Five Surprising Facts About Traveling Costa Rica

12/27/2016

Five surprising things I learned while traveling through Costa Rica...

It’s safe.

Like really really really safe. As a solo woman traveler I was able to walk down the main street of La Fortuna at night without being bothered at all. I never felt unsafe at all. No catcalling. No hustlers. No pickpocketers. No pushy salesman…

Costa Ricans are SUPER FRIENDLY!

Okay, okay, I tend to think the best of people, but really I think Costa Ricans are SOOOO kind and gregarious to everyone, to fellow ticos (locals) or tourists alike. They are nonjudgmental and are kind. They make you feel welcomed.

It’s CLEAN!

Like American streets clean. Not saying that the United States sets the standard for clean, for goodness sakes I lived in Singapore where I could eat my meal off the ground clean. The sidewalks and streets are a little uneven, but there is a lack of debris and garbage on the ground and in the gutters, especially compared to SE Asia where I grew up and have traveled extensively.

Food is EXPENSIVE.

The price of food is comparable to a meal in the United States, if not more expensive. I was expecting prices of SE Asia, with meals being 50 cents to a few dollars, and I got sticker shock when I arrived in Costa Rica. My meals were AT LEAST $5 for simple meal of two pupusas to $50 at a mid-range restaurant where I ordered seafood and dessert.

Transportation around Costa Rica is reliable and comfortable

There are two major shuttle bus operators in Costa Rica, Interbus and Grey Line. I used both companies and they were perfecto! They provide door-to-door hotel shuttle service between town and cities in Costa Rica. The drivers were friendly, just like all Costa Ricans, and the vans held 10 to12 people, and the seats were cozy. There was sometimes Wi-Fi on board. It was great being chuffered, because Costa Rican roads were treacherous and the traffic could be pretty bad. Reservations can be made through their easy to use online system with a morning and afternoon departures available.

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