Australia and New Zealand have excellent public transportation networks in major cities. In Sydney and Melbourne, trains, trams, and buses operate with rechargeable cards like Opal and Myki. For long distances between Australian cities, consider budget domestic flights with Jetstar or Virgin Australia, as distances are enormous. Renting a car is ideal for exploring rural areas, but remember to drive on the left. In New Zealand, a car is almost essential for touring spectacular landscapes between cities. Pacific islands like Fiji rely mainly on taxis, local buses, and boats to move between islands. In New Zealand cities, buses are punctual and efficient. For inter-island travel in the Pacific, frequent regional flights are operated by Fiji Airways and Air New Zealand. Consider multi-day transport passes in large cities to save money. Rideshare apps like Uber work well in Australian metropolises. Plan airport transfers in advance, especially in remote destinations where options may be limited and expensive.

Australia offers accommodation from budget hostels to luxury resorts. Hostels in major cities cost between 25-40 USD per night in shared dormitories, perfect for young travelers. Airbnb is popular and price-competitive, especially for groups or long stays. Chain hotels in Australian cities range around 100-150 USD per night for standard rooms. In New Zealand, holiday parks combine camping, cabins, and self-contained units at accessible prices, ideal for families. For tight budgets, consider Couchsurfing or house exchanges. Pacific islands have all-inclusive resorts that can offer good value if you book packages. During low season (May-August in Australia), prices drop considerably. Book in advance during high season (December-February) when Australians are on vacation. Motels on New Zealand highways are clean and economical for road trips. In cities like Sydney and Auckland, look for accommodation in suburbs well-connected by public transport to save money. Many hostels offer shared kitchens, allowing you to prepare meals and significantly reduce expenses.

Australia and New Zealand are extremely safe destinations with low crime rates. However, be careful with wildlife: spiders, snakes, and jellyfish can be dangerous in certain areas and seasons. Always swim at patrolled beaches between the red-yellow flags and respect warnings about crocodiles in northern Australia. In cities, the most common scams involve unauthorized taxis at airports and aggressive tour sellers. Use only official taxis or verified rideshare services. Avoid leaving valuables visible in rental cars, especially in popular tourist areas. In Pacific islands, currency exchange scams exist; use ATMs from recognized banks. Be cautious with intense sun: skin cancer is common in Oceania, always use SPF 50+ sunscreen. When hiking, inform someone of your route and carry plenty of water. Ocean currents are strong; never underestimate the sea. In markets and tourist areas, watch your belongings for opportunistic pickpockets. Emergency numbers are 000 in Australia and 111 in New Zealand. Get travel insurance covering adventure activities if you plan extreme sports.

Australians and New Zealanders are informal and friendly, valuing direct honesty and sense of humor. The typical greeting is a firm handshake, and eye contact is important. In Australia, tipping culture is not mandatory but 10% is appreciated in restaurants for good service. New Zealanders (kiwis) are more reserved than Australians but equally hospitable. Deeply respect Maori culture in New Zealand: never sit on tables, don't step over seated people, and learn the hongi greeting (pressing noses). In Maori ceremonies, wait for invitation before participating. Australians use lots of slang; don't be offended by nicknames like "mate" or "love". Punctuality is valued in professional contexts but social gatherings are more relaxed. In Pacific islands, the pace is slower; patience and smiles are essential. Dress modestly when visiting traditional Pacific villages. Remove shoes when entering homes. Sundays are sacred on many islands; respect shop closures and limited activities. Avoid touching someone's head, considered sacred in Pacific cultures. Environmental conservation is serious; never leave trash and respect protected areas.

From Costa Rica, reaching Australia and Oceania requires at least one stopover, generally in the United States or Mexico. The cheapest flights usually have two or three stopovers, with prices from 900-1200 USD round trip if you book 3-4 months in advance. Use TICKETS.CR to compare prices between airlines and find the best flight combinations. Low season (May-September) offers significantly lower fares, up to 30% less than austral summer. Consider flying midweek (Tuesday-Wednesday) for better prices. American airlines like United and American offer connections via Los Angeles or Houston to Sydney and Auckland. Qantas and Air New Zealand have alliances that may offer better combined fares. Be flexible with dates and arrival airports; sometimes flying to Melbourne instead of Sydney saves money. Set price alerts on TICKETS.CR to receive notifications when fares drop. Flights with long layovers (8+ hours) are usually cheaper; take advantage to explore the connection city. Consider multi-city tickets to visit several destinations in one trip, optimizing the transpacific flight cost. Check if your credit card offers miles or points redeemable for flights.

Australian gastronomy is multicultural, reflecting Asian, European, and Pacific influences. Try the traditional meat pie, superior quality fish and chips, and the iconic Vegemite on toast. Australian cafés have worldwide fame; the flat white originated here. Farmers markets offer fresh produce and economical street food; visit Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne or Salamanca Market in Hobart. In New Zealand, don't miss Maori hangi, food cooked underground, and delicious local lamb. Seafood is exceptional: Bluff oysters, green-lipped mussels, and crayfish. Pacific islands offer kokoda (Fijian ceviche), umu (food cooked in earth oven), and fresh tropical fruits. Australia has excellent wine regions: Barossa Valley, Hunter Valley, and Margaret River produce world-class wines. For tight budgets, Asian food courts in cities offer abundant meals for 8-12 USD. Coles and Woolworths supermarkets have economical prepared food sections. Try Tim Tams (Australian cookies) and Whittaker's (New Zealand chocolate). BBQ culture is big; many parks have free public grills.

For a 10-14 day trip, focus on one region: Australia's east coast (Sydney-Brisbane-Cairns) or New Zealand's North Island (Auckland-Rotorua-Wellington). With 3 weeks, combine two main destinations like Sydney-Melbourne plus Auckland-Queenstown. A month allows exploring Australia more deeply, including the Outback, Tasmania or the Great Barrier Reef, plus New Zealand. Consider that jet lag from Costa Rica is significant (14-16 hours difference); plan recovery days at the start. To maximize time, take overnight domestic flights. If visiting Pacific islands, dedicate minimum 4-5 days per destination to justify flights. Distance between Australian cities is enormous; Sydney to Cairns is 2400 km, similar to Costa Rica-Mexico. Prioritize quality over quantity; better to know few places well than rush. In austral summer (December-February), beaches and outdoor activities are ideal but there are more tourists. Winter (June-August) is perfect for exploring cities, wines, and avoiding crowds. Book popular activities like Great Barrier diving, glacier tours, or whale watching in advance. Leave free time for spontaneous discoveries; some of the best moments arise without planning.

Pack layered clothing as climate varies significantly between regions and seasons. For austral summer (December-February), include light cotton clothing, swimsuit, wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses with UV protection. SPF 50+ sunscreen is essential; Oceania's sun is intense due to the ozone hole. For winter (June-August), especially in southern Australia and New Zealand, bring waterproof jacket, warm sweater, and long pants. Comfortable walking shoes are essential; consider trekking sandals for rocky beaches. A type I plug adapter (three flat pins) is necessary for Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji. Include insect repellent for tropical and rural areas. If planning hiking, pack appropriate boots, small backpack, and reusable water bottle. Personal medications should come in original containers with prescriptions. Australian pharmacies are excellent but expensive. Bring a light jacket even in summer; indoor air conditioning is strong. For Pacific islands, modest clothing covering shoulders and knees for visiting villages. Waterproof camera for water activities. Don't forget documents: passport valid 6 months, flight and accommodation confirmations, and printed travel insurance.