General Information

Costa Ricans. Also called Ticos, Costa Ricans are a friendly bunch--open, fun, active--but you have to engage them to feel the love. Any sign of haughtiness or entitlement and they won't give you the time of day. Smile, try your Spanish, be a thoughtful, appreciative guest, and you'll make friends wherever you go.

Crime. Unfortunately, petty theft is common in Costa Rica (although violent crime is virtually nonexistent). Take precautions with your electronics and other valuables. Don't leave them in plain view in hotel rooms; lock them up or hide them. Don't leave your phone and wallet unattended in your car or on the beach, especially during busy times like Christmas and Spring Break. Leave jewelry, watches and other bling at home.

Food. Typical Costa Rican cuisine centers around the casado: gallo pinto (rice, beans, spices), plantains, small salad, seafood or meat. Fresh fruit--pineapple, banana, papaya, watermelon, mango--accompanies most meals. Due to the tropical climate, vibrantly fresh vegetables can be challenging to find, but they're here if you're willing to shop around. Nosara has lots of restaurants serving all kinds of cuisine from Italian to sushi. All dietary needs and restrictions can be accommodated.

Insects. Okay, bugs. They live here, lots of them. This is the jungle. No house or hotel can guard against them completely. Bring your bug spray and muster some entomological curiosity and you'll be fine. Here are some tips to minimize your contact: Don't leave damp clothes on the floor because they'll attract scorpions; check your shoes before you put them on; don't walk barefoot in the jungle.   

Internet. Internet access is widely available at Nosara restaurants, bars, hotels. It also fails frequently due to shoddy infrastructure and unresponsive providers. But even during storms there are usually places where you can get online. Your computer and other electronics and appliances will plug right in; no need for adaptors. Electrical surges are common, so use a surge protector for anything you leave plugged in. 

Money. The colon is the monetary unit of Costa Rica. 600 colones equal approximately one U.S. dollar. Both colones and dollars are accepted everywhere. If you buy something in dollars, you will get change in colones. When you go to the ATM you can get cash out in either currency. The ATM at Banco de Costa Rica, next to the gas station, is the place to make withdrawals; the other ATM in town is antiquated and frequently runs out of cash. Credit cards are accepted most everywhere, except for a handful of cash-only restaurants and businesses. 

Phones. Cell phone coverage is good around Nosara, but data streaming is slow at 3G. Be sure to check with your provider about your coverage and alter your plan if necessary so you don't get crushed by international fees and data roaming. Some travelers opt to bring a cheap 'unlocked' phone and buy minutes on a SIM card when they get to Costa Rica. Facebook Messenger and Whatsapp are commonly used for texting and wifi calls. 

Roads. Roads here can be challenging. After leaving the airport in Liberia you'll be lulled into thinking they're not bad, but then you'll make the turnoff to Nosara and hit the dirt. Nothing is paved except the occasional business-fronting stretch of crumbling asphalt. Expect washboards, potholes, dust, mud, river crossings, etc. And don't wait around for the road crew; it's not coming. Embrace being off the beaten track and you'll love driving here. Expect fresh asphalt and Starbuck's and you might not. (Update 2021: The main road in Nosara is now paved! But nothing else is, so the above still applies.)

Water. The water in Nosara is some of the purest and cleanest in the country. Gringos can drink it without worry of bacterial infection: brush your teeth, wash your dishes, etc. without worry. That said, the water is calcium heavy and can negatively affect the unconditioned gut. For short visits, you're probably better off drinking bottled water and slowly introducing tap water until you adjust. During the dry season (November through April), water is in short supply, so please use it conservatively.

Weather. The Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica is dryer than the rest of the country and can get hot. Temperatures are typically in the mid eighties and nineties, and sometimes higher. It's humid and muddy in the wet season (May to October) and dusty and windy in the dry season (November to April). Be prepared for tropical conditions, but don't be daunted, because the weather is often sublime in both seasons.