BackpackerMom

Costa Rica is a country with 4 million inhabitants. In comparison to it’s neighbors it’s a village, and the village mentality flows over to the mindset of its people. Since living here I haven’t really felt too much of a culture shock. Yeah sure the language could be a barrier at times, and I’m adjusting to their holiday schedules and other little things here and there, but after living here for almost four years I have not, nor will I ever get used, to their system of directiions.
I’m embarrassed to say this, but I will not venture out to a new location, ie: doctor’s office, mall, unless my husband (who was born with a compass inside his head) has either taken me there first or written me directions my 2 year old could follow.

And, trust me, I’m not the only one, you will often find cars driving super slow because everyone is lost! Even the cab drivers are constantly asking for directions.
This is the system, I’ll sum it up for you by giving you my house directions and see if you can solve the mystery:
I live 150 meters south and 100 meters west of Mas por Menos (supermarket chain) in San Pablo de Heredia in the Old Green Valley Hotel.
Now I’ll break it down for you.
If you are coming from Heredia this can kind of make sense, but if you’re coming from the other side which is San Jose you have no idea where to go.
100 meters is an approximation of one block, some blocks in Costa Rica can be upto 300 meters.
Where the hell is west, east, north and south?
My complex was a hotel over 15 years ago, there is no sign anywhere that it was once a hotel. Two years ago they painted our complex from green to brown.
It seems that Ticos are born with this gene of knowing which buildings were what decades ago and it’s passed down from generation to generation.
I’m scared to call for an ambulance!

And my case isn’t special.

In the heart of San Jose center where the streets still carry some numbers on them you will never ever hear anyone give you directions of the number streets, instead they will tell you that where ever you have to go is about 300 meters this way and 75 meters that way from some obscure store. Why not use the street numbers, no one has an answer for that. Also, why chose that store when there is something much more familiar right next to it.

But if you ask how to get from one town to the next–forgetaboutit! they have no clue, and you are completely on your own.
This epidemic is nationwide and to me the greatest mystery of all is how does anyone at all find their way around?

Hi all, here are some of the secrets of Costa Rica travel.
First and foremost, for any of you who are interested in traveling around Costa Rica you’ll know that it’s not on the cheap side at all.
So I’ve come up with a few tips to make your trip just as fun and not pay as much:
1. When eating there are a few things to look out for:

a. Why go to the commercialized restaraunts when you can get a better meal at the local ones called: SODAS. They usually serve homemade stuff at half the price and (this is important) they don’t charge 13% tax. The majority of the other restaraunts all charge 13% plus 10% tip.

b. the tip is almost always included in the price of the meal, so before you tip check your bill.

c. If you do go to a commercialized restaraunt make sure to say you’re paying cash, sometimes they will waver the 13% or give you some other discount.

2. CASH!!!!!!! is king in Costa Rica. No matter where you go if you say you’re paying in cash (EFFECTIVO–in spanish) you are almost always guaranteed a discount. And I’m not talking about restaruants and hotels only, I mean pharamcies, super markets, anywhere you possibly can ask. Chances are there will be a small discount.

3. If traveling to Costa Rica on the off-season (September-November) you are guaranteed to get a better deal and especially with cash. Make sure you first say is there a cash discount, they’ll say yes. Once you’ve established that, then say well it’s also the slow season what discount do you have for that?

4. Taxis–this is tricky. You must make sure that the cab has a meter and that it’s running. Never let them quote you a price it will always be much greater. If the meter isn’t running, the next cab’s will. So wait for it.

5. If you can hack it, take public transportation from one location to the next. There are hundreds of different services these days and they are all quite pricey. I recommend you go with them only if you’re on a time frame and if you have little kids. But otherwise the amount of money you can save is dramatic. I mean over 50 bucks a pop.

6. Always shop locally. Stay away from the tourist shops and especially ones owned by foreigners. They are major rip-offs and the discounts you’ll get are meager to say the least. Street shopping with some haggling can get you great deals and souvenirs, and if the area has a central market it’s a great place to shop for food, eat, and find some trinkets.

Stay tuned for more tips traveling in Costa Rica…

If you have any specific questions please feel free to ask me on this blog or email me:
marina@backpackermom.com