Costa Rica For Beginners
Never been to Costa Rica? No problem! If you’re a beginner, here are some of the most very basic facts about the Land of Pura Vida!
Travel
Traveling to and from Costa Rica. Traveling within Costa Rica. Airport procedures, custom forms and how to get from the airport to your hotel.
Anthony Bourdain
I have a notebook. In that notebook, I jot down blog post ideas as they occur to me. I have a growing list of subjects I want to talk about. On that list was Anthony Bourdain. As this blog gained momentum, I hoped to eventually write a post about Anthony Bourdain and the importance of … Read more
A Salute to Past Flights to Costa Rica
Going through my old travel papers and souvenirs, it occurred to me that I’ve flown on many airlines that don’t even exist anymore! I bet a lot of us have. I’m too young to remember the “Jet Set,” when travel was a classy, dress-up affair. Travel is so much different today. People seem to be … Read more
Leaving SJO
Inevitably, your trip to Costa Rica will come to an end. Ah, I totally feel your pain. Just as you were getting comfortable, too. I hope you loved every minute of your trip and are anxious to plan your return! Soon you’ll be heading to the airport and flying back home. As with any international … Read more
La Basilica de Nuestra Señora de Los Angeles
La Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Los Ángeles is easily the most recognizable building in Cartago, Costa Rica. Just do an internet search on Cartago, Costa Rica, and images of the Basilica are the first to appear. The Basilica draws hundreds of tourists every year, each impressed with the magnitude and architecture at this stunning … Read more
Las Ruinas de La Parroquia/ Cartago Ruins
Situated in the center of Cartago’s bustling downtown, are the Cartago Ruins, or Las Ruinas de la Parroquia de Cartago (the Santiago Apostol Parish Ruins). Better known simply as “The Ruins”. People pass them every day during their commute without a second thought. But if you stop and look, you’ll see they’re quite beautiful. How … Read more
What Happens When You Land in Costa Rica?
If you’re a first-time traveler to Costa Rica, you might be wondering “what’s going to happen when I land?” International travelers know the basic routine regarding immigration and customs. However, if this is your first Costa Rican trip and you’re getting traveler’s anxiety–I still do–here’s the rundown. During Your Flight to Costa Rica First of … Read more
Colones or Dollars?
One question I hear over and over is “Should I use colones or U.S. dollars when I travel to Costa Rica?” Or, more often, “Can I use U.S. dollars in Costa Rica?” I have mixed feelings. Growing up within driving distance from Canada, it wasn’t unusual for us to interchange our money with Canadian. We’re … Read more
Packing for Costa Rica
With a trip to Costa Rica always in the future, I thought I’d compile a list of things girls might consider when packing for Costa Rica. Packing for any destination is less stressful if you keep things simple. You’ll be much happier and you’ll have more room in your suitcase for souvenirs! First, it’s always … Read more
Getting a Costa Rican SIM card
If you’re coming to Costa Rica and don’t know what to do about phone service, here are instructions on how to get a Kolbi SIM card (or chip) and how to use it. Remember, you must have an unlocked phone and here’s what to do from start to finish.