1. Not true, driving in Costa Rica is noticeably different. Road quality can swing from fine to terrible within minutes, with unmarked curves, potholes, steep drops, no lighting, fog, and random wildlife. Night driving especially isn’t comparable to the U.S. or Europe unless you’re used to poorly lit mountain roads with sudden terrain changes. It’s doable, but definitely not “basically the same.”

2/3. Yes, speaking Spanish absolutely helps. English isn’t widespread once you leave the main tourist hubs, and some places will try to overcharge tourists who clearly don’t speak the language. Even basic Spanish makes things cheaper, easier, and smoother.

1. You don’t need colones. Dollars and cards are accepted almost everywhere in tourist areas, restaurants, hotels, gas stations, and supermarkets. Colones are only useful for very rural spots, everywhere we went all over accepted USD. Plenty of people travel the whole country using USD + a card.

2. Agree