32 Things Not to Do in Costa Rica (and What to Do Instead)

When planning your trip, it’s easy to focus on all the exciting parts, but knowing the things not to do in Costa Rica is just as important. After living here for years and meeting thousands of visitors through Costa Rica Vibes, we’ve seen the same little mistakes happen over and over. Luckily, these are things that are super easy to avoid once someone points them out.

So, we put together this guide on 32 things not to do in Costa Rica to help you skip the stress, stay safe, and enjoy your trip like a total pro. It’s our friendly advice from people who’ve already learned all of this the hard way.

Transportation Mistakes to Avoid

1.Don’t rely on Google Maps or Waze for accurate arrival times

We love Waze and Google Maps for GPS in Costa Rica. In fact, Waze is really awesome here because people are often very good about updating if there is something on the road, police ahead, etc.

However, roads are curvy, slow, and full of construction zones and small towns. Plus, there are often a lot of big trucks and it is easy to get stuck behind them with no way to pass.

Always expect a drive to take longer than you planned.

2. Don’t drive at night unless absolutely necessary

Trust us, we have lived here for over 10 years and we still avoid making longer drives at night when possible.

Most roads are unlit and winding. Hazard visibility is low, and wildlife often crosses the road after dark.

Plus, it seems like people think they own the road when driving at night. We have seen some really scary driving situations after dark.

If your flight arrives in the evening, we highly suggest spending your first night near the airport.

3. Don’t assume all rental cars include mandatory insurance

Liability insurance is required by law and rarely included in the base online price. Double-check before you book.

It is so usual here for tourists to arrive and go to pick up their rental car and be hit with a rate that is several hundred dollars more than they planned to pay.

This is especially a problem if you book on a third-party site rather than through the rental car company directly.

4. Don’t rent a sedan

In general, the roads in Costa Rica are decently maintained. However, there are a lot of hilly roads and in some areas you will come across unpaved roads. Plus, you need to factor in that the rainy season can be really rough on the roads here.

Basically, what I’m trying to say is, it is always best to rent an SUV with decent clearance rather than a sedan.

You can find out more in our guide to driving in Costa Rica

5. Don’t leave valuables visible in your car…ever

Costa Rica is generally safe. However, if crime is going to occur it is usually petty theft. To combat that, never leave your car unattended with visible luggage, technology, etc.

I know, this can be difficult if you are driving between locations and want to stop somewhere for siteseeing. If you really need to leave stuff, put it in the trunk with a cover on top (and make sure nobody watches you do this). But, even this I would consider a somewhat risky move.

6. Don’t enter rivers or flooded roads with your rental. Insurance won’t cover it.

Yea, you are probably thinking, “umm why would I drive through a river?” But, welcome to Costa Rica. There are some places in which you might come across a river crossing that Google Maps won’t warn you about (some areas on the Nicoya Peninsula, near Nosara, and in some spots down near Corcovado).

Water damage automatically voids rental car coverage, so don’t risk it!

7. Don’t use Uber or unregistered taxis

Always use registered taxis. You can recognize them because they are red (or orange at the airport) with yellow triangles on the side (green triangle at the airport).

Uber is illegal in Costa Rica. Don’t use it.

And sometimes at bus stations or even at the airport somebody might ask you if you need a taxi. If they lead you to an unregistered vehicle, don’t get in!!! These pirate taxi drivers are known to seriously overcharge customers. And, there is nothing you can do about it because it isn’t a legally registered driver.

Find out more in our guide to taxis in Costa Rica

8. Don’t try to fill your own gas

All gas stations in Costa Rica are full service. Just pull up to the pump and an employee will come out to fill your vehicle. You can find out more including some helpful Spanish phrases for this in our Guide to Gas Stations in Costa Rica.

Safety Mistakes to Avoid

9. Don’t leave your phone or bag on the beach while swimming

As I mentioned above, petty theft can be an issue here. Items left unattended on the beach can be a prime target. Make sure that one person in your travel group is always with your items and leave valuables at your hotel.

10. Don’t swim near river mouths or estuaries

Crocodiles are known to hang out at the mouth of rivers leading into the ocean. Always look out for signs warning of crocodiles, pay attention to where locals are swimming (they typically know the area well), and ask someone nearby if you have any questions.

11. Don’t underestimate rip currents just because the ocean looks calm

Yes, there are rip currents here. Again, pay attention to signs and ask locals where it is safe to swim.

Remember, if you are caught in a rip current you don’t want to try and fight it by swimming to shore. Instead, swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current and can safely get back to land.

12. Don’t hike without water and snacks

The humidity and heat here are no joke. Especially if you are not used to the weather. Always pack more drinking water than you expect to use and nutritious snacks to keep you energized.

I also love bringing Gatorade on hikes here. You can find it in almost any mini market or grocery store. It has sodium, potassium, and chloride to help replace lost electrolytes. And honestly, the lemon-lime flavor just hits different. It’s definitely my go-to hiking drink.

13. Don’t forget sun protection

The sun here is no joke. Keep in mind that Costa Rica is not that far from the equator. The UV index is likely a lot higher than what you are used to. Even on a cloudy day here you can easily get burned.

To protect yourself, always wear SPF 50+, wear a hat (I like this slightly nerdy one), and wear a quick drying shirt when you are in the water.

Find out more in our guide to the sun in Costa Rica

14. Don’t walk on unlit roads at night.

Many towns have no sidewalks and poor lighting. Not only is this unsafe because you never know who could be lurking about, but it’s also unsafe because cars won’t see you until it’s too late on narrow roads.

15. Don’t touch wildlife, even if they come close to you.

I have to admit something, my biggest fear in Costa Rica (besides earthquakes) is the Fer-de-lance snake. I am absolutely terrified of them. For that reason alone, I will never touch a tree for support while hiking.

Besides snakes, you also shouldn’t touch or get close to willdlife because you might harm them or scare them or they might harm you. I once saw a woman get clawed down her entire back because a monkey tried to steal her bag of cookies and she tried to get them back.

16. Don’t ignore national park rules. Stay on marked trails.

The trails are marked for a reason. There are a few things that could go wrong if you get off the trail.

1. You can easily get turned around and lost. In some areas the jungle is dense and very confusing.
2. Snakes and other wildlife are more likely to be an issue when you are in the jungle and off a clear trail.

17. Don’t stand too close to waterfalls or on wet rocks.

Costa Rica often doesn’t have the same safety standards that you might be used to. What I mean is, often there aren’t any guardrails or fences blocking you from the edges of waterfalls.

Since we have lived here I have heard of several instances of tourists falling to their death by slipping on wet rocks at the top of falls.

Use caution and don’t get close to the edges.

Hotel & Accommodation Mistakes

18. Don’t wait to book during dry season. Places sell out fast

As with everything in this country, January through April is the time of year when everything books out early. For the best hotels without paying insane prices, book as early as possible. Check out our hotel directory for all the best places sorted by destination and price point.

19. Don’t book remote hotels without checking road conditions

This is an ongoing problem that I get so many emails about. Some hotels and vacation rentals aren’t located on main roads, but instead on hilly unpaved roads above towns.

It is super important that you confirm what kind of car you need before your stay. There are some roads you will need a 4×4 to access.

20. Don’t forget to check what’s included (breakfast, AC, WiFi, etc.)

The big one to check on is definitely AC. It is not unusual for more budget-friendy places to have electric fans or ceiling fans instead of AC. If you are not used to the heat here, you will definitely want air conditioning. You can thank me later.

21. Don’t forget about vacation rentals as an option

Personally, we love a vacation rental. This gives you the option to have your own private space and usually have kitchen for preparing meals. We love VRBO for finding properties here.

→ Find Your Vacation Property

Itinerary & Planning Mistakes

22. Don’t try to visit the whole country in one trip. Travel is slow.

Costa Rica may look small on a map, but it is so jam packed with amazing things to see. I mean, we’ve lived here since 2016 and I still feel like we have so many things we haven’t seen. So, don’t try and do it all. It will just overwhelm you.

23. Don’t assume you can “walk in” to national parks anymore

A lot of national parks in the country now require you to make reservations ahead of time. It’s annoying, but it is what it is. This can be done on this horribly outdated and poorly set up official national park page (clearly I am not impressed with it).

Also, keep in mind that the national parks which don’t require reservations are all cash free now. You NEED to pay with credit card.

24. Don’t underestimate how much time you’ll want to relax.

I get it. It’s so easy to want to see everything in Costa Rica in a short amount of time. Plus, there is just so many fun things to do here.

However, you are also on vacation. Make sure to build in time to just relax. I love nothing more than chilling in a hammock while reading a book and listening to the birds in the trees.

Travel Tip: Speaking of birds…I highly suggest downloading the free Merlin Bird ID app from Cornell University. It’s an awesome way to identify bird calls while lounging in your hammock.

25. Don’t plan all your outdoor activities for the afternoon

Instead, plan as much as possible for in the morning and keep the afternoons for chilling. There are a few reasons for this.

1. The sun rises around 5:30AM here and I guarantee the wildlife noises won’t allow you to sleep much later than that. So, might as well get up and get moving.
2. The wildlife in Costa Rica is most active in the morning. This is the best time to visit national parks to see animals.
3. During the rainy season, the mornings are typically clear and the rains will come for a few hours in the afternoon.

26. Don’t forget reservations for popular tours like hanging bridges and sloth walks

Popular activities can book out fast. This especially applies during the dry season (which is also peak season). Reserve as far in advance as you can.

Travel Tip: We really like booking tours here via Viator. They have a great selection of activities, helpful reviews, secure payment system, and best of all a lot of the tours have good cancellation policies. That means you can usually book early and cancel if your plans change. Find a great tour here

Restaurant & Food Mistakes

27. Don’t forget to ask for the bill

In Costa Rica, you need to ask for the bill. The waitstaff won’t just bring it at the end of the meal. If you need to ask in Spanish, just say, “La cuenta, por favor.”

28. Don’t forget that a 10% service charge is usually included.

A 10% service charge should always automatically be included on your bill at a restaurant. You can check because it will be listed on the bill.

Tipping on top of that is not required. However, for good service or at more touristy places it is somewhat expected. Keep in mind that a lot of restaurant employees don’t make that much money. If you have the ability to tip more, it will definitely be appreciated.

29. Don’t skip sodas. The best food is local.

Sodas are the small local Costa Rican restaurants. These places are known for their great prices and authentic Costa Rican cuisine.

I suggest starting with a desayuno típico in the morning. This contains gallo pinto (a mix of rice and beans), eggs, and usually fried plantains, maybe a fresh tortilla, and a slice of typical cheese. For lunch or dinner, try a casado. This is a typical dish of rice, beans, a vegetable, and a protein. It’s simple and usually delicious.

Find out more in our guide to traditional dishes

Culture & General Behavior Mistakes

30. Don’t take pictures unless given permission

Costa Rica is home to some really interesting festivities and events. I 100% suggest trying to embrace some of the culture in whatever way you can. I think it really gives you a better understanding and appreciation for the country.

That being said, please refrain from taking up close pictures of people unless permission has explicitly been given. It is just the polite thing to do.

31. Don’t assume everyone speaks English

Spanish is the official language in Costa Rica. Although, a lot of people in tourism speak some English, it is still nice if you can communicate even just a bit in Spanish. To help you out, check out our guide to Spanish in Costa Rica. It contains a lot of helpful phrases!

32. Don’t expect things to be punctual. “Tico time” is real

One thing we have a love/ hate relationship with here is the speed at which things get accomplished. Life here just moves at a slower pace. It can be easy to get frustrated when you are used to things being punctual and well organized, but just take a deep breath and embrace the Pura Vida vibes.

In conclusion, avoiding these common mistakes will make your Costa Rica experience so much smoother. A little preparation goes a long way here.

Just enjoy the pura vida pace, stay curious, and you’ll have an amazing trip.

These Posts Will Also Help You Plan…