Top 10 DON’TS You NEED To Know In Costa Rica!

This if for everyone interested in Costa Rica travel, with all the things you SHOULDN’T do in Costa Rica. Good info whether you are interested in Costa Rica real estate, or just a Costa Rica vacation. It’s good to know what is normal and what is expected when you come here. I also through in a few tips that are based from personal experiences.

Hope you enjoyed!
Thanks for Watching!
Please comment, like, and subscribe to my channel.

CONTACT BY EMAIL:

[BongboBongbong]

We got stopped by the police yesterday, on our first day of driving in CR (from Alajuela to Cahuita). He said it was forbidden to drive with my flip-flops and the fine would be 400 USD. I told him I want to call our car rental company and immediately he said it was okay to continue our journey without paying anything. :D

[AudioAlchemy]

WAZE has saved me thousands of dollars on speeding tickets. What an excellent suggestion 👌

[clichhs]

As a Costa Rican I approve this video 😁Now... regarding point #8... If you ever get stopped by a crooked transit police officer and they ask for a "little tip" wink, wink, (try to have pictures of your bill's serial numbers in advance) pay them off and then go to the nearest police station or court house and file a report on them, make sure to remember their official car plate number. This way the main police (Fuerza Publica) or OIJ (They're like our local version of your feds) will put them under arrest. It's the only way we all have of getting rid of those bad apples! Just as I encourage you guys not to feed the local fauna, I recommend you not to let those mofos to get away with it.

[barco]

Solid list, agree with most of it. I lived in San Jose for a semester in college and will add a few more:

-Don't skip San Jose and the Central Valley. I am not saying spend a week there, but a couple days if possible.
-Don't get too lax about being in the ocean without lifeguards-which is pretty much every beach. Rip currents kill tourists every year in Costa Rica. The tourism industry likes to keep this fact quiet.
-Don't carry a wallet. A lot of Ticos do not. Copy of your passport, a credit card or atm card, and a small bit of colones in your front pocket or a money belt. Leave the passport at the hotel locked up if possible. Avoid expensive jewelry, sunglasses, etc.
-Take sun protection very seriously as the country is close to the equator
-Don't go through the hassle of changing US dollars. There is no reason to bring a lot of US cash with you. (Think I brougth $100 USD for a four month trip.) Just use your ATM card (not credit card) and the machines will dispense colones with no exchange fees.
-If you go outside of your resort or hotel that caters mainly to Americans, even in touristy areas, do not expect everyone to speak English. We saw Americans in Jaco getting very frustrated.
-Don't forget that if you rent a car many of the online quotes do not show the price for daily liability insurance that is required by law. Don't assume your credit card will cover physical damage to cars in Costa Rica-most cards dropped that coverage a few years back

[venushahn]

#7🤣🤣🤣 that’s what happened to my dad he met my mama n his world changed n now I’m here☺️

[RealRobB]

Hi Rich, we watched all of your videos before we went to CR for a two week trip. Thank you so much. We used all of your tips and we had a great trip. The best tip was getting a four wheel drive SUV and the second best was come in the off season. We came in the beginning of November and it rained every day. We loved it! There weren’t a lot of tourists and we were able to enjoy the country without too many other tourists around. We did get stopped by police and they searched us and seemed to be looking for a bribe but we weren’t intimated and they let us go on our way. The one thing I would add is beware if locals trying to divert you from getting to your destination. We went to Manuel Antonio National Park and we were stopped 6 times before we got there and told this is it and we need to park here and pay them. We told them we were meeting a local guide and we needed to keep going and it worked but they step out in front of your car and try and make you stop and park although we were a mile from the entrance. We made it through the gauntlet but others should beware.
Rob

[sfc]

I got popped in Mexico and that night taught myself my first Spanish--disabled veteran military policeman retired (which I actually am). After that, zero problem all the way to Nicaragua. Eventually, I started carrying a case of water on the right front seat on highway runs. Sometimes on a hot day, 2 waters is all ya need to make a parched throat say "gracias hermano, " and you're back cruising.

[TravelWorld]

I would add one more tip of advice… may tourists skip over staying in the Costa Rica capital. That is a big mistake. Plan to spend at least 2-3 days to explore the capital city. Many great barrios (neighborhoods) like Los Yoses and Barrio Escalante with over 50 local bars and restaurant, close to the museums downtown. Santa Ana, La Sabana, and Escazu also worth checking out. Number one area for me is the Los Yoses/Barrio Escalante neighborhoods.

[XInfantryman]

Such great advice. I've traveled to 125 countries now, and Costa Rica will be my 126th country in April 2024. I'm going to Jaco for 8 days. Being a world traveler, I still learn from people who are in the know.
Thank you.

[laurataylor]

Bang in, for all of it! Except one thing. Anytime someone tries to use Wayz to get to me on the mountain I live on, they get lost. So if you're ever having trouble finding something with Wayz, switch to Google map. Use both.

[clubbonfireproductions]

I am taking my 1st trip to Costa Rica in a couple weeks, and a friend who has been there multiple times told me many things about the country. At least half were in this video! So for all who are wondering if these 10 are true, then you should believe them because they are!
Good work and keep the videos coming!!!

[erumabo]

I'm from Costa Rica and can say this is actually quite accurate, specially the first points about the roads and trying to do a lot on one day, we are a small country that's almost half mountains so roads are a mess, reaching from one coast to the other could take a whole day on the road.

[mariaandrearichards-HurtadoZ]

I went to Costa Rica with my husband and I wish I Watched this before. So he is going back with the kids and I will share it with him. However I m so sorry you had a bad experience with your heart. I’m from Colombia and I prefer to vacation there. Some of the culture is like you suggest. But if you know a family or friends in Colombia go an visit you will be amazed by the weather, food and specially people. And please be open to fall in love you deserve it. You were in the wrong part of the planet.

[surfersanta]

I have been visiting Costa Rica since 1972. I have had an apartment there since 2015. I am married to a Tica and am now a legal resident. I have never had a real cop solicit a bribe. There are plenty of fake cops who will solicit bribes. The typical situation is a couple of guys with a gun and pathetic police uniform who flag you down and claim you were speeding. They say the fine will be $500 and you can only pay it at the Banco de Costa Rica, but for only $200 he will let it slide this time. They actually fool ticas sometimes. The last time I encountered one I was returning to San Jose from Tamarindo. After he gave me the initial line I told him that I didn't think a gringo like me should get any special benefits. If I was speeding I should pay the full price. Costa Rica needed the money to pay their police. The fake cop immediately lowered his price to $100. But I persisted that I shouldn't get any special treatment, just give me the ticket. My wife thought the guy was a real cop and was getting worried when he asked me to get out of the car and come across the street where his other fake cop buddies were standing by a tripod with some surveying device that they were claiming was a radar speed detector. So she came with me to help translate. Even after the price came down to $50 and he got out his ticket book I continued to insist on paying the ticket. He finally gave up and as we drove off my wife asked me "did he give you the ticket". I explained that he was just a scammer, not a real cop and I was just playing with him. Only the transit police will give traffic tickets and they look professional, ride clearly marked motorcycles. There aren't a lot of them and they don't stop you unless driving like an idiot.

[nataliyapostorino]

This is the best video on YouTube about Costa Rica. Thank you.

[improvechannelonrealestate]

I loved your tips. We took several trips before we ended up purchasing a property. Now we own a beautiful home between San Ramon de Alajuela and Esparza de Puntarenas. It is beautiful just like the country of Costa Rica.

[KH-lpiv]

Solid and accurate advice. Been to CR twice and going again in Oct. husband is from Venezuela 🇻🇪 so it’s good he knows the language and how things work in America Latina.

[sergiowaters]

The hallmark card comment was hilarious 😂 😂😂😂😂😂 ! And that is so true! Not just in Costa Rica, but so many Spanish speaking countries.
Actually leaving tomorrow and will be in San Jose ! 😊. I was told to stay away from downtown. Staying in escazu near the mall..
I love your personality and your channel is very professionally done.
Thank you for the information.

Matt
Tennessee 😊

[henryjaime]

Going in a few weeks and by far, the most informative vid I've seen. Thx for the info...following your DON'TS for sure!!

[ChrisandKen]

Pretty good tips and bits of advice. We just used the offline maps from Google Maps during our road trip around Costa Rica and really didn't have any issues at all. Luckily we haven't tried being pulled over yet, sounds a bit intimidating to be honest, especially if you come from a country with no police corruption ;)