Traveling to San Jose, Costa Rica: Everything you need to know

[@nathjellybelly]

Automercado is not for expats. It is just nicer than others.

[@anahsolcar3797]

The airport of Costa Rica is not in San José, is in Alajuela .... and about the heat well that you didn't go to Puntarenas or Guanacaste or Limón because there are very much hot to San José ... and even National Geografic and Animal Planet mencioned in Costa Rica exist the 6 ٪ of the BIODIVERSITY OF THE FAUNA AND FLORA OF THE WORLD

[@palimo3653]

Good info but could have been condensed a lot

[@Solus3D]

Is easy to travel in Costa Rica. You can rent a car and go anywere. Cops are nice and dont shoot people for no reason. Most young people know some english, but for a real costarrican experience you need to learn some neutral spanish (spanish from spain is very rude for the locals). Costarricans are shy with foreing people but if you want to talk is easy to get a great conversation anywere. All public water is clean, you dont need to buy bottle water but still you can find bottles of water anywere. Most people dont have weapons, if you go with a weapon in public, people can believe you are a criminal. Try to not get drunk in public otside of a party, locals dont like drunk aliens. Crime is like any other nation in the planet, if you arent sure if a street is safe, you can ask to a cop or in any store. People in Costa Rica are very pride. If you become a "Karen", locals can become a problem. Nobody in the planet like Karens. Biodiversity is protected by law. you cant take plants or animals out of his habitad. Hunting is ilegal. If you are a nice person, Costa Rica is a great place. A little advice: For public transportation use Bus, Train, Taxi or Uber. Ilegal drivers can be dangerous like any other place. Fun fact: Costa Rica dont have mass shootings in schools.

[@hanslara6552]

Related to biodiversity it’s not true what you said that the other countries in Central America has the same percentage of it as Costa Rica. That other countries allowed to hunt the animals, in Costa Rica that is prohibed, also we protect with national parks and natural reserves the 25% of the country. We have a national park called Corcovado that only in that small part of the country, has 2.5 % of the biodiversity of the world and National Geographic said that this place is the most biodiverse place on Earth. Most of the biodiversity in Costa Rica is localed outside from San José. The capital city is most of all for making business, not to see biodiversity. You should read much more before making a video, because many information that you share is wrong, like the percentage of biodiversity, you told that is 8% and is a 6% from all the world. For your information, that percentage is huge, because the size of our country is pretty small.

[@juliasomething]

Yes, indeed, I realised after filming that I said 8% instead of the correct percentage, which is 6%. I apologise if you are offended by my video, but the title says "Travelling to San Jose," and this is a review and a story of my personal experience. If people wanted to read, they could go and read and not watch KZbin videos. This is not a manual on biodiversity in Costa Rica. This is a traveller and personal opinion. By the way, this is FREE content for anyone to watch. Nobody paid me to do it, and it costs me money and time to produce it. If you don't have something nice to say, then please refrain from your comments. Thank you!

[@mesmerb5136]

Great, honest opinion about CR. Tourism marketing is insane, and while nice, the country has nothing on Guatemala and other places in Central America. Thanks!

[@rioluna6058]

says the guy didnt even got out of san jose comparing things he didnt even knew that it wasnt even close , could you guys be more disingenious?also is funny you comment like you are some random on the internet hahah and not this girls partner. .

[@siamiam4306]

Guatemala and Costa Rica are totally different. Guatemala is part of Maya Mundo and you'll witness superb colonial towns. Costa Rica would be the choice for wild beaches, and its impressive micro-climates..... and a better chance to spot a Quetzal. 😀 I do want to re-visit Guatemala, especially Antigua for next Semana Santa. With the demise of LACSA, TACA, even Aviateca, I noticed connections and long layovers that I'm backing away from. In the meantime, non-stop routes to Costa Rica are being created on a yearly basis. I think the airlines are a better judge of which is the top destination in Central America.

[@rodvarmo]

Like the Guatemalan top caribbean beaches 😂😂

[@siamiam4306]

@@rodvarmo The same is said of beaches of Myanmar.. I don't doubt you - but no.

[@perryelyod4870]

Try not to look like a tourist - locals don't wear shorts and sandals/flip flops, safari hats in the city. Blue jeans are terrible for travelling, get real travel clothes that are quick drying, and cool. Keep the jewellery and tacky Rolex watch back home, and get a Casio. Avoid getting attention to yourself, even though I realize there are some people are unfiltered attention w*****. A lot will be different, roll with it. Use the local currency, not US dollars, use cash for smaller purchases to avoid having your debit/credit card misused because you aren't familiar with colones. If a place is charging you in US$, you're paying to much. Locals don't tip, and dislike gringos bringing that terrible exceptionlism when they travel. Many better, upscale places charge a 13% tax, and a 10% service charge. This is why I use mom and pop sodas (cafes), the menu price is the final price. Be careful when booking car rentals. Most don't mention there is a mandatory insurance charge, and only quote the rental rate to make it appear cheaper. If a company is upfront by disclosing all the charges, use them. And inspect the vehicle, with pictures/video before you drive off. When driving here, you have to be defensively aggressive. Don't drive like some granny from Iowa. Traffic lights are sometimes on the same side of the intersection as your vehicle. Keep back to be able to view the light. Some intersections have a traffic light, and a stop sign. This is because the power goes out frequently, and when the lights aren't working, the signs are to be used. Don't stop if you have a green light because there's a stop sign there.

[@siamiam4306]

San Jose is not safe. I was forced to do two logistical nights last December. I've also traveled there dozens of times and spent a year working there in 94. Mostly all homes outside the suburbs are barred-in. Decades ago, Avenida Central was a safe walk for locals and workers from other provinces were in no rush to get back home. . It's now deserted at night with visible police presence. As you alluded, San Jose may force you to spend first and last night there, which we did in December. In February, our flight schedule allowed us to avoid San Jose. With that said, you can do decent day tours from San Jose if you elect to stay in the city and make it work. . .... I'm going back in October for nine nights in Punta Uva ( Puerto Viejo ) with the forced last night in San Jose. As far as costs, car rental, is an exaggerated cost , and entry of national parks have crazily spiked-up , including places that used to be free. I'm fair with Tico idioms and got the local pricing at some places. In fairness, you'll be challenged to find flora or fauna anywhere else - including the Amazon. It's not as cheap as Thailand or my recent 10 days in Egypt, but it can be managed if you wisely expense the must-do's. Transportation will likely be the highest cost, unless you take a public bus for six hours to your selected destination.

[@Solus3D]

Of couse San Jose is not safe if you go to bad places. About flora and fauna is easy to find in the country side, just ask the locals. Wild tucans visit my house every week. And yes, like any other place, turist traps are expensive.

[@rodvarmo]

San jose is not hot

[@mesmerb5136]

Costa Rican tourism is a bit of scam. San Jose is alright

[@rioluna6058]

yeah brother keep coping just because you and your partner choose to stay in san jo se but let me tell every costa rican knwos that this country magic is inside their forests not in san jose, san jose is horrible, heredia and escazu are really beautiful cities tho .

[@eduardojose8172]

Aren't you this girls bf? LOL! Why would you go to the ONE part in CR that you shouldn't have? You guys do awful research. Really really poor videos.

[@robertgross9580]

The women there are quite cheap. Cheaper than Thailand

[@perryelyod4870]

Of course some creepy old geezer that hangs out the Del Ray has to make that comment here. You old men are nasty.