Get Around Costa Rica Can Be Tricky
Have you ever wondered about how to get around Costa Rica? When we first arrived in Costa Rica we tried to navigate around the country with Google Maps. One of our first road trips was to the southern part of the Nicoya Peninsula to a beach called Playa Santa Teresa. This seemed like it wouldn't be much of an issue because on the maps it wasn't that far compared to our road trips in the U.S.
Boy, were we wrong!
First off, we were trying to use Google Maps that didn't have the roads clearly defined. Some roads weren't actually on the map and others seemed to be planned but not completed. (BTW, many roads in Costa Rica don't have names and even fewer have street signs.)
Second, without internet service were not able to update as we went. There were several times the map showed us in places that obviously were not correct.
Although getting lost in a foreign country where you don't speak the language makes for some great learning experiences, memories, and stories to share at parties, it can cause great stress, anxiety, and fear.
In Costa Rica, Waze is the way to go
We later found out that WAZE is a much more updated app for navigation in Costa Rica. If you launch the app while connected to Wifi or data service, you can download the trip to the phone which will give you a more accurate location as you drive. The app is updated with road hazards and cautions from other drivers if you are connected with data that can help you avoid delays and danger.
TIP:
If you are planning a trip and are expecting to use your phone for navigation, we recommend logging into your app while connected to Wi-Fi prior to leaving to reduce mobile data charges. On Waze and other similar apps, this will download the trips entire map reducing the amount of data used and allowing for more accurate directions while out of cell range. The voice direction and nearly all other features work even while offline. Keep in mind that if you are out of range or have your mobile data turned off you will not get updates about delays, police sightings, and hazards.
In addition, you may want to consider downloading media such as music, videos, or NETFLIX movies or Prime Video to your devices while connected to Wi-Fi for offline travel entertainment as well. We download our favorite Spotify playlists regularly to be ready for both Costa Rica road trips and power outages.
