- Locals are called Ticos and Ticas
- You can’t flush toilet paper…like ever.
- There are 8 digits in a Costa Rican phone number.
- If the leading 3 digits of a bar code are 744, the product was made in-country.
- Rice and beans are Costa Rican staples and they do not cook with many spices.
- Ecotourism stimulates the majority of the Costa Rican economy. You can almost always pay for items in US dollars.
- Ice is considered a luxury and is very, very rare.
- I did not see one square inch of carpet while in Costa Rica.
- Mother’s Day is celebrated in August in Costa Rica, which is coincidentally the middle of their winter and rainy season.
- Rum is the cheapest alcoholic beverage available.
- You can be in what seems like the most poverty-stricken neighborhood, and every home still has a satellite dish atop its roof.
- This country appears to be 5-10 years behind at all times. The mall still sells Aeropostale, Swatches, and Jordache Jeans with great enthusiasm.
- Costa Rica has street signs yet they do not use them to give directions. Instead, they use landmarks and cardinal directions to give addresses.
- Rainy season is during the summer. You need an umbrella on your person at all times.
- Costa Rican currency uses colones and the conversion is approximately 500 colones for every 1 USD.
- If you go out to clubs, you will learn to salsa. It’s pretty much a given.
- I ate probably 15 fruits I have never heard of before that do not grow outside of this region of Latin America.
- There is a national campaign to make every public space accessible to all citizens, including the handicapped.
- Costa Rican natural landscapes and national parks are protected by mandates and legislation, and money for upkeep is drawn from steep entrance fees and taxes.
- Gratuity is included in all prices in addition to a tip for service. Every meal costs 15-20% more than the list price when all is said and done.
