| When traveling it is essential to plan ahead, so when | | | | the green season (or rainy season). The dry season |
| you arrive at your destination, you lessen the | | | | is from December to March. The dry season is the |
| chances of being at a loss of what to do. Knowledge | | | | busiest time in Costa Rica. Prices are much higher and |
| gained from others travel can be invaluable, especially | | | | it is harder to find a place to stay. Now in the green |
| when planning to travel to somewhere you have | | | | season you will find much cheaper prices. The green |
| never been before. The advice on this page is helpful | | | | season is from April to November. During the rainy |
| to everyone planning a trip to Costa Rica. | | | | season it generally rains for a few hours and then |
| Money | | | | clears up. |
| The money used in Costa Rica is called colons. You | | | | Traveling within Costa Rica |
| can change dollars into colons at the airports in San | | | | Bus - You can catch one to most parts of the |
| Jose and local banks. The exchange rates can be | | | | country. There are a few places where the bus |
| from the low 200s to 400s colons for each US dollar. | | | | comes only once a day though… |
| (Now everywhere in Costa Rica you can buy or pay | | | | Cab - There are red cabs throughout the country. If |
| in US dollars, but I think things are cheaper if you pay | | | | the cab driver tells you the meter is broker, just get |
| in colons.) Other ways you might get colons is if you | | | | out. First it is illegal for a cab driver to drive with a |
| pay for something in US dollars, you will receive | | | | broken meter in Costa Rica; secondly he might just |
| change in colons. During my stay at Costa Rica, I | | | | be trying to rip you off. |
| once paid a cab driver in US money, and I received | | | | Renting a Car - You can rent a car, but to me |
| change in the local currency. You should also make | | | | personally I would find driving in Costa Rica difficult, |
| sure your dollars are not torn. Local banks and | | | | since I'm not from the country and it seems there |
| businesses do not accept torn US dollars. I tried to | | | | are a lack of street signs. Also the prices for a car |
| exchange a torn $50 bill, and the bank would not | | | | rental can be pretty expensive. |
| accept it! | | | | Local airlines - You can catch local flights to places |
| -Bringing Money | | | | throughout Costa Rica. They are regularly scheduled |
| On my trip I brought my money half in dollars and | | | | and reasonably inexpensive. |
| the other half in American Express cheques. When a | | | | Cities and Towns |
| traveler cheque is used there will be a commission | | | | Cities in Costa Rica are San jose (The Capital) |
| fee. | | | | Alajuela, Cartago, Heredia, Jaco, Liberia, Manuel |
| When to visit/weather | | | | Antonio, park, Pochote, Puerto Limon, Puntarenas, |
| Costa Rica has two seasons - the dry season and | | | | Parismina, and Tamarindo. |