PLANING YOUR TRIP
PLANING YOUR TRIP
LATEST UPDATE: Nov 6th 2025
For any questions, join the Help - Travel in Costa Rica WhatsApp group where Filipe and Ana can help you!
If you are travelling internationally, please book your flight tickets as soon as possible, as prices increase significantly during this period.
We strongly recommend that you allow a minimum of two full days to acclimatise before the wedding, accounting for jet lag. If your journey involves multiple time zones (e.g., flying from London to Canada, then on to Costa Rica), it is best to book your flight for 25th November, as you are likely to land in Costa Rica quite late.
We recommend using Booking.com or Airbnb to secure accommodation close to Heredia.
The airport has Wi-Fi after passing through border control, but the connection might be weak outside the terminal building if you need to order an Uber.
We recommend buying an eSIM (electronic SIM card) prior to flying to Costa Rica, which is supported by most iPhones and recent Android phones. A 3 GB plan (around €15, e.g., via the Revolut app) was sufficient for a 20-day period of basic usage.
The electrical sockets use the same standard as the United States and Canada (Type A/B), so you may need a suitable adapter for charging your devices.
Travelling within the cities of Heredia or San José is fairly inexpensive with Uber. It is generally a good idea to rely on Uber for transport while in the city or for the wedding day.
As an example:
7-minute trip within Heredia - 1,600 CRC (2.75€)
30-minute trip from Heredia centre to Villa Tremedal (Reception) - 5,500 CRC (10€)
Airport to Heredia centre (Friday evening, Uber XL) - 8,500 CRC (14.50€)
Church to Villa Tremedal 10–12 minutes
If you hire a car, it is recommended to park it in a garage or public parking overnight. This is a common practice among locals.
In the baggage collection area, you may be approached by men in grey shirts and black trousers who will offer to carry your luggage to transport outside the terminal for 20 dollars. This service is expensive and you should avoid it.
If you have a lot of luggage, you can hire a luggage trolley for 1,000 colones (approx. 1.75€). The card payment machine for hiring the trolley is situated between the baggage belts.
Once you have collected your bags and passed the customs X-Ray verification, you will enter the main Arrivals area (which is outside the building). This area is often busy with people offering transport services or waiting to collect passengers who have booked a shuttle. Avoid taking a taxi.
If you plan to take an Uber, you must reach the end of the corridor, turn right, and exit via Door 4. You then need to cross the road and proceed to the upper platform to order your ride from there.
Important Note: If you order an Uber XL and it's past 4 pm, you should be prepared for a wait of 30 minutes or more. Standard Uber services usually maintain an average waiting time. A similar sized van was offered to us for about 20.000 - 25.000 colones (45€)
Don't worry too much about the rain. In Costa Rica, even during the wettest months of the year, mornings are generally warm and sunny, with rain typically confined to the afternoons. This gives you ample time to enjoy the sun earlier in the day.
It is recommended to check with your GP (General Practitioner) about any recommended travel vaccines. Filipe, for example, required a vaccination administered in two doses prior to his first trip.
Most shops and services accept international card payments, so you don't need to withdraw large amounts of cash. However, cash may be required for some smaller, local markets.
The Bac Credomatic cash machine charges a flat fee of 4,000 colones (approx. €10) regardless of the amount you withdraw. It is therefore recommended to make fewer, larger withdrawals.
Supermarket groceries are not as cheap as you might anticipate; expect prices similar to those found in Portuguese or UK supermarkets. Pali is the most budget-friendly option, while Automercado and Freshmarket are generally the most expensive. You can find a wide variety of products at Mega Super or Mas x Menos.