What dummies need to know for Costa Rica?

What dummies need to know for Costa Rica?

(此文原為美國觀光客讀者，現在加油添醋，轉載給中國觀光客讀者‧Nov 16, 2006)

原載 : http://www.doscolon es.com/

Costa Rica is not an island. It borders Nicaragua and Panama in Central America.

Costa Rica is not the 51st state of the union, nor will it ever be.

A meter is 39.37 inches, a little more than a yard.

Spanish is the official language in Costa Rica.

English is a foreign language and NOT widely spoken outside the tourism industry.

Speaking English in a louder voice will not help a non-English speaking person understand you.

US dollars are known as US dollars, not "American money" or "real money".

If you don't want everyone to know your are a tourist, don't wear shorts and sandles in San José. (看是東方臉孔便認為你是中國人不論你是打哪來的‧)

The pedestrian does not have the right-of-way.

When driving, it is advisable at all times to be prepared to yield to another vehicle. They will put themselves in your path and expect you to stop.

Motorcycle drivers are in another space and time. Ignore them unless they are directly in front of you.

If you are waiting to make a turn and an oncoming car flashes its headlights at you, what they are really saying is "put your trust in me while I block traffic for you so you can go ahead and make that
turn in an illegal fashion while putting your life and others at risk".

If you are driving in downtown San José and come to an intersection that has both a stop sign and a stoplight, the stoplight prevails (if working). Ignore the stop sign.

If you turn onto a street in downtown San José and the oncoming traffic is in your lane, you are going the wrong way on a one-way street.

If you are involved in a car accident, you can not under any circumstances move your car before the traffic cop arrives and gives you permission, even if you are blocking two lanes of traffic during
rush hour. (不要期望交通警察在一小時內到達現場)

Do not slam the doors of a taxicab. Always wear a seatbelt. It's the law and for your own protection.

Be aware of the 13% sales tax and 10% service tax when dining out. If surprised, you might appear to be rude. (心算派上用場! 23% 的稅，有空不彷倒過來算，有些美國朋友不算便被騙‧ 查看一下買單，有沒有多了道沒吃的菜，沒喝的酒，別請了服務生一頓宵夜. 簽帳刷信用卡時記得刪去小費一欄,否則服務生會在小費一欄上"自由發揮". 拉丁民族在這方面的"發揮力"很豐富!)

Remember to ask for your bill when finished eating at a restaurant or you might be there a very long time.

You will meet that person again at such and such a place and time - only if it is God's wish for it to happen.

All activities are "at your own risk". Do not assume that since there are no warnings signs, it is safe to proceed.