Travelling abroad can be exciting, scary, hectic and mind-opening all at the same time and while it’s easy to travel to a country like Costa Rica that offers so many North American comforts and similarities, the true essence of travel is to experience the uniqueness of the place you are visiting.  There’s nothing like travel to help you escape your daily routine, so with that in mind here are some travel tips for helping you when travelling to Costa Rica.

5 Great Tips

Turn off your phone – or just bury it in the sand!

This is your long-awaited vacation and you are in an amazingly beautiful place, so take it in!  It’s time to live in the “now” and try out the puravida lifestyle.

What is “Pura Vida”? It is essence of Costa Rica. Costa Ricans revere family time and the enjoyment of living in the moment. They live the Pura Vida. Put your phone down and take in the breathtaking panoramic ocean views from your private luxury villa rental or from that amazing little restaurant overlooking the rainforest.

Take it in!  Of course, you will want to take lots of photos but you can share them up later. Costa Rica has the same electrical outlets as North America and free WiFi everywhere, so you can still connect anytime you need to.

Try the Local Food

Costa Rica has great international restaurants, but we also have great “typical” food that you must indulge in. 

Ceviche, Patacones with refried black beans and guacamole, arroz con pollo, tres leches cake are just a few must-try’s while visiting Costa Rica. And while going out for 5-star dinners is sure to please your palate, the local fare will not dissapoint.  Why not arrange for a local chef to arrive and prepare local cuisine for you? Or venture into the countryside and find small “ranchos” or eateries serving local food prepared by the families that own the places. 

Your villa concierge can recommend some of the best local places for this. There’s nothing better than eating fresh ceviche and plantain chips while you sip on local beer and watch the sunset.  Oh, and make sure you visit the local grocery stores.  It’s so fun to visit grocery stores abroad and look at the local products and produce.  Make sure you don’t forget to go to the Farmer’s Market on the day that it takes place in the town you choose to travel to.

Don’t just bring your sunscreen. Wear it.

It may be  -20 and full of snow where you just came from and You are pale and sun-starved and can’t wait to head straight for the infinity pool at your luxury vacation rental or dive right into the ocean, but seriously don’t forget to put on sunscreen!  You will be glad that you did.  Costa Rica is located 9 degrees above the equator and that is a heck of a lot closer than what North Americans are used to.  Here you will burn.  You don’t want to be that red-faced tourist that is too uncomfortable to go out.  After all it’s really embarrassing when you go out to eat and you look like the beets on your plate!  So heed the warning and put on sunscreen – you will still tan.  We promise!

Explore Off The Paved Road

Sitting on the beach under an umbrella in a piece of paradise is heavenly, however, it’s not the only option. Getting off the beaten tourist path and taking in the countryside is food for your soul. Costa Rica has so many unique and beautiful places that are not part of the organized activities that you have most heard about.  Ask your Concierge to put together a few unique experiences for you.

Talk to the Locals

“Ticos” are the friendliest people in the world. Many Costa Rican’s are bilingual and have no problem talking with you in English. Don’t let the language barrier stop you though, if you know a few Spanish words, use them. Enjoy the people of Costa Rica. They are truly the reason you will not want to leave.