Costa Rica

From Eco Friendly Travels


Eco-friendly travel guide to Costa Rica advises how to be a responsible tourist. Learn how to travel in a sustainable way and how to respect the local people and culture. Make your trip green by supporting locally owned hotels, organic restaurants and other businesses. Read more on how to protect the environment by making conscientious choices and how to travel green in Costa Rica, Central America, North America.

A view from the Camino de Costa Rica with the volcano Turrialba in the background


  • Air quality: 2.5 / 5
  • Bus connections: 3 / 5
  • Train connections: 3.5 / 5
  • Hitchhiking: 3 / 5
  • National parks: 3 / 5
  • Outdoor activities: 3.5 / 5
  • Locals' English level: 2 / 5
  • Safety: 3 / 5
  • Accommodation: US$70 - $400
  • Budget per day: US$100 - $700

Responsible Travel

Costa Rica is a country on the North American continent. The government is known for its beaches, volcanos, and biodiversity. Many travelers from different countries visit Costa Rica to witness the best sceneries. The total population of the country is around five lakhs. Their official language is Spanish.

When traveling around the world and experiencing the beauty of different countries up close, you truly understand that living on Earth is a gift. We must appreciate our planet more and give back to it. Traveling, while entertaining, can be quite taxing on the environment.

As a tourist, your first preference for accommodation would be 5-star hotels, but try to avoid them. Instead, it would be best if you preferred eco-hotels, hostels, guest houses, and rental apartments. These options are not only affordable but are far better than the 5-star hotels. Also, the hostels and guest houses will give you proper exposure to the local culture as some of them host frequent social events where the guest can join and enjoy. The country's people follow various eco-friendly measures laid down by the government and the municipalities to keep the country clean and livable. As a tourist, you need to be aware of such laws to avoid any adverse harm to the local environment.

While traveling to the different areas of the country, avoid using rental cars and boats as the service providers usually overcharge tourists and emit many harmful gases into the atmosphere. Instead, you should prefer public buses, electronic vehicles, bicycles, trains, and trams to travel in the city. These transports will also help you get a closer experience of the people's local culture and livelihood.

Avoid using disposable and plastic items as they create a lot of pollution, and a lot of natural resources are wasted in disposing of them properly. Instead, you should prefer reusable and recycled products like water bottles, handkerchiefs, cloth bags, etc. If you want to get the best experience out of your trip, choose local businesses as they possess an authenticity that other international and retail brands lack. You will support the local communities in growing and learning about the local culture and traditions.


Air Quality and Pollution

As a tourist, you must keep this in mind when visiting the country and taking precautionary steps accordingly. The monsoon season is also relentless and could contribute to increased pollution levels because the suspended particles tend to hang on to the heavy atmosphere. The air quality in Costa Rica is moderately unsafe. People love to make inquiries before they visit any city as they would not want to compromise their health despite having fun during the holiday. While traveling, you will have to follow various measures to save your body from pollution. If you have any health issues relating to respiration, you will need to follow extra caution to avoid getting sick during your trip. Make sure to pack your medicines and their prescription letter to take with you to the country.


Respect the Culture

The country's size and variety reflects the culture of the country. Most Costa Rican cultural movements first emerged in the country. The country is an important center for music, film, theatre, dance, and visual art, and many artists have been drawn into the country by opportunity. The government is well invested in keeping the arts alive and ensures that it funds the arts with adequate financial resources. Another aspect of culture that puts on the map is that it is the headquarters of the Costa Rican community. There are also numerous museums, libraries, and historical sites that document and show the rich cultural background, which is a must-visit.


Top 10 Places to Visit

  • San Jose: It is the capital of Costa Rica. It is the capital and largest city of Costa Rica. The town is situated in the center of the country. The population of the town is 3.4 lakhs.
  • Tamarindo: Tamarindo is one of the famous towns in the country of Costa Rica. It is located on Costa Rica's Pacific coast. The city is known for its beaches with strong surf like Playa Langosta and Playa Tamarindo.
  • La Fortuna: La Fortuna is a small town in Costa Rica. It is known as a gateway to Arenal Volcano National Park. The elevation of the city is about 269 m.
  • Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological: Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological is a nature preserve in the city of Monteverde. It is located in Carretera Reserva de Monteverde, Costa Rica.
  • Tortuguero: Tortuguero is a village in Limon Province. It is a part of Tortuguero National Park. It is one of the famous places to visit in the country.
  • Puerto Viejo De Talamanca: Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a small town in the southeast of Costa Rica. It is also famous for Salsa Brava surf break and beaches like Playa Negra and black sand playa.
  • Lake Arenal: Lake Arenal is a lake in Costa Rica. It is situated in the northern highlands of Costa Rica. The depth of the lake varies between 30 and 60 meters.
  • Quepos: Quepos is a district of the Quepos Canton in Puntarenas province. The elevation of the Puntarenas province is about 5 meters.
  • Punta Arenas: Punta Arenas is a city in Costa Rica's gulf. Its Casa de la Cultura is a cultural center with an art gallery and a theatre.
  • Nicoya Peninsula: The Nicoya Peninsula is famous in Costa Rica. IT comprises of norther Guanacaste Province. The area surf beaches include Playa Mal Pais and Playa Santa Teresa.
Tortuguero


Explore

The country has many things to offer apart from the many historical and culturally renowned places packed with tourists. The various parks, beaches, museums, and landmarks will help you get deep insights into the local culture and its beauty. People say that all work and no play would make one dull. This country ensures that it has places that play roles in calming and relaxing the mind. Thus, it is not surprising that people always want to visit this country.


City Parks

The city is significant, and it has a big collection of parks and other such places. It has big open spaces and greeneries where you can spend time with your children and other family members. The views are one thing you cannot take away from parks.

Here are some famous city parks in the country of Costa Rica:

  • La Sabana Park (Park In San Jose)
  • Montezuma Park (Park In Puntarenas Province)
  • Palms Park (Park In Alajuela Province)
La Sabana Park


National Parks

The country has always been famous for its beautiful and graceful natural resources, and so that this city has a beautiful collection of national parks and zoos. While most of them are spread across the country's length and breadth, many are also located in Costa Rica. We are listing down a few of them that may not exactly be found in and around the country.

  • Arenal Volcano National Park (Stratovolcano In Costa Rica)
  • Barilla National Park (National Park In Costa Rica)
  • Parque Nacional Barra Honda Park (National Park In Guanacaste Province)
  • Ballena Marin National Park (National Park In Uvita )
  • Braulio Carrillo National Park (National Park In Heredia)
Arenal Volcano National Park


Beaches

Costa Rica is famous for its beautiful and stunning beaches. There are dozens of big and tiny beaches, and it may not be possible to list down every one of them. Some of the beautiful and best beaches in the country of Costa Rica are listed below:

  • Jaco Beach (Beach In Jaco)
  • Playa Grande (Beach In Costa Rica)
  • Santa Teresa Beach (Beach In Santa Teresa)
  • Nosara
  • Playa Hermosa (Beach In Playa Hermosa)
Jaco Beach


Landmarks

During your trip to this country, you need to know the best landmarks in this country. Yes, there are many landmarks available that you can choose to visit for the best experience. While some of them are human-made, others are natural and hold some unforgettable stories. The country also has its share of memorable landmarks and monuments. You must try and visit as many as you possibly can. While the list is quite long, we mention a few of them for our readers' benefit.

  • Gulf Of Papagayo (Body Of Water In Costa Rica)
  • Palo Verde National Park (National Park In Bagaces)
  • Santa Rosa National Park (National Park In Guanacaste Province)
  • Puerto Jimenez (Town In Costa Rica)
  • Samara (Village In Costa Rica)
  • Flamingo Costa Rica (Popular Beach In Costa Rica)
Gulf Of Papagayo


Museums

Visiting museums would be the icing on your holiday package, especially if you are in this city, as it shows that you have adequately explored the country. Here are some of these museums given are as follows:

  • Lydia Beech Art Boutique (Museum In Tamarindo)
  • Chocomuseo La Fortuna (Museum In La Fortuna De San Carlos)
  • Galeria Namu (Museum In San Jose)
  • Tico Pod Art House & Gifts (Museum In Jaco)
  • Jade Museum (Museum In San Jose)


Eat

Make sure to try all of the different food items available in the country you will find in no other palace. The country offers some of the oldest and traditional dishes to tourists. You will find the raw cultural food in the country, from street foods to vegan local dishes. Eating and experiencing the food of the palace is another very well-known and effective way to understand the culture and lifestyle. The country of Costa Rica is no exception to that; you will get a wide range of foods to eat in the country, from traditional to the cuisine of different countries. You will feel shocked to hear that there is a vast diversity of food cuisines split into eight regional cuisines. You will find that the locals prefer to eat healthy and nutritious food with lots of vegetables and meat. You will find that vegetarian, and non-vegetarian dishes are popular, and you will not find much trouble conveying your food preferences.


Drink

While you are exploring and enjoying the traditional local meals in the city, you also expected that you have a swell time with the drinks. The people of Costa Rica are known for their love for drinking, so that you can find both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks in the country of Costa Rica. Many people are used to this in their various countries, so it does not come off as strange you will also see wines and beers in addition to the vodka to choose from the varieties. If you want to drift away from alcoholic drinks, you can take Guaro, a carbonated drink found in the city. It is usually refreshing, and people take it to cool their bodies. There are many drink options in Costa Rica; the same way there are food options. Thus, you will always have a lovely experience.

  • Guaro
  • Guaro Sour
  • Spicy Shot Of Chiliguaro
  • Colada Fresca
  • Miguelito
  • Pura Vida
  • Coco Loco


Tap-water

The tap water of Costa Rica is the highest quality tap water in all of Central America. The water is so clean that it is even better than the water in mineral water bottles. You can easily find many water taps and public drinking fountains in Costa Rica safe to drink, and you will not need to buy mineral water bottles. Such purity in the city's tap water is because of the advanced technology that the water companies use to convert the surface water into pure and drinkable water. Costa Rica's water is free from chlorine or fluoride and has a score of 8.4 for its quality. You can carry a reusable water bottle with you while exploring the city and refill it from these public sources. Costa Rica's tap water is not only safe to drink but also tastes and smells good.


Activities

The museums and art exhibitions are always there for you to explore, making you appreciate art. Even if you are not a lover of artwork, something in you will be compelled when you see them. The country is best known for its art and culture in tourism, and it has many places to explore. These activities will not only help you create a memorable time in the city but will also make your heart race. These activities are the best way to experience the local culture and be a part of it. You may even come across hidden gems of the culture and make your trip even more fantastic than you planned. However, this is not the case for people who wish to visit the country as there is always something to do. Foreigners hate getting bored when in a new country, so you would see those seeking locals' recommendations. If there is not much to do in a country, then what is the point of visiting there. It would be best to make friends with the locals to have an epic experience in Costa Rica.


Accommodation

We would not say that accommodation in this country is cheap, neither would we say that it is expensive. The price you would get depends on your accommodation option. It may not be as low as what you would get in some cities, but it is not the most expensive in the world. With this clear, we know that the next question concerns the pricing as people want to know to plan their budget.

The country has many options when it comes to accommodation, so foreigners are not stranded. These accommodation options range from hotels to apartments, and much more. There are many hotels, hostels, and guest houses that offer various rooms according to your budget's affordability. These places help the tourists to have a comfortable and convenient stay in the country. There are many green hotels, camping sites, and couch-surfing hosts that offer accommodation at much cheaper rates and are ideal for those with a tight budget. You can either make accommodation plans when you are in the city or before you arrive. It would be best to do whatever works best for you.


Green Hotels

It lives the promise of offering the best of green staying arrangements. You have many places of tourist interest within a stone's throw away, and therefore you will like it as a foreign tourist. To do your part to promote sustainability during your visit, patronize hotels committed to responsible waste management, the use of solar and wind energy, water conservation, and cooperation with local communities. Hotels are the most highly preferred accommodations. Tourists mostly prefer to stay here throughout their trip. Hotels are incredibly comfortable and have so many facilities for visitors. They can be booked online. They have their details on the site, and from there, tourists can book a room and make the payment. They have all the necessary facilities for every visitor. They give three meals a day, which contains breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Tourists can decide the menu themselves and ask them to send the dish they want to eat. They have cuisines in almost every country. They also have swimming pools where tourists can sit and relax. They have small gardens where tourists can go on a walk. They also have a play area where kids can play.


Hostels and Guest Houses

Hostels and paying guests are quite cheap than hotels. They provide all the facilities. It is best for the students and the tourists coming from different cities and countries as well. If you plan to stay for weeks in this country and want to save some money, you can choose hostels and guest houses. There are plenty of guesthouses and hostels in the country that you can choose from. There are plenty of hostels available in the country that you can get in different price ranges. They offer some of the common benefits of hotels, along with all the basic benefits. There are some cities in Costa Rica where you might not find a lot of guesthouses. It is easier to take the help of online services to find them and book them. Sharable options are available in some of the hostels that further reduces the fare of the room.


Apartments

Hotels are often the number one choice for tourists as they are usually cheaper and convenient, but tourists visiting the country for a longer time should always prefer renting out an apartment. There are many affordable apartment options for tourists. A lot of these places are located near the prime locations and are the best ones to rent. Before renting out an apartment, inspect the site properly and get reviews from the other residents. We would not say that accommodation in Costa Rica is cheap, neither would we say that it is expensive. The price you would get depends on your accommodation option. It may not be as low as what you would get in some cities, but it is not the most expensive in the world. You can either make accommodation plans when you are in the country or before you arrive. It would be best to do whatever works best for you. One factor that a foreigner cannot fail to consider when traveling to a new place is accommodation, as you would need a place to lodge during your stay. It is not about finding a place to sleep, but a place of comfort as you want your stay in the city to be memorable. The country of Costa Rica has many options when it comes to accommodation, so foreigners are not stranded. These accommodation options range from hotels to apartments, and much more. With this clear, we know that the next question concerns the pricing as people want to know to plan their budget.


Couchsurfing

It is a regular thing to see people indicate interest in Couchsurfing in Costa Rica, and there is a website that assists in getting localhost. Willing locals sign up on it, while foreigners check through and follow steps and instructions on how to get paired. Couchsurfing is a system that pairs you with a local willing host during the duration of your holiday. If you do not have the means to pay for accommodation and you desire to travel, you can check if they do Couchsurfing in the desired country. The comfort you will feel during Couchsurfing might not be compared to what you can get from your house, but you should remember that it is only for some time, and it is better than being stranded.

Couchsurfing is yet to gain full acceptance in Costa Rica. However, students in the city's numerous universities are generally more likely to allow a stranger to share residence with them if the stranger is willing to pay. There is an online community known as couchsurfing.com, and if you are a part of it, you will be able to come across dozens of CouchSurfing mates and companions. It is a new concept but has taken off quite well in the country.


Camping

Campers describe the experience as exciting, and it lures those who have never been camping before. It helps you meet new people, and you get to do things you have never done before. If you a lover of nature and the outdoors, we know that you would wish to experience camping in whatever form when you are in a new country. There are few better ways to rest, relax, and reinvigorate than to get back to nature for a dose of the inimitable joys the great outdoors offers. And among the best ways to do this is camping. The thing with camping is that there are particular areas for it; else, the whole purpose is defeated. Thus, it is right to know about camping sites.

Some people do not understand why anyone will leave the luxury of their homes and decide to camp. However, those who have ever had a camping experience can explain that the feeling is different and fulfilling. By camping, you are leaving your immediate environment's comfort and going to a place that is in tune with nature. These places often do not have the luxury of beds, and campers end up sleeping in tents. Although camping is not an actual form of accommodation as it cannot serve long-term, it still falls under accommodation as it helps for days that anyone would engage in it. People share jokes and stories while camping, and it is a way of establishing new friendships. The stories will always keep you company, and some of them may be based on historical facts concerning the country. Camping is an activity that is common amongst the locals of the country of Costa Rica so that you can join them on it.

  • Camping Vereh Costa Rica
  • Corcovado Adventures Tent Camp
  • Amping Sol Y Luna
  • Congos Hostel And Camping


Regions

Map Showing Regions
Central Valley
The center of Costa Rica; mostly urban. It holds the nation's most populated cities, including San José. Many museums and a few volcanoes are of note in this area.
Central Pacific
Home to well-known Costa Rican beaches and national parks. Perhaps one of the most tourist-oriented parts of Costa Rica, along with Guanacaste.
Guanacaste
The "dry region" of Costa Rica, with few rains any time of year, fabulous beaches and surfing, and some large volcanic and dry forest parks in the North by the Nicaraguan border
Limón
The least visited region of the country, owing to its relative isolation (and mosquitoes). Nevertheless, there are great opportunities for whitewater rafting and sea turtle spotting. There are many beautiful beaches as well.
North Costa Rica
A sparsely populated, but beautiful and mountainous region, most famous for its active volcano, Arenal, and the surrounding hot springs, volcanic lakes, and cloud forests.
South Pacific Costa Rica
One of the most bio-diverse environments on the planet, full of exotic endemic flora and fauna, and some of the planet's most beautiful and remote tropical beaches.


Cities

  • San José - The capital.
  • Alajuela - location of Juan Santamaría International Airport
  • Cartago - Costa Rica's first capital
  • Dominical - the South Pacific coast's largest city, among incredibly biodiversity and natural beauty
  • Heredia - Coffee plantations
  • Liberia - Location of Daniel Oduber International Airport and gateway to the beaches of Guanacaste, such as Samara, Nosara, Carillo
  • Puerto Limón - Main city on the Caribbean side
  • Puntarenas - Ferry to Nicoya Peninsula
  • Quesada - the largest city by far in the country's North, surrounded by hot springs popular with Costa Rican vacationers
  • Jacó - one of the two largest tourist towns on the Central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica.
  • Quepos - One of the most beautiful Costa Rican Beach. Quepos is a small town in Costa Rica near the Manuel Antonio National Park.


Getting There and Moving Around

As a foreigner, you should make it a habit of asking the locals questions when you are in a new country. As we earlier mentioned, the country's people are friendly even if it does not show in their facial expressions. People will always be moving from one place to another, and tourists would always be curious as it is a new area. The idea is to help them tailor their movement as they would not want to get lost or do something out of line because they do not have adequate information. As a way to calm your mind, let us tell you that the city is considered a safe city, so you should not have fears if you desire to move around, and there are many available transportation means. One of the things you need to keep in mind while planning a trip to the country is the transportation mode to choose. Based on your location or country, you will need to choose the mode of transportation. From most of the countries, the air is the most convenient way to travel to Costa Rica. You will be able to get many other transportations to travel to the country and railway, water, road, and others. Upon reaching the country, there are plenty of local transportations that are available to move around. From fueled cars to eco-friendly ways, you can choose any of them in the different price ranges. However, try to use eco-friendly transportation as much as you can to keep the country safe from pollution.


Air

As mentioned above, the air is the most common way for travelers from different countries to reach Costa Rica. You will be able to find flights for this country from most of the other countries, and it will also help you reach faster than others. This country has numerous international airports, and the largest one among them is the Juan Santamaria International Airport. If you do not have much time on your hand, then the flight is the best way to move around different countries. In addition to this, the country is well connected to the airport via trains, buses, taxis. Many people would agree that using air is the fastest means of transportation to anywhere, so we know that this would be the top option on the mind of some people when they want to visit the country.

Juan Santamaria International Airport


Bus

There are very frequent departures some 24-hour operations, with midweek and late-evening discounts. Most companies serve the same west-coast routes. Buses are reliable, cheap, and comfortable. Some companies offer large, cozy airplane-style reclining seats. Reservations are advisable on weekends and holidays. The bus terminuses are chaotic, and you may have to take some local help to determine which bus to choose for your requirements. This is because the intercity bus terminus is located around one hour from the city. The country has reasonably advanced local bus transport services, but intercity bus services are not very comfortable. These buses provide an accessible transportation mode for locals and tourists to places inside and outside the country. You can meet many fellow travelers and locals on these buses, and by interacting with them, you can get some tips and advice for your stay in Costa Rica. There are many bus services in the country that are under public or private ownership. You can easily find these buses in all areas of the country and can take a ride on them by paying a small but reasonable ticket charge.

Bus in San Jose


Train

This public mode of transport is quite popular amongst the locals as a cheap and convenient mode. The railway station also includes a metro line and a tram line used daily by locals and tourists to reach different city areas. Some people love using buses because it views the landscape while traveling, and they find it exciting. However, others would not like to use a bus because it takes long hours, and there is no adequate space. When this occurs, people tend to get cranky, affecting their mood when they get to their destination. You should know that some bus companies have made great improvements to ensure that people are always comfortable whenever they use them. Thus, it is not every time that you would face inconveniences when you use a bus.


Hitchhiking

The idea of hitchhiking is to stay on the road and flag down a vehicle going your direction. Some drivers might not want to stop for strangers, but you would get a ride as someone would be compelled to stop. It may be that you can hitchhike for free in some other places, but it does not work that way in Central American cities. If a driver stops for you and agrees to carry you, they will ask you for payments. So, your money should be ready, or you will be stranded on the road. Hitchhiking is also amongst the means of transportation you can get to the country of Costa Rica. However, the clause of it happening is if you are within surrounding cities. Some people love the idea of hitchhiking because they think it is a way of getting a free ride and saves the cost. However, we would say that hitchhiking is a means of getting fast transportation as it saves you the stress of queuing up at bus and train stations or trying to get a ticket.


Others

There is another way to travel or move around in Costa Rica, and those are a taxi or motorcycle ride. These transportation types are advised only in case of emergency because Costa Rica is dealing with a lot of traffic, air pollution, and noise pollution; therefore, you must not contribute to it. Only in case of urgency or when the time is less you can use these types of transportation. You must be aware of the taxi scams while using a rental car service.


Sustainable Shopping

Sustainable shopping is a popular trend in the fashion industry as people realize the importance and need for changing their ways and opting for eco-friendly measures. There are many places where you can shop sustainably and act as a responsible person. These places are the local food markets, flea markets, second-hand stores, and eco-fashion stores. Sustainable shopping or eco-shopping is a worldwide trend where you opt for buying goods that are sourced from the local environment and are eco-friendly. You will find many different models and actors promoting the use of such items. It is not only environmentally friendly but also supports local businesses and helps them in growing. These items are sourced from locally available resources and consider all environmental aspects to avoid any negative impact.

As an eco-friendly traveler, try eco-friendly shops such as recycled or send hand items. You will be able to get many different local shops that sell traditional items. Make sure to buy from the local shops to support them and help them make a living. A tour of a place is never complete without having good shopping. Eco-friendly sustainable stores that promote zero-waste are increasing rapidly in the city, and many locals are tying hearse products. It helps to give you the best experience and witness the culture up close. You will be able to get some branded eco-friendly stores too.


Recycling

The government encourages its residents to recycle by only allowing garbage to be disposed of in blue bags. These bags must be purchased and increase in cost as the size increases. There are more than 4,000 pickup spots in Costa Rica five nights a week, with mobile apps that let users track the trucks and alert them whenever a garbage truck is nearby. These trucks are followed by open-bed recycling trucks. People hurry out of their homes when they hear the music and toss their garbage into the trucks, based on general refuse, raw food waste, cooked food waste, and other categories, including plastic and paper.

You will find many recycling stores in various districts where you can take your recyclable waste and get it appropriately recycled. It is not a perfect system, but improvements and the dialogue about this mean there is hope. The country of Costa Rica has become a global leader in recycling, with one of the highest recycling rates in the world! The country manages to recycle more than 50% of its municipal waste and is thereby only a little bit behind the world's leading nation for recycling.

Changing the behavioral habits of these groups will be instrumental in the success of recycling efforts. Residents pay handsomely without really knowing where the waste will end up. While exploring and traveling, make sure to use these containers and vehicles to dispose of the waste properly, or you can get into trouble for violating the laws and environment. Many wastes are polluting the sea and making it hard for sea creatures to survive. Also, these wastes are slowly polluting the whole Earth. So, many countries and different cities have started to take care of the environment by recycling things.


Waste

Almost all waste that is generated in-country is dumped in a major landfill. The government has also provided multiple incentives to people following various recycling waste measures and saving natural resources. It is not the most eco-friendly place and does not have sustainable garbage disposable, but it is definitely better than some other countries. Improper solid waste management to the environment, recycling has not caught on, particularly in middle- and high-income areas where recycled products generate income proportionately too minimal to consider pursuing seriously. The reuse and recycling levels ranged at about one percent for organics, eight percent for paper waste, five percent of plastic waste, 100 percent of reusable metal scrap, and an unknown part of glass recycled. Uncollected solid waste is one of the most visible environmental problems.

The country of Costa Rica faces many pollution-related problems, mainly because of the improper disposal of household and industrial waste. With the local municipality's help, you will find that the government has set up various garbage disposal places such as dustbins, dumpsters, trucks, etc. As a tourist, you must follow the proper wastage disposal measures to avoid creating any adverse effect on the local environment. These people strive to have a city conducive to living and know that it is impossible without an adequate waste management organization. The locals are always happy when foreigners visit and commend the pristine state of the city. You will also notice that people have excellent health due to proper waste care.


Work and Study Abroad

The country attracts thousands of students from other neighboring countries, especially those who wish to receive the Costa Rican education style. All you need to do to get admission is apply to the various institutions and meet their requirements. The education system is one of the best, and you will learn a lot about the culture, history, heritage, and people.

Costa Rica has better options for education and career advancements than any other country. You will find that all major companies, local and international, are present in the country of Costa Rica. You can also find various educational institutes that offer education to international students as well. You can apply for a job or admission at these places and get the chance to learn about the Costa Rican culture, traditions, history, and livelihood in depth. The city's educational institutions are also commendable, and many foreigners opt for the option of studying in this city. One might trace their decision to the fact that Costa Rica is a country where people can work and study simultaneously. Thus, students are not stranded nor dependent. By the time they are done with education, they also have adequate work experience.


Exchange Student

Costa Rican University is part of the global student exchange program in the country of Costa Rica. The university offers students educational opportunities from other continents to study and learn more about the country. The program is a great initiative to help the present generation learn about the different religions, countries, and social groups globally. If you are an international student in this country, you should not fear that locals will dominate the educational institutions as you would also see many foreigners. Since the cities are amongst the best in Central America, tales of the quality of their universities and colleges spread, and students in other schools will want to exchange programs in the country. There are several programs for exchange students in the city, and you need to find out from your current University if they are affiliated with any of the institutions.

Costa Rica has an outstanding higher education system that provides opportunities for international students to study a wide variety of subjects. The diversity of universities' accredited programs and the focus on innovative research make the country an appealing destination for international students. You can choose from over twenty universities and study your favorite discipline at any degree level.


Au Pair

An Au pair is usually asked to take good care of everything at home. If your host has children, you will also be asked to take care of them. In exchange for all those services, you will live in the country for free. Your host will shelter you, feed you, and he can even give you pocket money. The majority of the hosts in the city prefer young people. So if you're old, it might not be easy for you to get a host. They also prefer to house young boys or girls with good character. So you might have to make your changes if you have bad characters. When you know about the city well, you can leave and start to stay on your own. If you're still financially dependent on your host, you shouldn't leave yet. If you are studying in Costa Rica, it is understandable if you want to get a job to argue your finds. We also understand that it is not always easy to find these jobs, and this is where the idea of au pair comes to play. For cities that subscribe to the au pair idea, there is usually a website or forum where people can register and get paired with localhost whom they can work for. This exists in Costa Rica, so you should jump on the opportunity.


Volunteering

The life of the Costa Rica people circles around eco-friendly practices and measures. You will find many volunteering organization in the country that provide awareness and help for various societal problems like unemployment, drugs, social security, environment protection, etc. Costa Rica organizations urge people to participate in volunteering organizations and let the language barrier not be a difference anymore. It can be a wonderful experience to volunteer to help the needy on your trip to a foreign country.

In the country of Costa Rica, that would probably welcome the help and would probably not ask questions about your immigration status, especially for unpaid work. Still, it is important to be aware of the legal aspects. Volunteering is one of the best ways to keep the city clean and get to know the local people very well. You will also get help to get your language skill up one notch. Many volunteering organizations in Costa Rica are fighting to resolve various cultural, environmental, and social problems such as violence against women and children, child labor, animal protection, environment protection, humanitarian rights, etc.


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