Costa Rica Come alive with Costa Rica's joyful energy and its extraordinary concentration of nature

Costa Rica has invested heavily in water infrastructure for decades, and tap water is genuinely safe to drink virtually everywhere, including many rural and eco-lodge areas where visitors might otherwise assume caution is needed. This is a notable exception to the general rule across Central America, and bottled water here is a matter of preference rather than necessity.

The Costa Rican Colón (CRC) is the local currency, and US dollars are also widely accepted almost everywhere, though at a floating exchange rate that shifts day to day rather than a fixed peg. Checking a current rate before larger purchases avoids any confusion over change given in a mix of currencies.

Yes, Costa Rican law requires a 10 percent service charge to be added to restaurant bills, similar to the practice in France, so an additional tip is a genuine bonus rather than something expected on top. Checking the bill for this charge before adding more avoids unnecessarily doubling up.

Spanish is the official language, and English is spoken confidently across the tourism and eco-lodge industry, a reflection of how central this sector is to the national economy. This makes Costa Rica one of the more linguistically comfortable Spanish-speaking destinations for English speakers.

Costa Rica operates on Central Standard Time (UTC- 6) year-round, with no daylight saving changes. Many wildlife and rainforest excursions depart very early to catch animals at their most active, so adjusting to local time promptly on arrival helps with these early starts.

Cards are accepted at larger hotels and established restaurants, but smaller eco-lodges, local sodas (casual family- run restaurants) and rural areas often expect cash. A mix of Colones and US dollars in small denominations covers most situations more reliably than cards alone.

Costa Rica uses Type A and Type B sockets, the same flat two or three-pin design used in the US, running at 120V. This is consistent throughout the country, so US travellers can generally use their own devices without an adapter.

“Pura vida,” literally “pure life,” functions as greeting, farewell, and general philosophy all at once, reflecting a genuinely unhurried, contented approach to daily life that shows up in everything from relaxed service pace to how setbacks are handled with a shrug rather than frustration. Adopting the same patience, rather than expecting rigid punctuality everywhere, matches the local rhythm far better than pushing against it.

Feeding wildlife, including monkeys that may approach confidently near lodges, is both harmful to the animals and generally discouraged by reputable operators, since it disrupts natural foraging behaviour and can encourage aggressive behaviour toward future visitors. Maintaining a respectful distance and letting a guide manage any closer encounters keeps both you and the animal genuinely safe.