Where is Costa Rica, anyways? Do people only speak Spanish (ie will I
be able to get along if I only speak English?) Can I use my Canadian
driver's license? Is it safe?
WHERE IS IT?
Costa Rica is just to the north of Panama. If that doesn't help -
it's just a ways NORTH of the equator. Even though they are to the north
of the equator, their "summer" and "winter" are the
reverse of ours in North America, because they consider the rainy season
(roughly mid-May to mid-November) to be winter. It's not because it's
really much cooler - you just don't have as much sunshine!
Although it is north of the equator, the Ticos (Costa Ricans) consider that
the time around mid-December through maybe mid-May is summer. The time
from about mid-June or so to the end of November is winter. All that arises
from the fact that in whatever area of Costa Rica you may be, there
are only a few degrees of temperature difference between the two seasons.
The main difference between the seasons is that
- "winter" - North American summer - ranges between
somewhat wet to REALLY rainy at the end of the season
- their "summer" (our winter) is REALLY dry (if we didn't pay to
have the yard watered pretty well daily, all the plants (including the
grass) would dry up and blow away!!)
For more
details, click her!
Language?
As anywhere, it's better if you speak a few polite words -
please, thanks and so on. You can learn those in a day or so using the
Internet. BUT you can
get by very well without knowing a word of Spanish. I know Canadians and
Americans who have been living there for years and still don't speak
Spanish. If you're one of those people who wants to make the attempt to
communicate with those who do not speak your own language, visit RossetaStone.com.
For a few bucks, just about anyone will be understanding basic Spanish in a month or two, I
would think. Make sure you choose "Latin American"
Spanish!
DRIVING IN COSTA RICA
The good news is - all you need is your valid Canadian or US license.
When you rent, you'll have to show the license for each person who will
be driving PLUS passports. MAKE SURE YOU PAY FOR FULL INSURANCE - NO
DEDUCTIBLE- you
DO NOT want to be messing around with the car company or the police
about whether this particular scratch (or more serious damage) is covered.
The BAD NEWS about driving in Costa Rica? You're driving in Costa
Rica! FIRST: The roads are the (toilet word@#@*)! If you think that
the back roads of British Columbia are bad, welcome to the REAL world.
These roads were designed by people who like to kill other people. After
they are built the roads were subjected annually to more rain than much of the world sees
in a decade. Have you heard of "washouts"?
SECOND: you had to learn how to drive to get your driver's license. It
may be that the "oncoming" is someone who has driven for a few
minutes before passing his/her test. Passing on solid lines, on a blind
curve or with your eyes closed is accepted practice. No one seems to know the rules of the road (if
there are any). Keep it in mind - The oncoming driver is suicidal
and does NOT mind killing you
IS IT SAFE?
With the exception of the crazy drivers, the Tambor area is about as safe
as you can get. Having said that: don't be stupid. Leaving stuff
unattended on the beach or elsewhere may result in it disappearing -
Duh!
Putting yourself in an obvious place of danger (for example, wandering down
the beach at midnight, semi-drunk, with a person you just met) might result in
a problem.
But - IN GENERAL - safe as houses! Act like you would in a Canadian
city that you didn't know. Look around when you arrive. Think
ahead. If you're going to get intoxicated, make sure you have arranged a
ride home (at the Beachcomber, Cristina's, Mariana's just talk to the
waitperson or the manager).
Otherwise, have fun!
By the way: Having a flashlight with
you at night is not a bad idea (one of those LEDs or a penlite is
perfect). We tend to light every public area like it was in the center
of New York. Lanes and out of the way places (and the walkways around
hotels and so forth, believe it or not!) may NOT be well lit - easy to fall in a hole after
visiting the bars - sad experience speaks!!
