Getting there – Fly into Liberia, the closest international airport to Tamarindo a little over an hour away. http://www.liberiacostarica.com/airport/airline.html. Southwest Airlines just added low fare options. You could pay $100 for a private taxi or travel like an insider and make a reservation with Tamarindo Transfers & Tours for the 14 pax air conditioned shuttle for only $20 www.tamarindoshuttle.com. There is also a local airport in the event you have more time to travel around the country or are flying into San Juan International airport and want to avoid the 4+ hour drive.
Water - It is safe to drink water from most any tap in Tamarindo, but if you’re worried, bottled water is everywhere. Costa Rica has some of the safest and purest waters in all of Central and North America, but it’s always safest away from small rural villages.
Currency - The local currency is Costa Rican Colones, but the US Dollar is readily accepted, as are most credit cards (AMEX not so much). There are 3 ATM’s in town that are generally safe and reliable. I always arrive with small bills and then head to the ATM and take out local currency. Remember that some credit/bank cards charge a foreign fee for all transactions, not just credit card cash advances, so it makes sense to check with your bank before you depart. Most banks will require your passport for certain clerk assisted transactions.
Keeping in touch - you get really spoiled here like many countries abroad - there is free WIFI everywhere. Even at the supermarkets. If you want to call home, you have options. My preferred method is MagicJack. Download the app and you get free voice calls to the US and Canada from anywhere in the world and free calls to and from other MagicJack app users. Viber and Skype are also popular options. For all of these you just need a WIFI connection and it’s best to set this up before you travel. I have an unlocked phone so any time I arrive in Costa Rica, or anywhere else for that matter, I buy a local pay as you go phone chip and Voila! I have a local phone. But my advice ...
Unplugging - it is a vacation after all so why not just unplug. Consider turning off the cellular function on your phone or leaving your phone off and in your room. I realize most people use phones as their camera of choice, so if this is you, just keep the “do not disturb” function on or leave it in airplane mode. If you must stay connected, limit yourself to 1 hour a day. Not in the morning or before you go to bed. “Back home” tends to pull you in or keep you up. Get out of your room.
Driving - you don’t need a car while you’re here. Everything is in walking distance, but taxis are also plentiful. However, if you have more time and want to explore on your own, Adobe Car Rental offers great rates and pick up/drop off service wherever you are at no extra charge. You will need a valid driver’s license as you may get stopped at a “checkpoint.” If driving, carry your driver’s license and a COPY of your passport. You are legally not required to hand over your passport, no matter what anyone tells you. Period. Renting a car may seem cheap online, but don’t be surprised by the mandatory liability coverage that can double or triple your otherwise cheap day rate.
Ex-Pat Community – On a given day you’ll hear English, French, Italian, German, Norwegian, Swiss, Portuguese, and of course Spanish. A large part/full time international community of expatriates contributes to excellent dining options and cultural diversity.
That’s about everything you need to know to book your first solo trip. If you’re like me and many others, you’ll visit more than once. For more information on solo travel in Costa Rica or for family friendly vacations, romantic getaways, getting married in Costa Rica, popular itineraries, and best of all, buying your vacation home, contact me at [email protected]. As they say here in the Happiest Place on Earth - PURA VIDA - because it truly is a good, pure, beautiful life here. Bienvenidos a Tamarindo.