Random but specific Costa Rica questions
 

I've been reading the tons of posts on CR and would like to pick your expert brains. :) I'll be going in December on my honeymoon. We're going to Arenal, Monteverde and Manual Antonio. We're pretty set for our trip, but a few things are still lingering. My questions will probably sound silly, but I like to be as prepared as possible when going somewhere new. So don't laugh (at least too much)!

Questions:
1. What do you do about drinking water to take with you during the day on forest tours, hiking, etc? Can you buy it in town? Do hotels usually have bottled water available?

2. If you took a fancier camera (I have a DSLR), how did that go? I have two lenses that I'd like to bring, and a good backpack case. I've read things about bringing ziploc bags to keep out the moisture at night, etc. Any advice?

3. I don't speak Spanish, but was thinking of learning some beforehand. Would you recommend it? I've heard a lot of locals understand English/hand-gestures, but would speaking some Spanish be helpful?

4. Since we're moving around a lot, FI and I plan on taking backpacks (no suitcases). Any recommendations on what all we should bring? Are there any opportunities to wash clothes at a hotel or in town?

5. What should we do about money? I've read conflicting advice. Some people say credit cards are readily accepted. Others say to bring more cash. Some say ATMs are readily available, others say not to use them. Your thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

Your questions aren't silly at all! It's hard to know what to expect in a new place and the more details you can work out before you go the better!

1) for drinking water - we had waist packs that you could put refillable water bottles in, so we just filled out before we left. All the water in CR is ok to drink, so that was never an issue. Or we'd put water in our backpacks (daypacks) and just that. You don't need bottled water - but can refill the bottles that you have for hiking.

2) I have a DSLR as well and a camera backpack and it was great. I took 2 additional lenses and had no problems with moisture. I may have had a couple of the anti-moisture packs (forget what they're called - but you get them in new shoes and things like that) that I put in the camera bag. I think the only problem I did have was with my video camera at one point, it stopped working and I put one of the packs in where the cartridge went for a few hours and it dried right out. I also took a less expensive digital with me for times when I didn't want to risk the DSLR - for example, we went horseback riding and it was raining. I wanted pictured, but didn't want my camera getting wet. The decent quality, but much less expensive digital could go under my jacket, come out for a few pictures, and handle a few raindrops with no worries. I would think ziploc bags would hold moisture in.

3) I have a Costa Rican pocket spanish dictionary we take with us so we know a few phrases and can pick up a few things here and there. English is pretty well spoken, but it's nice to try to learn some of the language and I think the locals really enjoy helping you to learn!

4) You can wash clothes in most of the hotels - the ones we stayed at had laundry services - usually by the piece.

5) If you use your credit card, call ahead to let the company know you'll be charging out of the US or they may put a block on your charges. Also, most companies do add on an international service fee - except Capital One - I think. I usually charge hotel rooms, excurstions and sometimes meals. Try to do cash at meals if possible and also cash for tips for guides etc. We've had no problems using ATMs, but there is a pretty high fee for using them from our bank. We've taken traveller's checks just so we don't have to carry a lot of cash and then cashed them in either at the hotels or at the banks.

Have a great trip!

I agree with Shell on everything.

For water, I bought a water sling online at REI. It's a mesh water holder with a shoulder strap - holds a bottle of water and keeps my hands free. We just refill it each time we head out.

I bring my camera in a camera bag and tuck dessicant (sp?) packs in there to wick the moisture. I haven't had any problems.

For the areas you're traveling to, it would be rare for people not to speak English. I speak very basic Spanish, but it's not required. We have a little Spanish/English dictionary, but we've only needed it once. To buy batteries - pilas I think! The people in the tourist industry will most likely be fluent in English.

For clothes, etc., I bring shorts, t-shirts, capri pants, Keens, running shoes, bathing suit, bug spray, sunscreen, sunglasses, and extra socks and undies. You can bring a nice sundress or something if you'd like to, but CR is very casual.

We usually bring cash for meals and use our credit card for hotels and tours.

Have fun! There are no dumb questions; we've probably all had the same questions!

1)Only drink bottled water available everywhere.

Review correct info from CDC

on www.mdtravlehealth.com Costa Rica

Do not drink tap water unless it has been boiled, filtered, or chemically disinfected. Do not drink unbottled beverages or drinks with ice. Do not eat fruits or vegetables unless they have been peeled or cooked. Avoid cooked foods that are no longer piping hot. Cooked foods that have been left at room temperature are particularly hazardous. Avoid unpasteurized milk and any products that might have been made from unpasteurized milk, such as ice cream. Avoid food and beverages obtained from street vendors.

2) insure your expensive camera gear and seal in plastic.

3) taking an introductory course and carrying a phrase book
appreciated by the locals although many speak english.

4) Backpacks work great pack light easy to wash your colthes

5) The correct exchange rate is 580 Colones per 1 dollar
Always ATM my colones with my Capital 1 Visa and pay
with Visa or those Colones.If you pay with dollars they
only give you 500 colones to the dollar you lose 15%
with EVERY transaction really can mount up...

Congrats,have fun,

Thanks for all the great info!

I didn't realize the tap water would be safe to drink... I've read some people's trip reviews where they got sick from it. Worth the risk to not buy bottled water instead?

As far as getting colones, would you say I should exchange before we go or when we get there?

Oh, and for clothes, would you recommend long- or short-sleeved shirts for hiking in the rain forest? And hiking sandals (like Keens) or athletic shoes? I know it gets wet and I'm not a fan of wet socks... thoughts?

Usually all the food and water in CR is safe to drink. It's not like Mexico. We've eaten and drunk everything we've wanted in several trips and have never gotten sick. I have gotten sick in Mexico twice. If you stay somewhere very off the grid like Tortuguero or the Osa, they will supply you with water other than tap. In the Osa, we could fill up our water bottles at the bar, and in Tortuguero, they had those big Sparklets things with the tap so you could refill there. Everywhere else we've been fine - ice, water, fruit, etc.

We never change our money for colones. We usually buy something small and get colones back in change and use that.

For Arenal and MA, the weather for us has always been pretty warm; in Monteverde, we had to wear sweatshirts at night because it was cold and rainy. I'd pack one warm thing that you can pull out if you need it. I usually pack one long-sleeved top and a pair of pants just in case the evenings are cool. We go in rainy season, but you'll probably have much better luck with the weather in December. I'd bring Keens and running shoes and extra socks. Also bring a plastic bag in case you need to tuck something wet into it. In Monteverde, my shoes were wet, and it was great to have the bag to tuck them into.

1. Hotels have it available but it is expensive. We stopped at a Market both outside arenal and MA to save on this - we bought both times big packages and always took water with us out to the pool, beach, excursions etc.

2. I have a simple digital camera which I kept in a case.

3. No need to know any Spanish except for fun :) 99% of everyone we met knew our language or at least enough to know what we were asking et.

4. We washed clothes in Arenal b/c we got so wet and muddy hikinig etc and knew we wanted these outfits for the beach - it wasn't too expensive - you do not need to bring anything fancy unless you want to; sneakers and water sneakers (TEVAS) are a must.

5. We brought a lot of cash - more then I was comfortable with bc our credit card company charges a foreign transaction fee for everything purchased overseas. We used our credit card for excursions and cash for everything else. We exchanged about $150 in colones just for tips.

Bottled water is expensive and wasteful, many hotels now offer free refills from a huge water bottle. I've never had any issues and I definitely wouldn't skip out on ice, the great fruits etc.

Ditto on the little bags in shoe boxes for the camera case. Do they help? I don't know for sure but haven't had any problems yet!

The places you're going you won't have any trouble finding people who speak Spanish, but learning and using some words is always appreciated.

Most hotels have laundry services and you shouldn't have any trouble finding a spot if you want to do it yourself. Keep it light and casual.

I usually bring a few hundred in cash and then replenish as needed at atm's, haven't had a problem yet being rejected or finding one that didn't work. Wouldn't hurt to bring some cash and then get the rest out in Colones at atm's, you often get a better deal than USD.

Have a great honeymoon!

Hate to be redundant here, but I'll just throw in my experience.

Never had any problems with any food, fruit, veggies or water anywhere. The only place I didn't drink tap water was on the road or once where they had huge storms that stirred up the wells and was recommended not too. I use a Sigg water bottle and refill as I go. Many places offer filtered water.

I've used the dessicant packets as well. Not sure if they work, but have had no problems since the first trip when I didn't use them (and had lens condensation).

If you have time to take some Spanish you will find people very grateful you've made that effort, if not you will be fine in those areas. I always carry my little Spanish dictionary.

I usually pay for laundry (by the piece or by the pound) because I'm usually either too busy or too tired to do it myself. Call it a luxury. :-)

I've only had one problem getting cash at an ATM (well, several problems, but all with the same machine) and usually keep a couple hundred at all times in colones.

Almost always, even in the evening, I'm in tanks and shorts. Hardly ever have I needed an extra layer except a few times at night. December should be quite nice.

Happy honeymoon!

we also drank the water and ate all fruits, even unfamiliar skinned varieties in the small markets. bring a nalgene bottle with you.

if you love photography, absolutely bring your camera. bring binoculars too, you will appreciate them.

a concierge once told me that on vacation you should learn two phrases in the local language: "Where is..." (Donde esta?) and "Is it possible to..." (Esta possible a...?) and three other words a day, like visit, see, restaurant, hotel, museum, bathroom, etc. plus of course, please and thank you. in a short trip, you pick up a practical tourist vocabulary. i think it's great advice and people always appreciate your efforts. it's true that many many people speak very good english.

i think the dessicant compound is silica gel...you can purchase at some sports or camping stores.

because it was humid, our laundry had trouble drying. bring large plastic bags. i bought knock-off keens at sports authority for $20 and they were great! (Alpine Design).

Mastercard did block my account after the first charge in costa rica because i hadn't notified them beforehand! i lost my ATM card by not retrieving it quickly enough after my transaction; pay attention to the beeps.

Enjoy, enjoy!!

Regarding Spanish, it has pretty much all been said, but I will agree that travelers to any country are generally more well regarded when they attempt to use the language of the country at least some. Although you are traveling to areas where English will be widely spoken by tour guides and front desk crews and even restaurant employees, you will still more than likely encounter plenty of people who don't speak English and it helps to know at least a little bit of Spanish. The general greeting phrases should always (my opinion) be used. They aren't hard to learn.

I'd recommend taking a small amount of cash (we usually take $200 or so). When we arrive, we head straight up to the ticket counter area, go to the right once inside, and buy our exit tax. It's SO nice to get that our of the way and to have that paperwork filled out when you arrive for your departure flight. There are ATM's right there where you pay for the exit tax. We usually get about $300 in colones and then replenish as needed. The ATM systems are so much better than they were even 3 years ago.

Definitely recommend using colones. It's the currency of the country. We sometimes use $1 bills and $5 bills for tipping, etc. but like having colones for everyday transactions. It's much simpler than messing with conversions. The exchange rate is quickly approaching 600 colones to the dollar, so you can do some estimations. I think the rate was 572 this weekend when we were there.

Enjoy!

Oh, and just have to say, I highly doubt anyone has gotten sick from the water. If you check water safety throughout the world, you'll see Costa Rica is right up there with the best of them. We've drank tap there for 10 years now, and never a problem. Mexico gets us at least to some extent almost every time. The water is fine. No worries with the fruits and veggies either. The Ticos pride themselves on cleanliness.

Thanks again for the additional responses! shillmac: thanks for the heads-up on the departure tax. If they'll let us pay it when we get in (around 10:30PM) we'll do it then!

As far as the ATMs go, are they easy to find?

When I am in Costa Rica, I drink tap water and have never had problems.


However, I do know people in the Manuel Antonio area who actually have taken to boiling their water. They believe the water won't make you really sick, but boiling it prevents minor stomach issues etc.

A few months ago in La Nacion, the leading CR newspaper there was an article about the drinking water in Costa Rica (not specific to Quepos/MA) which I found interesting. (its in Spanish) And several times while I have been in CR and been listening to the radio I have actually heard about water issues in different areas - and they were not always remote out of the way places.
http://www.nacion.com/ln_ee/2009/mar...is1911364.html

If you are at all worried, bottled water is readily available and reasonable in price - though not really environmentally friendly..

As for laundry:
Most hotels will do laundry for you. I do know from experience that hotel prices really vary .One hotel I stayed in in the Escazu area (and it wasn't a super fancy place) wanted $5.00 per item for things like Tshirts. (Most of my Tshirts aren't worth 5 buck to begin with...) and even more for things like pants of dresses. This was laundry - not dry cleaning. Another place, a smaller B and B in the same area was charging 50 cents an item for most things and even less for small items and a bag of stuff cost about $10.

So before you hand your stuff over to the hotel, make sure you ask what they are charging - just to avoid surprises. Most places will be OK but....

Another thing to note. they seem to love "cloro" or bleach in CR and often use it for everything - even things that shouldn't come near bleach. So you might try to tell them not to use "cloro" on your things

In many towns there are places that do laundry. They charge by weight at many of the laundry places. You drop it off and pick it up when it is ready.

And for those who care, self serve laundromats are few and far between. But there is one in San Jose right downtown attached to the cybercafe at Las Arcadas.

If you plan to wash things yourself, be warned that CR is often very humid (of course depending more on where and when) and things may not dry as you expect. Avoid bringing things like jeans as they are heavy and take a lonf =g time to dry.

ATM - there are lots - however, not all ATMs or ATM cards are created equal. Be prepared to come across some that will not work with your paricular card. However, if one bank does not work - do not assume that none will work. My experience with my specific cards is that you have a betterchance with the private banks like BAC Banco de San Jose or Scotiabank than with the Banco Nacional de Costa Rica.

We use colones to pay for things most of the time.

Pura vida,
raquel

Lavanderia is the way to go with laundry! I travel with two kids and they can't wear something without rendering it filthy, and the hotel is WAY WAY too expensive for the amount we have to do. I would drop off a huge bag in the morning and then pick it up clean and folded in the afternoon for between $10.00 and $15.00. Wish I could do that at home! Just look for signs when you enter a town, they are everywhere.

Hello shutterbug85
If I were you I'd go with the common sense that has been posted on this travelogue.
#1 I would drink the water after 10 days or so, after you've been accustomed to it by restaurants and sodas. In 1986 we had a host of people sick when they attended Expo and drank our local water from the mountains. It's obviously intestinal shock. Buy a large bottle and fill the smaller ones until you become accustomed to the water.
#2 I take 3 cameras every trip. I use to use the dessicant but after the 2nd year I learned to leaved the camera outside outside for 1/2 hour or take it with me and the scim disappeaqred.
#3 you don't need any Spanish. When you meet the tour director of your dreams (male or female) they will speak
English, German and possibly Dutch.
Lavendarias the aswer. Lasy year (February) it cost $10 for 22lbs.
#5 Don't carea nad never checked.

A few more comments....

Water - if you get it bottled or from a medium or upscale hotel you should be OK. However a Yale University research study in 2006 confirmed that "While 97.5% of Costa Ricans have access to
water in their households, 40% of the water
provided by municipalities or communities is
not potable (Segura Bonilla et al. 2004)."

Regarding eating fruit and vegetables - we have never personally had any problems but folks travelling with us each ate one unwashed local apple [from the Savegre area] and had horrible stomach problems for three days.

In general, remember that approximately 97% of the sewage generated in Costa Rica is not treated in any way - just pumped into rivers or the ocean.

Regarding speaking Spanish. Certainly if you are in an area like MA, Arenal or Tamarindo you can likely get by without Spanish. However if you have any interest in getting beyond the most superficial view of the country OR if you have any respect for the people whose country you are visiting, get a CD, get a phrase book, practice a bit and you will gain some respect from your hosts.

Jerry

Speaking a few words adds a little fun to the experience. In the places you are going it won't be necessary but have a Latin American phrase book handy just in case. Costa Ricans are very tolerant of mispronounced words. Many are learning english and understand how hard it is to learn a new language so don't feel funny trying.

As far as the water goes, it can vary from place to place. You could check with the hotels to see if they give refills or you could buy a larger bottle and refill a smaller one for a few days. Even the hotel refills have been under suspicion at times. People have said they have seen large bottles refilled by the help with tap water in some places.
Above all....remember to keep your mouth shut while swimming. How long did Tamarindo and other places have dirty water before they lost their blue flag awards (given for clean beach water). Tamarindo, btw, has now gotten their blue flag back. The first time we went to Manuel Antonio in the early 90's we were warned not to go in the water. They now have a blue flag.

I have missed a lot of your posts. How long are you going for. I can pack for a week and a half in a medium backpack. Check for local people to wash your clothes too. Ask the help at the hotels for a name. I had some expensive clothes ruined at a lavenderia because they dried the clothes in a drier that was too hot.

Unwashed fruit is a huge no no down here as well as just about anywhere but don't be afraid to try the many wonderful kinds available. I always washed my fruits in the states so why not in another country.

Keep in mind that not only may your credit card company charge you a fee for a foreign transaction but the place you are using the card may charge you the bank fee that they get charged rather than absorb it like it is done in North America. Check before using if it is an issue for you. As was mentioned, don't forget to let your CC company know you will be traveling.

Don't let some of the above scare you. Travel anywhere can have its issues, travel smart but try to enjoy your trip as well. Like so many of us, you will probably fall in love with CR and come back over and over again.

We are going down in November. I plan on taking 3 cameras, 2 DSLR's and a small waterproof pocket camera. Are there any preresistrations needed to bring cameras into Costa Rica? When traveling to Argentina I had to register them and show sales receipts. This was so they could tell that they were my camers and not bought out of the country (Import taxes).

les, we've never been questioned about our camera in CR or had to fill out any paperwork regarding it.