is can still be quite humid as Monteverde is home to the Cloud Forest.
I believe there is a climate for everyone here in Costa Rica, it is truly magical! If you have any questions about the weather for your trip, email us at traveltropicaltours@gmail.com, and we will be happy to help you out.
Weather in Costa Rica
Safety in Costa Rica
Hey there! My name is Sarah Bethune, and I am the owner of Travel Tropical Tours. I am a Canadian living in Costa Rica with my husband that is Tico (local term for Costa Rican).
Costa Rica is one of the safest places I have ever explored. We always exercise regular travel precautions such as not leaving our belongings on the beach, keeping our wallets and phones close when walking around cities and locking our car. Other than that, we do not go to any extreme measures. We have travelled together all over the country and there has not been a single location where I felt my life was in danger.
That being said, of course are some areas that are more dangerous than others. There are some places where you wouldn’t want to adventure at night or openly have your wallet out. These places also are not tourist destination. The locations I recommend exercising the most cautions would be San Jose Centre or Limon Centre. Just like any big city, there are pickpockets and drugs around.
Here are a few safety tips while travelling around Costa Rica:
1) Always lock your vehicle or take all your belongings with you and leave the car unlocked, so a thief won’t have to break the window.
2) A lot of people recommend carrying a photo copy of your passport. I recommend always having your passport with you. In Costa Rica, a lot of government agencies do not consider a photo copy valid.
3) Do not go back to a stranger's house for an after party. You do not know if their intentions are pure.
All in all, Costa Rica is an extremely safe country. I have been living here for 1.5 years now and have never felt unsafe. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to send us a message with your questions 506 6426 5513
Safety in Costa Rica
How it all started?
Sarah, the owner of Travel Tropical Tours, was planning a 3-month-long solo backpacking trip to Costa Rica. While doing research on social on media, a lovely young man by the name of Greivin starting answering her many curious questions. Greivin was the owner of a small tour business called Sarapiquí tours.
Greivin had recently returned home from living three years in Mexico and decided it was time to put his skills as a tour guide to use. When he met Sarah online, he was so inspired by her entrepreneur endeavors that he started looking into to find a co-owner for his passion project, which is now called Travel Tropical Tours.
Fast-forward to when Sarah arrived in Costa Rica, and they met face to face for the first time at the airport. Greivin met Sarah at the airport, and they commenced their week-long journey together. Cartago was a dreamy place to be, with amazing weather and beautiful views. Next they went to Samara where they enjoyed the beach life for couples days. After that they headed to Sarapiquí where they were supposed to go their separate ways, and they didn’t.
Truthfully, Sarah and Greivin never separated. They became husband and wife, as well as partners in business. Their story is a fun-filled adventure love story like no other.
PURA VIDA.
How it all started?
The Magic of Monteverde
In our opinion, Monteverde is one of the most magical places in Costa Rica. You can enjoy an exhilarating experience at Sky Adventures or a romantic picnic at Cerro Pinocho. You will experience the misty magic of the Cloud Forest Reserve. Not to mention the wonderful restaurants and cute bakeries.
Here is a list of our favorite spots:
- Hotel Fonda Vela for a luxury stay & a good price
- Hotel Casa Madona for travelers on budget
- Tramonti the most delicious Italian food
- Green Room for fantastic Costa Rican cuisine & fusion
- Sky Adventures for zip lining, hanging bridges and more
- Cerro Pinocho to enjoy the amazing views
- El Tigre Waterfalls for the most stunning waterfall hike
- Finca Lindora is great for enjoying a horseback riding tour, a private hot spring in the middle of the cloud forest
We want to add that none of these are paid promotion. We just really enjoyed all of these places in Monteverde and wanted to share these spots with you. If you wish to enjoy one of our tours, Monteverde is one of our most popular destinations.
PURA VIDA
The Magic of Monteverde
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