Top 10 DON’TS You NEED To Know In Costa Rica! 

We got stopped by the police yesterday, on our first day of driving in CR (from Alajuela to Cahuita). He said it was forbidden to drive with my flip-flops and the fine would be 400 USD. I told him I want to call our car rental company and immediately he said it was okay to continue our journey without paying anything. :D

WAZE has saved me thousands of dollars on speeding tickets. What an excellent suggestion 👌

As a Costa Rican I approve this video 😁Now... regarding point #8... If you ever get stopped by a crooked transit police officer and they ask for a "little tip" wink, wink, (try to have pictures of your bill's serial numbers in advance) pay them off and then go to the nearest police station or court house and file a report on them, make sure to remember their official car plate number. This way the main police (Fuerza Publica) or OIJ (They're like our local version of your feds) will put them under arrest. It's the only way we all have of getting rid of those bad apples! Just as I encourage you guys not to feed the local fauna, I recommend you not to let those mofos to get away with it.

I am taking my 1st trip to Costa Rica in a couple weeks, and a friend who has been there multiple times told me many things about the country. At least half were in this video! So for all who are wondering if these 10 are true, then you should believe them because they are! Good work and keep the videos coming!!!

Such great advice. I've traveled to 125 countries now, and Costa Rica will be my 126th country in April 2024. I'm going to Jaco for 8 days. Being a world traveler, I still learn from people who are in the know. Thank you.

#7🤣🤣🤣 that’s what happened to my dad he met my mama n his world changed n now I’m here☺️

I got popped in Mexico and that night taught myself my first Spanish--disabled veteran military policeman retired (which I actually am). After that, zero problem all the way to Nicaragua. Eventually, I started carrying a case of water on the right front seat on highway runs. Sometimes on a hot day, 2 waters is all ya need to make a parched throat say "gracias hermano," and you're back cruising.

Solid list, agree with most of it. I lived in San Jose for a semester in college and will add a few more: -Don't skip San Jose and the Central Valley. I am not saying spend a week there, but a couple days if possible. -Don't get too lax about being in the ocean without lifeguards-which is pretty much every beach. Rip currents kill tourists every year in Costa Rica. The tourism industry likes to keep this fact quiet. -Don't carry a wallet. A lot of Ticos do not. Copy of your passport, a credit card or atm card, and a small bit of colones in your front pocket or a money belt. Leave the passport at the hotel locked up if possible. Avoid expensive jewelry, sunglasses, etc. -Take sun protection very seriously as the country is close to the equator -Don't go through the hassle of changing US dollars. There is no reason to bring a lot of US cash with you. (Think I brougth $100 USD for a four month trip.) Just use your ATM card (not credit card) and the machines will dispense colones with no exchange fees. -If you go outside of your resort or hotel that caters mainly to Americans, even in touristy areas, do not expect everyone to speak English. We saw Americans in Jaco getting very frustrated. -Don't forget that if you rent a car many of the online quotes do not show the price for daily liability insurance that is required by law. Don't assume your credit card will cover physical damage to cars in Costa Rica-most cards dropped that coverage a few years back

Thanks a bunch for the tips! Cheers!

This was so informative! Thank you!

Great post! Thank you!!!

Great video, thanks mate!!

Always enjoy watching thanks for the info. Coming back as soon as I can !!

This was amazing! Thank you!

Very helpful! Thank you!

so straight forward and very fun to watch! loved the video & can’t wait for the trip

Thank you, Rich. Appreciate your helpful insights from your extensive experience.

Great info! Hope to see you there

Thank you for these helpful tips! Awesome information for my friends from around the world :)

Great help. Many thanks for sharing this information.

Thank you for these tips can’t wait come there !

Such helpful info! Thanks!

This was very helpful for my upcoming trip! Thank you very much!

Awesome! Thank you for the tips, about to take the family to Tamarindo and this is really helpful.

thank you for such a thoughtful vid. i am going in may, cannot wait!

Love your video, few days before my trip. Thank you for all the important information

You probably gave me the best info needed. 💋 Thank you!!

Great help thank you for sharing

Some very helpful points....gracias!

Headed there in a month. So excited and these tips are super helpful.

Awesome advice, if not the best. Thank you, sir!

very helpful thanks for sharing your experiences.

Huge thanks! These are all sage and tremendously helpful. Cheers!

Things I would not have thought about, thank you! And the 5 cards was HILARIOUS!🤣🤣🤣

Quite helpful! Thank you!

Thanks Rich! I've been twice (a dozen years ago) and heading back in December. It's been a while but traveled to both coasts by rental car and looking forward to Tamarindo as I have not been yet. Your tips are helpful and appreciated!

Thank you so much and wow what a great ending with honesty! ❤️😁👏👏👏

You seem genuine. And, I find your videos are helpful. Thank you!

Thank you for great information in Costa Rica , enjoy ...

This is the best video on RU-vid about Costa Rica. Thank you.

Very useful tips, I’ll watch more of your content. Thank you 🙏🏼 😊

Thank you for good advices.

Thanks for this list! This helps me with travel planning for Costa Rica

Awesome video. Thanks

Very informative! Thank you!

Thanks so much for your advice. I will be coming down in a couple of weeks and these tips will most definitely come into play.

Great information! I definitely know who I would want for my realtor in CR.

Thank you for sharing.

13:50 Thank you for these valuable information and tips. Will help us a lot on our first trip.

GREAT Intel, Gracias, Bravo! 🙏

Great Video. My Dad lives in CR and he has told us the same. Thank you.

Very helpful, going in September. thanks!

Going in a few weeks and by far, the most informative vid I've seen. Thx for the info...following your DON'TS for sure!!

thanks for the tips!!!

Brilliant info.. Thanks 😊

Great tips! Many thanks from a Canadian soon to be travelling to El Coco Beach

thanks for the video very helpful

Thanks for the invaluable information

So informative. I'm mov8ng with kid this spring. Thanks

Very interesting, learned a lot and will use the info, doing a solo 8 days trip next week and trying to map what to do, planning 3 days in San Jose and 4 days in the coast line preferably Jaco .

Thanks for the info.

that plant is awesome. cant wait to visit CR again

Well done! Thanks!

Your fun video reminded me of our trip to Tamarindo some time ago ... using the local tourist travel place we went on Jeep-Boat-Jeep tour up to Lake Arenal - across the lake to a lodge in La Fortuna (?) with a bar beside the swimming pool as we watched the volcano magma roll down ... and so much more! ... yes it was a good time! Now it is looking for 'save the turtles' vacation!

Brilliant! Thank you!!

Brilliant, thanks for the great information Rich!

Thanks for the info 😁😁😁 I’ll see you in tamarindo next week 😀😊

Really great advice, awesome

We love traveling too. We will travel to Costa Rica soon. Thanks for the tips, it will be helpful.

Great info thanks so much

Hi Rich, we watched all of your videos before we went to CR for a two week trip. Thank you so much. We used all of your tips and we had a great trip. The best tip was getting a four wheel drive SUV and the second best was come in the off season. We came in the beginning of November and it rained every day. We loved it! There weren’t a lot of tourists and we were able to enjoy the country without too many other tourists around. We did get stopped by police and they searched us and seemed to be looking for a bribe but we weren’t intimated and they let us go on our way. The one thing I would add is beware if locals trying to divert you from getting to your destination. We went to Manuel Antonio National Park and we were stopped 6 times before we got there and told this is it and we need to park here and pay them. We told them we were meeting a local guide and we needed to keep going and it worked but they step out in front of your car and try and make you stop and park although we were a mile from the entrance. We made it through the gauntlet but others should beware. Rob

Bang in, for all of it! Except one thing. Anytime someone tries to use Wayz to get to me on the mountain I live on, they get lost. So if you're ever having trouble finding something with Wayz, switch to Google map. Use both.

Super-helpful! THANK YOU!!!

Great info. We're going there in a week and can't wait to try some of these places. Thanks SO much

this was great! thank you

Great job, thanks!

Yes excellent advice

Hi. We are going to CR next week for first time. This vid is so helping. The police bribe part is gold. And the Waze part too. Thank you!

Me and my hb. Just watchs your vids. Thank you😊😉. Will be there in 2 weeks.

Good stuff! Thank you!!

Great comments. Had 6 out of 10, but the other 4 you mentioned, particulary about getting along with the police, were very helpful.

This is the Best!! Thank you

Thank you for this entertaining video. We are coming down in Dec/Jan and these tips were really helpful!

Eminently sensible advice. Been to Costa Rica twice and going again this May. Saludos.

I hope to visit one day, great tips thanks

thank you so much for sharing :)

Subscribed. Thanks for the great info. We are heading down this weekend to Playa Ventanas beach area. First timers.

Thank you for this! I’m Planning my 6 month trip to CR!!

Very practical to the point advice. Thank you

Helpful. Thanks!

Glad searched this video. Im going to Costa Rica next month.

Great "don't 's" in Costa Rica. On my bucket list!!!

Thanks - vacationing in CR in about 8 months. Great video. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

thanks for the info

Really great advice! Thanks !

Spot on with this we just got back from Occidental Papagayo and I wish I would've seen this before we went but by far the best trip ever.

Love the brutal honesty here! Very much appreciated, thanks!

Thanks for your help

Thank you so much. This is brilliant. I will pay particular attention to the 'do not fall in love' advice :-) I'm planning a solo trip as a 50 year old Brit and your advice is invaluable.

Going to Occidental resort in February thank you for these great tips