Costa Rica: Do’s and Don'ts

Do

Rent a Car

Driving in a foreign country can seem overwhelming, but it’s the best way to get from point A to B. Driving in Costa Rica did have its challenges from steep hills, small roads and super foggy mornings, but that was all part of the adventure! Renting a car allowed us to explore parts of Costa Rica that a tour bus could never go to. We stayed at a couple locations and having our own car really let us have our own itinerary and schedule. And if you’re filling up on gas and the attendant sees there is a nail in your tire, they will fix it right on the spot for practically no charge!

Hiking the Arenal Volcano

I am not naturally athletic, but this hike wasn’t that bad! It’s beginner to moderate, leaning more towards moderate, so if you’re more like me, don’t let that stop you! Booking a tour guide for the hike also ended up being a fantastic idea! They brought us to the lava fields (as close as we could legally get) and taught us about the volcano’s history, as well as Costa Rica’s ecosystems and agriculture.

La Fortuna Waterfall

There’s only way to hike to the waterfall, and those are the steps leading down to it. It’s roughly 500 steps down and then 500 steps back up. Once you reach the bottom and can take a dip in the water, it is so worth it! The waterfall is beautiful and you’re surrounded by rainforest.

Arenal Hanging Bridges

A hanging bridge suspended in the air sounds terrifying, right? As someone who is terrified of heights, it wasn’t that bad. The hike to the top was easy, but the views from the top were unparalleled. The tallest bridge hangs 157ft off the ground! I would also recommend a tour guide as they can help you spot more wildlife and even families of monkeys living in the trees.

Hot Springs

Costa Rica is full of hot springs, but the Arenal Volcano area has the most variety to choose from since it sits at the base of the volcano.

Food

Try all the food! There was not one meal that I did not enjoy. Costa Rica is a very heavily seafood-based country (which I loved), but they did have other options as well. If you are vegetarian, it might be a little harder to find restaurants with a bigger selection. Though, any tour that we booked all came with delicious meals that all included a vegetarian option.

Don’t

• Don’t put your shoes on before shaking them out first! A friend in the group I went with put their shoe on in the morning and found a large beetle hidden in the toes. Even if you think your room is secure, bugs and insects can still find their way in. Just as a precaution, shake everything before putting them on!

• Do not take any shells, rocks, plants or anything natural outside of its natural habitat. The people of Costa Rica are respectful towards nature and all living things. They try to preserve nature and their surroundings as best they can. To help preserve the environment, they have also made it illegal to take such things back with you. It is important to appreciate and respect the country you are in!