This area is generally considered a tranquil community, but general precautions for Costa Rica still apply.  

Water Safety: The beaches in this region, including Playa Matapalo, have strong swells and can have rip currents. While some beaches have lifeguards, it’s still essential to exercise caution, learn how to spot a rip current, and know how to escape one by swimming parallel to the shore.

Beach Crime: Petty theft is a concern here, especially if you leave valuables unattended on the beach. A common tactic is for thieves to wait in the tree line for someone to enter the water, then grab their bag and run back into the jungle. It is not recommended to walk on any beach at night, as this is a higher-risk time for crime.  

The currency of Costa Rica is the Colon. US dollars are not accepted. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for colones upon arrival. Currency exchange desks can be found at the airport and many locations throughout the city.

No, about 90 percent of Costa Ricans speak Spanish as their first language. English may be spoken at your hotel and in the tourist areas, but not everywhere. We suggest that you purchase a good English-Spanish dictionary and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, excuse me and numbers 1-10.

No, U.S. citizens do not need a visa to enter Costa Rica for stays of less than 90 days. However, they must have a current valid passport and a return ticket to exit Costa Rica (either to return to the U.S. or to go to another country).

No, there are currently no vaccination requirements to visit Costa Rica. There is no risk of yellow fever in Costa Rica. The government of Costa Rica requires proof of yellow fever vaccination only if you are arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever. This does not include the US.

Zika is a risk in Costa Rica. Because Zika infection in a pregnant woman can cause serious birth defects, women who are pregnant should not travel to Costa Rica. All travelers should strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites and sexual exposure to Zika virus during and after the trip. For the latest updates visit the CDC page https://www.cdc.gov/ on the internet.

A typical breakfast is hearty and consists of Gallo Pinto (rice and beans – sometimes served with scrambled eggs). Lunch is solid too, the typical dishes are Casado (rice and beans, served with meat or fish, fried plantains, cheese and corn tortilla), Ceviche (fish marinated and cooked in lime juice, coriander, and pepper). There is not a dinner culture in Costa Rica. An afternoon snack consists of bread and coffee.

No, the water is not drinkable in Costa Rica. We suggest that you carry bottled water with you. Most tourist areas will have bottled water available for purchase.

For Playa Matapalo (Puntarenas), which is a tranquil beach community on the Central Pacific coast, emergency services are more accessible due to its proximity to more developed towns. In an emergency, you should dial 911, which is the national emergency number with bilingual operators. The nearby town of Quepos has a public hospital with a 24-hour emergency department, though staff may have limited English skills. An urgent care option, Hospital Metropolitano, is also in Quepos, about an hour away. For medical assistance, private ambulance and medical support are available 24/7 along the Pacific coast from providers like Medi Red Costa Rica.