Ask the Expert

Rodolfo Zamora is considered to be one of the premier naturalist birder guides in Costa Rica, winning the award for best guide in 1994 by ICT-CANATUR (Costa Rica Tourist Board-Costa Rican National Chamber of Commerce). A member of the American Birding Association, he has participated in ABA sponsored conventions. Rudy was also a participant at the seminar on management of wildlife areas hosted at the Charles Darwin Institute in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. A true Renaissance man, Rudy is a farmer, has studied chemistry, has worked as a professional musician and has led numerous Zoo, Audubon and nature groups through his beloved homeland of Costa Rica since 1987. Rudy has also traveled the world, visiting the USA (where he attended the University of Arizona), Mexico, Guatemala, Ecuador, and throughout Europe.

Q: Do I need a visa to travel to Costa Rica?
A: A valid passport, onward/return ticket and proof of sufficient funds are required. Visas are not required for Costa Rica.

Q: What's the best time to travel?
A: Costa Rica´s year round climate is pleasant with naturally occurring breezes cooling down most of the coastal areas. It has only two seasons: dry and green. The dry season with very little rain is generally between late December and April and the green (or wet season) lasts the rest of the year – May through November and still offers an average of about 5 hours of daily sunshine. The Caribbean coast doesn’t have this extended dry weather and stays green all year round and due to the humidity, tends to be a little oppressive sometimes. The Central Mountainous Region is more temperate.

Q: How many shots do I need?
A: If traveling to the Caribbean coastal area, you may want to protect yourself against the possibility of contracting malaria. Consult your doctor for a prescription for a malaria suppressant at least two weeks prior to departure as tablets should be taken a week before you depart, as well as during and after trip. The best prevention is to avoid mosquito bites. Wear long slacks and long sleeved shirts, use mosquito nets, and a repellent with 30% DEET, Skin So Soft, or oil of citronella. Malaria symptoms can appear as few as 8 days after exposure or a year later. Do not be misled by flu like symptoms of chills and fever. Since some U.S. doctors are unfamiliar with malaria, insist upon a blood test. Delays in treatment can have serious consequences. You are unlikely to encounter any serious diseases in Costa Rica. Sanitary standards are high and the health system is excellent. During past wet seasons there have been several outbreaks of the mosquito-borne disease dengue but so far there have been no reported cases of the more serious hemorrhaging dengue. No vaccinations are required to enter Costa Rica as epidemic diseases have been all but eradicated throughout the country. Infectious hepatitis, a serious problem throughout Central America, is reported only rarely in Costa Rica.

Please consult your physician, local health authority or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international travelers at 877-FYI-TRIP (877-394-8747) or via their web site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel for any addi­tional health precautions. For outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization’s web site at http://www.who.int/en/ . Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/topics/en/.

Q: Is the water safe to drink?
A: Tap water is mostly safe for use in the capital city of San Jose but beyond that, we suggest using bottled water. Fruits are plentiful and luscious, but do not consume anything from a vendor or market that you cannot peel. In the better hotels and restaurants, you might try the mamon chino – a red spiny fruit with succulent white flesh. Mango and pawpaw are good, plus zapotes, which resemble an avocado but have an orange-like pulp. Gallo pinto is the staple of the Costa Rican diet – black beans and rice. Casado, or married, means the rice and beans are combined with a meat or fried banana or yucca.  A gallo is something with a tortilla wrapped around it, such as beef, cheese, beans, chicken or pork. Sea bass (corvina), prawns (langostinos) and lobster (langosto) are among the most plentiful seafoods.  An appetizer of ceviche, raw seafood in lime or lemon juice mixed with onion and coriander leaves, is something you should not miss. Miss the Bavaria beer instead; try Imperial brand.  

Q: How in shape do I need to be?
A: To enjoy your trip to the fullest, you should be in good physical and mental health. Your exploration of Costa Rica will include many nature walks, some strenuous and at rather high altitudes or humidity levels. These walks last several hours but are given at a decent pace in order to closely examine the flora and fauna of the area. Always bring along water, bug repellant and a good hat to protect yourself during these nature walks.

Q: I plan on enjoying the shopping, as well. Are credit cards accepted?
A: Most major credit cards are widely accepted such as MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Diners Club but it is wise to check with the establishment first. It is also advisable to carry some cash or travelers checks in US Dollars for purchases outside urban areas, and tipping. Since you will be met upon arrival at the airport and transferred to your hotel, you will not need any local currency before you reach the hotel, where you can easily obtain it.  Exchange of U.S. Dollars can be made at lodges and banks. You should not depend on your ATM card outside of the U.S. unless your bank advises otherwise. Local banks will give you notes in local currency. Keep your traveler’s checks on you, along with other valuables, including passport, credit cards, or lock in the safety deposit boxes when provided.

Q: Any packing suggestions?
A: RECOMMENDED PACKING LIST:

• A small flashlight with extra batteries
• Malaria tablets; consult your doctor for suggestions
• Packaged wet tissues ("Wash & Dry" "Wet Ones")
• Plenty of film or tape for your camera + extra batteries or rechargers
• Long-sleeved shirts, slacks and socks to protect you from insect bites and sunburn
• Good quality sunglasses – preferably polarized. Tinted fashion glasses are not good in strong light
• Sun hat with a brim
• Shorts/skirts
• Long trousers/slacks
• Underwear and socks
• Good walking shoes
• Sandals or rubber flip/flops for poolside
• Swimsuit with light cover-up garment
• Warm winter jersey for cooler mornings in higher elevations
• Light rain gear (ponchos work better than trying to carry an umbrella along with your camera etc!)
• If you wear contact lenses, we recommend that you bring along a pair of glasses in case you get irritation from the dust
• BINOCULARS  (ESSENTIAL)
• Personal toiletries
• Moisturizing cream & suntan lotion
• Insect repellent e.g. Jungle Juice, OFF! Etc.
• Basic medical kit (aspirins, plasters, Immodium, antiseptic cream and Anti-histamine cream etc)
• Tickets, passports, money etc
• Waterproof/dustproof bags/cover for your cameras.

Q: That should do it for now, Rudy.  Any other suggestions?
A: Just pack a sense of wonder, adventure and humor! I look forward to sharing my beautiful country with you.

 

DID YOU KNOW?
Costa Rica is home to more orchids than other place on earth. There are thought to be more than 1,500 identified species here. That is why the orchid is
this nation’s official flower.