Lodging
Visitors to Costa Rica can choose from a wide variety of lodging, from luxury hotels belonging to major worldwide chains to ecological hostels and more modest bed-and-breakfasts.
Cuisine
What's on the menu? Costa Rican cuisine ranges from the freshest tropical fruits and vegetables to exquisite seafood and indigenous foods, such as gallo pinto, consisting of rice lightly sauteed with beans and served with steak or eggs. Costa Rican dishes also include tamales, arroz con pollo (rice with chicken), minced arracache root, potato and meat hash, and casado, a "marriage" of rice, beans, ripe plantains, fresh vegetable salad and some sort of meat. The list goes on to include grilled corn on the cob, chorreadas (a thick johnny cake made from tender corn), and empanadas filled with cheese, beans or meat. In addition, if a visitor so desires, he or she may try other cuisines, such as French, Italian, German, Korean, Chinese, Spanish, Mexican, U.S. and vegetarian, all of which are well-represented in the country.
Communications
Costa Rica has one of the most advanced telecommunications systems in Latin America, with telephones and fax machines all over the country and an increasing number of businesses online. To call or fax Costa Rica, dial the country code 506 before the number. Mail service is reliable, and San Jose has an ample selection of courier services. Most large hotels in the San Jose area have cable television. Newspapers and magazines from North America and several European nations are sold in many shops and hotels in and around the capital.
Transportation
It's easy to get around in Costa Rica. There is bus service to just about every town and city, and buses that serve main tourist destinations are of high quality. Taxis are also plentiful and inexpensive, and in San Jose, they are required to use meters for most trips. The standard charge for a taxi between the international airport and downtown San Jose is US$10. The quickest way to get around is to fly, and several domestic airlines offer daily flights to most of the popular tourist destinations. There are also plenty of car rental agencies, most of which rent four-wheel-drive vehicles.
Banks and Money
State and private banks abound in San Jose, and at least one major bank is located in every large town. The official currency of Costa Rica is the colon, but U.S. dollars are accepted in most hotels and restaurants. U.S. dollars and traveler's checks can be changed in banks and hotels. Major credit cards are widely accepted, and cash advances can be obtained in San Jose.
Business Hours
Government offices are generally open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., while banks close any time between 3 and 6 p.m., depending on the branch. Most shops are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., while some open at 8 a.m. and others close at 7 p.m.; most grocery stores close at 8 p.m. Some shops also close for lunch, between noon and 1 or 2 p.m.
Holidays
Though government offices and most banks close for national holidays, travelers are not inconvenienced since they can change money or travelers checks in their hotel. Do not change money on the street. During the week of the Annexation of Guanacaste, July 25, the main towns in the northwest province of Guanacaste are overflowing with revelry and folklore. Carnival, which is celebrated in the Caribbean port of Limon during the week of October 12, is another colorful affair
