What GPS can I use in Costa Rica?

Using Google Maps you can now download maps to your mobile device and then use them for offline navigation using Google Maps and Waze. You’ll want to do this in your home country or when connected to WiFi to avoid data roaming charges, and we recommend you do this before setting off for Costa Rica!

Do I need a GPS in Costa Rica?

Most places do not use a typical physical address in Costa Rica. So without a GPS, stopping to ask for directions may be necessary. There are several options for GPS as well. There is Google Maps, Waze and more expensive models such as Garmin.

How do I use Google Maps in Costa Rica?

Third, it’s time to download Costa Rica. To do that, open Google Maps, open the menu by clicking the three lines on the left of the search window. Next, select Offline Areas and click the plus icon. Now you can add an area by highlighting the area that you want to save, click download to save it.

Does Garmin have maps for Costa Rica?

The Costa Rica Map from Garmin Worldmaps offers a routable map for Garmin GPS devices on a basic scale of 1: 25,000. The Map can also be installed on a PC or Mac computer. The map includes thousands of kilometers of road, cycling and walking trails.

Is Google Maps reliable in Costa Rica?

Free Phone Apps, Google Maps & Online Data As of 2020 it’s the most current and reliable navigation system in Costa Rica. There are many other maps and geocoded waypoints available for free on the internet or as apps.

Will my phone GPS work in Costa Rica?

Most phones, smart watches and some tablets (and maybe fancy new toasters) have built in GPS receivers and now Google provides an excellent map and routing package of all of Costa Rica. Once you save the Google offline map package you can use your device to navigate even when there is no wifi or cell signal available.

Do I need a power adapter in Costa Rica?

Do I need a converter/ adapter for the electricity? ​Costa Rica uses 110 volt, 60 cycle electricity, same as the US. Plugs are typically the 2-pronged flat type, so US travelers will not typically need a converter or adapter.

Is the US dollar accepted in Costa Rica?

Using US dollars Something many visitors to Costa Rica find convenient is the fact that U.S. dollars are accepted virtually everywhere. This means you won’t have to waste a lot of time converting your cash into Costa Rican colones before you can start shopping.

Does WhatsApp work in Costa Rica?

WhatsApp. This is the go to communication app in Costa Rica and is one of the best free apps for Costa Rica. Everyone uses WhatsApp. So make sure you download WhatsApp, especially if you don’t plan on getting a pre-paid sim card.

How much does Garmin NavSat cost in Costa Rica?

Garmin/Navsat is expensive for Costa Rica with map and data package purchase prices between $80 and $150 and rental options starting at $10 per day. The cell phone option could also be expensive because zoomable routing maps are big and phone data can be costly. Now you can have the best of both worlds for free!

Where can I get maps for Costa Rica?

Until recently the maps and routing information had to either, be purchased as a complete package for Costa Rica from Garmin, Navsat etc. or downloaded a little bit at a time by to Google or Waze using a cell phone data plan.

Is there a way to use GPS in Costa Rica?

As noted above there are many other ways of determining location which work very well in U.S., Canadian and European cities but do not work at all in the Costa Rican countryside. Visit Play or Apple store.

How to find your destination on Waze in Costa Rica?

If your destination isn’t known or is ambiguous (dozens of places have the same name in Costa Rica) to Waze then landmarks are your best friend. Ask the hotel, check the website, ask the friend who recommended the place for something well known and nearby and navigate to that.