Lonesome Dove Landing Guidebook

Driving in Costa Rica is an adventure... especially at night. Lack of street lights make it difficult to see the abundance of pedestrians, moped/bicycle riders and animals/pets that will be out and about. Addresses and street signs are sketchy at best, and everyone uses landmarks to find their way around. Waze and Google Maps are your best bet to navigate in CR. Always leave early for fishing charters, etc. The time estimate on Navigation maps isn’t always accurate and depends on the amount of farming traffic that could be on the roads.

Everyone uses WhatsApp for communication. Many of the locals speak limited English so Google Translate is very helpful if you don’t speak Spanish.

Shorts, Sandals, Sundresses, and swimsuits with coverups is the dress code just about everywhere you go. You might need long pants if horeseback riding or hiking in the mountains where it’s cooler. Bring a pair of tennis shoes, water shoes with thick soles, and flip flops. That’s about all you’ll need! Wear insect repellant at all times while outdoors (lemongrass works well). They have “No See Ums” and the Costa Rica version of Chiggers that will sneak up on you, so better to be safe than itchy! Costa Ricans are conservation minded, so please bring "reef safe" Sunscreen also.

If you want to save money, we suggest cooking at the house. Buy your meat from a local Carneceria, produce at the farmers market or roadside stands, and get the rest of your groceries at the MaxiPali grocery store in Parrita. Small, local cafes are called sodas in CR and you can get a nice traditional Costa Rican lunch for around $5. I highly recommend Don Toros in downtown Parrita (they have a tasty $10 ribeye) or Don Toros on the beach in Esterillos Este for seafood and cocktails!

Please check travel restrictions and COVID testing requirements prior to travel. You will need to fill out a health pass prior to leaving online and get a QR code and will likely have to take a COVID test prior to your departure home. Vaccinated visitors have different testing requirements from non vaccinated visitors.

Wildlife is everywhere in Costa Rica and we have some animal visitors from time to time at the house. Macaws and parakeets can be seen flying over the property in the early morning hours. We sometimes see frogs and iguanas. We have a few different species of birds that like to hang out, including doves. Dogs are popular pets in Costa Rica and you will see them laying in the middle of the road throughout the neighborhood without a care in the world! Pura Vida!