Costa Rica

General

Tipping:

Restaurants:

• All Costa Rican restaurants automatically add a 10% gratuity to your bill, along with a 13% tax. Tipping is optional, but it's polite to offer an additional sum if the service was exceptional.

Other Services:

• Taxi drivers typically receive 10-20% if they are helpful and friendly.
• Tour Bus Drivers: Tip around $10 for an all-day tour (8-12 hours), sometimes shared with accompanying guides.
• Water Taxi Drivers: Typically receive around $2 per journey.
• Private Transfers: Tipping is not necessary but appreciated, especially if the driver goes above and beyond by teaching you Spanish, explaining local culture, stopping for photo opportunities, or taking you to local eateries. Consider $10-$20 depending on length of transfer.

• General Tour Guides: Tip between $5 and $20, depending on group size and length of tour plus how helpful they were.
• Scuba Diving Tours: A tip of about $10 per tank is generous.
• Dolphin/whale Tours: Tip the crew, usually the boat driver and the guide.
• Turtle Watching Tours: Tip the guides a few dollars on the beaches, as they often work on a volunteer basis or with very little pay. Any gesture of appreciation is greatly valued by the guides.

Tipping in Hotels:

Hotels and Boutique Resorts:

• Tip around $1 per bag for bellhops.
• Leave about $2-$5 per day for housekeepers, preferably on the first day for better service.
• Tip around $1 per drink at the hotel bar.

Remote Jungle Resorts and Lodges:

• Tipping is often collective to support local communities and behind-the-scenes workers. Each place has its own recommendations, so consult your travel advisor.

All-inclusives:

It isn't necessary, and the Costa Rican culture doesn't expect it since this is their job, but if someone goes out of the way and you feel the need to, we encourage it. Please see above hotel tipping guide. A few dollars at mealtimes is appreciated if you receive great service.

You can tip your driver(s) and guide(s) at the end of the week if you know it will be the same people all week. Otherwise, we recommend tipping them individually at the end of each day.

Dive crew are often tipped at the end of the week to the main guide or Captain or in a tip box on the boat or in the shop if provided. Most dive shops share tips.

Electricity

Plug Type: Type A, Type B Voltage (V): 120V Frequency Hertz (Hz): 60Hz *Travel plug adapter and voltage converter might be necessary depending on your appliances.

Banking

Currency Local currency: Costa Rican Colón Symbol: ₡ ISO code: CRC Subunit: Céntimo Banknotes: ₡1000, ₡2000, ₡5000, ₡10000, ₡20000, ₡50000, ₡100000 Coins: ₡5, ₡10, ₡25, ₡50, ₡100, ₡500 Banking Card Transactions: Yes ATMs: Yes Mastercard: Yes Visa: Yes American Express: Yes Diner’s club: No Banking Hours: Weekdays: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Weekends: Closed Public Holidays: Yes Foreign exchange services: Yes

Cuisine

Food and water safety: Can you drink the tap water: No Fresh fruit and veg: Yes Ice: Yes Meat: Yes Street food: Yes Local cuisine: Costa Rican cuisine is diverse and flavorful, often featuring rice, beans, plantains, and fresh seafood. Gallo Pinto, a dish made of rice and beans, is a staple. Other highlights include Casado, a traditional lunch plate, and ceviche, a seafood dish marinated in citrus juices. Notable local drinks include horchata, refrescos (fruit drinks), and guaro, a sugarcane liquor. Tipping: 10-15%

Climate

Annual rainfall: 2000 - 5000 mm Average temperature: 24°C Summer: Average highs: 30°C Average lows: 22°C Winter: Average highs: 28°C Average lows: 20°C Best time to visit: The best time to visit Costa Rica is during the dry season, from December to April, when the weather is sunny and the wildlife viewing is excellent.

Transport

Air: Main airlines: Avianca, Copa Airlines International Airports: Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) Domestic Airports: Tobias Bolaños International Airport (SYQ), Limón International Airport (LIO) Road: Driving on the: Right Tar roads: Yes Gravel roads: Yes Valid International Driver's License needed: Yes Car hire available: Yes Taxis: Yes E-hailing services: Yes Bus: Inter-city bus services: Yes Local city bus networks: Yes Rail: Railway system: No Subway System: No Water: Ferries: Yes Water taxis: Yes Leisure cruises: Yes

Dress

Spring and Summer Cool, light, breathable and comfortable: Yes Lightweight warm clothes: No Winter and Autumn Jerseys, cardigans, sweaters, jackets: Recommended Heavyweight clothing and boots: No  General Umbrella and raincoat: Yes Warm gloves, hat and scarf: No Swimming costume (bathing suit): Yes Hat, sunglasses and sunblock: Yes Walking shoes: Yes Casual: Yes Smart-casual attire: Yes