Wow the tourism business has been tough these last few years! People don’t want to spend a dime and when they do, man do they do it with attitude. That’s understandable, because in these tough economic times every dime counts.
So, I am writing this to inform would-be travelers to Costa Rica a few things that I hope will help set expectations on a more reasonable level and enhance their overall enjoyment of the country.
So here goes, 5 ways to have a better Costa Rica vacation…
Number 1
At the risk of stating the obvious, Costa Rica is not the U.S. People here speak Spanish, not English. Now in the tourism industry it is common for most workers to have at least some ability in English, but not always. So when you check in and the receptionist is trying, but faltering, with her English, don’t freak out. After all, if a tico were to travel to a U.S. city, say Myrtle Beach for example, survive the harassment by immigration authorities, and then check in at Hampton Inn, would the receptionist likely speak Spanish?
Think about it….
Number 2
You are here for Costa Rica, not for a hotel. Hotels in Costa Rica are nice and if you are willing to pay enough (and these days, who is?) they can be quite luxurious. But nevertheless it is different than the U.S. You are deep in the Central American tropics. Amenities like air conditions and hot water, things taken for granted in the U.S., are considered luxuries here.
So again, don’t freak out if your hot water is provided by a device known as the “suicide shower,” or if the air condition doesn’t cool the room sufficiently in 60 seconds flat. How much time do you really want to spend in your room anyway.
Remember, outside is paradise!
Number 3
Yes Scarlet you can drink the water in Costa Rica. Costa Rica may be “south of the border,” but it ain’t Mexico. In general, the water here is drinkable in any location of the country. We have never had a customer at Package Costa Rica get sick from drinking the water in Costa Rica.
So don’t freak out and think that you have to keep your mouth shut when taking a shower, or brush your teeth with bottled water or beer.
Number 4
Everything moves slower in Costa Rica. In the U.S. everything is rush rush. In a restaurant the waitress will literally push you out the door in order to turn that table over to the next customer. Everything is built upon the notion that faster is better.
This gives rise to a culture of impatience that doesn’t mesh well with Costa Rica. Things here are just the opposite. No one is in a hurry to do anything and if you appear impatient, they will get very nervous and probably make mistakes, or worse, they will retaliate by slowing down even more. Best just to realize that it is a culture thing, not “poor service,” and slow down yourself a little bit.
Patience is a virtue, especially in Costa Rica.
Number 5
It takes longer to get from Point A to Point B in Costa Rica. It just does. For instance, to drive 60 miles on a U.S. highway, it will take around one hour, correct? Well, to drive that same 60 miles here in Costa Rica, which is approximately 100 kilometers, it will take around two hours.
Why? Well the roads aren’t as good. Usually you have to cross mountains. Most roads are only one lane, etc…
So don’t freak out when it takes a few hours to travel from, say, Arenal to the beach at Manuel Antonio. Instead, sit back and enjoy the views, as there are many. A lot of folks get so obsessed and frustrated about time that they miss out on seeing the beauty of Costa Rica unfold before their very eyes.
Okay I could go on, but the above five steps provide a great start.
Follow this advice and you will enjoy Costa Rica much more intensely and, conversely, Costa Rica will enjoy you.
Pura Vida!
image credit: mpompen via Compfight cc
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linda
5 Ways to have a Better Costa Rica Vacation