Costa Rica Travel Tips

General Tips for Traveling Abroad

To make sure your trip abroad goes off without a hitch, follow these tips:

  1. Make sure to bring your signed passport and visas (if required). Also, be sure to fill in the emergency page of your passport and make photocopies to store in a safe location. It's a good idea to make 2 copies of your passport identification page, which will facilitate replacement if your passport is lost or stolen. Leave one of these copies at home with friends or family and store the other separately from your passport.
  2. Read the Consular Information Sheets (and Public Announcements or Travel Warnings, if applicable) for the countries you plan to visit. Read the Consular Information Sheet for Costa Rica.
  3. Familiarize yourself with local laws and customs of the countries to which you are traveling. Remember, while you're in a foreign country, you are subject to its laws.
  4. Leave a copy of your travel itinerary with friends or family so that they may contact you in the case of an emergency.
  5. Don't leave your luggage unattended in public areas. Don't accept packages from strangers.
  6. Don't wear conspicuous clothing or expensive jewelry and do not carry excessive amounts of money or unnecessary credit cards.
  7. To avoid violating local laws, deal only with authorized agents when you exchange money or purchase art or antiques.