We live in an amazing time with incredible technology that can make our life easier, so arm your phone with these applications before you start your journey abroad!
Living away from home for the first time can be challenging, so make sure you get some apps that allow you to communicate easily with your family and friends back home. WhatsApp allows you to call, text, leave voicemails and video calls for free! Actually, in Costa Rica, most people use WhatsApp more than their regular phone lines. Other great apps for communicating with the people in your life are FaceTime and Skype.
Although we recommend taking the public bus whenever possible to be budget-friendly, Uber is an easy way to get around Costa Rica, especially in the Central Valley. It isn't as popular in the rural areas or on the coasts, but in the city, Uber is reliable as it depends on the app and normally Waze, and it is considerably cheaper than the red taxis. If you aren't comfortable paying through the app with your credit card, paying with cash is also an option.
Just as popular as the Google Maps app, Waze is used to navigate while walking or driving the roads of Costa Rica. As previously mentioned, Uber drivers generally use Waze to pick up and drop off passengers, so it's nice to follow along on your own phone. If you plan on renting a car, Waze is almost necessary for first-time Costa Rica visitors as houses, buildings and streets are not labeled well.
Constantly changing between currencies can be a headache, so get an app that checks the current rates and converts your currency in a second without the use of a calculator.
If you haven't mastered Spanish yet, consider downloading the Google Translate app to help you communicate with your host families and taxi drivers or in emergency situations.
If you plan on spending a lot of time on the road, download the Airbnb app to help you find rooms to rent. After the 4-week TESOL course ends in Costa Rica, lots of our grads use Airbnb to find a place until they decide exactly where they want to plant themselves in Costa Rica.
Aren't registered for one of our 4-week, onsite TEFL courses yet? Contact us today!
