Do Costa Rica like a Local

Nobody likes to stick out like a tourist. Well, I can’t say nobody since so many damn fat midwesterners don’t seem to care at all that they look more out of place than a nun at a porn convention – but I digress… If you travel incognito, you get to discover the great hole-in-the-wall places locals go, you avoid aggressive merchants who target Americanos, and you generally have a more pleasant and authentic time during your visit. So let’s do Costa Rica like a local and walk through the best spots and ways to blend in .

Costa Rica is Central America’s Switzerland – it’s in the middle of it’s landmass, it is neutral in local conflicts, and it is a dream vacation destination. The general theme with traveling south of Texas is that the flight might be fairly pricey, but once you get anywhere down there it is chuckle-inducing cheap to get around within the respective areas and countries. Costa Rica certainly holds true for that. $20 sit down meals for two were common, and we were hardly trying to be frugal. There are certainly things that are a waste of money, so allow me to guide you through a visit, locals style:

Get out of the capital

San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, is a hole. And I hate it. A lot. The only bad experiences during our FactoryTwoFour trip happened in San Jose. From terrible food, subpar lodging, to hours-long traffic jams, San Jose is the home of it all. Land, get off the plane, sleep there if you MUST recuperate, but get out as soon as you can. The rest of this beautiful country is so much more interesting.

Rent a car

Driving in CR is full-on  Mad Max. Rules are for the weak and soon to be dead. Yes, the public transport here is cheap and ubiquitous, but you don’t want to deprive yourself of the pleasure and adrenaline rush of piloting a rented Daihatsu through mountain roads full of switchbacks at night. Also, many of the main highways are very new and a joy to drive on. We’re already planning a supercar or motorcycle trip through the country.

Hit both coasts

Among Costa Rica travelers, there’s a bit of beef between those that swear by the Caribbean coast, and those the say only the Pacific is worth visiting. Squash that beef and visit both. The Pacific had far and away the best surfing while we were there, but the Caribbean had better coastal towns and friendlier locals. The country looks a lot easier to cross than it is, but it is certainly worth half a day’s drive to go from one coast to another halfway through your trip.

Stay in a jungle treehouse

You came down here for the jungle didn’t you? Well there’s nothing more Tarzan than staying in a treehouse. There are a multitude of treehouse to choose from, between all-inclusive resorts to small Airbnbs. No matter what you choose, you’ll have an other-worldly time waking up to howler monkeys or flocks of exotic birds. This is the kind of accommodations that memories are made of. While you’re at it…

Airbnb only

The Airbnb options in CR are just too varied and good to ignore. Pass by all the luxury accommodations meant to make old white people feel safe and mingle with people who actually live there. From expats to locals, all are offering up pretty breathtaking and comfortable rooms or cabins for you to relax in. These are also the people who will steer you towards the hidden spots and attractions, while helping you avoid the tourist sections. We stayed in all Airbnbs, and we didn’t regret a single night, and at around $60 a night, it’s hard to go wrong. Hell, at that price double book and sleep in the one you like the most.

Airplane bars are a thing – enjoy them

No joke. For some reason, airplanes in the middle of the forest are all over Costa Rica, and they are all bars or restaurants. The quality of food varies at each, but what the hell, you’re in an airplane!!!

Eat well

From arroz con pollo to roadside ceviche, the eating in CR is legit. And inexpensive. Expect to pay under $10 for every meal, and that’s with a bottled water (because safety) and an appetizer or side (because fat kid). The best spots are in out-of-the-way diners along the road and are full of locals. The worst spots are along the tourists stretches and are full of Germans or Swedes. Choose wisely. One spot in need of a particular shoutout is El Pescado Loco. Located in the Pacific surf town of Dominical, this eatery serves up fresh fish tacos and the best fried pickles in the country. Finally, do yourself a favor and pop into a local grocery (called Supers) and pick up a bag of Yipys. Take a sugar wafer and add vanilla cream and you have something close to these little bundles of goodness

Swim under a waterfall

What’s more picturesque than that? There are several options in the country to choose from (especially on the coasts), and doubtless you’ll find yourself fairly close to one no matter where you are staying. This is what feeling alive is like. Which is a great way to sum up what it’s like to visit Costa Rica. As the man said, “If you have the means, I highly recommend it.”