K. What are the High and Low Seasons: The high and low seasons in Costa Rica generally coincide with the dry and wet/green seasons. The dry season generally begins in late November and continues thru mid-April. The rains are heaviest during the months of August, September and October. Most experts consider the beginning and end of “green” season to be the best time to travel to Costa Rica. Prices can be somewhat more reasonable and there are way fewer tourists. The foliage is a breath-taking, lush green and wildlife abounds. Beaches are generally sunny most of the day, with an occasional afternoon shower. The mornings during the “green” season are spectacular. Because of Costa Rica’s proximity to the equator, sunset is pretty much consistently at 6pm year round. Some areas of Costa Rica, especially the Osa Peninsula, get so much rain that travel can become difficult during the low season. Roads that can be trying under good circumstances become very muddy and sometimes impassable. There is really not a bad time to visit Costa Rica- it is just important to have realistic expectations- it is a tropical country after all!
L. Crime and Precautions: Crime in Costa Rica is no worse than in many parts of the world. As is the case anywhere, precautions should be taken when traveling here. Making copies of all of your documentation; your license, passport, etc., protects you in case something is stolen or lost. It is also smart to avoid bringing expensive jewelry and electronics. Car doors should always be locked and windows rolled up when parked and it is smart to NEVER leave anything valuable visible inside your parked car. Walking together in a group at night is advised and general caution should just be taken. Valuables should not be taken at to the beach and you should use hotels safes to hold your important stuff when not in use. Costa Rica is a very safe country to travel in- you just need to use com-mon sense with your belongings and self while there.
M. Do I Need an International Driver’s License? : No, you do not need an International Driver’s License to rent or drive a car in Costa Rica. As long as you have a valid Visa, and your local driver’s license; your driving privileges are intact.
N. Driving in Costa Rica: The driving here can be a challenge! Not only are potholes sometimes dangerously big, but there are often no signs, making it difficult to find your way around. Lanes can just suddenly end without warning, bridges often have no guardrails and lighting can be an issue. There are a couple of points to remember if you choose to drive in Costa Rica:
a. take your time, be refreshed and expect the unexpected,
b. never leave valuables in plain sight in your car,
c. try to avoid driving at night until you are very comfortable with your surroundings- taxis are everywhere and reasonably priced in most cases, d. remember lots of bridges are one way and have no yield signs, so be careful,
e. be VERY careful of motorcycles- they race in and out of traffic and seem to appear from no where and
f. drive defensively and with caution.
Even highway driving in Costa Rica presents problems- animals and people cross the highway everywhere and you must be able to stop suddenly. Animals sometimes sleep on the pavement because it has retained the heat from the day and can’t be seen until it is too late, so be very careful driving at night. If you choose to rent a car- remember to go every inch with the rental agent and document every single ding and dent- this will save you big bucks when you go to turn it in at the end of your visit. Remember that car rental agencies will put a huge deposit on your credit card- effectively freezing the funds, so be prepared if your credit limits are low. If you are in an accident while on your visit- remember to not move your vehicle until after the police AND an insurance adjustor arrive on the scene- you may hold up traffic, but it is the law here. Driving in Costa Rica can be just one more of the adven-ture stories you have to tell about your vacation, but with some care and caution, you should be able to drive anywhere you choose.
O. Do I need Sunscreen?: At only ten degrees from the equator- the sun in Costa Rica is a powerful thing. Be prepared always, as the UV factor is almost twice what it is in Florida and Arizona. Don’t spend a few days of your valuable vacation in pain because you forgot to take precautions- bring lots of sunscreen and use it frequently.
P. Tipping: Generally all restaurants in Costa Rica add a 10% tip to the bill automatically. You might want to add more, but it is not required and rarely it is done by local Costa Ricans. Dollars- not coins- are acceptable tips for maids, parking lot attendants, baggage guys, etc.
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