Costa Rican Currency
Currency is the colón and changes, at last count 500 colónes to a U.S. dollar.  American dollars are welcome throughout Costa Rica, even at small stores and most hotels and banks give fair exchange rates. 

Tipping  
If you like the service received, tips are wonderful and make a lot of friends.  A day laborer only earns $12 - 15 a day in Costa Rica. Tips at our lodge are generally split equally among the employees.

Country Exit Tax  
A $26 per person exit tax is required when you leave the country.  This tax can be paid this with a credit card. 

Time Zone
Costa Rica is on Central Standard Time and does not change with daylight savings time.

Bugs
A repellant with deet or a local Costa Rican product called Cactus Juice are excellent for mosquito or sand flea bites.  A product made by AVON called "Skin So Soft" can be effective to ward off sand fleas.

Medicines and the Local Clinic
Infection from cuts or from scratching insect bites is common in the tropics if no precaution is taken.  You can buy peroxide in Puerto Jimenez.  Over the counter cortisone cream comes in handy for itching.  A clinic in Puerto Jimenez can deal with some emergencies, while serious emergencies may require flights to Golfito or San Jose.

Shots
Shots are not required or necessary unless you or your doctor feel it is important. Insect born illnesses are not common in Costa Rica.

Climate
Our lodge is right to the ocean which gives us a daily breeze.  Weather in the tropics can be hot and humid at times.  From December through April the temperature is normally in the high 80's.  Rainy season starts in May and it is a surprisingly pleasant time of year to visit as it normally just rains in the afternoons and evenings.  September through early December marks the real rainy season.  Usually for about one week out of that period, we will have a solid nonstop downpour.

Water
Drinking water is chlorinated and drinkable. Bottled and chlorinated water is almost available everywhere.

US Embassy

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