After working as a travel agent for many years—specializing in Costa Rica—I’ve gathered many little pearls of wisdom that I always shared with my clients before they packed their bags. These are the kinds of details you don’t always find in glossy brochures, but they can make a huge difference in how smooth, affordable, and stress-free your vacation turns out to be. Some will save you money, others will save you time, and a few might save you from unnecessary frustration. Taken together, they form a practical guide to enjoying Costa Rica with confidence, especially when it comes to using credit cards, handling money, and navigating everyday travel situations.
Costa Rica is one of the most welcoming countries in the world for visitors. It has a stable economy, friendly people, excellent infrastructure for tourism, and a relaxed lifestyle summed up by the famous phrase pura vida. Still, it pays to be prepared. Understanding how credit cards, cash, tipping, transportation, and basic logistics work will help you focus on what you really came for: rainforests, beaches, wildlife, coffee, and unforgettable experiences.
Credit Cards in Costa Rica: What Works Best
Let’s start with credit cards, because they are central to most travelers’ spending. In Costa Rica, Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, tour companies, and many shops, especially in tourist areas. You can generally rely on these two cards for most of your purchases.
American Express, however, is not accepted everywhere. Some larger hotels and upscale businesses will take it, but many smaller merchants do not, mainly due to higher processing fees. If American Express is your primary card, you should absolutely bring a Visa or MasterCard as a backup.
That said, American Express does have one notable advantage: car rentals. Some car rental agencies in Costa Rica offer better insurance coverage or more favorable terms when you pay with American Express. This varies by company, so it’s essential to check in advance. Before your trip, contact the car rental agency you plan to use and ask specifically whether they accept American Express and what benefits, if any, come with it. This one question can save you both money and headaches at the rental counter.
Another important tip: take only the credit cards you plan to use. There’s no reason to carry your entire wallet. Fewer cards mean less risk if something is lost or stolen, and it makes keeping track of your finances easier.
Cash Is King for Bargaining and Small Purchases
While credit cards are convenient, cash still has real advantages in Costa Rica, especially for souvenirs, small shops, and informal vendors. If you’re buying gifts to take home and paying in cash, it’s perfectly acceptable—and expected—to ask for a discount.
A good rule of thumb is to politely ask for about a 10% discount when paying cash. Merchants often agree because credit card commissions are high, and cash payments save them money. Bargaining works best when done respectfully and with a smile. Costa Ricans are friendly and appreciate polite negotiation.
Cash is also useful in rural areas, small towns, and for tips, taxis, and minor expenses where cards may not be accepted.
Tipping Customs: What You Need to Know
Tipping in Costa Rica is straightforward but often misunderstood by visitors. Restaurants automatically add a 10% service charge to your bill. This is the standard tip and is required by law, so you don’t need to calculate or add anything extra for normal service.
However, if you receive excellent service, it is customary—and appreciated—to add a little more. An extra 5% or whatever you feel is appropriate is a nice gesture, especially in smaller restaurants or when a server goes out of their way to help you.
This is why it’s smart to bring plenty of $1 bills. Small bills are perfect for tips—for hotel staff, guides, drivers, and exceptional restaurant service. Having exact change makes tipping easy and stress-free.
Student Discounts: Don’t Forget Your ID
If you are a student, or traveling with one, bring your student ID. Many museums, national parks, and attractions offer discounted admission for students. The key thing to remember is that you usually have to ask for the discount—it’s not always offered automatically. Showing your ID can result in meaningful savings, especially if you plan to visit several attractions.
Changing Money and Using ATMs
Money exchange is one area where travelers often lose unnecessary money. The currency of Costa Rica is the colón, and while U.S. dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas, it’s still wise to carry some local currency.
At the international airport, there are money-changing counters, but the exchange rate is poor. A better option is to use an ATM, which usually provides a more favorable rate. At San José’s international airport, there is an ATM that accepts Visa cards. It’s located across from the elevator on the departure level for arrivals, and airport staff can easily point you in the right direction.
Another option is to wait until you arrive at your hotel. Many hotels can exchange money, often at reasonable rates. Taxis will accept U.S. dollars, so you don’t need colones immediately upon arrival.
Banks generally offer good exchange rates, but they often have long lines, especially in cities. Unless you’re in a small town where banks are less busy, it’s usually better to avoid them.
I personally recommend changing about $100 into colones early in your trip. While most tourist establishments accept dollars, paying in colones helps you understand local prices better and makes it easier to check that you’re getting correct change.
One important detail to remember: ATM machines are closed between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. Plan ahead so you’re not caught without cash late at night.
Also note that debit cards are not accepted everywhere, so don’t rely on them exclusively.
Packing Smart: Weight Limits and Practical Clothing
Packing light will make your Costa Rica vacation much happier. Most international airlines limit checked luggage to 50 pounds per suitcase, and going over that limit can result in extra fees that vary by airline.
If you plan to take small aircraft within Costa Rica, luggage restrictions are even stricter. In many cases, you may be limited to 5 pounds per piece of checked luggage. Always ask ahead of time. On one flight, I was allowed only one checked bag weighing five pounds or less, but my backpack was not weighed because I carried it on by hand.
Clothing in Costa Rica is casual and practical. Think cotton jeans, shorts, T-shirts, a lightweight rainproof jacket, and comfortable walking shoes or sneakers. Beach sandals are essential, as are a sun hat, sunscreen, and bug spray. Interestingly, many travelers find there are fewer bugs in Costa Rica than in Florida, but it’s still wise to be prepared.
Other useful items include a small backpack, a small flashlight, and a folding umbrella if you’re visiting during the rainy season.
Electricity, Medications, and Health Tips
The electrical current in Costa Rica is the same as in North America, so you do not need a power converter.
Bring an ample supply of any medications you take regularly. While Costa Rica has excellent pharmacies, it’s best not to rely on finding specific brands. One interesting fact: in Costa Rica, you can buy most medications over the counter without a prescription, except for narcotics.
When it comes to water, many visitors ask, “Can I drink the water in Costa Rica?” The answer depends on the location. While the water is generally safe in many areas, a change in water can upset some people’s stomachs. To be safe, I recommend drinking bottled water and keeping it with you at all times. Always check that the bottle seal is unbroken.
Time Zone, Departure Tax, and Transportation
Costa Rica is in the Central Time Zone, but it does not observe daylight saving time. This means that part of the year it matches Central Time in North America, and part of the year it does not. One pleasant constant is that Costa Rica has nearly the same amount of daylight year-round: the sun rises around 5:30 a.m. and sets around 5:30 p.m.
When leaving the country, you must pay a departure tax of $6.00 per person at the airport. Be sure to have cash available for this.
For transportation, look for the red taxis, which are government-approved. At the airport, these taxis are orange. They have meters, but it’s always smart to ask when you get in, “How much does it cost?” This avoids misunderstandings and ensures a smooth ride.
Medical Care: You’re in Good Hands
Finally, many travelers worry about medical care abroad. If you get sick in Costa Rica, you can feel confident knowing that doctors are considered very good, and many specialists have trained in the United States or other countries.
There are excellent private hospitals, including Clínica Bíblica in San José and Hospital CIMA in Escazú, both of which meet North American standards and are well equipped to treat visitors.
Final Thoughts
A happy vacation in Costa Rica isn’t just about where you go—it’s about how prepared you are. Understanding how to use credit cards wisely, when to use cash, how tipping works, and what to expect with money, transportation, and daily life will allow you to relax and fully enjoy everything this beautiful country has to offer.
With a little planning and these pearls of wisdom in mind, you’ll save money, avoid common pitfalls, and experience Costa Rica the way it’s meant to be experienced: relaxed, confident, and full of pura vida.