Is it safe to drink the tap water?

In most major towns and tourist hubs, the tap water is safe to drink. If you are heading to very remote areas, stick to bottled or filtered water.

Do I need to speak Spanish?

You can get by with English in tourist areas, but learning 20-30 basic Spanish phrases will significantly improve your experience and interactions with locals.

Three Weeks in Costa Rica: The Ultimate Loop

Spend three weeks following a circular route that balances Pacific surf towns, cloud forest hiking, and Caribbean coast relaxation. Focus on limiting travel days to every 3-4 days to avoid spending your entire trip on a bus.

Prioritize one coast. Don't try to see every corner. Pick two major hubs—one on the Pacific side (e.g., Guanacaste or Nicoya) and one on the Caribbean side (e.g., Puerto Viejo). Costa Rica's geography makes cross-country travel slow.
Use shuttle services. Book 'shared shuttle' services like Interbus or Gray Line for transfers between tourist hubs. They are safer and more reliable than public buses and cheaper than private drivers.
Rent a 4x4 if you move inland. If you plan on visiting the Monteverde cloud forests or rural Nicoya Peninsula, rent a 4x4 vehicle. Mountain roads are steep, unpaved, and frequently muddy.
Book national park entries online. You must buy tickets for parks like Manuel Antonio or Tortuguero in advance via the official SINAC website. Walk-up tickets are rarely available during high season.

Is it safe to drink the tap water?: In most major towns and tourist hubs, the tap water is safe to drink. If you are heading to very remote areas, stick to bottled or filtered water.
Do I need to speak Spanish?: You can get by with English in tourist areas, but learning 20-30 basic Spanish phrases will significantly improve your experience and interactions with locals.