Preparing to travel to another country can be a daunting and somewhat scary task. But with proper planning and guidance, you can prepare for an enjoyable trip where you will create memories for a lifetime. This post will let you know 12 ways to safely prepare for your trip to Costa Rica.

1. Research the country

Start by familiarizing yourself with Costa Rica, its culture, customs, and traditions. Learn about the top tourist destinations, activities, and safety concerns. This can help you plan your trip accordingly. I took some time to look on YouTube to find credible tours for excursions and areas that I wanted to visit based on the activities I wanted to do during my stay in Costa Rica.

2. Vaccinations

Before traveling, make sure you have all the necessary vaccinations and medications recommended for Costa Rica by your healthcare provider. Fortunately, there were not any required vaccinations for me for this trip to Costa Rica.

3. Check your passport

Ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay in Costa Rica, and that you have enough blank pages for entry and exit stamps. You do not want to find out a few weeks before your trip that you must do something with your passport. Unfortunately, this has happened to Chris and I before and we had to pivot very quickly. You can hear more about that story here.

4. Learn Spanish

Although many people in Costa Rica speak English, learning some basic Spanish phrases can be helpful in communicating with locals and making your trip smoother. This came in handy because we did spend some time off the resort and some restaurants had menus entirely in Spanish.

5. Plan your itinerary

Decide which places you want to visit and the activities you want to do. Consider transportation options and make sure to leave some room for spontaneity. When we planned our trip, we started by looking up tours and excursions. We knew we wanted to explore the jungle and be close to the beach. So, we settled on an all-inclusive resort in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.

6. Book your accommodations

Reserve your lodging in advance, especially if you plan to visit during peak season. Research the best areas to stay based on your itinerary. There are diverse options for lodging in Costa Rica. I knew I did not want to be concerned with cooking or finding food, so an all-inclusive resort was the best option for our stay.

7. Pack accordingly

Pack light and bring appropriate clothing for the activities and climate. Consider bringing insect repellent, sunscreen, and a reusable water bottle. Remember, a large portion of Costa Rica’s biodiversity if a rainforest. It is also located extremely close to the equator, so the sun is no joke!

8. Currency

No need to exchange your currency for Costa Rican colones before leaving home or withdraw money from ATMs once you arrive. You can withdraw cash ahead of time. Most places in Costa Rica take cards, Apple Pay, PayPal or major credit cards.

9. Purchase travel insurance

Consider purchasing travel insurance to cover any unexpected events, such as medical emergencies or trip cancellations. Forbes recently released a list of travel insurance plans. You can check them out here.

10. Research transportation options

Determine how you will get around the country, whether by bus, taxi, rental car, or private shuttle. When booking our excursions, many of the companies offer options for transportation which took a load off when planning. Our resort also provided transportation to and from the airport.

11. Respect local culture:

Be respectful of local customs, dress appropriately, and be mindful of the impact of tourism on the environment. Costa Rica has numerous opportunities for you to engage with their land and culture. Be mindful of how you interact with the communities.

12. Stay informed:

Stay up-to-date on travel advisories and local news to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip. To receive updated Travel Advisories and Alerts, choose the method that works best for you at travel.state.gov/stayingconnected