Skip these common mistakes in Costa Rica travel to save money, stay safe, and respect wildlife.
Costa Rica rewards curious travelers with cloud forests, surf breaks, and friendly towns. Slip-ups still happen, and many are easy to avoid. Use this field-tested list to dodge headaches and keep your trip smooth from day one.
Things You Shouldn’t Do In Costa Rica: Quick Guide
The table below packs the most common missteps and a simple fix for each. Scan it before you plan.
| What Not To Do | Do This Instead | Why It Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Leave bags in a parked car | Bring valuables with you | Petty theft targets rental cars in busy spots |
| Swim where no lifeguard or locals | Ask about currents and flags | Rips can be strong on Pacific beaches |
| Feed monkeys or raccoons | Store food and keep distance | Feeding harms animals and draws fines |
| Hike off marked trails | Stick to signed routes | Protects habitats and keeps you found |
| Speed on rural roads | Leave buffer time | Hidden bumps, rain, and wildlife |
| Handle sloths or macaws | View quietly from afar | Handling stresses wildlife |
| Ignore park closures | Check notices before you go | Volcanoes and trails close often |
| Take shells or coral | Leave nature where it is | Protected by law in many areas |
| Light beach fires | Use approved grills only | Wind spreads sparks and smoke |
| Count on card-only payments | Carry some colones | Small stands and shuttles prefer cash |
| Book Corcovado solo | Hire a certified guide | Guides are required for entry |
| Fly drones in protected zones | Check permits first | Many parks restrict UAVs |
Plan Around These 20 Don’ts
1) Don’t Leave Gear In A Rental Car
Break-ins near trailheads and beaches are a known hassle. Bring passports, cameras, and laptops with you or leave them in your hotel safe. If you must leave something, keep it out of sight and park in a busy lot with an attendant.
2) Don’t Swim Without Local Advice
Pacific surf can hide strong currents. Ask a lifeguard, surf shop, or hotel desk about that day’s conditions and colored flags. Rips move fast; if pulled seaward, swim parallel and float to rest. Read the National Weather Service guidance on rip current safety before beach days.
3) Don’t Feed Wildlife
Coatis, monkeys, and raccoons that get handouts learn to raid bags and can bite. Keep snacks sealed and pack out trash. Feeding changes animal behavior and brings fines inside protected areas managed by SINAC.
4) Don’t Step Off Signed Trails
Shortcuts erode slopes and trample plants. Stay on marked paths to see more birds, stay oriented, and avoid surprise encounters with snakes near leaf litter.
5) Don’t Speed Or Drive At Night In The Hills
Rain, fog, potholes, and livestock make night driving stressful. Plan transfers for daylight, add buffer time, and use a 4×4 for gravel roads in the green season.
6) Don’t Touch Or Pose With Wild Animals
Selfies with sloths or macaws might look cute, but handling causes stress and invites bites. Book ethical sanctuaries that prohibit contact and cap group size.
7) Don’t Ignore Park Or Volcano Notices
Areas like Poás or Turrialba sometimes close due to gas or activity. Check official pages or ask your lodge before you set out.
8) Don’t Take Shells, Coral, Or Sand
Pocketing “souvenirs” strips beaches and can break rules in protected zones. Snap a photo and leave nature for the next visitor.
9) Don’t Build Bonfires On The Beach
Sea breezes flip sparks into dry brush and smoke bothers nesting turtles. If your rental has a grill, use that, and drown all coals until cold.
10) Don’t Assume Cards Work Everywhere
Many tourist venues take cards, but sodas, fruit stalls, and rural taxis often ask for cash. Carry small bills in colones and keep a spare note for tolls.
11) Don’t Enter Corcovado Without A Guide
That park’s dense trails and river crossings call for certified guidance. Book spots early in peak months; guide numbers and lodging near ranger stations are limited.
12) Don’t Launch A Drone Near Wildlife Or In Parks
Costa Rica’s civil aviation rules apply, and many protected areas restrict UAVs to protect nesting birds and visitors. Ask park staff and check permits before any flight.
13) Don’t Ignore Sun And Heat
Tropical sun burns fast. Wear a hat, UPF shirt, and reef-safe sunscreen. Drink water, add electrolytes on long hikes, and take shade breaks at midday.
14) Don’t Hike In Flip-Flops
Roots, mud, and slick lava rocks call for tread. Trail shoes or sandals with toe guards keep you upright on hanging bridges and rainforest stairs.
15) Don’t Book Every Day Solid
Rain, detours, and roadworks can shift plans. Leave breathing room between tours, and plan a buffer day before your flight home in case of delays.
16) Don’t Drink From Rivers Or Waterfalls
Bring a filter bottle or buy sealed water for day trips. Gastro bugs ruin itineraries quicker than missed connections.
17) Don’t Wander Beaches After Dark Alone
Stick to lit areas and go in a group. Take a small torch for potholes, keep phones tucked away, and use registered taxis for late rides.
18) Don’t Crowd Nesting Turtles
Seasonal arribadas draw visitors. Join a guided night walk, skip flash, and follow the guide’s distance rules to avoid spooking the animals.
19) Don’t Blow Past Rain Season Reality
Downpours can flood side roads and cancel small-boat tours. Book flexible rates and arrange early-morning activities when rain odds are lower.
20) Don’t Skip Travel Insurance
Surf cuts, lost bags, and flight changes can pile up costs. Pick a plan that covers medical care, high-risk sports, and car rental deductibles.
Heads-Up For Beaches, Roads, And Parks
These topics spark the most questions. Here are the details seasoned visitors wish they had known sooner.
Beach Safety Without The Stress
Red and yellow flags mark risk, but not every beach has lifeguards. Pick family swims near staffed towers in popular hubs. If you feel a strong pull seaward, don’t fight straight in. Move sideways to exit the flow and float to rest. Read the NWS page linked above before you swim.
Road Sense That Saves Time
Two-lane highways and slow trucks can stretch drives. Set maps to “avoid ferries” if you’re not planning a crossing and budget an extra hour when rain is forecast. Locals flash lights to warn of hazards; slow down, pass only on clear straights, and skip blind curves. Gas stations take cards, but keep cash for small tips and windshield squeegee service.
Respect For Wildlife Comes First
Keep hands off sloths, iguanas, and nesting birds. Tour groups that promise “guaranteed selfies” are a red flag. Choose operators that cap group size, keep voices low, and share field guides. Inside protected areas, follow ranger directions and store food in sealed containers so coatis don’t tear open packs.
Park Logistics New Visitors Miss
Many popular parks require dated entry tickets with time windows. Show up early for morning slots to beat heat and crowds. A few sites near active craters may require hard hats, a short safety talk, or smaller time-boxed visits to manage gas exposure.
Smart Money Habits On The Road
You’ll see both colones and dollars. ATMs in towns work well, though rural machines can run out of cash on weekends. Set a travel notice with your bank and bring a backup card. Round up small coins for bus fares and beach parking attendants.
Tipping And Small Purchases
Restaurants often add a service charge by law; the receipt shows it. Locals still leave a little extra for standout service. Street food, fruit stands, and small shuttles often prefer cash.
Phones, Data, And Maps
Buy a local eSIM or SIM at the airport or a town kiosk for cheap data. Download offline maps for mountain routes where signals drop. Share your live location during solo hikes and keep a power bank in your daypack.
When Nature Sets The Schedule
Green season brings dramatic skies and wildlife activity. Plan early starts for zip lines, rafting, and volcano viewpoints. Afternoon rain cools the air and fills rivers; that’s great for whitewater, less great for gravel roads. Always ask tour operators about rain cutoffs and wind limits.
Sea Turtle Etiquette
On guided watches, wear dark clothes, keep voices low, and turn off screens. Guides use red lights that don’t disturb nesting turtles. No flash, no touch, and no blocking the crawl to the sea.
Drone Notes
Aerial shots look epic, but flight rules apply. Parks, refuges, and wildlife zones often require written approval or ban takeoffs. Beaches near airfields and towns have extra limits. When in doubt, skip the flight or get written permission first.
Regional Cheat Sheet
Match these tips to your route. It’ll help you set the right pace and pick the right gear.
| Area | Common Risk | Quick Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Central Pacific | Rip currents | Swim near towers; ask locals |
| Caribbean | Sudden squalls | Carry a dry bag for boat tours |
| Monteverde | Fog and slick trails | Wear tread; pack a light jacket |
| La Fortuna | Park time windows | Book morning slots near the crater parks |
| Osa Peninsula | Remote crossings | Go with certified guides |
| Nicoya Peninsula | Dusty roads | Use 4×4 and leave time |
Pack Smarter, Stress Less
Bring a soft-sided daypack, quick-dry layers, a brimmed hat, and a light rain shell. Add electrolyte packets, a small first-aid kit, and a dry bag. Zip-locks keep sand out of phones and keep snacks sealed from curious coatis.
Simple Safety Checklist
- Ask lifeguards or locals about surf before swimming.
- Carry a copy of your passport and store the original securely.
- Use hotel safes and bring valuables with you from the car.
- Share plans with your lodge if you’re hiking solo.
- Save local taxi numbers and the 911 emergency line.
Final Trip Planner Notes
Keep your plans flexible, treat wildlife with respect, and pick operators who put safety first. With small tweaks—like daylight drives, cash for small stops, and a quick surf check—you’ll skip the usual hassles and get the best of Costa Rica.