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5 Tips For Visiting Costa Rica

Here's how to make the most out of your Costa Rica experience!

Bailey Beauchamp

Dec 27, 2018

Florida State University

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If you're planning a trip to Costa Rica anytime soon, you're in for a treat! Costa Rica is beautiful and can be so much fun -- not to mention a surfer's complete dream. This summer I lived in the heart of Costa Rica studying Spanish and traveled all over the country exploring. Costa Rica has everything from mountains to rain forests and beaches to cities, there's seriously something for everyone here.

Costa Rican people or "Ticos" are some of the most kind-hearted and genuinely happy people I have ever met. The quality of hospitality you will see here is unmatched! To make the most of your experience here, check out the following tips!

1. Use your Spanish!

Before traveling to Costa Rica, I assumed that most people there would speak both Spanish and English. Needless to say, I was completely wrong. There were a few English speakers at the hotels we stayed at and a few excursions we went on, however, the majority of Ticos spoke Spanish only or had very limited English. Even if the only Spanish you know is from high school -- use it! They will appreciate it so much and will be so happy that you're speaking to them in Spanish.

In order to save yourself from a translation disaster, download the app "SpanishDict." It has insanely good translations and you don't need wifi or cell signal for it to work! This app is a life saver!

2. Exchange your money at the airport and use Costa Rica's currency "colones."

Most places in Costa Rica will take American money and even give you change in colones if that's what you want, however almost every place has a slightly different exchange rate. In order to make sure that you get the best exchange rate, be sure to exchange it at a bank in Costa Rica or the airports.

3. Always have a copy of your passport (or some other official form of identification) on you at ALL TIMES.

Similar to international travelers coming to the United States, you must always have proof of who you are. You will also need to show your passport or a copy to check in to your hotel. This is SO important!

4. Don't spend the whole trip trying to get the perfect Instagram picture.

On your Costa Rica trip, try and disconnect yourself from the rest of the world and focus on the serenity and beauty that will surround you. Who cares what Susan posted on Facebook or if Chad snapchatted you today -- you're in freaking Costa Rica!

Costa Rica is truly such a tranquil place that is perfect for disconnecting and "recharging" yourself. Let yourself relax and truly take everything in.

5. ¡Pura Vida!

You'll hear that saying at least 15 times a day while in Costa Rica, it means the pure life or the good life. Basically, Ticos are genuinely always carefree and happy and this one saying embodies the entire culture. It's pretty comparable to our saying "go with the flow".

So, when you're in Costa Rica don't think too hard about anything. Don't be scared to do the zipline or white water rafting. You're in Costa Rica -- live it up! ¡Pura Vida!

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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5 Tips For Visiting Costa Rica

Here's how to make the most out of your Costa Rica experience!

1. Use your Spanish!

2. Exchange your money at the airport and use Costa Rica's currency "colones."

3. Always have a copy of your passport (or some other official form of identification) on you at ALL TIMES.

4. Don't spend the whole trip trying to get the perfect Instagram picture.

5. ¡Pura Vida!

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

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17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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