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Costa Rica Family Travel Blog

Costa Rica is world famous for family travel thanks to its accessibility, magnificent nature, and stunning wildlife. Discover it all with our Costa Rica Family Travel Blog

Finding Paradise on the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica

Costa Rica IS Like No Other Place On Earth! Explore It With Our Family Travel Costa Rica Guide

Costa Rica’s tiny size belies it’s stunning natural attractions. This small slice of land, sandwiched between Panama and Nicaragua is home to one of the most diverse wildlife regions in the entire world. Combine that with the country’s great pride in eco-tourism, and this makes for one of the most unique and memorable family travel destinations in the world!

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Tips For Family Travel in Costa Rica

If you’re new to international family travel, I highly recommend checking out our well-researched trip planning resources. It’s full of proven family travel hacks.

  • Currency
    • Costa Rica’s currency is the Colón. Its average value is approximately $0.0018 USD. You can check the current value here.
  • Capital
    • The Capital of Costa Rica is San José. This colorful city features areas with beautiful Spanish-style architecture. Most notable is the National Theatre.
  • Electricity
    • Costa Rica uses 110 volts, 60-cycle electricity, the same plugs as North America.
  • Cellular Phone Service
    • Cell phone service is available through most urban areas of Costa Rica. There are some remote areas where cellular service is spotty or inaccessible. I have used the Airalo eSim app for all of my international travel.
  • Roads, Driving, and Public Transit
    • Most roads and highways in Costa Rica are well-maintained. There are certain areas, most notably between Arenal and Monteverde, where the roads can be very narrow, windy, and in poor condition.
  • Visiting Costa Rica with Kids
    • Costa Rica is a relatively safe country. It’s diverse wildlife and stable political system make it a very popular country for expats and family travel.

Important Words And Phrases To Know When Traveling In Costa Rica

Like most of Central and South America, the main language in Costa Rica is Spanish. English is spoken in many of the larger cities and by most tour guides, however, in rural towns, it might be challenging to find locals who speak English.

It’s always helpful to know a few words in the local language whenever you travel to a new destination. So here are a few important Spanish words to know before you visit.

Important Spanish Words To Know:

Yes: Si

No: N

Thank You: Gracias

Thank You Very Much: Muchas Gracias

You’re Welcome:  De nada (It’s nothing)

Please: Por favor

Excuse Me: Perdóneme

Hello: Ola

Goodbye: Adiós

Bathroom: Baño

How To Stay Connected And Get Internet And Phone Service In Costa Rica

Most major cities throughout Mexico and Central America have excellent cellular service. If you have an older phone, I highly recommend purchasing a sim either at the airport or as one of your first stops on your travels.

If you have a newer eSim capable phone, you can save yourself time by purchasing an eSim ahead of time and having it activated before you arrive.

There are many companies that offer this service. I have used Airalo for years. It has been seamless in over ten countries. They have World, Regional, and Country-Specific eSims available. The price goes down the more specific you get. The regional sims allow for easy country-hopping if you are visiting multiple destinations.

Airalo eSim logo

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