Costa Rica is a Central American country teeming with biodiversity. It’s rugged, vibrant, and covered in jungle. Getting the chance to explore Costa Rica is a blessing for any visitor that steps foot on this beautiful terrain. With so much to see and do, where do you start? Making the most of your adventure here is essential, so here are 10 tips to follow for planning an expedition to Costa Rica!

1. Take the Off-the-Beaten Path - many tourists flock to the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, but did you know that the Caribbean side (although it’s a little harder to get to) is much more secluded, less developed, and has beaches that give the Pacific side a run for its money? For those willing to go the extra mile to get to the Caribbean coastlines, they will be rewarded with a quiet, relaxing vacation that’s far from the crowds!

2. Plan Some of Your Adventures Beforehand - It’s true, a lot of adventure tours offered in  Costa Rica have better pricing if you book in person rather than online. But one thing to plan ahead of time is which part of the country you want to be in. La Fortuna and Monteverde are the top two favorites for backpacking and adventure tourism, but getting between the two is a hassle, and they both offer similar experiences. We suggest choosing one spot and focusing on there to make the most of your time!

3. Eat at Sodas - Although these little Costa Rican eateries may not be the most fancy spots, they are SO worth the visit. Sodas are where you’re going to get real Costa Rican food, cooked by locals, at affordable prices. Nothing is more authentically Costa Rica than this!

4. Go Green! - By 2021, Costa Rica has the goal of being the second carbon-neutral country in the world (after Bhutan). As a visitor, you can do your part to travel sustainably! This can include drinking water from a reusable bottle (most of the tap water in Costa Rica is safe to drink, but always ask), cleaning up any mess you make (as the saying goes, leave it better than you found it), participate in sustainable wildlife viewing, or stay in an eco-friendly accommodation.

5. Rent a 4X4 - If you plan on doing some driving in Costa Rica, we highly recommend renting a 4X4 vehicle. While the major roads are paved, many are still dirt roads. And if it rains, you’ll have mud to get through. A 4X4 is gonna get you where you need to go.

6. Do Some Wildlife Viewing - Costa Rica’s biodiversity makes it the perfect destination for those who want to spot some amazing wildlife. You could see white-faced Capuchin monkeys, ocelots, three-toed sloths, scarlet macaws, or even the stunningly colorful resplendent quetzal! We do remind travelers to keep at a distance from the animals in order to keep both themselves and the wildlife safe.

7. Bring Water Shoes - They may not be very fashion-forward, but you’ll thank yourself later for bringing water shoes on this adventure. When climbing some of the abundant waterfalls in this Central American country (click here for a list of the best waterfalls in Costa Rica), these shoes will save your feet from being cut up by rocks.

8. Learn Some of the Language - Although you won’t struggle to find a Costa Rican that speaks English, it’s always good to learn a few words of the local language. It could help you if you get into a sticky situation, and the locals will appreciate it!

9. You Don’t Need to Tip - Most restaurants in Costa Rica will automatically add a 13% tax to your bill, as well as a 10% service charge. This charge is added so visitors don’t need to tip their serving staff (although you could leave more if you wanted to).

10. Visit The Neighbors - If you’re already planning on visiting Central America, why not see what some of the other countries have to offer? Visit one of Costa Rica’s neighboring countries, such as Panama or Nicaragua and take your adventure across new borders.

No matter what you do, on a trip to Costa Rica, you’re bound to have the adventure of a lifetime! Need more help planning your trip? An expedition to Costa Rica with Acanela could include zip-lining, hiking, snorkeling, culinary classes, cocktail mixology classes, and wildlife viewing! Click here to reserve a spot today!

Post written by Demitria Rounis