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Costa Rica: Insider's Tips 
Musician and producer Luis Muñoz on how to make sure your trip
is successful, where to stay, what to eat and more
By Mark Holston
Costa Rican-born Luis Muñoz, who now lives in the U.S., returns frequently to his homeland, for both business and leisure. The multi-instrumentalist, composer and arranger, whose current album is "Luz," shared his inside perspective on travel to the Central American nation.
Tips for a Successful Business Trip
Language is really not a problem, since a large majority of people speak English, especially those working in the tourism industry. I would, however, avoid driving in the city of San José, which, like any other big city in the world, is a nightmare. Taxis are inexpensive and the best way to get around. For the most part, avoid walking late at night except on Central Avenue.
 | | Juan Santamaria International Airport |
Two Airport Options
There are two international airports. The primary one is Juan Santamaría. Although it is in the province of Alajuela, it takes only about 20 minutes to reach the city of San José. The other one, which is a good choice for those travelers who just want to go straight to the Pacific coast, is the Daniel Oduber Airport in the city of Liberia, Guanacaste. Both are very new and efficient.
There are local airports that offer short domestic flights to many of the destinations that tourists seek; however, their quality of service is very unpredictable.
 | | Mountains of Heredia |
Preparing for Weather changes
[What to pack] depends on what part of the country you will be visiting, as there are big weather differences. While the Caribbean coast is very humid, the Pacific coast is very hot and very dry. You can also drive a few hours out of the city, to the mountains of Heredia, or to the Poas or Irazú volcanoes, and you will encounter a cold climate in an environment that may well remind you of a Swiss mountain town. And if you go in the wintertime, bring rain gear, since it rains just about every day.
Favorite Hotels
[I only] occasionally stay in hotels, and I have my favorites. Hotel Irazú is both close to downtown San José and to the airport. Hotel Le Bergerac in [the San José neighborhood of] Los Yoses is blocks away from the house where I grew up, and it feels like home.
 | | Gallo Pinto |
Culinary Clues
I eat where the locals eat, at the small soditas (tiny cafes) and pulperías (corner stores) that offer delicious, healthy food. In San José, I go to the Mercado Central (Central Market) right in the heart of the city, which offers both great food and souvenirs. There you can get gallo pinto (the country's daily staple of beans and rice), a casado (the Costa Rican version of a "Blue Plate" special), corvina (fish), chorriadas (flat corn fritters), olla de carne (pot roast) and ensalada de frutas (fruit salad) for just about the best prices in town. As an excellent souvenir, I recommend Salsa Lizano, a type of sauce that you'll find at every table in the country. And, of course, coffee!
Enjoy Costa Rican Culture
Muñoz has an artists' perspective on how to spend any leisure time you might have.
The Teatro Nacional (National Theater) is a must, not only because of its architecture, but also because of the high quality of cultural activities that it offers constantly. For jazz lovers, The Jazz Café is also a good place to listen to top international artists as well as locals. The Costa Rican government has done an outstanding job promoting and supporting the arts. Two friends of mine, Manuel Obregón and Iván Rodríguez, are the minister and vice minister of Culture, and they also happen to be members of probably the best and most popular Costa Rican band ever, Malpaís. To put artists in charge of culture instead of politicians or bureaucrats, now, that's an idea!
Juan Santamaria International Airport by Alonso Jimenez Quesada via Wikimedia Commons; Mountains of Heredia by Costa-Rica-Beauty; Gallo Pinto by Legendre17 via Wikimedia Commons
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