We got stopped by the police yesterday, on our first day of driving in CR (from Alajuela to Cahuita). He said it was forbidden to drive with my flip-flops and the fine would be 400 USD. I told him I want to call our car rental company and immediately he said it was okay to continue our journey without paying anything. :D

As a Costa Rican I approve this video 😁Now... regarding point #8... If you ever get stopped by a crooked transit police officer and they ask for a "little tip" wink, wink, (try to have pictures of your bill's serial numbers in advance) pay them off and then go to the nearest police station or court house and file a report on them, make sure to remember their official car plate number. This way the main police (Fuerza Publica) or OIJ (They're like our local version of your feds) will put them under arrest. It's the only way we all have of getting rid of those bad apples! Just as I encourage you guys not to feed the local fauna, I recommend you not to let those mofos to get away with it.

WAZE has saved me thousands of dollars on speeding tickets. What an excellent suggestion 👌

Such great advice. I've traveled to 125 countries now, and Costa Rica will be my 126th country in April 2024. I'm going to Jaco for 8 days. Being a world traveler, I still learn from people who are in the know. Thank you.

#7🤣🤣🤣 that’s what happened to my dad he met my mama n his world changed n now I’m here☺️

Solid list, agree with most of it. I lived in San Jose for a semester in college and will add a few more: -Don't skip San Jose and the Central Valley. I am not saying spend a week there, but a couple days if possible. -Don't get too lax about being in the ocean without lifeguards-which is pretty much every beach. Rip currents kill tourists every year in Costa Rica. The tourism industry likes to keep this fact quiet. -Don't carry a wallet. A lot of Ticos do not. Copy of your passport, a credit card or atm card, and a small bit of colones in your front pocket or a money belt. Leave the passport at the hotel locked up if possible. Avoid expensive jewelry, sunglasses, etc. -Take sun protection very seriously as the country is close to the equator -Don't go through the hassle of changing US dollars. There is no reason to bring a lot of US cash with you. (Think I brougth $100 USD for a four month trip.) Just use your ATM card (not credit card) and the machines will dispense colones with no exchange fees. -If you go outside of your resort or hotel that caters mainly to Americans, even in touristy areas, do not expect everyone to speak English. We saw Americans in Jaco getting very frustrated. -Don't forget that if you rent a car many of the online quotes do not show the price for daily liability insurance that is required by law. Don't assume your credit card will cover physical damage to cars in Costa Rica-most cards dropped that coverage a few years back

I got popped in Mexico and that night taught myself my first Spanish--disabled veteran military policeman retired (which I actually am). After that, zero problem all the way to Nicaragua. Eventually, I started carrying a case of water on the right front seat on highway runs. Sometimes on a hot day, 2 waters is all ya need to make a parched throat say "gracias hermano," and you're back cruising.

so straight forward and very fun to watch! loved the video & can’t wait for the trip

Always enjoy watching thanks for the info. Coming back as soon as I can !!

Thank you for these tips can’t wait come there !

Awesome! Thank you for the tips, about to take the family to Tamarindo and this is really helpful.

This was so informative! Thank you!

Thank you, Rich. Appreciate your helpful insights from your extensive experience.

Thank you for these helpful tips! Awesome information for my friends from around the world :)

Love your video, few days before my trip. Thank you for all the important information

You seem genuine. And, I find your videos are helpful. Thank you!

Headed there in a month. So excited and these tips are super helpful.

This was very helpful for my upcoming trip! Thank you very much!

thank you for such a thoughtful vid. i am going in may, cannot wait!

Awesome advice, if not the best. Thank you, sir!

Thanks for this list! This helps me with travel planning for Costa Rica

We love traveling too. We will travel to Costa Rica soon. Thanks for the tips, it will be helpful.

Thanks Rich! I've been twice (a dozen years ago) and heading back in December. It's been a while but traveled to both coasts by rental car and looking forward to Tamarindo as I have not been yet. Your tips are helpful and appreciated!

Things I would not have thought about, thank you! And the 5 cards was HILARIOUS!🤣🤣🤣

Thank you so much and wow what a great ending with honesty! ❤️😁👏👏👏

Great information! I definitely know who I would want for my realtor in CR.

Great Video. My Dad lives in CR and he has told us the same. Thank you.

Great comments. Had 6 out of 10, but the other 4 you mentioned, particulary about getting along with the police, were very helpful.

This is the best video on KZfaq about Costa Rica. Thank you.

Eminently sensible advice. Been to Costa Rica twice and going again this May. Saludos.

Going in a few weeks and by far, the most informative vid I've seen. Thx for the info...following your DON'TS for sure!!

Brilliant, thanks for the great information Rich!

Very interesting, learned a lot and will use the info, doing a solo 8 days trip next week and trying to map what to do, planning 3 days in San Jose and 4 days in the coast line preferably Jaco .

Your fun video reminded me of our trip to Tamarindo some time ago ... using the local tourist travel place we went on Jeep-Boat-Jeep tour up to Lake Arenal - across the lake to a lodge in La Fortuna (?) with a bar beside the swimming pool as we watched the volcano magma roll down ... and so much more! ... yes it was a good time! Now it is looking for 'save the turtles' vacation!

Thanks a bunch for the tips! Cheers!

Great "don't 's" in Costa Rica. On my bucket list!!!

Spot on with this we just got back from Occidental Papagayo and I wish I would've seen this before we went but by far the best trip ever.

Hi. We are going to CR next week for first time. This vid is so helping. The police bribe part is gold. And the Waze part too. Thank you!

Love the brutal honesty here! Very much appreciated, thanks!

Thanks so much for your advice. I will be coming down in a couple of weeks and these tips will most definitely come into play.

Huge thanks! These are all sage and tremendously helpful. Cheers!

Thank you so much. This is brilliant. I will pay particular attention to the 'do not fall in love' advice :-) I'm planning a solo trip as a 50 year old Brit and your advice is invaluable.

Great info. We're going there in a week and can't wait to try some of these places. Thanks SO much

thank you! i'm planning a solo trip to costa rica, this was really helpful! i'm so excited

We are heading to Tamarindo with our entire family in two weeks. Great information!!! We look forward to our visit.

Great help. Many thanks for sharing this information.

Great tips! Many thanks from a Canadian soon to be travelling to El Coco Beach

Great info! Hope to see you there

You probably gave me the best info needed. 💋 Thank you!!

Thank you for this entertaining video. We are coming down in Dec/Jan and these tips were really helpful!

Very good video! Planning a trip in April 22. Doing as much research as possible. So far your video is I've seen

This was amazing! Thank you!

Very useful tips, I’ll watch more of your content. Thank you 🙏🏼 😊

Thank you for this! I’m Planning my 6 month trip to CR!!

Great video, thanks mate!!

Solid and accurate advice. Been to CR twice and going again in Oct. husband is from Venezuela 🇻🇪 so it’s good he knows the language and how things work in America Latina.

13:50 Thank you for these valuable information and tips. Will help us a lot on our first trip.

Really good advice, and I would add something else which is based my personal opinion. If you must go to either Tamarindo or Jaco, avoid Semana Santa and Christmas. Those two Holidays can be a logistical cluster if you follow my drift.

Really enjoyed your video. Im planning a 90 day holiday this December. Cant wait !! Ill be there for my 54th birthday.. Going to watch more of your stuff as its normal, funny and genuine.. Thank you. Soy Escocessa de Inverness.... Must go and brush up on my Spanish

that plant is awesome. cant wait to visit CR again

Good stuff. Thank you. Hope to visit around end of May for a month. Realized a few days ago, although flights to Liberia seem to cost a bit more than to San Jose, it's really a wash and so much more convenient.

The hallmark card comment was hilarious 😂 😂😂😂😂😂 ! And that is so true! Not just in Costa Rica, but so many Spanish speaking countries. Actually leaving tomorrow and will be in San Jose ! 😊. I was told to stay away from downtown. Staying in escazu near the mall.. I love your personality and your channel is very professionally done. Thank you for the information. Matt Tennessee 😊

Thanks - vacationing in CR in about 8 months. Great video. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

Thank you for great information in Costa Rica , enjoy ...

Glad searched this video. Im going to Costa Rica next month.

Hi Rich! We are heading to CR in a few weeks. Thanks for the tips!

Hi Rich, we watched all of your videos before we went to CR for a two week trip. Thank you so much. We used all of your tips and we had a great trip. The best tip was getting a four wheel drive SUV and the second best was come in the off season. We came in the beginning of November and it rained every day. We loved it! There weren’t a lot of tourists and we were able to enjoy the country without too many other tourists around. We did get stopped by police and they searched us and seemed to be looking for a bribe but we weren’t intimated and they let us go on our way. The one thing I would add is beware if locals trying to divert you from getting to your destination. We went to Manuel Antonio National Park and we were stopped 6 times before we got there and told this is it and we need to park here and pay them. We told them we were meeting a local guide and we needed to keep going and it worked but they step out in front of your car and try and make you stop and park although we were a mile from the entrance. We made it through the gauntlet but others should beware. Rob

Great post! Thank you!!!

I used Here We Go when I was there in 2019. Luckily, I had downloaded Costa Rica's map when home. It came in handy when I couldn't get Internet service on my phone. Made it to Jacó from San Jose with zero issues.

I'm heading to Tamarindo in April. This info was very useful...Thanks.

Such helpful info! Thanks!

Some very helpful points....gracias!

Subscribed. Thanks for the great info. We are heading down this weekend to Playa Ventanas beach area. First timers.

So informative. I'm mov8ng with kid this spring. Thanks

I am taking my 1st trip to Costa Rica in a couple weeks, and a friend who has been there multiple times told me many things about the country. At least half were in this video! So for all who are wondering if these 10 are true, then you should believe them because they are! Good work and keep the videos coming!!!

Thanks for the info 😁😁😁 I’ll see you in tamarindo next week 😀😊

Thanks Richard very handy info. Really enjoyed the video. I’ve met you a number of times in Tamarindo we will be back early Feb to April hope to see you around. Stay safe!

Me and my hb. Just watchs your vids. Thank you😊😉. Will be there in 2 weeks.

100 % accurate ! And funny....the traffic stops happened to me exactly like that !!! 😅🤣🤭

good advice as an american that lived in and all over mexico guatemala and colombia its all very similar.....just chill and dont over react things are very different and people disapear in the blink of an eye...i would ad 11 to the list when you drink ..be cool,respectful...dont call too much attention to yourself...good advice and enjoy all of latin america!

Very helpful, going in September. thanks!

Richard- Hope all is well. Great presentation. I wasn't aware you were such a celebraty. Well Done. I will be in town in a few weeks so let's grab a Imperial. I just subscribed to see what I should and should not be doing! Pura Vida, Steve Grow

Very helpful! Thank you!

Going to Occidental resort in February thank you for these great tips

Bang in, for all of it! Except one thing. Anytime someone tries to use Wayz to get to me on the mountain I live on, they get lost. So if you're ever having trouble finding something with Wayz, switch to Google map. Use both.

thank you for this im planning my first trip for 2023

very helpful thanks for sharing your experiences.

we just came back and all u said it's awesome and true, one tip to add the restaurants at the airport in liberia will say the water is not safe asking you to buy bottled water which is incorrect, all costa Rican water is safe unlike other countries so insist on a glass of water with ice and they will give it to you!

Went to CR for the first time on a mission trip last summer. Going for my honeymoon this summer. Wrote every single one of these down!

Thank you for good advices.

Really great advice! Thanks !

GREAT Intel, Gracias, Bravo! 🙏

I would add one more tip of advice… may tourists skip over staying in the Costa Rica capital. That is a big mistake. Plan to spend at least 2-3 days to explore the capital city. Many great barrios (neighborhoods) like Los Yoses and Barrio Escalante with over 50 local bars and restaurant, close to the museums downtown. Santa Ana, La Sabana, and Escazu also worth checking out. Number one area for me is the Los Yoses/Barrio Escalante neighborhoods.

Thanks for the invaluable information

Quite helpful! Thank you!

Headed to Costa Rica for first visit. Knew only about half of the tips! Especially appreciate the traffic ticket one. Could’ve saved me in Panama probably too. Kangaroo court on steroids! Thx so much. Glad to find you!

Really great advice, awesome

I hope to visit one day, great tips thanks

Thank you so much! We are coming for 6 months shortly to see if we want to make it our permanent home and I feel much more prepared 👍❤️😀

Nice content Rich . may I suggest please . If you are going to Costa Rica . Make sure you visit La Paz waterfalls , Tabacoon Hot spring for few nights then go to Playa Conchal Guanacaste for 4 nights But it’s 5 hours drive from San Jose so leave early if you can around 10 am . It’s worth of going there 🙏