✨Shop my 14-day Costa Rica Travel Itinerary bit.ly/CostaRicaItineraryGuide ⬅ All my favorite destinations, hotels, restaurants, and activities all in one easy-to-use interactive map! Check it out! It's super helpful! 50,000+ Likes 👍🏽- WE CAN DO IT TEAM! Hit the like button and if you’re new here, SUBSCRIBE. 🙏🏼 + Subscribe: bit.ly/ClickToSubscribeToAlex + Book Cheap Airfare: bit.ly/CHEAPFLIGHTSNOW + Book Your Hotel: agoda.tp.st/8cX0epof + Cheap Great Rental Car: discovercars.tp.st/teBb8YQ9 + Book Your Activities: viator.tp.st/OLzT6k8V + Book Your SIM Card: airalo.tp.st/5pkpPYWS + Get Travel Insurance: visitorscoverage.tp.st/YWHfLkCj Watch My 12-Day Costa Rica Itinerary Video: ruclips.net/video/DKyTPOXNLN4/видео.html Watch My Top 10 Costa Rica Travel Destinations: ruclips.net/video/uiIXjAxdaEA/видео.html Learn How to Cook Gallo Pinto: ruclips.net/video/aj8mVCdcBxI/видео.html READ MY COSTA RICA BLOG POST: www.alexanderayling.com/episodes/essential-costa-rica-travel-tips
Hey Alex, I'm actually looking at honeymooning with my soon to be wife (wedding in Oct) in Costa Rica. I'm thankful to have caught your emphasis on avoiding October due to the rain, so I was wondering if waiting a month and doing our honeymoon in November is enough time to hopefully avoid most of the rain? And also do you have any recommendations on how/where we can reserve a car for our stay there? Thanks so much and I appreciate the great work!
@@matthewzuniga6519 Hey Matthew, you'll be fine in November. You can read much more information and tips on my blog. I used this site to book my rental car economybookings.tp.st/sVOQmZhq - and here's the link to my blog www.alexanderayling.com/episodes/essential-costa-rica-travel-tips
I'm from Costa Rica and I love when I find videos of people talking wonders about my country. It really fill us with joy knowing somebody enjoys it so much visiting us. Thank you very much for this amazing video. Pura Vida!
Ok the end just brought tears to my eyes... I fell in love with Costa Rica because of the Ticos! The Ticos are my family! La vida en Costa es perfecto! Ciao
@@eduardojose8172 you don't have to send it far I live in CR since 2014 because of Ticos! They are the true beauty of CR! I am a gringa in the family of many Ticos, I have never felt the same love from US citizens. The best Americans are Ticos! PSA any one scrolling by this comment if you are confused reading my above comment you think, because of propaganda, that US citizens are the Americans...false America is a continent not a country therefore Americans live in many countries from North to Central to South. I am trying to educate!
@@kimberlypuravida5690 Yes!! Many U.S. citizens forget that there are NORTH, CENTRAL & SOUTH Americans! Very happy to see how educated you are on the topic and the fact that you feel so close and welcomed by my country!
I was born and raised in Costa Rica ever since I was 7-8 years old but then moved to the US, and I haven’t been there for 4 years and this videos really made me miss CR. Also, I love how you describe our beautiful country and thank you so much for enjoying and loving our country!! Pura Vida!🇨🇷🇨🇷 edit: omg hey y’all 2022 update but after 7 years i was finally able to go and visit family! :D
Am traveling there for the first time this month,am a teacher in NY and many of my young students (3-4 years old)had traveled there this days they loved it,and now that I see this so helpful video I can’t wait to be there,Thank you so much
I am Costa Rican and every time I see this kind of videos I feel truly grateful for living here and is just wonderful that other people can enjoy as much as we do every day. Even for us this is a magical place to live for its nature and everything that is around us. Pura vida!
This came to me at a perfect time. I’m planning my trip as we speak. I’m not perfect in Spanish, but I think I’ll do just fine being immersed in it. I’m coming for the rich biodiversity; and how the residents take care of what beautiful sites they live with. My grandpa was there every year before he passed.
Que lindo es ver personas de otros países haciendo videos así. Presentando mucho de lo que mi país ofrece. Nosotros los ticos nos sentimos felices y agradecidos. Pura vida!!!
ON MY WAY TO COSTA RICA FOR THE FIRST TIME ON SUNDAY WITH A FEW FRIENDS FROM HIGH SCHOOL( WE GRADUATD IN 1976) THAT SPEAK FLUENT SPANISH AND VISIT COSTA RICA VERY OFTEN. THIS IS A 3 WEEK EARLY BIRTHDAY PRESENT TO SELF. I APPRECIATED THIS VIDEO
If you go to Costa Rica’s beaches PLEASE DONT STILL THE SHELLS!! It’s ilegal to still shells from the beaches in Costa Rica and please don’t do it. There are less shells everyday because people are stilling them and taking them home!
Hi, to all who came to watch this footage, to yearn, to contemplate, to wish, I beg you with all my heart, please TAKE CARE OF WHAT IS OURS, this is what we have, as a Costa Rican I beg u. Thank u to all the foreign tourist for considerate our beautiful country to visit. Please enjoy what we have by taking care of it. Good vibes, tuanis, PURA VIDA 🇨🇷💓
Currently in Costa Rica from the uk. It’s the most beautiful county I’ve ever traveled to and would recommend to any one who enjoys the wild life and nature.
You're a pro, Alex. As a permanent resident for 15 years now, I almost wish your tour wasn't so good! I've wanted to shut the door behind me since I moved here! There are thousands of tourists annually, some who are diligent about protecting this incredible country, and others who are not. If you visit, please show respect for the wonderful people of Costa Rica and the paradise which they allow you into. If you ask a Tico for help, and show your respect, it will be given. If you speak Spanish, you're apt to quickly meet some new friends.
I just came back from Costa Rica...and I'm ready to go again, especially after looking at your vid. Thank you so much...infinite beauty in this amazing country
Well Alex, let me tell you a little something, as a 40 year old Costa Rican traveler I can safely say this is by far the most informative and well put together tips video for visiting my country in RUclips. Well done sir!! P.S. Hummingbird is Colibrí in Spanish.... Pura vida!
The only country I traveled too but it found a place in my heart and I'm going back again next year I decided to there to volunteer with animals and it was the greatest time of my life
@@AlexanderAyling costa rica animal rescue center, it's in turrucares and it was many different animals mostly birds,monkeys and sloths I was also in limon for a few days volunteering with the leatherbacks
@@AlexanderAyling haha I know 😄 maybe you can go there and volunteer next time you go to Costa Rica 😉 they always need the help and it's very rewarding
Excelente vídeo, realmente sos un embajador de Costa Rica en el extranjero, gracias por mostrarle al mundo un poco de lo que es mi país Costa Rica. Cuando veo este tipo de videos "se me hincha el pecho de orgullo" y nos hace entender que como ticos, debemos cuidar y proteger mas la biodiversidad y enorme naturaleza que tenemos. Vuelvan pronto, pura vida. Mae ¡¡¡¡ 🇨🇷
Costa Rica is known for its incredible national parks, where tourists can enjoy some thrilling activities like river rafting, canyoning, cave tubing, and zip lining. It's also one of the best places for animal lovers to discover some interesting wildlife like macaws, sea turtles, and adorable sloths.
My wife is from Costa Rica & I'm from northern Mexico . Although Mexico if larger than CR by far and has so many beautiful Cities, jungles and gorgeous beaches , it's a real shame that it's national security is so bad that I prefer to spend our month long vacation in this small beautiful country of Costa Rica. I'm more attracted to mountains and jungles and Costa Rica as small as it is , it offers all of this in a matter of ours. I hardly reccomend Turrialba , If you want a town to just lay back for few days , then go trekking on the hills, enjoy the gorgeous mountain views ,visit coffe plantations, come back to your place ,relax , go out to one of many restaurants up on the hills , then contact the local white water rafting company for the best rivers in C.Rica ,right there in Turrialba, there's also good cannoying and zip lines . What makes the difference really is it's people. Man! I love this country. Blessings Vagabond!
First time in Costa Rica and just loving all the outdoor adventures we did ecogliding rapelling was my first time too and so much fun. Beach in Christmas day ..Oh yes...My favorite area is Arenal and Manuel Antonio...
As someone from Costa Rica, let me just say that this is by far the best video I've seen for tourists. These are relevant tips and actually helpful. San Jose is pretty damn boring so that especially is a great tip, tho I'd encourage you to eat somewhere there the next time you come, there are some great places there. Also try going to a restaurant in the mountains overlooking the city is really nice, you'd be surprised how far a one hour drive in a mountain can take you. Here are just a couple more tips: try avoiding July, since there is kind of a mini high season in that month due to the mid year school break. June or August are so much better for coming and avoiding crowds. Also, if you are renting a house or someplace with a kitchen, definitely consider cooking some of your foods, like making some pasta or something really easy, since eating out here is very expensive sometimes. Oh and definitely use GPS here. We flat out don't have a freaking system for locating things, so quite literally a valid direction would be "get to this town, find the park, then this bank, and from there go 200 meters East and then 25 South"...so yeah, definitely buy a chip and use Waze, otherwise you'll get lost easily.
@@nala5747 definitely rent a car if you can, the public system is mostly buses and they aren't very good, and Uber is not that reliable outside the city, so you might not be able to find one if you are in the beach for instance.
Agreed. Most of my family there lives in Cartago. His video is very positive and doesn't try to scare you like others. The directions aren't for the timid. The directions for one of my great aunts include "300 meters north of Pali' and 75 meters west.
Lived in CR for 9 years. I´m taking a fairly large group of students this summer to share my love of the most amazing country!!!! Thanks for the video. I will share with my students.
Thank you so much for making these videos! I work with adults with traumatic brain injuries, and these videos are super accessible, informative, and give those who I work with the experience of visiting so many different countries! My coworkers and I really appreciate them!!!
I’m from Costa Rica, and can confirm everything you said is true. The beaches here are amazing, coastal people are the best, and casados and gallopinto is food for your heart. Be wary though, like you said, rent a car directly from the airport or arrange transportation to the hotel, since cities like San José are places even a local like me dislike even thinking about going lol. I live in Heredia which is a bit nicer but you can never be too careful. Apart from places like that, Costa Rica truly is a welcoming place for all! I highly encourage anyone to come and visit us and have an amazing time here! Pura vida!
Hola Alex, your Costa Rica video is very awesome. It's one of the nicest nature places that we've visited on planet Earth. I was there with my wife and we had a mucho bueno tiempo (friendly stoked natives, muy bonita ladies, glassy left surf breaks, zip lines in the rain forest, incredible coffees, climbed the active volcano, river boating, visit San Jose churches, and fantastic wild life (huge butterflies, miniature snakes, alligators, monkeys, snorkeling). I got to practice my Espanol. I ate rice, beans, chicken, fruits,... clean air. I need to plan another trip with my wife. Life is too short not to get more of Costa Rica. Big love and gratitude to all the friendly Costa Ricans, and sharing their paradise with my wife and I.
As a tica 🇨🇷living in the US 🇺🇸I can say I loved this video and made me homesick! Great recommendations and I really appreciated the last advice you gave about respecting the locals and the country ♥️ I would add that it isn’t as safe though, watch out for your belongings and don’t leave them unattended, don’t leave expensive equipment on your car and be aware of your surroundings 🧐.
Greetings, I'm from Costa Rica thank you for this video, now I love my country more than I did it before, welcome to Costa Rica any time you want to visit it!!!!
I am from Costa Rica and I am so happy that you loved our country so much!! I live in the US but I visit it every June and stay all the way till September and this video just made me fall in love with my country even more. Also hummingbirds are colibrís
Incredible video! All the things you have said are absolutely true! An excellent guide for any tourist planning a trip to Costa Rica! It is really nice to see people creating videos like this one from our country! Pura vida! ✌🏼 🇨🇷
My parents mostly went by taxi. Hotel El Velero was very serviceable about calling transportation or family friend favors for a small price. My tip is form friendships with other people making more friends to tag along might make things cheaper
It will be my first time to Costa Rica with my kids and wife next June 2024 I'm so looking forward for this this trip I'm so happy for this video thanks
Costa Rica is also my favourite country in the world. I’ve been a few times and also ready to come back! I’d say visit Santa Teresa and puerto vierjo! Life their is so slow and peaceful but also people love to enjoy life. And for San Jose, to do a walking tour in the city where they tell you a bit about the history of the country, political atmosphere and cultural tip. It helped me a lot to know about this while traveling alone. It’s safe for a woman to travel alone in Costa Rica but don’t go on public beaches alone at night, it can be a bit dangerous! Otherwise loved the video and love this country! Thank you for this made me dream a little
As a Costa Rican native for 15+ years, I grew up most of my life here. Beautiful place. But expensive to live in, spot on... But it's absolutely beautiful
For years I was on my high school reunion committee. One of our fellow classmates took a trip to Costa Rica on a boat that held 99 people. She was very proud of the fact that, although being in her 70s, she still zip lined through the jungle. When I saw zip lining on this video, I thought wow Rosie was very brave.
Planning my first trip to Costa Rica for May. Wanting to spend 3 days on a beach then 3 days more inland. I’d love to stay somewhere with a volcano view. This trip is a treat to myself for becoming a cancer survivor and celebrating the end of my treatments.
Hello Sarah - head over to my blog post for more information. www.alexanderayling.com/episodes/essential-costa-rica-travel-tips If you use the Bookings.com widget on my site, search for Tabacon Hot Springs Resort. That’s the volcano view hot springs hotel I’d recommend in Arenal. Thanks for watching
I really enjoyed how informative your video was. It wasn't just, "this beach is pretty," or, "this hotel was nice." You taught culture and history as well as talking specifics. I don't subscribe to many channels on RUclips, but you've got a fan for life!
After seeing a lot of videos with information such as Costa Rica is an island of the Caribbean, it's so much appreciated the accuracy, the love and respect you have for my country. Tourist like you, make us feel so proud of our land. Thanks for the time and for the research you did. I hope your enjoy every visit, and have the most positive experience possible. Pura vida Alex! Espero vuelvas pronto!
Carlos Alpizar Arguello muchísimas gracias Carlos. Fue tu país increíble que me dio la inspiración de aprender Español y dedicar mi vida a explorar el mundo, las culturas diferentes que tiene y cada vez que vengo, vuelvo con mas inspiración. Entonces gracias a usted y a su país 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
@@AlexanderAyling Awesome.. Mi familia, y yo, somos de Perez Zeledon, a 15 minutos del Cerro Chirripo, entonces, si quieres ir a subir el Cerro, y quieres una experiencia aun mas tica, con comida hecha en casa, escribeme y mi familia estará mas que feliz de recibirte en casa y llevarte a conocer el sur y sus cataratas mágicas. carlosarguello.alpizar@gmail.com
We love Costa Rica so much that we recently bought a home in Guanacaste which we are renovating. Hope to AirBnb it and carve out our own time as well. The beaches are stunning and diverse- where we live they have black sand and beautiful rocks. Our home has a pacific view and an infinity pool, and it’s walking distance to our favorite restaurant, Father Roosters. We did do a family adventure tour by the volcano which was quite expensive but did include horseback riding on the local horses, hiking to the incredible waterfall and into the canopy to zip line, water slide down the mountain, and hot springs. It was a full but exhausting day for us gringos. 😅 The people are amazingly friendly and many speak English so if you aren’t great at Spanish you can get along pretty well. Please if you get the chance to visit this spectacular country, do so. Our flights were so reasonable at $300 round trip. Pura Vida! 🇨🇷
My husband and I went in 2014 for our honeymoon and has been my favorite vacation of all time we stayed in Riu palace. It was everything can't wait to go back for my kids to experience
Alex, as a Tico-gringo, I must congratulate you on making this awesome video. I was born and raised in CR and moved to the States at age 14. I joined the military and retired after 27 years of service. My passion now is to take people to CR so they can have the same experiences that you did. I am always searching for good intro videos to pass on to my clients and, with your permission, I will send them this one as it is one of the best I have found. Lastly, I gotta tell ya, it makes me very humbly-proud (if that makes sense) when I hear people like you saying such great things about my mother land. Thank you again and I hope we run into each other one of these trips. Pura Vida mae!
Hi Alex! As a Costa Rican I have to say I loved the way you lined up and described my country! I must say all recommendations are very spot on. Thank you for putting such a good word out. If I must add, weather in Costa Rica has become really unpredictable due to global climatic change therefore I would recommend to consider that even though October used to be the rainiest month of the year, now it’s not the only one. If you’re not a fan of rain, avoid September, October and November (but as mentioned in the video, it can rain all year long)
What a way of describing my little but amazing piece of land! I've been almost 10 years living in the middle east, in the desert and I miss so much all our nature, we're really blessed! Pura vida Alexander for all ur kind words about our country and our people!!!
What an amazing video! You captured a bit of the essence of CR. As a Costa Rican who's been traveling for a long time, this made me feel nostalgic, yet proud and happy to have been born in such a jewel. Thank you for putting this together Alex, it is a great guide for visitors!
Great informative video, the best I've seen so far. You gave the best tips. The WORST part of Costa Rica is driving and getting around. The traffic is terrible. From south San Jose to the airport may take up to 2 hours in the morning. Like Alex mentioned, there are a lot of twists, narrow roads, and aggressive BUS, semi, and truck drivers. Not only that, you will always encounter slow small truck drivers, or farming/construction equipment driving on single lane roads and you will be tempted to "rayer" or pass the vehicle in front of you, you have to be really really careful not to do it in if a curve is approaching or if the road ahead slopes down. Better to just wait it out for a reasonable straightaway. My tips: •Carry about $50 -$100 worth of colonies at a time, you never know if you'll be mugged. It's complete random, never travel alone. Be wary during evenings. Get around light, not with those large camper backpacks like most gringos do. •If you use credit card, always tell the clerk to charge in you dollars. Based on the exchange rate, it's cheaper. •For renting a car if you're on a budget decline all coverage, just get the exact minimum required. I ended up paying a grand total of $100 for a sedan for 3 days with Enterprise. Cheap. Just make sure your VISA credit card has the vehicle coverage benefit. I use the Capital One Venture card and it's a great card for traveling. I also don't get charged foreign fees. •AVOID San Jose. When Alex said he is not a fan of SJ, no further explanation was needed. Yes, it is modernizing, it's getting safer but it's really a one day activity. If you must, visit San Jose once and go to the Mercado Central. That is the best tourist spot and take a stroll on Avenida Central to get a better sense of the culture there. •If you don't want to travel too far upon landing, do yourself a favor and just land at Liberia airport and just stick to Guanacaste. It'll be 2 hours tops or less to the nearest beaches. All of them nice. •If you're coming from San Jose, the nearest best beach to me is definitely Manuel Antonio, the city of quepos right next door for your supermarket, restaurant, pharmacy, etc. needs. Manuel Antonio is elevated on a mountain and depending where you stay, you will see an AWESOME view of the ocean. Also, Manuel Antonio has a really big national park, prepare to stay the entire day there. •As far as volcanoes, Arenal is indeed the best spot. Hotel Baldi is a great alternative to Tabacon due to price. Volcan poas has a really great zoo with enormous waterfalls that is a must see. •If you are into ghosts and the paranormal I highly recommend Sanatorio Duran in Cartago (far from the coast) and just 10 minutes north of there is Prusia forest which looks like something out of lord of the rings. •Have POPS Ice Cream. The best ice cream parlor ever. •Have Dos Pinos products, especially the ice cream and popsicles. •Have "PIPA" coconuts. They're so good! •For food, always look for the casado as Alex mentioned, arroz con pollo/camaron/calamari, whole fried fish of "corvina" "dorado" "pargo", chifrijo, olla de carne (vegetable and beef stew), and the tamales. •Support local businesses. What is destroying Costa Rica is USA culture and businesses. Most local businesses can be cheaper as well, especially "sodas" (small mom & pop restaurants). •I honestly prefer to travel TO Costa Rica at night (red eye flights). You'll get there in the morning to start your day. FROM Costa Rica to go back home, the later the better. Trust me. The traffic is bad. Damn airlines should pick up on this.
The first time I went was Oct for my bday! LOVE the rain. The second time was Sept. I bring a poncho but one of my two trips I didn't even use it. Just walked around getting rained on.. it's warm and you dry fast.
What a beautiful video 😍😍😍✨ I am from Costa Rica and I just can say thank you for loving our country❤️ instead of San Jose you can visit Cartago! It is soooo beautiful!!!
@@DeeDee-yp2mc I'm going to stay in San José for a night as my flight will arrive late that day. In the morning, I'll leave San José for Monteverde for a couple of nights. I'll head up to La Fortuna for a couple of nights. After that, I'll be driving to Manuel Antonio for a few nights before going back to San José to fly home. There are plenty of hotels and AirBnb places to stay, but expect them to a bit expensive.
Costa Rica is absolutely #1 of my list of places visited and I have done quite a few continents and within continents for a "gringo". I will easily take Costa Rica over Hawaii, for which I have been 5 times and I very much enjoy. It isn't Honduras, Mexico or Guatemala or even Belize cheap but it is much safer. I drove 1/2 to 2/3rds of the country in a few weeks and loved it all. Best trip of my lifetime. Driving there was safe but a bit hard to see in the pouring thunderstorms as the highway lanes weren't very reflective. It could have to do with the construction but it slowed me way down. No problemo, pura vida!
We traveled with Caravan Bus Tours for 10 days , the BEST way to see all of Costa Rica / meals , lodging , Side tours & bottled water included in price . Food is sooo fresh & local in Costa Rica .
7:07 I totally agree with what you say here. I'm Costa Rican and I can confirm that Ticos transform when they are behind the wheel, some people go from good natured, calm folks, to crazy speeding "maniacs" the moment they get on the driver´s seat.
Hola, gracias x el video. Vivo en la Zona Atlántica, Puerto Viejo de Limon . Y los meses de Setiembre y Octubre es el verano de este lado, es el mejor mes para visitar este Paraiso!Ven en tu proximo viaje, y te daras cuenta!
Im going the whole month of november with my boyfriend, combining with Nicaragua. I CANNOT wait let me tell you, after corona especially. I could cry watching this! :D
Also, it is worth mentioning that even though our first language is Spanish, you can rest assured that you'll find natives who speak proficient English specially in the central valley. Just say hi and ask, cause chances are we will be able to communicate with you in English.
@@gaymary5621Puerto Viejo is an amazing beach, very multicultural and it's like a tiny paradise. You can go horseback riding on the beach, you go snorkeling, kayaking in the ocean or rivers, you can visit the jaguar rescue center and go on different tours. I recommend Cahuita. It's a national park and it's free to visit, although you can donate voluntarily cause all the proceeds are used to, clean and maintain the park as well as the community. In the pacific, I recommend Osa. The horseback riding tours are amazing. The Tour guide takes you to the beach, waterfalls, forests, etc. Also, Guanaste has a ton of beaches too. Lmao sorry it's really hard to recommend one place cause it depend on what you like. Depending on where you are in Costa Rica, the vegetation, culture and weather changes drastically.
I agree with renting a car, but there are these small "shuttles" you can take from the aeropuerto in San Jose that will take you almost anywhere in the country for cheap. It was $50 for a 4+ hour drive to Uvita on the Southern Coast and we stopped at some cool lookouts and our driver was an awesome first encounter in the country. I'd also say to get up early, because it does get hot midday, we were always up by like 5:30am and ready to enjoy the day. Costa Rica is on my mind everyday and it is so beautiful. I recommend everyone going to visit. I also love love love the Ujarras jams, Yippy bars and the cheap Imperial beers.
Thanks for sharing Benjamin! If you want a taste of Costa Rica in your home check out my newest video, the first in my new “A Taste of Travel” series and learn how to make your own delicious Gallo Pinto and Salsa Lizano from scratch!
I personally had no car and I used the public transport and met amazing people and I also used the burgundy taxi and had no issues they were helpful.. so renting a car can be good but I was alone and was able to manage for cheap travelling with regular public transport and taxi so it depends on everyone
That’s good to know as I’m going next week with my two kids for 2 weeks but I didn’t necessarily want to drive. I think if I pick 3 places as a base we can travel to places with local transportation or a tour.
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✨Shop my 14-day Costa Rica Travel Itinerary bit.ly/CostaRicaItineraryGuide ⬅
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Hey Alex, I'm actually looking at honeymooning with my soon to be wife (wedding in Oct) in Costa Rica. I'm thankful to have caught your emphasis on avoiding October due to the rain, so I was wondering if waiting a month and doing our honeymoon in November is enough time to hopefully avoid most of the rain? And also do you have any recommendations on how/where we can reserve a car for our stay there? Thanks so much and I appreciate the great work!
Amigos
@@matthewzuniga6519 Hey Matthew, you'll be fine in November. You can read much more information and tips on my blog. I used this site to book my rental car economybookings.tp.st/sVOQmZhq - and here's the link to my blog www.alexanderayling.com/episodes/essential-costa-rica-travel-tips
Humming Bird is Colibri.
Well the correct spelling on spanish is Colibrí. I'm from Costa Rica haha so I'm sorry for the english spelling.
When renting a car in CR or anywhere, always take pictures of the car, to avoid being charged for damages that were already there.
Good tip Sandy
@@AlexanderAyling , thanks.
Thank you!
This is genius, not just for renting a car in CR, but in any country!
Duh, anywhere not just CR
I'm from Costa Rica and I love when I find videos of people talking wonders about my country. It really fill us with joy knowing somebody enjoys it so much visiting us.
Thank you very much for this amazing video.
Pura Vida!
Gracias Adrian!! Me alegro muchísimo leer eso!
me too. Im from San Jose
Adrian Núñez me too
I would actually like to believe that we live in the safest Democratic freedom Latin country that actually exist
PURA VIDA MI AMIGO
Ok the end just brought tears to my eyes... I fell in love with Costa Rica because of the Ticos! The Ticos are my family! La vida en Costa es perfecto! Ciao
Aww that makes me smile so much. Thank you Kimberly! It's nice to know that my videos make people FEEL.
@@AlexanderAyling it shared it on my FB...the video was factual, accurate and you encouraged respect for Tico's and their country!
Pura vida, Kimberly! Costa Rica and us ticos send you a big hug and kiss! Pura vida!!
@@eduardojose8172 you don't have to send it far I live in CR since 2014 because of Ticos! They are the true beauty of CR! I am a gringa in the family of many Ticos, I have never felt the same love from US citizens. The best Americans are Ticos!
PSA any one scrolling by this comment if you are confused reading my above comment you think, because of propaganda, that US citizens are the Americans...false America is a continent not a country therefore Americans live in many countries from North to Central to South. I am trying to educate!
@@kimberlypuravida5690 Yes!! Many U.S. citizens forget that there are NORTH, CENTRAL & SOUTH Americans! Very happy to see how educated you are on the topic and the fact that you feel so close and welcomed by my country!
I’m from Costa Rica but I live in California currently. The word for hummingbird is COLIBRÍ.
Great tips !
🙏🏼🙏🏼
I was born and raised in Costa Rica ever since I was 7-8 years old but then moved to the US, and I haven’t been there for 4 years and this videos really made me miss CR. Also, I love how you describe our beautiful country and thank you so much for enjoying and loving our country!! Pura Vida!🇨🇷🇨🇷
edit: omg hey y’all 2022 update but after 7 years i was finally able to go and visit family! :D
Gracias y Pura Vida. Stay healthy 🤙🏼
AlexTheVagabond you too!!
I’ve lived there for two years and really it is one of my favourite places.
@@danielbrunner4317 after 7 years of not being able to visit i went this summer and didn’t realize how much i missed it. it rlly is beautiful!
Am traveling there for the first time this month,am a teacher in NY and many of my young students (3-4 years old)had traveled there this days they loved it,and now that I see this so helpful video I can’t wait to be there,Thank you so much
I’m a Costarican living in the USA and this video made me miss my country even more 😭❤️ . Loved this video.
Pura vida Melanie!
So do I 😢
I'm vice versa. I'm American living in CR with my family and I miss the states so much
hœ I’m so sorry to hear that , but I can completely understand that and how it feels 😫
Yendry Fonseca I’m so sorry about that Yendry 😭
I am Costa Rican and every time I see this kind of videos I feel truly grateful for living here and is just wonderful that other people can enjoy as much as we do every day. Even for us this is a magical place to live for its nature and everything that is around us. Pura vida!
Pura Vida Dila!!!! Thank you for the positive comment! Un gran saludo!
This came to me at a perfect time. I’m planning my trip as we speak. I’m not perfect in Spanish, but I think I’ll do just fine being immersed in it. I’m coming for the rich biodiversity; and how the residents take care of what beautiful sites they live with. My grandpa was there every year before he passed.
Que lindo es ver personas de otros países haciendo videos así. Presentando mucho de lo que mi país ofrece. Nosotros los ticos nos sentimos felices y agradecidos. Pura vida!!!
Pura vida!!
ON MY WAY TO COSTA RICA FOR THE FIRST TIME ON SUNDAY WITH A FEW FRIENDS FROM HIGH SCHOOL( WE GRADUATD IN 1976) THAT SPEAK FLUENT SPANISH AND VISIT COSTA RICA VERY OFTEN. THIS IS A 3 WEEK EARLY BIRTHDAY PRESENT TO SELF. I APPRECIATED THIS VIDEO
Have fun!
@@AlexanderAyling THANK YOU
If you go to Costa Rica’s beaches PLEASE DONT STILL THE SHELLS!! It’s ilegal to still shells from the beaches in Costa Rica and please don’t do it. There are less shells everyday because people are stilling them and taking them home!
Steal, not stil
Wow, whomever thought they were stealing shells...?!
Kristen Cook good to know
Steal the shells... you must not be a native speaker
@@pauls4923 yh but really it doesn’t matter at least we understood what they meant and their English overall is pretty good
Hi, to all who came to watch this footage, to yearn, to contemplate, to wish, I beg you with all my heart, please TAKE CARE OF WHAT IS OURS, this is what we have, as a Costa Rican I beg u. Thank u to all the foreign tourist for considerate our beautiful country to visit. Please enjoy what we have by taking care of it. Good vibes, tuanis, PURA VIDA 🇨🇷💓
Currently in Costa Rica from the uk.
It’s the most beautiful county I’ve ever traveled to and would recommend to any one who enjoys the wild life and nature.
You're a pro, Alex. As a permanent resident for 15 years now, I almost wish your tour wasn't so good! I've wanted to shut the door behind me since I moved here! There are thousands of tourists annually, some who are diligent about protecting this incredible country, and others who are not. If you visit, please show respect for the wonderful people of Costa Rica and the paradise which they allow you into. If you ask a Tico for help, and show your respect, it will be given. If you speak Spanish, you're apt to quickly meet some new friends.
Thank you Julie! I wish we could all be more eco conscious and culturally respectful travelers
I just came back from Costa Rica...and I'm ready to go again, especially after looking at your vid. Thank you so much...infinite beauty in this amazing country
Well Alex, let me tell you a little something, as a 40 year old Costa Rican traveler I can safely say this is by far the most informative and well put together tips video for visiting my country in RUclips. Well done sir!! P.S. Hummingbird is Colibrí in Spanish.... Pura vida!
Muchas Gracias!!!!
Pura Vida!!
@@NevrrPresntt hi stranger, hope all is well.
Well done I am in la fortuna as I watched this and I’ve been doing research for a couple months most accurate videos I’ve seen
Totally agree. Great video!
The only country I traveled too but it found a place in my heart and I'm going back again next year
I decided to there to volunteer with animals and it was the greatest time of my life
That is so cool! Where did you volunteer and with which animals?
@@AlexanderAyling costa rica animal rescue center, it's in turrucares and it was many different animals mostly birds,monkeys and sloths
I was also in limon for a few days volunteering with the leatherbacks
@@AlexanderAyling haha I know 😄 maybe you can go there and volunteer next time you go to Costa Rica 😉 they always need the help and it's very rewarding
@@madelenePlate That would be so cool!! Could you share the name of the organization?
@@AlexanderAyling www.rescuecenter.com/
That's their website so you can read more about them 😊
Excelente vídeo, realmente sos un embajador de Costa Rica en el extranjero, gracias por mostrarle al mundo un poco de lo que es mi país Costa Rica. Cuando veo este tipo de videos "se me hincha el pecho de orgullo" y nos hace entender que como ticos, debemos cuidar y proteger mas la biodiversidad y enorme naturaleza que tenemos. Vuelvan pronto, pura vida. Mae ¡¡¡¡ 🇨🇷
Mil gracias Brandon!!
Yo igual soy de Costa Rica
@@AlexanderAyling What is "Tico/Tica?"
This has got to be THE classic Costa Rica video. It's the one everybody talks about, everyone refers to, and everyone copies.
🤙🏼
I'm from Costa Rica and I can say this video is completely accurate.
Gracias Konrad!
Well done . As a local I have to say that you have a good well known knowledge about Costa Rica . I agree on all in this video . Pura vida Mae .
Gracias Rolo!
I am a Argentinian guy that lives in Costa Rica, and is the best country I ever went to and lived. I also lived in Brazil
Saludos Che! ;)
In the cloud forest we were surrounded by dozens of hummingbirds hovering right next to us. Unforgettable
That sounds like magic!!!
Costa rica heals unlike the stressful ambience in the states😊
Costa Rica is known for its incredible national parks, where tourists can enjoy some thrilling activities like river rafting, canyoning, cave tubing, and zip lining. It's also one of the best places for animal lovers to discover some interesting wildlife like macaws, sea turtles, and adorable sloths.
I'm from Costa Rica and this video is really accurate
Gracias Cristhian! Donde en Costa Rica?
@@AlexanderAyling Pérez Zeledón
My wife is from Costa Rica & I'm from northern Mexico . Although Mexico if larger than CR by far and has so many beautiful Cities, jungles and gorgeous beaches , it's a real shame that it's national security is so bad that I prefer to spend our month long vacation in this small beautiful country of Costa Rica. I'm more attracted to mountains and jungles and Costa Rica as small as it is , it offers all of this in a matter of ours. I hardly reccomend Turrialba , If you want a town to just lay back for few days , then go trekking on the hills, enjoy the gorgeous mountain views ,visit coffe plantations, come back to your place ,relax , go out to one of many restaurants up on the hills , then contact the local white water rafting company for the best rivers in C.Rica ,right there in Turrialba, there's also good cannoying and zip lines . What makes the difference really is it's people. Man! I love this country. Blessings Vagabond!
Costa Rica is my favorite country in the world.
It’s definitely up there for me too!
I'm from Costa Rica and I love people that talk well about my country and my people.
@@hookedonspanish7951 Pura Vida
Visited Costa Rica in 2019. Plan to go back in 2022. Best vacation ever.
I will be living in Costa Rica for a college program very soon, can’t wait!!✨🇨🇷
First time in Costa Rica and just loving all the outdoor adventures we did ecogliding rapelling was my first time too and so much fun. Beach in Christmas day ..Oh yes...My favorite area is Arenal and Manuel Antonio...
Manuel Antonio is so beautiful! Hope you had fun!
I'm from Costa Rica and I love people that talk well about my country and my people.
As someone from Costa Rica, let me just say that this is by far the best video I've seen for tourists. These are relevant tips and actually helpful. San Jose is pretty damn boring so that especially is a great tip, tho I'd encourage you to eat somewhere there the next time you come, there are some great places there. Also try going to a restaurant in the mountains overlooking the city is really nice, you'd be surprised how far a one hour drive in a mountain can take you.
Here are just a couple more tips: try avoiding July, since there is kind of a mini high season in that month due to the mid year school break. June or August are so much better for coming and avoiding crowds.
Also, if you are renting a house or someplace with a kitchen, definitely consider cooking some of your foods, like making some pasta or something really easy, since eating out here is very expensive sometimes.
Oh and definitely use GPS here. We flat out don't have a freaking system for locating things, so quite literally a valid direction would be "get to this town, find the park, then this bank, and from there go 200 meters East and then 25 South"...so yeah, definitely buy a chip and use Waze, otherwise you'll get lost easily.
It's really nice to hear such positive feedback from local Ticos. Pura Vida!
Tave hi! Thanks for your advise. One question, donyou recomend renting a car or using the piblic system and uber. I will be there for ten days .
@@nala5747 definitely rent a car if you can, the public system is mostly buses and they aren't very good, and Uber is not that reliable outside the city, so you might not be able to find one if you are in the beach for instance.
Agreed. Most of my family there lives in Cartago. His video is very positive and doesn't try to scare you like others. The directions aren't for the timid. The directions for one of my great aunts include "300 meters north of Pali' and 75 meters west.
How is November for travelling in Costa Rica?
Lived in CR for 9 years. I´m taking a fairly large group of students this summer to share my love of the most amazing country!!!! Thanks for the video. I will share with my students.
Adriana Quesada _ Staff - EnloeHS That is so amazing you get to take your students!! We are going again next month with our two kids ages 9 and 13.
Thank you so much for making these videos! I work with adults with traumatic brain injuries, and these videos are super accessible, informative, and give those who I work with the experience of visiting so many different countries! My coworkers and I really appreciate them!!!
Aww this is so cool to hear. Thank you Amanda
My friend has been there in March four months ago, she had so much fun seeing her abuela.
I’m from Costa Rica, and can confirm everything you said is true. The beaches here are amazing, coastal people are the best, and casados and gallopinto is food for your heart. Be wary though, like you said, rent a car directly from the airport or arrange transportation to the hotel, since cities like San José are places even a local like me dislike even thinking about going lol. I live in Heredia which is a bit nicer but you can never be too careful. Apart from places like that, Costa Rica truly is a welcoming place for all! I highly encourage anyone to come and visit us and have an amazing time here! Pura vida!
Hola Alex, your Costa Rica video is very awesome. It's one of the nicest nature places that we've visited on planet Earth. I was there with my wife and we had a mucho bueno tiempo (friendly stoked natives, muy bonita ladies, glassy left surf breaks, zip lines in the rain forest, incredible coffees, climbed the active volcano, river boating, visit San Jose churches, and fantastic wild life (huge butterflies, miniature snakes, alligators, monkeys, snorkeling). I got to practice my Espanol. I ate rice, beans, chicken, fruits,... clean air. I need to plan another trip with my wife. Life is too short not to get more of Costa Rica. Big love and gratitude to all the friendly Costa Ricans, and sharing their paradise with my wife and I.
Hummingbirds= Colibri. That's how I know then in. Spanish.
👌🏼 that’s right
En Puerto Rico también se le conocen como pica flor o colibrí.
@@AlexanderAyling Hummingbird = "Colibrí" also "Chupamiltos" and "Picaflor"
As a tica 🇨🇷living in the US 🇺🇸I can say I loved this video and made me homesick! Great recommendations and I really appreciated the last advice you gave about respecting the locals and the country ♥️ I would add that it isn’t as safe though, watch out for your belongings and don’t leave them unattended, don’t leave expensive equipment on your car and be aware of your surroundings 🧐.
why did you leave?
Greetings, I'm from Costa Rica thank you for this video, now I love my country more than I did it before, welcome to Costa Rica any time you want to visit it!!!!
Muchas gracias Jose! Hay un nuevo video sobre Costa Rica que acabo de publicar en mi canal. Lo has visto?
@@AlexanderAyling Gracias, no lo he visto pero voy a verlo enseguida, saludos!!!
THANKS FOR THIS!!! I’m a Tica and you got our essence! Such a beautiful video! We are so blessed! Please keep
Coming back!
Thank you Kharen!!!
I am from Costa Rica and I am so happy that you loved our country so much!! I live in the US but I visit it every June and stay all the way till September and this video just made me fall in love with my country even more. Also hummingbirds are colibrís
We call them colibri in French
Incredible video! All the things you have said are absolutely true! An excellent guide for any tourist planning a trip to Costa Rica! It is really nice to see people creating videos like this one from our country! Pura vida! ✌🏼 🇨🇷
Gracias Salvador!!
My parents mostly went by taxi. Hotel El Velero was very serviceable about calling transportation or family friend favors for a small price. My tip is form friendships with other people making more friends to tag along might make things cheaper
It will be my first time to Costa Rica with my kids and wife next June 2024 I'm so looking forward for this this trip I'm so happy for this video thanks
Costa Rica is also my favourite country in the world. I’ve been a few times and also ready to come back! I’d say visit Santa Teresa and puerto vierjo! Life their is so slow and peaceful but also people love to enjoy life. And for San Jose, to do a walking tour in the city where they tell you a bit about the history of the country, political atmosphere and cultural tip. It helped me a lot to know about this while traveling alone. It’s safe for a woman to travel alone in Costa Rica but don’t go on public beaches alone at night, it can be a bit dangerous!
Otherwise loved the video and love this country! Thank you for this made me dream a little
Thank you for watching, sharing and caring Laurence! I’m glad my video could make you day dream a bit. Hope
you subscribe for more!
I'm from Costa Rica and I love people that talk well about my country and my people.
I love this and LOVE COSTA! Let’s go back soon!! 🌴🌞
Yes please!!!
Carrie Rad Costa Rica....not just Costa. It’s the same as saying let’s go to United instead of the United States. Thanks
@@gabyisgaby pfff jajaja
@@gabyisgaby who cares your that one annoying person who goes ACTUALLY ITS *TOO NOT TO
@@jackdarcy6922 *you're
As a Costa Rican native for 15+ years, I grew up most of my life here. Beautiful place. But expensive to live in, spot on... But it's absolutely beautiful
Very expensive , donde vives ahora ? haha
For years I was on my high school reunion committee. One of our fellow classmates took a trip to Costa Rica on a boat that held 99 people. She was very proud of the fact that, although being in her 70s, she still zip lined through the jungle. When I saw zip lining on this video, I thought wow Rosie was very brave.
Planning my first trip to Costa Rica for May. Wanting to spend 3 days on a beach then 3 days more inland. I’d love to stay somewhere with a volcano view. This trip is a treat to myself for becoming a cancer survivor and celebrating the end of my treatments.
Hello Sarah - head over to my blog post for more information. www.alexanderayling.com/episodes/essential-costa-rica-travel-tips
If you use the Bookings.com widget on my site, search for Tabacon Hot Springs Resort. That’s the volcano view hot springs hotel I’d recommend in Arenal.
Thanks for watching
@@AlexanderAyling me in my family's and some friends be going here in (May) as Well in I'm Excited and hoping to have a great time
I really enjoyed how informative your video was. It wasn't just, "this beach is pretty," or, "this hotel was nice." You taught culture and history as well as talking specifics. I don't subscribe to many channels on RUclips, but you've got a fan for life!
Aww thank you Tatum. Welcome to the channel - I appreciate you sticking around
After seeing a lot of videos with information such as Costa Rica is an island of the Caribbean, it's so much appreciated the accuracy, the love and respect you have for my country. Tourist like you, make us feel so proud of our land. Thanks for the time and for the research you did. I hope your enjoy every visit, and have the most positive experience possible. Pura vida Alex! Espero vuelvas pronto!
Carlos Alpizar Arguello muchísimas gracias Carlos. Fue tu país increíble que me dio la inspiración de aprender Español y dedicar mi vida a explorar el mundo, las culturas diferentes que tiene y cada vez que vengo, vuelvo con mas inspiración. Entonces gracias a usted y a su país 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
@@AlexanderAyling Awesome.. Mi familia, y yo, somos de Perez Zeledon, a 15 minutos del Cerro Chirripo, entonces, si quieres ir a subir el Cerro, y quieres una experiencia aun mas tica, con comida hecha en casa, escribeme y mi familia estará mas que feliz de recibirte en casa y llevarte a conocer el sur y sus cataratas mágicas.
carlosarguello.alpizar@gmail.com
Costa rica sucks
@@TheCarlosAlpizar Muchisimas gracias por la oferta Carlos! Me interesa mucho subir Cerro Chirripo algun dia!
We love Costa Rica so much that we recently bought a home in Guanacaste which we are renovating. Hope to AirBnb it and carve out our own time as well. The beaches are stunning and diverse- where we live they have black sand and beautiful rocks. Our home has a pacific view and an infinity pool, and it’s walking distance to our favorite restaurant, Father Roosters. We did do a family adventure tour by the volcano which was quite expensive but did include horseback riding on the local horses, hiking to the incredible waterfall and into the canopy to zip line, water slide down the mountain, and hot springs. It was a full but exhausting day for us gringos. 😅
The people are amazingly friendly and many speak English so if you aren’t great at Spanish you can get along pretty well. Please if you get the chance to visit this spectacular country, do so. Our flights were so reasonable at $300 round trip. Pura Vida! 🇨🇷
Amazing! Congrats!
My husband and I went in 2014 for our honeymoon and has been my favorite vacation of all time we stayed in Riu palace. It was everything can't wait to go back for my kids to experience
Alex, as a Tico-gringo, I must congratulate you on making this awesome video. I was born and raised in CR and moved to the States at age 14. I joined the military and retired after 27 years of service. My passion now is to take people to CR so they can have the same experiences that you did. I am always searching for good intro videos to pass on to my clients and, with your permission, I will send them this one as it is one of the best I have found. Lastly, I gotta tell ya, it makes me very humbly-proud (if that makes sense) when I hear people like you saying such great things about my mother land. Thank you again and I hope we run into each other one of these trips. Pura Vida mae!
Hi Alex! As a Costa Rican I have to say I loved the way you lined up and described my country! I must say all recommendations are very spot on. Thank you for putting such a good word out. If I must add, weather in Costa Rica has become really unpredictable due to global climatic change therefore I would recommend to consider that even though October used to be the rainiest month of the year, now it’s not the only one. If you’re not a fan of rain, avoid September, October and November (but as mentioned in the video, it can rain all year long)
Gracias Wendy!! Espero que todo va bien en la tierra de Pura Vida. Un saludo, Alex
Interesting. I would love to get get reccomendations from a native of the country
You made me tear up! So cool to see people liking my country so much! Thanks for helpi g us keep the tourism alive with these type of videos! 😍
AWWW Gracias Lucia!!! Un gran saludo!
Is it safe to move to costa rica?
Thank you for the kind words! This make me feel really proud of my country and my culture!
What a way of describing my little but amazing piece of land! I've been almost 10 years living in the middle east, in the desert and I miss so much all our nature, we're really blessed! Pura vida Alexander for all ur kind words about our country and our people!!!
Filipino American planning to visit Costa Rica early next year. I like to go fishing and chill night life.
The Greatest description of my country 🥰 thank you for loving CR ❤️ we have an amazing special country !! Pura vida🌴🤙
Gracias Elena!!! Pura Vida
What an amazing video! You captured a bit of the essence of CR. As a Costa Rican who's been traveling for a long time, this made me feel nostalgic, yet proud and happy to have been born in such a jewel. Thank you for putting this together Alex, it is a great guide for visitors!
Great informative video, the best I've seen so far. You gave the best tips. The WORST part of Costa Rica is driving and getting around. The traffic is terrible. From south San Jose to the airport may take up to 2 hours in the morning. Like Alex mentioned, there are a lot of twists, narrow roads, and aggressive BUS, semi, and truck drivers. Not only that, you will always encounter slow small truck drivers, or farming/construction equipment driving on single lane roads and you will be tempted to "rayer" or pass the vehicle in front of you, you have to be really really careful not to do it in if a curve is approaching or if the road ahead slopes down. Better to just wait it out for a reasonable straightaway.
My tips:
•Carry about $50 -$100 worth of colonies at a time, you never know if you'll be mugged. It's complete random, never travel alone. Be wary during evenings. Get around light, not with those large camper backpacks like most gringos do.
•If you use credit card, always tell the clerk to charge in you dollars. Based on the exchange rate, it's cheaper.
•For renting a car if you're on a budget decline all coverage, just get the exact minimum required. I ended up paying a grand total of $100 for a sedan for 3 days with Enterprise. Cheap. Just make sure your VISA credit card has the vehicle coverage benefit. I use the Capital One Venture card and it's a great card for traveling. I also don't get charged foreign fees.
•AVOID San Jose. When Alex said he is not a fan of SJ, no further explanation was needed. Yes, it is modernizing, it's getting safer but it's really a one day activity. If you must, visit San Jose once and go to the Mercado Central. That is the best tourist spot and take a stroll on Avenida Central to get a better sense of the culture there.
•If you don't want to travel too far upon landing, do yourself a favor and just land at Liberia airport and just stick to Guanacaste. It'll be 2 hours tops or less to the nearest beaches. All of them nice.
•If you're coming from San Jose, the nearest best beach to me is definitely Manuel Antonio, the city of quepos right next door for your supermarket, restaurant, pharmacy, etc. needs. Manuel Antonio is elevated on a mountain and depending where you stay, you will see an AWESOME view of the ocean. Also, Manuel Antonio has a really big national park, prepare to stay the entire day there.
•As far as volcanoes, Arenal is indeed the best spot. Hotel Baldi is a great alternative to Tabacon due to price. Volcan poas has a really great zoo with enormous waterfalls that is a must see.
•If you are into ghosts and the paranormal I highly recommend Sanatorio Duran in Cartago (far from the coast) and just 10 minutes north of there is Prusia forest which looks like something out of lord of the rings.
•Have POPS Ice Cream. The best ice cream parlor ever.
•Have Dos Pinos products, especially the ice cream and popsicles.
•Have "PIPA" coconuts. They're so good!
•For food, always look for the casado as Alex mentioned, arroz con pollo/camaron/calamari, whole fried fish of "corvina" "dorado" "pargo", chifrijo, olla de carne (vegetable and beef stew), and the tamales.
•Support local businesses. What is destroying Costa Rica is USA culture and businesses. Most local businesses can be cheaper as well, especially "sodas" (small mom & pop restaurants).
•I honestly prefer to travel TO Costa Rica at night (red eye flights). You'll get there in the morning to start your day. FROM Costa Rica to go back home, the later the better. Trust me. The traffic is bad. Damn airlines should pick up on this.
Thank you for sharing Will! Great tips of yours!
Your comments are quite correct BUT what is really spoiling Costa Rica are drugs and corruption, but we are fighting both ❤🇨🇷
The first time I went was Oct for my bday! LOVE the rain. The second time was Sept. I bring a poncho but one of my two trips I didn't even use it. Just walked around getting rained on.. it's warm and you dry fast.
Awesome Brittany! Glad you enjoyed it - hope you subscribe and check out my other videos!
I've lived in CR for years, this is probably the most accurate tips video I've seen 👍🏻
Have been living on the other side of the world for 3 years, feeling homesick after watching your video ❤️🇨🇷 thanks for the amazing review!
Awww!!! That’s so nice to hear. Where is home now?
Great video! Planning a trip for September, this video was super helpful!
Great to hear Isabel. Hope you have a wonderful time
What a beautiful video 😍😍😍✨ I am from Costa Rica and I just can say thank you for loving our country❤️ instead of San Jose you can visit Cartago! It is soooo beautiful!!!
Gracias Michelle. Pura Vida 🙏🏼🙏🏼
welcome to Costa Rica, Welcome to paradise ❤️
Costarican here certifying this amazing and well-put-together video!! This guy really knows my country... impressive!
Wow, thank you Yuliana! I really appreciate that. Un saludo!
“ mosquitos loves gringos blood “😹 I’m from Costa Rica and i love this video everything is so true
Gracias!!
could you explain why locals don't need a repellent? Mosquitos in my country don't care I'm local
@@444mm we do need repellent and sunscreen
@@444mm it's not like we're immune.
Dani p when I go there they love my Costa Rican blood way too much. 😳
I can't wait to go to Costa Rica this MONTH!!!! This video has thought me so much before I go!!!! Thank you so much for this video!!!!!
Great to hear my video helped! Enjoy yourself!
Where are you staying.? I'm going to but havent found where to stay yet.
@@DeeDee-yp2mc I'm going to stay in San José for a night as my flight will arrive late that day. In the morning, I'll leave San José for Monteverde for a couple of nights. I'll head up to La Fortuna for a couple of nights. After that, I'll be driving to Manuel Antonio for a few nights before going back to San José to fly home.
There are plenty of hotels and AirBnb places to stay, but expect them to a bit expensive.
Check on Airbnb Dee Dee
Sounds great!
Costa Rica is absolutely #1 of my list of places visited and I have done quite a few continents and within continents for a "gringo". I will easily take Costa Rica over Hawaii, for which I have been 5 times and I very much enjoy. It isn't Honduras, Mexico or Guatemala or even Belize cheap but it is much safer. I drove 1/2 to 2/3rds of the country in a few weeks and loved it all. Best trip of my lifetime.
Driving there was safe but a bit hard to see in the pouring thunderstorms as the highway lanes weren't very reflective. It could have to do with the construction but it slowed me way down. No problemo, pura vida!
We traveled with Caravan Bus Tours for 10 days , the BEST way to see all of Costa Rica / meals , lodging ,
Side tours & bottled water included in price . Food is sooo fresh & local in Costa Rica .
One of the best travel vids I've seen - all useful info for people considering a trip there, not a second wasted, and great images. Thank you!
Thank you Angela. Hope you subscribe and check out my other content. Hundreds of videos on my channel.
Happy New Year
hummingbird: colibrí. Love my country ❤️ Pura Vida 🤙🏻
I love Tabacon!!!! If you come to Costa Rica you need to go to hot springs
Kristen Cook Yes! We went there in 2018 and it was so amazing!
There are so many cool places also in Cartago, mountains and Irazu volcano 😍🌋🇨🇷
I need to get back and explore more of that region!!
7:07 I totally agree with what you say here. I'm Costa Rican and I can confirm that Ticos transform when they are behind the wheel, some people go from good natured, calm folks, to crazy speeding "maniacs" the moment they get on the driver´s seat.
Soy tica pero vivo en PA, USA. Me gustó TODO lo que presentaste, ¡Pura Vida! ❤️🇨🇷
Soooo excited to be visiting this gorgeous place with my siblings in March! Hope we get to see a lot of cool stuff!! Butterflies are colibris!!
Awesome! You’re going to love it. Hope my video helps. BTW Butterfly is Mariposa :)
Loved the video. My wife is from Costa Rica and she really loved it. Said it is right on point. Excellent job!!!
Thanks David!! Tell your wife I said muchas gracias y pura vida 🤙🏼
Hola, gracias x el video.
Vivo en la Zona Atlántica, Puerto Viejo de Limon .
Y los meses de Setiembre y Octubre es el verano de este lado, es el mejor mes para visitar este Paraiso!Ven en tu proximo viaje, y te daras cuenta!
es seguro? dicen que en CR hay mucho robo ahora
Gracias Flory!! Necesito regresar y explorar el Caribe más. Si tienes más consejos por favor compártelos aquí
Im going the whole month of november with my boyfriend, combining with Nicaragua. I CANNOT wait let me tell you, after corona especially. I could cry watching this! :D
Hummingbird (Colibri). Looks beautiful. Thanks for the tour. Hope to make a trip there in the future😁
Also, it is worth mentioning that even though our first language is Spanish, you can rest assured that you'll find natives who speak proficient English specially in the central valley. Just say hi and ask, cause chances are we will be able to communicate with you in English.
Did you find riding there?
I’m sorry. You’re from there. Can you recommend any beaches with horseback riding nearby? I like to swim, hike and ride
@@gaymary5621Puerto Viejo is an amazing beach, very multicultural and it's like a tiny paradise. You can go horseback riding on the beach, you go snorkeling, kayaking in the ocean or rivers, you can visit the jaguar rescue center and go on different tours. I recommend Cahuita. It's a national park and it's free to visit, although you can donate voluntarily cause all the proceeds are used to, clean and maintain the park as well as the community.
In the pacific, I recommend Osa. The horseback riding tours are amazing. The Tour guide takes you to the beach, waterfalls, forests, etc.
Also, Guanaste has a ton of beaches too.
Lmao sorry it's really hard to recommend one place cause it depend on what you like. Depending on where you are in Costa Rica, the vegetation, culture and weather changes drastically.
I went to Costa Rica back in February 2019 and it was ammmaazzinggg. Pura Vida!!!
Agreed!! Pura Vida!
I'm from Costa Rica and I love people that talk well about my country and my people.
Even ticos really hate and avoid San José😆,Great video✌ Greeting From Costa Rica🦜🐢
I agree with renting a car, but there are these small "shuttles" you can take from the aeropuerto in San Jose that will take you almost anywhere in the country for cheap. It was $50 for a 4+ hour drive to Uvita on the Southern Coast and we stopped at some cool lookouts and our driver was an awesome first encounter in the country. I'd also say to get up early, because it does get hot midday, we were always up by like 5:30am and ready to enjoy the day. Costa Rica is on my mind everyday and it is so beautiful. I recommend everyone going to visit. I also love love love the Ujarras jams, Yippy bars and the cheap Imperial beers.
Thanks for sharing Benjamin! If you want a taste of Costa Rica in your home check out my newest video, the first in my new “A Taste of Travel” series and learn how to make your own delicious Gallo Pinto and Salsa Lizano from scratch!
I'm from Costa Rica and I love people that talk well about my country and my people.
Love Costa Rica! Great Video
We are in the process of moving, we have visited several times love the pacific side!
This video kept showing up in my recommended so i decided to finally view it
Haha hope you enjoyed it!
Amo que Ames y respetes tanto mi País 🥰
Claro que si Angie! Pura Vida 🤙🏼
I personally had no car and I used the public transport and met amazing people and I also used the burgundy taxi and had no issues they were helpful.. so renting a car can be good but I was alone and was able to manage for cheap travelling with regular public transport and taxi so it depends on everyone
Thank you for sharing Isabelle!
That’s good to know as I’m going next week with my two kids for 2 weeks but I didn’t necessarily want to drive. I think if I pick 3 places as a base we can travel to places with local transportation or a tour.
Costa Rica reminds me so much of my country Dominica 🇩🇲 🇩🇲🇩🇲🇩🇲. You’ll love it here also 😄
I’ve heard good things about Dominica
@@AlexanderAyling it’s beautiful 😍
Thank you for sharing my country with whole world ! Come and stay forever !
Thank you!! I’m ready to come back!!! Pura Vida :)
Thank you Alex for such an excellent quality video.. This little country is indeed one of the best in the world... I love Costa Rica!!!
Gracias!!!
I live in Costa Rica it’s really fun I surf all the time
Nice! Where do you surf?
Great summary from someone who just visits here !
After 16 years of my living in Costa Rica, every day still brings a new adventure !
Thank you !