Answers to our most frequently asked questions!
Costa Rica faqCan you tell me what the entry requirements are for Costa Rica? The entry requirements differ based upon your country of origin. Citizens of the USA, Canada, and England for instance can enter with a valid passport, no visa, and stay up to 90 days. An additional 90 day extension is available upon request. Here are some links for a few countries.
US Citizens
Canadian Citizens
United Kingdom citizens
Australian citizens
Is the water safe for us to drink? In most parts of the country the water is safe to drink. The coastal areas can be questionable. Bottled water is recommended mostly because of
taste.
Is it safe to drive in Costa Rica? Opinions vary. An international drivers license is not required for short term tourists. Car rental is plentiful off season, but requires advance planning during high season. Plenty of potholes exist and a stoplight to Tico's is similar to a Yield sign in the US.
Do I need any sort of immunizations to protect me during my visit? No. Depending on your planned destination, consider protection against mosquitoes since they carry diseases (occasional Dengue fever issues) and only swim in clean, recommended locations. Look for
Blue flag beaches and ask about inland waterways.
How much local currency should I carry with me? This depends on many factors. If your plans revolve around an all inclusive resort less local currency (colónes) will be required. US currency is accepted almost everywhere although large bills are not accepted in some places. Always get the best exchange rate for your currency by using a local bank.
Do I need an adapter to use electricity? The local current is 110v like in the USA. Do bring a 3 prong to 2 prong adapter for anything requiring one. All outlets are 2 prong.
Where can I get information about purchasing real estate in Costa Rica? Right here on this site. Our
Costa Rica real estate
page is a great place to start!
Where can I find real estate listings?My favorite websites for
Costa Rica real estate listings.
I want to retire in Costa Rica. How do I start? Please click the
Costa Rica retirement
link for up to date information and tips.
Do I need to speak Spanish to tour Costa Rica? No. It is usually easy to find someone that can speak enough
English (other languages maybe not!) to help you achieve your goals. I would not recommend renting a car and traveling the entire country with no knowledge of the language however. Major cities and tourist areas I believe would not be a problem for car rental, just not the middle of nowhere!
Are there good medical facilities in case of an emergency? In an emergency dial 911. There are excellent hospitals in certain areas of the country. Clinics are spread throughout the country but are no equipped for certain emergencies and may not have an English speaking doctor. A list of
Costa Rica hospitals
is provided here but we recommend asking the hotel you plan to stay with about English speaking clinics in the area if there are concerns in this regard.
Have a question we didn't answer? Please contact us with your
Costa Rica faq
question. This helps us identify what is missing on our site and helps you get a timely answer to your question.
