Having fun and enjoying the adventure!

Just a few ideas on how to get the most out of your Costa Rica experience:
Learn to live life the “TICO” way during your stay in Costa Rica.

   1. Costa Rica IS an adventure

Most of us have heard, read or seen documentaries about the marvels of Costa Rica. And guess what? They are true. The only thing that you might find is that precisely when our experts guides are doing their best to show you that capuchin monkey or that elusive toucan, they are doing what they should be doing, living peacefully in their natural settings. And so we ask for your patience and indulgence. We have found that if you are able to go with the flow and get to know your surroundings while you are here, you will learn so much from this beautiful country and go home with more than one story about the fabulous monarch butterfly you photographed and the romantic sunsets you witnessed on one of our spectacular beaches.

   2. Getting to know another way of life, the “TICO” lifestyle.

Things in Costa Rica may be just a tiny bit different than what you are used to back home. Now isn’t that exactly why you left home? To experience a new culture? Things move a little slower in Costa Rica. This is part of the Spanish heritage. And no one has been able to change it since the conquistadors! So we suggest that during your time in our beautiful country you sit back and relax. We have done most of the arranging for you and you are on vacation! So enjoy! If there is something we can do to help move things along for you while you are here, please do not hesitate to ask and we will certainly put our best effort into getting matters moving smoothly for you and your group. But in the meantime, welcome to the tropic and we know you will have a fabulous time here.

   3. All of our itineraries need to be flexible.

We are all on a flexible schedule. This is the way we have to look at arrangements in Costa Rica. We make every possible effort to stick to the planned schedule and actually have an award winning team of experts here to make sure that this happens, but we must also allow for changes in weather conditions and other unforeseen events.

   4. Meet and greet

The people of Costa Rica are some of the most friendly people in the world. While you are here get to know some of them. No Spanish? No problem. Just try and communicate. The will always go the extra mile.

   5. Is Costa Rica Safe?

Visits in the outlands:

Are you new to visiting remote areas? The sun is very powerful in Costa Rica. So travelers beware. Please bring and use plenty of sun block. It may just save your vacation! Even if the sun does not seem particularly hot to you or it is cloudy, there is always the potential for sunburn. So please do be cautious. A hat is recommended and even though you are traveling to the tropics long sleeves and long pants may be in order when visiting certain locations. We would much rather you be comfortable. Short, shorts and tank tops are not recommended for wilderness expeditions. Don’t forget your sunglasses!

Now let’s talk snakes. Very, very few cases of a tourist being bitten by a poisonous snake have ever been reported. However, there are poisonous snakes in Costa Rica. Now, no need to panic, but let’s just be cautious. If you see a snake consider it to be poisonous unless you are told other wise by a professional guide. Even the smallest of snakes could be poisonous. So as the rule goes, no touching. These are living species and like their privacy.

Hey I did not even see YOU!

Just be careful where you put your feet! Instead of stepping randomly over a rock or a log that is in you way, step up on to it and look around and then put your feet firmly on the other side. You would be amazed at how many creatures blend right in with their surroundings. Pretty smart of them wouldn’t you say? 

These guys generally take a certain position before they strike, round or coiled. Just keep in mind, if you think you see something round in front of you or near you while in the wilderness, just stop and move away from it. Back up!

We have never had to rush anyone to the hospital for a snake bite! But we do often find that we need to assist our visitors because they have fallen down. Let’s talk about the rainforest for a minute. Guess what? You WILL get wet eventually. So instead of trying to avoid a puddle and risk slipping on a rock or other wilderness debris just go ahead and learn to get your feet wet while in the jungle. It can even be fun!

In the tropical rainforest we have learned to follow some basic good rules as we know that what is interesting to see is up, in the trees and what could be potentially dangerous is down, on the floor.

Stand still when you are looking UP.

When you are looking DOWN it is ok to move your feet!

WATCH your step when getting in and out of buses and vans! Ooops! We loose a few there!

Hey look out for things from above! Watch Your Head

Getting around in the city:

As in most cities around the world, when moving about a new city, as a tourist, it is better to show some caution.

Crime in Costa Rica has never been a huge problem compared to other countries, but it has risen in recent times. Tourists of course stand out amongst the local people and are easier to spot. So just keep alert, look around, try not to be distracted and enjoy the city sites. Look around when getting in and out of buses, or coming and going from hotels, especially at night.

Let’s just look at a few guidelines to follow during your stay to avoid any unfortunate incidents:
Watch the people around you. Don’t wear a lot of jewelry. Instead of on your back, put your back pack on the front where you have more control of it. Keep a firm grip on your purse, or better still don’t use one. Put your money in your front pockets instead of your back pockets. Don’t carry large amounts of money or flash it around. If the neighborhood you are in suddenly seems to look a lot more run down than the previous neighborhood you were in, it is best to just go back to where you were. Cars will not look out for pedestrians. Watch where you walk. Beware of cars. Local custom is that cars do not yield to pedestrians.

Driving in your rental car:

Drive defensively. Local drivers will not yield to you. Do not expect courtesy you’re your fellow drivers. Rental cars are easily identified by their license plates. Thieves may think there are valuables in the trunk. Different from developed countries, clothes and everyday items seem very valuable in Costa Rica. Keep an eye on your rental car when you park in front of a restaurant or ask someone to look after it for you.

   6. Enjoy our beautiful ecology

While Costa Rica invites and receives thousands of visitors per year, it is our hope that you will show ecological consciousness while you are enjoying your stay with us. Please take the time to watch, see, listen, learn and experience while you are in Costa Rica, but also please endeavor to keep your contact with the environment on a positive level. Our experienced naturalists guides are always on hand to answer any questions you may have during your visit to Costa Rica.

   7. Questions or suggestions anyone?

If you have any questions or suggestions during your trip, please let us know as soon as possible. Any situation has an amicable solution. We just need to hear from you to be able to assist you. Our office is open 24/7/365. And our knowledgeable staff is available to you during your entire trip. Please do not wait until the last day to let us know of any inconvenience you may be experiencing. We are here to help!

   8. Smile for the camera

When meeting Costa Rican people, say hi first if possible and let them know you would like to take their picture. Most of the time they are more than happy to accommodate and may even want to take a picture with you too. Ask one of our great expert guides to introduce you and they will be happy to help out when possible. A lot of time our guides will even suggest a perfect photo opt.!

   9. Enjoy yourself while in Costa Rica

That is our best advise to you. Don’t try to compare Costa Rica to home if possible. Costa Rica has so much to offer and just about everyone goes home wishing they could stay just a couple of days longer. So sit back and relax, let us do all of the work for you and enjoy your trip. If there is anything else we can do for you during your stay, contact our offices and a Conexiones Uni representative is there to lend an experienced helping hand.

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