Frequently asked questions about a Costa Rica trip
Here are the answers to the most important questions about the trip
What does the problem currently look like with Corona?
Unfortunately, Costa Rica has not been spared from the global Corona pandemic. But that is no longer an issue now. And... politicians acted very carefully here and did not destroy the lives of the residents or make them impossible. You can travel to Costa Rica without vaccination or other obligations.
Do I need a visa to enter Costa Rica?
Europeans, Canadians, Americans and many other nations do not need a visa, only the passport must be valid for at least 6 months. You get up to 3 months stamped in your passport upon entry. Anyone who has a passport of another nationality should check with their embassy before starting their journey.
Is Costa Rica safe?
Yes, you should always be careful and use common sense.
How do I save costs and still have the perfect trip?
With good planning. Costa Rica looks so small on the map, surely you can just drift around? No - it's not quite that simple. Even if the distances between A and B in km are sometimes not great, the time required can be completely different and who wants to drive back and forth pointlessly? We can also save costs if we book the good lodges in good time. After the pandemic, Costa Rica is really booming again, which is understandable since it is a unique natural destination - without crowds. But the good and cheap places are fully booked first, the worse and more expensive ones are still available later. If you plan with us, you not only save costs, but you often get a free upgrade, better treatment (you're special) and free additional services that “normal” guests don't get. Simply contact us at
How do I put together my travel budget?
The currency in Costa Rica is the Colón (CRC, ₡), you can see the daily exchange rate here . You shouldn't change money at the airport, the exchange rates are fatal. The best thing to do is to go to the cash machine (ATM), where you can get both US$ and Colones. Fees may be due at the ATM, these will be displayed (see ATM below).
Although dollars and colones are accepted almost everywhere, it is advisable for travelers to have both currencies. All payments related to hotel & tourism are usually in US$. For example, transfers, flight tickets, Interbus, hotels, tours and also national park fees. You should also make these payments in US$, otherwise it will be a little more expensive and that will be very noticeable in the long run.
In the supermarket, at the gas station and most restaurants & sodas you pay in Colones. If you use US$ here, you usually pay a little more. Euros can be exchanged in most banks, but at a very poor rate. The credit card works very comprehensively and you can choose whether you want to pay in US$ or Colones. The following applies: the currency in which the service is advertised is usually the correct choice.
What do I have to consider when using an automated teller machine (ATM)?
To withdraw money from an ATM in Costa Rica, you have to keep a few things in mind. As a rule, all credit cards that come with a PIN number work in Costa Rica to withdraw money from ATMs. You can usually choose whether you want US$ or Colones. Many banks charge a certain amount for each debit, and many financial institutions in your home country also charge fees for each withdrawal.
Unfortunately, the ATMs of the state banks (Banco Nacional, BN and Banco de Costa Rica, BCR) have very small limits per withdrawal (usually there is only the equivalent of around US$ 100), and they often only offer colones. And these banks are usually the only ATMs available in the province.
Therefore, you should use the ATMs of private banks; Our customers have had the best experiences with Scotiabank, Davivienda and BAC San José, all banks that can only be found in larger cities or in the central valley (there is a BAC ATM in Puerto Viejo in the Caribbean). So it makes sense to stock up on enough cash at the start of your trip.
You can withdraw up to $500 or the equivalent in ₡ from private banks (e.g. BAC, Davivienda or Scotiabank) twice a day per card and since the fees are charged per withdrawal, it makes sense to always get the largest amount possible. If you pay between $4 (BAC) and $7 (Davivienda) in fees for $500, this is offset by the very good exchange rate you get at the ATM. But if you withdraw $20 and then pay $7 in fees, then the Colon becomes really expensive.
No fees were charged at BAC until mid-2023, so you could collect money from the ATMs on site at no cost - the fees from home are still added. The ATMs at this bank offer the following special features: You insert the card into the ATM and then immediately take it out again. Then you have to insert it again straight away, only now is the card held by the machine and you can start the transaction. First you enter the secret number (PIN), then you can choose the language. If you are asked for the currency, it is important that you first enter the amount (usually you get up to $500 per withdrawal) and then the currency. If you first select the currency (US$ or CRC), the machine interprets this as 0 and the process is finished.
How do I use my smartphone?
To use your phone you simply insert a Costa Rican SIM card into your cell phone. These cards are available for alautentico tour customers in both Posada Nena. Otherwise you can also get them in the phone store. You can use it to make phone calls, access the Internet and navigate (see below). The tariffs in the country are extremely cheap, so a few dollars of credit is enough for the trip.
How do you navigate Costa Rica?
Best with a map! That's not so stupid, because it means you always have an overview of where you are, what might be interesting in the area and whether you are roughly on the right route. But... in order to find the right turn-off, avoid taking unnecessary detours and arrive at your destination on time, we recommend using electronic help. We offer all of our customers who book a trip through us the opportunity to borrow a free GPS from us. Unfortunately, these maps are no longer up to date, so we now recommend using Waze (we use it exclusively ourselves).
Google maps doesn't work at all for Costa Rica. Under no circumstances should you use this. Maps-Me is recommended as an offline system. Anyone who activates the SIM card with us and therefore has a permanent internet connection uses Waze. Waze is very common in Costa Rica and therefore provides current traffic information, shows traffic jams, traffic controls and possibly closed roads. This is the absolute best way to navigate on the go.
Is my driving license valid there?
Yes. You can use the European driving license in Costa Rica without any problems, an international driving license is not necessary. To rent a car, please contact us. Unfortunately, the large rental portals are often problematic.
Will my electrical device work in Costa Rica?
Yes - usually always. 120 volts at 60 Hz come out of the socket with 2 flat poles (American flat plug, we have suitable adapters in our offices). Almost all modern devices and chargers adjust to this automatically; you don't have to worry about anything. Nevertheless, it makes sense to check whether my device is compatible before using it.
How does the time difference work?
Costa Rica is in the GMT -6:00 time zone of Central America. Depending on summer or winter time in Europe, you have to set your clock forward 7 or 8 hours.
Updated: August 2023
