<p>Every year, <ins><a href="http://www.ticotimes.net/2016/01/16/costa-rica-welcomes-2-6-million-tourists-2015-hits-new-record" target="_blank">millions of people</a></ins> from all over the world head to Costa Rica to soak up the sun and enjoy some time away from the hustle and bustle of their daily lives.</p>

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<p>If you&#39;re considering taking a trip to Costa Rica, make sure you do your research and set yourself up for success.</p>

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<p>Read on for eight travel tips that will make your Costa Rica beach vacation your best trip yet!</p>

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<p><img alt="Costa Rica Beach Vacation" src="https://www.graylinecostarica.com/uploads/blog/costa-rica-beach-vacation-870x455.jpg" style="height:455px; width:870px" /></p>

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<h2>1. Get Immunized</h2>

<p>Before traveling to Costa Rica, the <ins><a href="https://www.passporthealthusa.com/destination-advice/costa-rica/" target="_blank">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a></ins> recommend getting the following vaccinations:</p>

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<ul>
	<li>Typhoid</li>
	<li>Hepatitis A</li>
	<li>Hepatitis B</li>
	<li>Rabies (if you&#39;ll be in contact with wildlife)</li>
	<li>Mumps, Measles, Rubella (MMR)</li>
	<li>Influenza</li>
	<li>Yellow fever (if you&#39;ve traveled to a country where it&#39;s present)</li>
</ul>

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<p>You&#39;ll also want to take proper precautions against mosquito-borne diseases.</p>

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<p>Two common ones present in Costa Rica are chikungunya and Dengue fever. Repellents and mosquito netting can help keep the insects and the illnesses they may carry at bay.</p>

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<h2>2. Check Your Travel Documents</h2>

<p>You do not need a visa to visit Costa Rica. But, you&#39;ll need to show your passport when you enter the country. You&#39;ll also have to present a departure ticket that is dated before your visa expires.</p>

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<p>If you bring any medication into the country, you&#39;ll need to have prescriptions and notes from your doctor as well.</p>

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<p>If you&#39;re traveling by bus in or out of Costa Rica, keep in mind that it is common for border officials to collect passengers&#39; passports. They will sometimes hold on to them for several hours before they&#39;re returned.</p>

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<h2>3. Plan to Exchange Your Money</h2>

<p>The official currency in Costa Rica is the colon.</p>

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<p>Many businesses do accept U.S. dollars. But, it&#39;s best to exchange some of your money, just in case.</p>

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<p>You can exchange money at banks or at the front desk of your hotel.</p>

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<p>In Costa Rica, tipping is typically expected only at high-end restaurants and hotels.</p>

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<p>You&#39;ll also want to tip tour guides anywhere from $1 to $10. Tour drivers should be tipped 50 percent of what you tipped the guide.</p>

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<p>Taxi drivers typically do not expect tips unless they&#39;ve provided some kind of special service.</p>

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<h2>4. Know Your Data Limit</h2>

<p>Costa Rica&#39;s communications system is very well-developed, and high-speed internet is available throughout the country.</p>

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<p>You can also visit internet cafes, most of which cost less than $1 per hour. This is great for when you want to hop online and brag about how much fun you&#39;re having on your Costa Rica beach vacation.</p>

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<p>Costa Rica also supports 3G and 4G service, so you can use your smartphone&#39;s data for all your navigation and communication needs.</p>

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<p>Just be sure to buy extra data and check with your cell phone provider about roaming charges ahead of time!</p>

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<h2>5. Wear Sunscreen</h2>

<p>Costa Rica is close to the equator, so sunscreen is a must, especially since you&#39;ll be spending so much time on the beach.</p>

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<p>Be sure to bring your own sunscreen from home, too. It&#39;s a lot more expensive to buy at stores or hotels.</p>

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<p>Waterproof sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (SPF) is best, and a cream is generally better than a spray to avoid streaking.</p>

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<p>Don&#39;t forget an SPF chapstick for your lips, either!</p>

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<h2>6. Choose the Right Season</h2>

<p>Costa Rica is beautiful throughout the year. However, the country does experience both a rainy season and a dry season.</p>

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<p>The dry season starts in December and lasts until April. The majority of the country&#39;s visitors show up during this time.</p>

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<p>The sun will be shining practically nonstop during this season, so it&#39;s perfect for a beach vacation. But, there will be more crowds and prices will increase.</p>

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<p>If you don&#39;t like the sound of crowds or high prices, consider visiting Costa Rica during the rainy season, which goes from May until October or November.</p>

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<p>During the rainy season, the sun still shines quite often. But, you will experience the occasional afternoon thunderstorm.</p>

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<p>In exchange for more rain, hotel rates will be cheaper. You&#39;ll also get to experience the country when it&#39;s lush and verdant.</p>

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<h2>7. Consider a Vacation Package</h2>

<p>A <ins><a href="https://www.graylinecostarica.com/vacation-packages">vacation package</a></ins> will help you get the most out of your Costa Rica beach vacation.</p>

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<p>All-inclusive packages will save you the trouble of having to research tours and hotels. A travel agent does all the hard work for you. You just have to show up on your departure date and enjoy the trip!</p>

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<p>The following are some popular activities that can often be included in these packages:</p>

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<ul>
	<li>Horseback riding</li>
	<li>Rainforest excursions</li>
	<li>Coffee tours</li>
	<li>Whitewater rafting</li>
	<li>ATV tours</li>
	<li>Birdwatching tours</li>
</ul>

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<p>Vacation packages can also save you a lot of money, especially if you&#39;re interested in staying in a more upscale environment and participating in lots of activities.</p>

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<h2>8. Enjoy the Local Cuisine</h2>

<p>One of the most appealing aspects of Costa Rica is the delicious food.</p>

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<p>Some <ins><a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/costa-rican-food-best-dishes" target="_blank">menu items</a></ins> that you definitely have to try during your trip include:</p>

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<ul>
	<li>Casado (married man&#39;s meal): Choice of meat served with rice, beans, salad, and plantains</li>
	<li>Picadillo: Hash made from potatoes or squash</li>
	<li>Tres leches: Vanilla cake made with three different kinds of milk</li>
	<li>Granizado: Local version of a snow cone</li>
	<li>Gallitos: Corn tortillas with a variety of toppings, including squash, green beans, or ground beef</li>
</ul>

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<p>It also won&#39;t be a complete visit to Costa Rica without also enjoying some of the country&#39;s delicious coffee.</p>

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<p>Costa Ricans take their coffee very seriously. There&#39;s only one type of coffee -- arabica -- that can be <ins><a href="http://www.costa-rica-mountain-property.com/Mountain_Coffee.html" target="_blank">grown legally</a></ins> in the country!</p>

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<p>Wherever you go, you&#39;ll find high-quality, organic coffee made from beans grown in the best regions of the country, including Tarrazu and Alajuela.</p>

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<h2>Plan Your Costa Rica Beach Vacation Today</h2>

<p>Are you ready to schedule your Costa Rica beach vacation? Don&#39;t leave the trip of a lifetime in the hands of just any travel agent.</p>

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<p><ins><a href="https://www.graylinecostarica.com/contact_us">Contact us</a></ins> at Gray Line Costa Rica today.</p>

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<p>We offer a variety of vacation packages to fit every budget and can also help you book day tours to some of the country&#39;s most exciting attractions.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>What are you waiting for? Let&#39;s start planning your dream trip!</p>

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<hr />
<p>Let Us Customize Your Vacation Package Here --&gt;&nbsp;<ins><a href="https://www.graylinecostarica.com/grayline_customize_package.php">https://www.graylinecostarica.com/grayline_customize_package.php</a></ins></p>

<p><br />
Previous: <ins><a href="https://www.graylinecostarica.com/10-awesome-san-jose-costa-rica-attractions">10 Awesome San Jose, Costa Rica Attractions</a></ins></p>

<p><br />
Next: <ins><a href="https://www.graylinecostarica.com/7-best-places-to-travel-in-costa-rica"> 7 Best Places to Travel in Costa Rica for Any Traveler</a></ins></p>

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