tips to travel to costa rica

20 Things I Wish I Knew Before Visiting Costa Rica

01/14/2024 by Emily Becker 10 Comments

This post was written by Emily Becker, a Costa Rica–based freelance writer for BMTM.

Costa Rica is a nature-lover’s paradise. With so many opportunities to hike, zip-line, kayak, and partake in all kinds of outdoor activities, it’s no surprise that ecotourism is so mainstream here. Some travelers are drawn to Costa Rica for the pristine beaches, perfect for relaxing the day away; others are in it for the adrenaline-pumping activities, like white-water rafting. The beauty of this country is that you can do both!

But after over a year of living here and traveling extensively in the country, I realized there were a few things I wish I had known before my first visit in 2022.

These are some tidbits of information, pieces of advice, and general things to know before you travel to Costa Rica, so you can have an awesome time and hopefully not repeat my mistakes and faux pas:

Table of Contents

1. Costa Rica can be very expensive.

I anticipated this before my trip, but I was surprised at how expensive it was to travel through Costa Rica, even with prior knowledge that it was pricier than other Latin American countries. Especially in tourist hot spots like Manuel Antonio and La Fortuna , the cost of accommodation , food, and activities was comparable to some cities in the US. It’s pretty tough to find free things to do in Costa Rica, and entrance fees for the national parks start around $15 per day; tours start at $60.

Not all hope is lost for backpackers and budget travelers, though. There are plenty of affordable hostels in Costa Rica, many of which include breakfast and have less expensive tour options. My money-saving advice is to choose affordable lodging but splurge on activities. After all, you’ll likely be spending most of your time outside of your hotel having a blast outdoors anyway!

2. For cheap eats, go to the sodas .

One way to save money while traveling through Costa Rica is to dine in the sodas , i.e., mom-and-pop restaurants. These are always clearly marked as such, and serve up hearty meals that capture the essence of daily Costa Rican cuisine. The most typical plate is called a casado , which includes the traditional gallo pinto (rice and black beans), with some kind of meat or fish and a salad. These usually cost around 4,000-6,000 colones ($8-12 USD) and are filling.

To save money on food, you can also choose a hostel or hotel that includes breakfast and then go to sodas for lunch. Considering that entrees at restaurants in touristy areas can cost $12-20, sodas are a bargain.

-READ NEXT-

How Much Does a Costa Rica Trip Cost?

3. The weather can change in an instant.

Sometimes, I still can’t believe how sunny skies can turn into a complete downpour in the blink of an eye. Flash rainstorms are common, especially if you plan to visit Costa Rica during the wet season (May to November). However, this doesn’t have to put a damper on your trip.

Go to Costa Rica prepared for heavy rain, mud, and hot and cold weather. Have at least one pair of waterproof shoes, a rain shell, a waterproof bag, and layers for chilly weather if you go somewhere like Monteverde, where the higher altitude means colder temps. If you plan to spend the day in nature at a national park, always bring your rain gear with you, even if it doesn’t look like it will rain.

4. Renting a car is the way to go…

Having a car can be a game changer in Costa Rica. Many of the places I wanted to visit were either too far (and expensive) to get to via taxis, or there was no public transport available. I met a local in Uvita who told me that having a car isn’t just a luxury, it’s a necessity.

If you want to get to a place before the tour crowds arrive, having a car is the only way to do it. For example, when I visited the La Fortuna waterfall on a tour, I didn’t have the freedom of choosing when to visit, and there were already many people there. We also encountered rain when we arrived, which I could have avoided if I had had a car.

The big downside of renting a car in Costa Rica is the price. I found out that rates start at $80/day. Booking online is a gamble, too, as often tourists are given a much higher rate when they pick up the car than what they were quoted. A rule of thumb: if the quote is less than $80/day, there’s a good chance that there will be hidden fees you’ll have to pay when picking it up.

If you decide to rent a car, do not skimp on insurance. After living here for over a year with my own vehicle, I’ve learned that accidents are prevalent and that driving here can be risky.

5. …but public transportation can be cheap and easy.

If you’re alone and traveling on a budget, relying on public transportation to get from place to place in Costa Rica is a great choice most of the time. Although renting a car allows for more flexibility for where you go and when, public transportation is totally doable between cities. Plus, it’s incredibly cheap and easy to navigate.

If you’re starting your journey in San José, you can easily hop on a bus to any of the major touristy areas in the country. For example, to get to Uvita on the Pacific coast, it only cost me about $7 USD, and the 7:30am bus arrived there around 11am, ahead of schedule. However, once I got to Uvita, it was challenging to get from place to place via public transportation, hence why I got stranded at Playa Ventanas ( read about that here ).

Plus, if you get somewhere like La Fortuna, where many of the main attractions are hard to reach without taking a tour, you can rent a car for just a couple of days. I wish I had known this beforehand, as it would have improved my experience there.

6. The national parks are fantastic.

Being from the States, I have been spoiled all my life with amazing national parks. Let’s just say, the bar is pretty high. However, Costa Rica’s blew me away with their preservation, accessibility, and overall beauty. From the wild trails through Manuel Antonio to the waterfall in Tenorio Volcano and the Amazon-like canals of Tortuguero, these places are astounding.

Since Costa Rica is home to 6% of the world’s biodiversity, it’s no surprise that the parks are bursting with life. Even though I knew this, it never ceased to amaze me when I saw it with my own eyes.

Since my first trip to Costa Rica in 2022, I have visited Cahuita National Park, Irazú National Park (the Prussia section), and many others. I recommend stopping in any and all parks that are close to your route, as each of them has something different to offer, due to Costa Rica’s numerous microclimates.

7. There are wild animals nearly everywhere.

Speaking of Costa Rica’s impressive biodiversity, national parks aren’t the only places to find wild animals. From mischievous monkeys to roadside sloths and the occasional shower-drain scorpion, there seem to be wild animals everywhere here.

I wish I had known how common critters are inside accommodations. After finding a couple of them in my bag, I realized that I needed to keep it zipped at all times. Luckily, I wasn’t stung or bitten by anything, but there were a couple of close calls.

8. …but if you want to see them, hire a guide.

While wild animals are plentiful here, it isn’t always easy to see them without a guide. I’ve been lucky to see sloths on the side of the road and monkeys swinging in the trees outside my hotel window, but if you want to get the most out of the wildlife viewing here, a nature guide is your best bet. Those in Costa Rica are highly trained to spot animals, and they bring binoculars with them to help visitors get the best views.

The difference between when I went to Rio Celeste with a guide and when I went recently without one was huge. The second time around, I thought, “I’ve been here, and I’ve seen so many animals. Of course I’ll see tons this time!” Wrong. The first time I went was far better, because my guide’s expert eye caught sight of animals I would have otherwise missed.

9. The two coasts are very different.

Since I have visited both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, I’ve seen how diverse such a small country can be.

For one, the beaches are very different. The Pacific coast has small coves, with rocky cliffs and waves ideal for surfing. The sand is mostly golden and glistens beautifully when the sun sets. I also noticed that it was much more Americanized and more touristy overall, with more expensive restaurants.

The Caribbean coast, on the other hand, has a larger Afro-Latino population and therefore a different cultural landscape than the west coast. Puerto Viejo, for example, is known for its bolder flavors, impromptu dance parties, and reggae music blasting everywhere. If you are excited to dive into Costa Rican culture, the Caribbean side is an ideal place to do it.

10. Addresses aren’t really a thing.

Even in the largest city, San José, addresses (as we know them) don’t exist in Costa Rica. Even on official documents, Costa Ricans give descriptions of their address instead of a number and a street. For example, somebody might describe their address as “a big white house next to the Catholic church.”

This might not be an issue when you travel to Costa Rica, as most taxi drivers know the main landmarks and hotels. However, if you stay in an Airbnb, it can be difficult to describe its location to a driver. In any event, make sure you have an offline map (I use the app maps.me), so you can show your driver where you want to go.

11. Sometimes, tours really are worth the money.

I experienced sticker shock when looking at the prices for some of the tours in Costa Rica. After going on a few, though, I realized that some of them were worth it (while others were not).

I recommend booking through GetYourGuide when you can. The platform gives a detailed description of what is included in the tour and what you can expect in terms of how long it will take, what to bring, where you’ll be going, etc.

If you wait to book your tours until you get to your destination, always make sure to do so at the tour office itself. I talked a bit about this in my Costa Rica safety guide , but basically, there are scammers on the street who try to get tourists to book with them.

Overall, the best experience I had on a tour was in Tortuguero . I booked directly with the guide himself, and his expertise, kindness, and quirkiness were what made the experience worthwhile. Plus, booking directly with the guide meant the tour was much more affordable than if it were with a large company.

You won’t find this kind of direct offer everywhere in Costa Rica, but you can look for mom-and-pop tour companies with a more down-to-earth feel.

12. Prepare yourself for tourist traps.

Beyond the abovementioned tour scams, there are quite a few tourist traps throughout Costa Rica. I find this pretty unsurprising, considering how touristy the country is overall.

One is the expensive shuttle services that are not much faster or more reliable than simply taking a public bus. If you are not renting a car, check out the public transportation options before opting for a shuttle. If you are going from San José to pretty much anywhere in Costa Rica, the bus will likely be just as easy. For other routes, like between La Fortuna and Tortuguero, a shuttle is definitely a great option, because public transportation takes twice as long. I use Rome2Rio to get a general idea of public transportation routes, but keep in mind that that it isn’t always 100% accurate.

Other tourist traps in Costa Rica include hokey restaurants with Americanized menus and astronomical prices, and overpriced souvenir shops, which you’ll likely find at the exit of national parks and ecological reserves.

– READ NEXT-

Is Costa Rica Safe? My Take as a Solo Traveler

13. Get to places as soon as they open.

Even during the low season, from May to November, there is a steady stream of tourists in Costa Rica. That means the best places get packed in the late morning and early afternoon. If you are like me and enjoy being in nature without too many other people around, make sure to get to your destination first thing in the morning.

The sun rises around 5am during most of the year in Costa Rica, which meant a lot of very early wake-up calls for me. It was worth it, though! I enjoyed visiting the waterfalls, swimming holes, and jungle paths — and even just walking down the street — at this hour. Going to these places early also meant I could spend more time there, just soaking in the beautiful surroundings without any distractions.

Also keep in mind that tour groups tend to arrive at big attractions around the same time. I noticed that sites would get busy around 9 or 10 in the morning, then clear out around noon, then get busy again around 2 or 3 in the afternoon before the park closed at 4pm. The best time to visit busy spots, like the La Fortuna Waterfall or Manuel Antonio National Park, is right when they open (usually 7am) — or during lunchtime if you don’t mind the scorching sun.

14. Make sure to carry enough cash.

Some smaller and more remote places in Costa Rica, like Tortuguero, for example, don’t have ATMs readily available. Considering that some hotels and hostels charge a 2-5% fee to pay for accommodations with a card, having cash on hand is a good idea. Carrying large amounts of cash can be nerve-wracking, sure, but if you spread it out among multiple bags and pockets, you lessen the risk of losing it all in one go.

Also, try to have colones (the local currency) instead of dollars when possible. Although Costa Rica uses dollars, some small restaurants and shops prefer that patrons pay in colones. The value of the dollar has also been steadily decreasing since I moved here in February 2023.

15. San José is worth a couple of days.

Too many travelers pass up the opportunity to spend a couple of days in Costa Rica’s capital city, San José . It has a reputation for being a dirty, even dangerous place, with little to do. I disagree with this, and I actually really enjoyed exploring San José at the beginning and end of my trip in 2022. Now, I live just 30 minutes outside of town, and I constantly find new and interesting things to do there.

San José is Costa Rica’s cultural capital. There are great museums, a thriving art scene, and some of the country’s best restaurants (like Silvestre!) and bars. I loved visiting the Spirogyra Butterfly Garden, venturing out to the Hacienda La Chimba, and checking out the nearby city of Cartago.

16. Uber is illegal but cheaper than taxis.

In larger cities like San José and even La Fortuna, Uber is available, safer, and even cheaper than taking a taxi. However, it’s technically illegal throughout Costa Rica. It’s common for drivers to ask you to sit in the front seat so as not to raise suspicions that they are driving for Uber. I’ve never had an issue taking Ubers in Costa Rica, though.

Also, considering the point above about addresses, Uber is much easier to use because your driver has your exact location and that of your drop-off point. Otherwise, it can be hard to explain to a taxi driver (especially if you don’t speak Spanish) where you need to go.

17. A little Spanish goes a long way.

I might sound like a broken record on this one, but knowing (at least) a few phrases of Spanish can be a game-changer in Costa Rica. Locals appreciate it when visitors speak Spanish, even if it’s just “hola” or “gracias.” I know my life is significantly easier here because I speak Spanish, and that was also true when I came here for the first time as a backpacker.

If you don’t have any Spanish knowledge before you come, I recommend downloading an offline translator if you need to communicate in a pinch. While many Costa Ricans speak English, there’s no guarantee that your taxi/Uber driver, waiter, etc. will.

18. Costa Rica’s tourism infrastructure is one of the best in the world.

Although having some basic Spanish knowledge is helpful, Costa Rica’s impressive tourism infrastructure makes it one of the easiest places to travel for non-Spanish speakers and first-time international travelers. Companies like Intrepid and G Adventures offer multiday (even multiweek) tours on which everything is meticulously planned. Hotels often offer airport pickup and dropoff, along with many other perks. And nearly 13% of the population works in tourism . That means that there are people willing to help visitors around every corner.

19. Yes, you can drink the tap water.

I lived in Mexico for four years before I moved to Costa Rica, so imagine my surprise (and excitement!) when I learned that you can drink the tap water here. There are exceptions, but there will likely be signs letting you know if you can’t drink it. This is a stellar tip, because you can bring a smaller water bottle with you on hikes or long walks, knowing that there will be places where you can fill it.

20. Tips are usually included in the final price.

In Costa Rica, most restaurants will charge a 10% service fee, which is the same as the tip. If this has been added to your bill, there’s no need to tip. Of course, if you’d like to tip your wait staff, go for it! But it’s certainly not expected.

There are some things that are hard to prepare for before heading to a new place. These tips were all things I either didn’t know or only knew a little bit about before I went for the first time. I hope they help you prepare for your trip, so you can enjoy the magic of Costa Rica.

If you’ve been to Costa Rica, what other helpful tips do you wish you knew before you went?

*Some links in this post are affiliate links for products and services we personally use and love. Any purchase you make through them supports us at no extra cost to you. Thanks so much!

About Emily Becker

Emily Becker is a digital nomad based in Costa Rica. She's been traveling on and off since 2014 and has visited 15 countries—planning to tick many more off her bucket list. In addition to writing for BMTM, she works as a copywriter and project manager.

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cupskill says

08/17/2022 at 12:37 pm

Nice place…….

08/21/2022 at 3:33 pm

Hi Emily: Thanks for these important tips to give us a step up regarding making our Costa Rica trip that much better and how to avoid pitfalls. I have not been to Costa Rica, but one thing that I did not think of doing until you described Costa Rica would be to try the sunrise over the ocean on a Caribbean beach and on the same day see the sunset over the ocean on the Pacific side! Is that doable and/or worth it? 🙂

08/22/2022 at 9:23 am

Hey Gil! Yes, in theory you could drive from one side of the country to the other to see the sunrise & sunset, but I’d guess that it would mean spending the whole day in the car. Maybe not worth it as the sunsets are only vibrant and colorful if the weather conditions are right (ie. not raining). If you try it, let me know how it works out! Sounds like a fun mission. 🙂

RUSTY GREEN says

04/19/2024 at 10:25 pm

WHICH IS THE BEST PLACE TO LIVE COSTA RICA OR PANAMA CANAL.. IM RETIRED MILITARY AND POLICE.. I DO NOT WANT TO LIVE IN THE U.S. IM SOO TIRED OF PAYING MY 2700 DOLLARS HOUSE PAYMENT..AND THE CRIME IS JUST CRAP.. IF YOU HAVE A ANSWER…

Emily Becker says

04/22/2024 at 10:09 am

Hi there! I’ve lived in Costa Rica for about a year (moved in February 2023) and there are a few distinct areas where retirees tend to settle. One is the central valley (near San José, specifically the areas of Santa Ana and Escazú), another is Guanacaste (near Nosara), and another is the mountainous region parallel to the Pacific Coast (Tinamaste). The cost of living here is comparable to some places in the USA, but the quality of life (in my opinion) is much better. Fresh food easily accessible, low crime rates, and stunning nature everywhere in the country. I recommend looking for Facebook groups with retirees in Costa Rica and asking around there. 🙂 Pura vida!

01/31/2023 at 11:32 am

Great info, thank you!

Andrea says

03/10/2023 at 2:06 pm

I am leaving in a week for CR and am solo. I appreciated your articles and found them helpful. Thank you for sharing!!

03/25/2023 at 8:50 am

Thank you for all the tips! I’m traveling with a group of women this October for a woman’s retreat . We will e spending one night in San Juan before heading to our destination (4 hours away)! I’m really thankful for you telling me that Uber is illegal!

03/27/2023 at 3:01 pm

Hi Dee! Uber is technically illegal but it’s totally fine to use in Costa Rica. The driver will just ask you to sit up front. Keep in mind that Uber isn’t widely available and is mostly used in San José and the surrounding areas.

MIGUEL BONILLA says

08/30/2023 at 11:41 pm

Hi Emily, I’m traveling with my kids to Costa Rica on February, what is my best option to get to the fortuna from the airport? And thank you for all your tips. Miguel

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90 Costa Rica Travel Tips: Things You Need to Know

Are you looking for the best Costa Rica travel tips?

Costa Rica is a little slice of paradise located in Central America. The country is known for its biodiversity, beautiful beaches, dense rainforests, stable economy, and friendly citizens.

We have been living in Costa Rica since 2016 and have traveled extensively around the country. This place is amazing, but it has its quirks. There are definitely some things you should be aware of before visiting.

We compiled this list of 90 Costa Rica travel tips organized by category to help you have the best visit possible.

Get ready to learn about how to get around in this country that doesn’t have addresses, the best traditional foods you should try, the best way to pay for things, and so much more!

And, make sure you read until the end to discover the most important Costa Rica travel tip!

Entering and Exiting the Country

1. There are two international airports in Costa Rica

The San Jose Airport is the most visited airport in Costa Rica, however, Liberia International Airport in the northwest corner of the country is also a great option to fly in or out of.

We suggest the Liberia Airport if you plan to explore the Guanacaste region of the country.

We suggest the San Jose Airpor t if you plan to visit the Caribbean coast or south/ central Pacific coast.

2. Make sure you book your flight to San Jose, Costa Rica and NOT San Jose, California

Yea, it’s confusing and we have actually heard of people booking flights to the wrong airport.

The airport code for San Jose Costa Rica is SJO.

So, just make sure you are booking your flight to SJO and not SJC.

3. The San Jose Airport is not actually in San Jose

The airport is actually located in Alajuela and when looking for a place to stay near the airport you should search in Alajuela province. It is best to be as close to the airport as possible if you have an early flight because traffic around that area gets really crazy during rush hour.

Check out our guide to San Jose Airport hotels for more info.

4. We usually have the best luck finding flights on Skyscanner

Skyscanner is great for finding a wide variety of flights at affordable price points. If you would like to fly into San Jose and out of Liberia (or vice versa) we love to use their Multi-City feature.

5. Run to border control when you get off the plane

Sometimes the border control line moves fast and other times it can take foreverrrrrr.

While everyone else is hitting up the bathrooms when they get off the plane, run (or at least walk quickly so you don’t look crazy) to the customs line.

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6. You are only allowed to stay in Costa Rica for 90 days without a visa

If you plan to stay in Costa Rica for longer than 90 days at a time you will need some type of visa granting you this access.

Another option is to do a border run. Head to Panama or Nicaragua for a few days and then renter Costa Rica to stay for another 90 days. This is technically not legal, but it exists in some sort of gray area of legality.

Check out our guide to entry requirements for more info.

7. You may be asked to show proof of departure when entering the country

This is much more common at the borders rather than at the airport, but it’s still best to have a copy of your return ticket with you just in case. Make sure your ticket of departure is scheduled 90 days or less from your arrival.

If you are planning on backpacking through Central America you can also show proof of a bus ticket to the next country you are going to.

8. The Panama border is a disaster show

I have nightmares about the Panama border crossing madness.

Not really, but it is pretty bad.

Entering Costa Rica is generally pretty fast, but entering Panama can be a miserable experience. The last time we were there we waited for over three hours (no joke) in the sun to get our passports stamped to enter Panama.

For more info check out our complete guide to the Costa Rica / Panama border crossing .

9. The Nicaragua border is smooth sailing

When entering Nicaragua they actually have people whose job is to help guide you through the entry process.

It’s amazing!

At first, I thought the guys there were just trying to get money out of us, but then I realized they genuinely were just super helpful and doing their job.

The last time we crossed the border from Costa Rica the whole process took less than an hour. Woot!

For more info check out our guide to the Costa Rica / Nicaragua border . 

Transportation within Costa Rica

10. There are domestic airports throughout the country

If you would like to get to your vacation destination as quickly and easily as possible, consider flying from one of the two international airports to one of the many international airports in the country.

You can find out more with our guide to Costa Rica’s domestic airports.

11. We suggest renting a car to get around

We almost always suggest renting a car to get around. It is the best way to have flexibility in where you visit and what you see.

We suggest booking your car through our favorite local company, Adobe Rent-a-Car.

We partnered with Adobe, to bring all Costa Rica Vibes readers a 10% car rental discount plus tons of other great perks.

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• 10% discount for Costa Rica Vibes readers
• Free second driver
• 0% deductible on Liability Protection Insurance
• Excellent customer service
• New fleet of well-maintained vehicles

12. Waze works here and is your best bet for getting around

Don’t attempt to depend on paper maps. Roads in Costa Rica are crazy and constantly changing. We solely depend on the free app Waze to get around.

13. Uber is Illegal in Costa Rica

In the past, Uber lived in some legal gray zone in Costa Rica. However, the government has now made it clear that Uber is not allowed.

We always suggest taking an official Costa Rican taxi . These are the orange taxis with a green triangle on the door at the airport and red taxis with a yellow triangle everywhere else.

This is super important because the police are now stopping people they suspect of being an Uber driver. If you are in the car as a passenger you could be left stranded on the side of the road without transportation.

14. Shared or private shuttles are great

If you don’t feel comfortable driving long distances, you can always opt for a shared or private shuttle. You can then always rent a car once in town for day trips.

• BookAway is AMAZING for the best selection of shared shuttles throughout the country.
• And you can get a quote for a private shuttle with Adobe Transfers here.

15. Public buses are decent

The public buses in Costa Rica are ridiculously cheap and convenient. Unlike most other things in the country, they actually generally run on time. Granted they are not always the most comfortable, but they are OK.

If you want to travel to several destinations, buses are not the best because you will often have to go back to San Jose to connect to your next destination. It’s too much of a pain.

16. Drivers are a bit crazy

Get ready for people ignoring traffic signals and motorcycles speeding by you on either side of your lane.

It always makes me laugh because people in Costa Rica are so relaxed about everything else, but they are always in a rush when it comes to driving.

Although drivers are nuts, you should be fine driving here. Just don’t drive in downtown San Jose (that’s where the real crazies are).

17. Avoid San Jose like the plague during rush hour

First of all, I suggest avoiding driving in downtown San Jose always. It is a bit insane. If you do need to drive on the outskirts of the city (aka near the airport) avoid doing so during rush hour if possible.

Just as an example, from where we live it can take two hours to drive to the airport during rush hour. On a day without traffic, it takes about 15 minutes.

18. There are no addresses here

I’ve told my family a million times that we do not have addresses here, but they cannot seem to wrap their head around it.

It just seems so insane!

If you need to input a destination into your GPS, look for a nearby park ahead of time and input that as your destination.

19. Distances may seem close but can take forever to drive

Between traffic, curvy roads, unpaved roads etc it can take a lot longer to drive to a place than it looks.

While planning your travels, definitely look up the driving times of everything beforehand and then add at least 30 minutes to an hour to whatever it says.

20. There are tolls in Costa Rica

There are tolls on the major highway in the country heading from San Jose to the Pacific coast. They accept US dollars though, so if you are heading from the airport to the beaches, don’t stress if you haven’t switched to colones yet.

I like to pay with a $10 bill at the first toll and they will give you change in colones. This will be enough colones to pay the rest of the tolls on your drive.

Things to Do

21. Definitely make time to explore national parks

Costa Rica is renowned for its diverse ecosystems. Visit national parks like Manuel Antonio National Park , Poas Volcano , and Corcovado National Park to experience lush rainforests, active volcanoes, and abundant wildlife.

Check out our guide to Costa Rica National Parks for more details.

22. Experience zip lining

One of the most popular adventure activities in Costa Rica is ziplining. It is the perfect way to view Costa Rica’s diverse landscape from above.

You can enjoy the thrill of zip lining through the treetops in various locations across the country. Our personal favorite destinations for this are Monteverde and La Fortuna .

23. Make time to hit the beaches

With both Pacific and Caribbean coastlines, Costa Rica offers a variety of beaches. Whether you’re a surfer, sunbather, or nature enthusiast, there’s a beach for you.

Typically, the Pacific coast is known for white sand beaches and the Caribbean has more dark sand beaches.

Also, usually the Caribbean beaches are less crowded than the Pacific ones.

24. Try Surfing

Join the surfing culture in Costa Rica by catching waves along the coastline.

From beginner-friendly breaks to challenging swells, there’s a spot for every skill level.

Some of the most popular surfing towns are Tamarindo , Playa Avellenas , Santa Teresa, Pavones , and Hermosa (near Jaco) .

Check out our guide to surfing for more info

25. Visit Coffee Farms

If you have the chance, definitely embark on a coffee farm tour. This is the perfect way to learn about the coffee production process, from bean to cup.

Our favorite area for this activity is in the hills above Alajuela.

Check out our guide to Costa Rica coffee for more info

26. You should try and break out of your comfort zone

Costa Rica is an adventure paradise. I used to not be the most adventurous person, but this country has definitely expanded my adventure palate.

So, try rappeling down waterfalls, book the white water rafting tour, go snorkeling or diving. These are experiences you will likely look back on with fond memories and be thankful that you tried them.

27. You don’t need to reserve far in advance

Typically, it is possible to arrange tours up to a few days in advance. However, during the peak tourism season, it is always a good idea to book things. a bit further in advance.

28. A rental car will allow you to save money on activities

One downside in Costa Rica is that guided tours with transportation can be expensive, especially if you are traveling as a family.

Having a rental car will allow you to do more exploring on your own without depending on tours.

For example, you could take a national park tour with transportation and a guide. This will often run you at least $50 per person.

Or, you could drive and only pay for national park admission. This will run more like $15 per person.

29. It is sometimes worth it to take a wildlife tour

I know, I’m contradicting myself here. But, sometimes taking a tour is worth it.

One great thing about guided wildlife tours in national parks or reserves is that the guides usually walk those trails almost every day. They know exactly where the animals hang out and are usually super knowledgeable.

Plus, guides often carry telescopic lenses so you can get a great view of those hard to spot animals such as sloths.

30. Viator is great for booking activities

Recently we have been booking a lot of activities through the Viator website .

We have been doing this because they typically have great cancellation policies (but check each listing).

We feel it is a good way to support local companies but with the security of a big company like Viator.

Money and Currency

31. The currency in Costa Rica is colones

The official currency of Costa Rica is the Costa Rican Colón, often symbolized as “₡” or simply “CRC”.

However, U.S. dollars are widely accepted in many tourist areas.

32. Exchange Rate

The exchange rate between U.S. dollars and Colones can fluctuate. It’s a good idea to check the current rate before you travel.

We like the free app XE Currency Exchange for keeping track of the current rate.

33. Cash vs. Card

While credit and debit cards are widely accepted in larger cities and tourist areas, having some Colones in cash can be handy for small purchases, local markets, and more remote areas.

As far as credit cards, Visa and Mastercard seem to be the most widely accepted cards. We have heard that American Express is sometimes not accepted at certain places.

34. ATMs are common in cities and towns

Look for Banco Nacional, Banco de Costa Rica, and other reputable bank ATMs to withdraw Colones.

Be cautious of using standalone ATMs in remote locations. It is best to do this during daylight and not to take out large amounts at once.

35. You may pay foreign ATM fees

Check with your bank or card provider about foreign transaction fees and ATM withdrawal fees. Usually this is about $5.

Some banks offer fee-free international transactions or have partner banks in Costa Rica. So, if you are concerned about the cost of using an ATM, I suggest checking with your bank before traveling.

36. Currency conversion

If offered the choice to pay in U.S. dollars or Colones, always choose Colones.

Often businesses might not have the most updated exchange rate so you can end up paying more if using US dollars.

37. Pay in small denominations

It’s a good idea to carry smaller denominations of Colones for convenience. This is helpful when leaving a tip, paying for parking, or when making purchases at local markets or small shops.

38. Change in Colones

When receiving change for a purchase in U.S. dollars, you might receive it in Colones. Make sure to clarify the amount if needed.

39. Tipping

Tips are not included in restaurant bills, and it’s customary to leave a tip of around 10% to 15% in restaurants and for tour guides. However, it is not required. Most locals do not leave a tip.

40. Currency Exchanges

Don’t change currency at the currency exchange places in the airport. They tend to have a really bad exchange rate and you can lose out on a lot of money.

Instead, you’ll get the absolute best rate by asking your bank at home to get you some colones before your trip.

You can find out more with our Costa Rica Currency Guide

Local Cuisine and What to Eat

41. Eat at the small local “sodas” to save money

There are small local restaurants called “sodas” in every town. These restaurants will give you a basic plate of food which usually has rice, beans, salad, and a meat of the day for about $8 (this meal is called a casado).

Usually, these meals are incredibly tasty (and cheap).

You can get more tips with our full guide to eating in Costa Rica on a budget .

42. You need to try the local fruits

Have you ever eaten a guanabana? What about a granadilla?

I guarantee that there are fruits in Costa Rica that you have never even seen before!

One of our favorite things to do on the weekends is to go to our local farmers market and try some new unusual fruit.

You can find out all about the crazy fruits in Costa Rica with our complete Costa Rica fruit guide .

43. You can usually drink the water

In Costa Rica, the tap water is drinkable in most bigger towns.

However, if you would like to be a bit cautious, we suggest buying a big gallon jug of water and refilling smaller bottles.

I am a big fan of the LifeStraw water bottle for some added filtration (especially when drinking tap water).

Also, ask at your hotel before filling up your water bottle from the bathroom sink. This water is not always potable.

Check out our guide to Costa Rica tap water for more info.

44. Definitely try the local specialties

Have you ever eaten Gallo Pinto? What about a casado? Ceviche?

The items listed above are just a few of our favorite traditional foods in Costa Rica that we strongly suggest you try.

Check out our guide to Costa Rican foods for more delicious ideas.

45. Buy souvenirs at the grocery store

This may sound totally strange, but the best and cheapest souvenirs are at the grocery store.

What do people really want you to bring back for them from your Costa Rican travels? Most likely they’ll love some coffee or chocolate.

The coffee and chocolate here are on point. Instead of buying coffee or chocolate from a fancy souvenir shop you can buy the same products at the grocery store for usually about half the price.

For coffee, we highly suggest the brand Britt mostly because their bags are designed to look very Costa Rican.

46. If you are gluten-free you will have tons of options

My mom has a gluten allergy and she loves visiting us here versus when we used to live in Germany because there are so many food options for her.

Costa Rican diets are typically heavy on rice, beans, corn, meat, eggs, vegetables, and fruit. You will have no problem finding a meal that can satisfy a gluten intolerance or allergy.

47. Larger grocery stores have all the foods you are used to

The best (but also most expensive) grocery store in Costa Rica is called Automercado. This store feels a lot like any normal grocery store in the US.

Just keep in mind that all imported products tend to be expensive due to import taxes.

48. Go out for breakfast at least once

Traditional Costa Rican breakfast is the best! This meal typically consists of Gallo Pinto (a mix of rice and beans), eggs, fried plantains, and fresh fruit. Add a mixed fruit juice and you will have yourself the perfect Costa Rican breakfast.

If you stay at a hotel with breakfast included I can almost guarantee that this is what they will serve.

Planning Where to Stay

50. There are resorts for all budgets

Costa Rica is typically not the best place to stay if you are looking for a resort vacation, because it is an expensive country.

If you would like a more budget-friendly resort experience with luxury, head to Mexico or the Caribbean islands.

However, if you are eager to stay in a resort in Costa Rica, you can find a place for all budgets. Just know that you won’t get as much bang for your buck.

Check out our guide to resorts in Costa Rica for all the best places

50. We suggest one beach and one jungle destination for one week

With one week you can easily visit one beach and one jungle destination. This will give you the perfect brief overview of the country.

For a jungle destination, La Fortuna and Monteverde are always great options.

For beach, you really can’t go wrong with most places. I suggest deciding your destination based on which airport you are flying into and what you would like to do while on the beach.

51. VRBO is a great option

We love using VRBO in Costa Rica!

Usually, the rates are cheaper than on hotel booking sites and we like to have the option of getting our own place.

It can be nice to have your own little house instead of staying in a hotel with tons of other guests. Plus most places have a kitchen so you can save money by cooking your own meals.

52. Booking.com usually has free cancelations

If you do opt to book a hotel, we suggest doing so over Booking.com .

We love Booking.com for Costa Rica travel because most places have free cancellations up to a certain date.

That means you can secure your accommodations and always adjust your travel plans later if you find a better place to stay.

53. Stay in a place with a kitchen

Restaurants can be expensive in Costa Rica. We love to try and stay at a hotel or a VRBO with a kitchen.

You probably want to try out some of the great restaurants in the area, but it can be helpful to at least be able to make your own breakfast or store any leftovers in a fridge.

54. Read reviews in detail

Always check the reviews on VRBO and on Booking.com.

We only stay at places with at least five reviews and we read these reviews in detail.

You don’t want to end up at a horrible place on your Costa Rica vacation.

55. Pay attention to if a place has AC

This especially applies to beach destinations. Even at night, it can stay warm and humid. There is nothing more miserable than trying to sleep in sweaty sheets and only having a small fan.

56. Places with a pool are always a good idea

You are on vacation in a tropical destination so, book a place with a pool if you have the option.

57. Pay attention to the exact location of your hotel/ vacation rental

I say to pay attention to the exact location because sometimes places can be located on dirt side streets that may be hilly.

You need to make sure that you can actually get to your accommodation without a 4×4 vehicle.

Also, sometimes places are advertised as “near the beach” and you might actually have to drive 10 minutes or more to the beach.

So, definitely clarify the location before booking.

Travel Essentials (What to Pack)

Shop All The Costa Rica Packing Essentials

58. Leave the nice stuff at home

Costa Rica is safe, but it is best not to stand out too much. By leaving nice jewelry and fancy clothes at home you will make yourself much less of a target for petty theft.

59. Bring that rain jacket you are debating about

Every area of the country has a different climate and you never know when a torrential downpour will start.

Even if you are traveling during the dry season, certain parts of the country (Monteverde, Rio Celeste, San Gerardo de Dota) can have rain.

We like to pack a lightweight jacket that won’t get too sweaty while wearing.

Check out the rain jacket I own and love

60. Pack a dry shirt

No, I don’t mean a shirt that is dry.

I mean one of those shirts that dry really quickly which is meant to be worn in the water.

See the sun is so strong here that you can get burned really easily.

I like to swim with a dry shirt on to protect myself.

• Check out the perfect dry shirt for men
• Check out the perfect dry shirt for women

61. Pack gallon-size ziplock bags or keep your plastic shopping bags

Because of the humidity sometimes it is impossible to get your clothes to dry once they get wet.

We always carry a few plastic shopping bags or gallon size ziplock bags for when we move to our next location while traveling when we still have wet clothing.

They take up almost no space in your luggage but definitely come in handy.

62. Opt for a large backpack instead of a suitcase

Sometimes hotels or vacation rentals aren’t the easiest to access.

For example, we recently stayed in a place at Manuel Antonio that was located on the side of a hill. From the parking lot, we had to go up about 50 stairs to our bungalow.

In situations like these, it is so nice to have a large camping backpack rather than a suitcase.

Check out our go-to backpack that can usually be used as a carry-on

63. Don’t forget motion sickness pills

Some roads in Costa Rica are really curvy and hilly. If you or anyone in your group is prone to motion sickness, it is always a good idea to bring some motion sickness pills .

Personally, I find that I use them frequently here between boat rides and crazy roads.

If you forget them, you can always buy some at a local pharmacy or even usually in the grocery store.

At the grocery store, you most likely won’t see them on the shelf. They are often kept behind the counter at a cash register. They are often sold by pill not by the entire pack.

64. You can always purchase whatever you forget

Costa Rica has pretty much everything. If you forget something at home, have no fear! You can most likely find it here. Just note that you might pay a bit more than you would at home.

Local Culture and Customs

And now, here are some fun facts about the country. This will give you a greater understanding pf the culture and what Costa Rica is all about.

65. Ticos & Ticas

Costa Ricans refer to themselves as “Ticos” ( for males) and “Ticas” (for females). Collectively they are known as “Ticos”.

66. Blue Zone

The Nicoya Peninsula (the area where Montezuma and Santa Teresa are located) is one of the five Blue Zones in the world. This means it is an area with the highest life expectancy rate.

67. Happiness

Costa Rica is categorized as one of the happiest countries in the world. You will see it when you are here. Ticos are almost always smiling and enjoying life to the fullest.

68. Pura Vida

The official motto of Ticos is “Pura Vida.” This directly translates to “Pure Life.” Costa Ricans take this motto very seriously and generally stay very relaxed about most things in life.

69. Language

The official language is Spanish in Costa Rica . However, a large percentage of citizens speak at least some English due to the high percentage of tourists. 

70. Literacy

Costa Rica has a 96% literacy rate. This is the highest of any Central America country.

71. Military

Costa Rica does not have a standing army. In fact, the army was abolished in 1953.

72. Important Exports

Bananas and coffee have historically been the biggest exports from Costa Rica. In fact, Costa Rica is the second-largest exporter of bananas in the world.

73. Renewable Energy

Costa Rica generates more than 99% of its electricity by renewable energy.

If you visit the northern part of the country near Rio Celeste you will see all of the windmills used for wind energy.

74. Ticos are generally the nicest people

Whenever I’m stressed and need to cheer up I like to go to our local farmers market because it is the perfect spot for seeing a genuinely nice and cheerful community in action.

However, sometimes they are so nice that they don’t want to let you down.

For example, if you ask for directions it is not unusual for someone to give you incorrect directions instead of just saying that they don’t know where you need to go. 

75. Tourism is Super Important

Tourism is the leading industry in Costa Rica with approximately 9% of the country’s citizens being employed in the industry. That means 600,000 jobs.

Over three million tourists typically visit the country annually with about 40% coming from the US and 6% from Canada.

Safety and Security

76. The wildlife shouldn’t bother you

The keyword here is “shouldn’t,” but you just never know.

Yes, this is a country that has tons of poisonous or dangerous animals. Yes, you will probably see some of these animals in your travels. However, typically you will be fine unless you bother them.

77. Sign up for STEP

If you are a US citizen, head on over to the STEP websit e and sign up before your trip.

STEP stands for Smart Traveler Enrollement Program.

It is a free program by the US government meant to keep track of where you are in the world. It allows you to get notification of any safety concerns in the country you are traveling, allows the government to know where you are in case of an emergency such as a natural disaster, and helps you to stay connected to family in case of emergency.

78. Wear lots of bug spray

Zika and dengue can both be an issue in Costa Rica. Make sure to wear bug spray and you will hopefully be OK.

For more info check out our guide to mosquitos in Costa Rica .

79. Don’t forget to purchase travel insurance

Heymondo travel insurance was designed with ease and flexibility in mind.

Their comprehensive plans offer 24/7 assistance, trip cancellation and interruption coverage, lost baggage coverage, assistance in case of medical issues, as well as the option to add-on adventure activity coverage. 

↳ Get Your Travel Insurance Quote

80. The sun here is crazy strong

Don’t forget that Costa Rica is not too far from the Equator. If possible, we suggest bringing sunscreen with you from your home country.

You can most definitely buy it here but it is typically a bit more expensive.

For more info check out our guide to the sun in Costa Rica .

81. Petty crime can be an issue

Violent crimes are unusual, but petty crimes do happen. It is always best to be on guard.

For more info check out our guide to crime in Costa Rica and how to protect yourself .

82. Be careful in the water

The two things that freak me out sometimes in the ocean here are rip currents and crocodiles. Yes, there are crocodiles in the rivers that sometimes make their way into the ocean. This typically only happens at spots where large rivers make their way directly into the ocean.

Always ask at your hotel where it is safe to swim. Also, pay attention to signs on the beach and see where other people are swimming.

83. Make a copy of your passport

In the off chance that your passport is lost or stolen, it can be helpful to have a copy of your passport. This will help to expedite the process of getting you a new passport.

If you are a US citizen there is a US Embassy in San Jose. This is where you would need to go if something like this happens.

84. Never leave things of value in your rental car

Because petty theft is the most common crime, rental cars can become an easy target for robbers.

It is best to never leave anything visible in your vehicle and definitely never leave anything of value in the car.

When possible, park in protected lots with a guard.

Weather and Climate

85. The rainy season is opposite on each coast

The dry season on the Pacific and in the central part of the country runs from late December until the end of April.

On the Caribbean coast this is the rainy season.

So, if you experience bad weather, just drive a few hours to the other coast. 😉

86. The dry season is the most expensive time to visit

Most hotels and activity companies have different prices depending on the time of year.

During the dry season everything is at peak high price.

If you would like to save money, travel in July or August for lower prices, less tourists, and mostly OK weather.

87. July is our favorite month in Costa Rica

We love Costa Rica in July because everything is green again, prices are lower, and usually there are about two weeks in the middle of July when the rain will stop temporarily.

Even when it is raining, you can expect about a two-hour rainstorm every afternoon and then the weather turns nice again.

88. The sun rises and sets at almost the same time year round

The sun rises and sets around the same time every day of the year. In total there is about a thirty-minute difference in sunrise and sunset time throughout the entire year.

You can expect the sun to rise between 5:15am and 5:45am every day and the sun sets between 5:15am and 5:45pm every night.

Yeap, we have about exactly 12 hours of daylight every day. It gets a bit like groundhog day after awhile, but I’m definitely not complaining.

Check out our guide to Costa Rica weather for more info.

89. Yes, there are earthquakes

Earthquakes are quite common in Costa Rica. In fact, there are typically several small earthquakes every day in the country.

Fortunately, most are so minor that you won’t even feel them.

90. Hurricanes and tropical storms are rare

Since living here, Costa Rica has experienced a few topical storms and hurricanes , but typically this is very rare.

If a storm occurs it is usually in the fall, which most likely is not a time of year that you will be visiting the country in anyway.

Check out our guide to Costa Rica weather for all the weather related tips

The Most Important Costa Rica Travel Tip is…..

You are going to need to relax

And we have come to the most important thing to know when traveling to Costa Rica!

Costa Rica is the most chill place we’ve ever been to. The mantra for life in Costa Rica is “Pura Vida” which directly translates to “pure life.” People here use this phrase as a greeting, but also as a way of saying, “All is good.”

You will need to adopt this attitude while visiting Costa Rica .

You may deal with traffic delays, electricity problems, canceled buses etc. Instead of getting frustrated, just take it in stride and think of it as part of the experience.

You’re on vacation! 🙂

By adopting this Costa Rica travel advice you’re guaranteed to have a great travel experience!

Conclusion: Costa Rica Travel Tips

In conclusion, you can never go wrong with a Costa Rica vacation! With these travel tips, you will be ready for the perfect experience.

We think that Costa Rica can definitely be a bit of a culture shock, but in our opinion, it is not extreme. It is the perfect paradise destination.

If you have any questions about Costa Rica travel tips, don’t hesitate to leave them in the comment section below. We are always happy to help you with your planning!

60 Things to Do in Costa Rica – For All Budgets and Interests

Is costa rica expensive what to budget for vacation costs, tipping in costa rica: how much to leave for gratuity, what to pack for costa rica for women, pura vida in costa rica: what the phrase means, costa rica map: detailed description of all areas, costa rica car rental: key tips for the best experience, costa rica sim or esim card: the best data options in 2024, costa rica facts – fun info about the country, how to celebrate costa rica holidays and festivals, 16 common scams in costa rica and how to avoid them.

Costa Rica Travel Details : What You Need to Know

🚗 Should I rent a car in Costa Rica?

Having a rental car will give you the most flexibility when traveling in Costa Rica. This will also allow you to take fun day trips on your own.

• Save 10% Plus Other Perks with Our Adobe Rental Car Discount
• You might also consider; shared shuttle services or private transfer services

🏄🏽 How can I book things to do?

We find that Viator tends to have the most comprehensive selection of activities with secure booking and good cancellation policies.

🍍 I’m overwhelmed with planning. Can you help?

Of course! I suggest joining our Facebook group for specific questions and head to our Start Here Page to get started planning.

✈️ What is the best way to book a flight?

Usually, we have the best luck finding great prices with Skyscanner . Check for flights to both San Jose Airport (SJO) and Liberia Airport (LIR).

🛏️ What is the best way to book my Costa Rica hotels?

We highly suggest Booking.com for hotel bookings and typically use VRBO for Costa Rica vacation rentals.

🗣️ What is the main language in Costa Rica?

The main language in Costa Rica is Spanish. Most people working in tourism speak at least some English.

💰 What is the currency in Costa Rica?

The currency used in Costa Rica is the Costa Rican colón (CRC). However, the US dollar is widely accepted in most tourist areas

📞 What is the best way to stay connected?

An eSIM from Airalo is the easiest way to get 4G data while traveling in Costa Rica.

🌴 Is Costa Rica safe?

Generally, Costa Rica is considered safe for tourists. However, like any travel destination, it’s best to use caution and be aware of your surroundings.

🛂 Do you need a passport to go to Costa Rica?

Yes, Costa Rica is its own country. You will need a passport to visit.

Hi! We’re Thomas (the German) and Sarah (the US-er)

We met in Virginia, moved to Germany, and since 2016 we have lived in sunny Costa Rica. It was a spontaneous decision to move here, but it was the best decision! Now we spend our days roaming the country to bring you the very best in Costa Rica travel here on Costa Rica Vibes. Sarah is the writer. Thomas is the one keeping it all together. Want the whole crazy story?

Sarah McArthur

Sarah McArthur is the co-founder and main writer of Costa Rica Vibes. She is originally from the United States but has lived in sunny San Jose, Costa Rica since 2016.  She has traveled all over the country and now considers herself a self-proclaimed Costa Rica travel expert.  Want the whole crazy story?

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31 Comments

Hi Sarah, My flight has a stopover in Panama City for over an hour. I will be flying from California. Do I still need a yellow fever vaccine? Thank you.

Hi Linda, From Panama you do not need a yellow fever shot. Only from South American countries not Central American countries. Have a great trip! And feel free to message me if you have any other questions. Also, try to get a window seat if landing in Panama during the day. You usually get a great view of the Panama canal. 🙂

Hey there! My Fiancé and I are traveling to the Santa Teresa beach area in May for our honeymoon and we are trying to decide on the best travel route. What would you recommend to first time Costa Rica travelers: flying into the Liberia airport and renting a car for the drive or into the San Jose airport and renting a car/ catching a ride on the ferry? We are a bit intimidated by the ferry travel and aligning our flight schedule correctly. Also, your travel tips are so helpful! Thank you so so much! Answered so many of our questions 🙂

Hi Jocelyn, Personally, I would go for flying in to San Jose and taking the ferry. In May it tends not to be too crowded so you should be ok getting a spot on the ferry heading over. The drive is much much easier that way. If possible, try to get a flight that doesn’t get in too late in the evening. And, if you can only get a late flight then its best to stay near the airport for the first night and then try to get the first ferry the next day. I’m just saying that because it is best to get the 2pm ferry at the latest if possible so you won’t have to drive in the dark. Let me know if you have any other questions!

Hello, I am going to Costa Rica in a couple days. I plan on staying in la fortuna for a couple of days and then I want to head to a more beachy area. We will have a rental car to go from place to place I was thinking either tamarindo or jaco area in a resort. What do you suggest? I know the one is pretty far but I honestly am not sure of what to do in the jaco or central area.

Hi Emily, Personally I prefer Tamarindo. It is just an overall nicer town. If you go to Tamarindo I suggest doing a bit of beach hopping.Just north of Tamarindo are Playa Grande and Playa Flamingo. You could make a day of visiting those two beaches. about 45 minutes south of Tamarindo down a dirt road is Playa Avellanas. This beach is really nice and one of our favorite beach bars is there. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g1075571-d1542328-Reviews-Lola_s-Playa_Avellanas_Tamarindo_Province_of_Guanacaste.html Let me know if you have any other questions!

The 16 best things to do in Costa Rica

Jan 26, 2024 • 9 min read

Read on for all the best experiences in Costa Rica from sleeping in a tree house to wild water sports © Kike Arnaiz / Stocksy United

Come to Costa Rica to discover magnificent landscapes, endless outdoor activities and creatures great and small. This smallish Central American country offers a world of adventure, from water sports to mountain hikes, and rainforest wildlife watching to cloud-forest birding. 

And when you’re ready to take a break from outdoor activities, there are tree houses to sleep in, meals to relish and cities to explore. Here are the 16 best things to do in Costa Rica.

1. Ride the waves

Surfers in the know plan their entire vacation around the wild and wonderful waves on the Costa Rica coastlines. If you're new to Costa Rica's surf scene, this is a fantastic place to find out what it’s all about thanks to inviting warm waters, long and luscious waves and non-stop good vibes.

The most popular surf destinations include Tamarindo , Nosara and Santa Teresa on the Nicoya Peninsula; Jacó , Dominical and Pavones on the central and south Pacific; and Puerto Viejo de Talamanca on the Caribbean side.

Note that any given destination has a few different surf spots, some of which are better for beginners and others that offer more challenging waves. They all enjoy a bit of a party scene, though Nosara and Santa Teresa are more laid-back.

Planning tip: Find the biggest waves on the Pacific coast from May to October (though the dry season is better for beginners). The waves are biggest on the Caribbean side from November to May.

2. Fly through the clouds in Santa Elena

There are zip-line courses all around the country – some higher or faster or longer than others – but the Santa Elena canopy tours are special.

The Costa Rica canopy craze started here, but more importantly, there’s something fantastic about soaring over the treetops with the clouds swirling all around you. Take in the misty magic of the cloud forest, supercharged with an adrenaline rush.

Planning tip : While zip-lining is on many people's Costa Rica travel list, make sure you check your operator's safety procedures before committing. It's also okay to change your mind when you're there – zip-lining isn't for everyone.

3. Raft into the Pacuare Lodge

The Pacuare Lodge is a gorgeous, luxurious facility surrounded by dense rainforest and little else. The only road in is not a road at all, but rather a river: the namesake Río Pacuare.

Here is a case where the journey rivals the destination, as you travel to the lodge by white-water rafting over Class III-IV rapids on this world-famous river.

The roar of the rapids, the spectacular scenery and the thrill of the ride make for a fantastic adventure – and you’re just getting started. Once at the lodge, you’ll enjoy sumptuous accommodations, incredibly satisfying meals, super-attentive service and a roster of activities before rafting back out again.

Planning tip: Pacuare Lodge packages include transportation to and from San José, but you can also have them deliver you anywhere on the Caribbean Coast.

4. Commune with the creatures

For wildlife watchers, there’s no better place to meet Costa Rica's fauna than the trails around Sirena station in Parque Nacional Corcovado , the area  National Geographic called “the most biologically intense place on the planet.”

Here, visitors have a good chance of seeing animals (some endangered) that are rare in other parts of the country, including peccaries, tapirs, crocodiles, tiny squirrel monkeys and more. Note that the best wildlife watching happens at dawn and dusk, which necessitates an overnight stay in the park.

Easier to reach and rich with life, the regions of Río Celeste and Sarapiquí have many eco-lodges and private reserves that are also fantastic for wildlife watching.

5. Hike, swim and climb to La Leona Waterfall

This outing is more than a hike or a waterfall swim – it’s a canyoneering adventure. That’s the only way to describe this excursion down the Río Blanco in Curubandé de Liberia, which involves swimming, scrambling, spelunking, climbing and cliff jumping.

You’ll ogle three different waterfalls on the way, including a final celestial-blue beauty hidden inside a cave that's a real a stunner. 

Detour: This adventure takes place just outside of Parque Nacional Volcán Rincón de la Vieja , a great destination to see volcanic activity (more on that below) and soak in hot springs.

6. Spy on nesting sea turtles

Every few years, female sea turtles perform an ancient ritual, returning to their natal beach to lay their eggs beneath the moonlight before returning to the welcoming waters of the sea.

Elsewhere on the same beach, tortuguita  (little turtle) hatchlings dig out of their nests and scurry to the sea. It’s an incredible and intimate episode to witness. 

Planning tip: The timing varies, depending on the location and turtle species, but you can see this spectacle of nature in Tortuguero in the north Caribbean and at Playa Grande and Playa Ostional on the Nicoya Peninsula.

7. Splurge on a multicourse meal in the sky

San Lucas is not just a restaurant; it's a dining experience – that is, a surprise nine-course menu that's also a lesson in Costa Rican history and culture.

The food presentations are innovative, interesting and excellent overall, but the highlight is the fantastic setting in the sky. Each table occupies a private glass cube high atop a mountainside, overlooking the cloud forest and the village of Santa Elena below.

Planning tip: The San Lucas Treetop Dining Experience offers two seatings per night. If you reserve for the early one, your first course comes with a spectacular sunset.

8. Explore an active volcano

The mountains of northern and central Costa Rica are lined up in a row of hissing, steaming, sputtering volcanoes, some of which are open for exploration.

Wander among boiling mud pots and steaming fumaroles of Volcán Rincón de la Vieja ; hike the lava flows and soak in volcanic-heated pools at Volcán Arenal ; peer into the steaming crater at Poás and leave footprints in the lava fields of Irazú.

Each experience is a little different, but all will leave you awestruck at the earth’s unbridled power.

Want some help? Let Elsewhere plan your next trip.

9. Kayak through sea caves

Along the Costa Ballena on the southern Pacific coast, Playa Ventanas is a small but spectacular palm-backed beach that has a special feature: intriguing caves in the cliffs at its north end.

At low tide, you can investigate the two caves that open onto the beach (taking care to retreat if the water starts to rise).

But if you’re up for a challenge, you can paddle a kayak along the gorgeous coastline and explore the cliffs and sea caves along the way.

Planning tip: The sea caves are only accessible in certain weather conditions, and they are often impassable during the rainy season. Book tours in Uvita. 

10. See some magnificent birds

Even if you’re not a bird nerd, it’s easy to geek out about the avian life in Costa Rica. Of course, there are myriad multicolored beauties that you’ll see flitting about pretty much everywhere; then there are a few showstoppers – rare in other parts of the world but relatively easy to see in Costa Rica (if you know where to look).

Most famously, the scarlet macaw has made an incredible comeback along the Pacific coast, with sightings practically guaranteed in Parque Nacional Carara and on the Osa Peninsula.

The aptly named resplendent quetzal makes seasonal appearances in the cloud forests of Monteverde and the Dota region .

And the great green macaw – still critically endangered – is sometimes spotted in Sarapiquí and Boca Tapada. Getting a glimpse of these gorgeous creatures in the wild is an awesome and inspiring experience that might just turn you into a bona fide birder.

11. Sleep in a tree house

In the wilds of northern Costa Rica, surrounded by lush forestlands, you can indulge your inner monkey and spend the night in the treetops .

On the edge of its eponymous wildlife refuge, Maquenque Eco-Lodge has a collection of fantastic tree houses – each constructed amid the leafy canopy, 12m (39ft) off the ground and surrounded by trees.

With wide balconies, outdoor showers and screen walls, the tree houses offer complete rainforest immersion with a touch of luxury. It’s a 10-minute walk to the main lodge (or a quick buzz on the walkie-talkie, in case of emergency). 

Detour: On your way to or from Boca Tapada, stop in at the restaurant Centro Familiar Cuyito to try to glimpse a pair of great green macaws nesting in a wild avocado tree on the grounds.

12. Cool off under a waterfall

There’s no more exhilarating plunge than one beneath the downpour of a wild waterfall. And Costa Rica has no shortage of glorious cascades – many of which are swimmable. One fan favorite is Montezuma Waterfalls , on the outskirts of the eponymous village.

It requires a rugged hike, but the reward is a triple-tiered catarata , with a thrilling (and chilling) cliff jump from the top.

Detour: If you can’t get enough, El Chorro Waterfall  is another highlight in Montezuma. It’s a long hot hike, but the cascade – which falls from a high cliff directly into the ocean – is worth the effort.

13. Discover what happens after dark

Some 70% of animals are most active at night. Take a night hike with a nature guide to find out who they are and what they’re doing in the dark.

Night tours are popular in the main rainforest destinations in Costa Rica, including La Fortuna , Sarapiquí, Río Celeste and Manuel Antonio . You’re bound to see plenty of bugs and bats, frogs and snakes, but you might also catch a glimpse of a nocturnal mammal, such as a kinkajou or a tree possum.

14. Cruise a jungle lagoon

One of the most rewarding ways to see wildlife in Costa Rica is to take a cruise through the jungly canals of Tortuguero or the wild wetlands of Caño Negro . From the comfort of your boat, you’re likely to see several species of monkeys, two- and three-toed sloths, green iguanas, striped basilisks, caimans and crocs, not to mention incredible birdlife.

15. Witness a bioluminescent bay

Some aquatic organisms contain luciferin, which reacts with oxygen to produce a sparkly light. This magical glow in the water is called bioluminescence, and it lights up the coves of Ballena Bay, near Tambor on the Nicoya Peninsula.

Bioluminescent tours depart from Santa Teresa, Montezuma or Tambor itself, giving you a chance to kayak over ethereal, illuminated waters. Remember, swimming in bioluminescent waters can cause harm to the glow bacteria.  

Planning tip: Save some cash by driving yourself to Playa Pochote and booking a bioluminescence tour at Don Trino campground, where tours are far less expensive than in the larger towns. 

16. Take a city break in San José

You probably came to Costa Rica for wild animals and outdoor adventure. But guess what? San José is a cool, creative capital, packed with historic architecture, unique museums and trendy cafes and clubs.

Don’t miss the Museo del Jade for its insightful exhibits about pre-Columbian cultures and the  Teatro Nacional for its artistic misrepresentations of Costa Rican culture.

Best of all, Barrio Escalante has the best dining scene in the city – if not the country – so here’s your chance to dig in before heading out to the land of rice and beans.

This article was first published Feb 7, 2023 and updated Jan 26, 2024.

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Costa Rica Travel Information

Costa Rica Travel Guide

January 1, 2024 By Sammi 20 Comments

Discover pura vida , or pure life, as they say in Costa Rica. Trek through lush rainforests, explore empty beaches and have an epic adventure filled vacation. Our Mytanfeet Costa Rica travel guide will help you plan your dream vacation.

First, Where is Costa Rica?

Costa Rica is a country in Central America, 8 – 12 degrees above the equator. Nicaragua borders the north and Panama borders the south. Costa Rica is not an island.

Important Costa Rica Travel Information

COVID-19 entry requirements: None. Please read our Costa Rica COVID-19 travel post and Costa Rica COVID-19 information if you wish to see what it was like during the pandemic.

The official language of Costa Rica is Spanish. Many locals in touristic destinations and San Jose, the capital city, speak intermediate and high level English. Many indigenous languages are also spoken throughout the country.

Costa Rica uses 110 V (same as United States and Canada) and uses the metric system. Driving is on the right side of the road (like US and Canada).

Being 8-12 degrees above the equator, Costa Rica experiences tropical climate meaning it follows the typical tropical two seasons: dry and rainy. Dry season is the end of December – end of April. Rainy season is usually May through November. Average day time and night time temperatures don’t change much throughout the year but there are over 25 micro climates.

It is important to note that the Caribbean coast doesn’t strictly follow the tropical seasons. October is the “summer” month on the Caribbean coast while it is the rainiest month for the rest of the country. The Caribbean coast has the possibilities to rain at any time of the year.

Read more about Costa Rica weather, micro-climates and forecasts and what to pack for Costa Rica here.

International Airports

The two main international airports are SJO ( Juan Santamaria International Airport or San Jose International Airport ) and LIR ( Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport or Guanacaste Airport ). There are direct flights from USA, Canada, Mexico and European countries like Germany, Spain, UK and Netherlands. A direct flight from Newark and LAX to San Jose is 5.5 hours.

Find out how to book cheap airefare to Costa Rica in this post here and read more about going through customs and immigration in Costa Rica here.

Transportation Infrastructure

Costa Rica’s network of shared shuttles, domestic airports and public transportation offers travelers many options to get around the country. However, due to limited schedules, ever developing infrastructure and pricey routes, renting a car is the best way to explore with freedom and flexibility. Public buses are very affordable but with limited routes. Costa Rica drives on the right hand side of the road, same as United States and Canada.

Read more about getting around Costa Rica , get our Costa Rica car rental discount here and read our renting a car in Costa Rica tips.

When is the Best Time to Visit?

The best time to visit Costa Rica is during dry season for the best weather. These are generally the months of December through April for the whole country except the Caribbean coast which has its summer in October.

However, rainy season has much to offer, particularly to budget and off the beaten path travelers as prices drop and crowds thin out. Our personal favorite months are May, June, September and November for those exact reasons. The trade off is that there is tropical rain and may be storms.

Read more about the best time to visit Costa Rica or check our monthly guide s below.

January February March April May

Where are the Best Places to Visit in Costa Rica?

The main tourist destinations in Costa Rica are La Fortuna , Monteverde , Jaco , Manuel Antonio , Tamarindo , Papagayo Peninsula , Puerto Viejo de Talamanca , Tortuguero , Osa Peninsula and San Jose . All these destinations are excellent places to experience the numerous natural attractions such as waterfalls, rivers, volcanoes and beaches in Costa Rica.

Read more about the best places to visit in Costa Rica here.

The official currency of Costa Rica is called the Colón . The exchange rate is around 500 CRC to USD (as of April 2024) but the exchange rate fluctuates often (it can change day by day, even hour by hour). USD and credit/debit cards are readily accepted in touristic destinations.

Read more about handle money in Costa Rica here.

Itineraries

Ready to start booking your trip? Check out our sample Costa Rica itineraries ! We have written itineraries ranging from 5 days to 1 month that you can follow exactly or base your trip off of. There are itineraries for families, couples, solo travelers, backpackers, chock full of information.

Best of Costa Rica

Costa Rica has placed itself as a world leader in sustainable tourism and with nearly 25% of its land protected, it’s a dream destination for wildlife, nature and adventure lovers.

Costa Rica’s abundant nature and open spaces create the perfect playground for kids and adults alike. Experience the tropical jungle on exciting outdoor adventures such as rafting and ziplining. Find out our favorite 50 things to do in Costa Rica!

Costa Rica’s Pacific and Caribbean coastlines offer thousands of miles of beautiful beaches of all types, from white sand, volcanic black sand and more. Surf, swim, snorkel, sunbathe and walk on these beaches for the ultimate beach vacation. Find out what our favorite beaches in Costa Rica are!

Thanks to the many national parks, private reserves and wildlife refuges, it’s one of the best places in the world to see exotic tropical animals such as monkeys, sloths, snakes, frogs, turtles and whales. Find out where are the best places and times of year to see wildlife in Costa Rica in this post!

Want even more information about Costa Rica? Join the Mytanfeet mailing list to get our travel tips eBook and receive emails from us once a week to help you plan your trip! We send out all the goodies to our email subscribers first so don’t miss out.

Common Questions About Costa Rica

Is Costa Rica safe? Yes, it is a safe country to visit, even for solo travelers and solo female travelers. Costa Rica doesn’t have an army but they do have a police force and a tourism police. Petty theft is the most common crime.

Can you get around Costa Rica without knowing Spanish? Yes, although it doesn’t hurt to know a little bit. However, as tourism is one of the major economic backbones of the country, many locals speak fluent English, particularly those who work in tourism or live in San Jose.

Do I need a 4×4 in Costa Rica? That depends. First, if you’re going to popular destinations such as San Jose, La Fortuna, Manuel Antonio, Tamarindo, Puerto Viejo and Jaco, no. But if you plan to stay in more remote places or if your hotel is up in the mountains, then probably yes, or at least a high clearance car with a strong engine during dry season. These are places like Monteverde, San Vito, Osa Peninsula, Uvita, Dominical, Nicoya Peninsula, Bajos del Toro and Golfito. Always check with your host if a 4×4 is required to get to your lodging.

Which international airport in Costa Rica should I fly into? Depends. It’s always been a bit cheaper to fly into San Jose International Airport (SJO) than Guanacaste Airport (LIR) so compare prices of both first. Then, it will depend on your itinerary. Fly into SJO if you plan to visit the Caribbean coast, South Pacific Coast or Osa Peninsula. Fly into Liberia if you plan to go to Guanacaste or Nicoya Peninsula. You can fly into either to go to La Fortuna and Monteverde.

Is Costa Rica expensive? Yes. Just because it’s in Central America, don’t expect dirt cheap prices like Southeast Asia or Nicaragua. Average prices for standard hotels are around $80-100 USD a night and tours can range from $40-$280 USD per person. Nearly every attraction has an entrance fee. However, it is totally possible to travel on a budget but it does require more planning.

Do I need travel insurance? YES! You should purchase travel insurance whenever you go abroad, not just to Costa Rica. As we all now know, anything from a car accident to a world wide pandemic can happen so be prepared. Travel delays, lost luggage and cancellations are not uncommon nowadays. Click here to purchase travel insurance for your trip to Costa Rica.

Costa Rica Travel Videos

Watch below our videos of some of our favorite places and things to do in Costa Rica! You can watch all our videos on our Youtube channel

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca : The main town and tourism hub of the South Caribbean. See what the town and the surrounding beaches are like.

Rio Celeste Waterfall : The waterfall of the sky blue river, Rio Celeste, inside Tenorio Volcano National Park.

Tortuga Island : A day trip cruising through the Gulf of Nicoya to the white sand beach of Tortuga Island

Pacuare white water rafting Class 3 & 4 : An exciting white water rafting day excursion down the Pacuare River

If you’re interested in booking tours such as the Tortuga Island day cruise and Pacuare white water rafting, please check out our Costa Rica deals and discounts page . We have additional deals for tours in La Fortuna, Guanacaste and Manuel Antonio! There are affiliate links in this post.

Costa Rica Vacation Checklist

• Get our detailed Costa Rica Packing List so you know what essential items to bring.
• Do not forget to purchase Travel Insurance for your trip to Costa Rica.
• Stay connected by purchasing a prepaid SIM Card in Costa Rica. Get 10% off your Airalo eSIM package with our promo code “mytanfeet”
• Save money with Mytanfeet Deals for tours and hotels. Save more money with our Costa Rica Car Rental Discount.

Join our mailing list and get our free Costa Rica eBook!  

Reader Interactions

Shelley Brockway says

March 10, 2024

I was wondering whether you could work with me to develop an actual plan for a visit to Costa Rica in June with teens. I have read a lot of your information and it has been so valuable. I know where we would like to visit, but am at a loss as to how many days it will take to navigate the various different sites and whether San Jose should be the base for most of the trip or to travel to each location and stay. This has held me up with booking our flights. I am planning on renting a car as you recommend. Is it at all possible to contact you directly so I can get your input? I would really appreciate that. I know you must get a lot of inquiries. Please let me know and, if so, how to reach you. Thank you so much, Shelley.

March 12, 2024

Hello Shelley, we do not offer consultations or itinerary planning but you can check our already written sample Costa Rica itinerary ideas and you can use our start here page to begin planning.

March 10, 2023

Thank you for all the info you publish on this website. Extremely useful! I will be visiting Heredia end of March 2023. My adult daughter will join me on March 31,2023. For a week. We want to visit some good spots that week like La Fortuna and/or Manuel Antonio. I know it’s semana santa. Can you suggest some tours that might still have availability that we could use especially in the first half of that week, April 1 – April 5? Thank you!

March 14, 2023

Hello Happi, you can check out our Costa Rica discounts page to see the tours we have in La Fortuna and Manuel Antonio and once you fill out the booking forms, we will check availability

Marjorie says

February 5, 2023

Can you recommend a private shuttle service between SJO and Uvita?

February 18, 2023

Hello, we sent you an email a few weeks ago with more information, please check your spam folder if you don’t see one from Mytanfeet

October 2, 2022

Hi, we are a party of 5 traveling to Liberia airport in February. Is there a private mode of transportation from the airport to our hotel, Riu Palace? We have a tight connection in Miami so if we prebook a limo and miss our flight what happens to our limo reservation? Thank you

October 3, 2022

Hello Pam, we work with a private transportation provider (shuttle vans only, no limos), we sent you an email with more information

Ilsa Billings says

September 3, 2022

We have booked air travel for our trip arriving in Liberia on the 25 of January 2023 around 2pm and will be flying out of San Jose on the 6th. Our goal is to do Monteverde/La Fortuna/Coffee tour on the first half, and then take a shared shuttle to Puerto Viejo for some relaxed beach time. We are looking for advice for tours/transportation/lodging for the first part. We would prefer not to rent a car since the idea of utilizing the water taxi across Lake Arenal appeals to us. We are open to any suggestions though. This will be our visit to Costa Rica

August 29, 2022

Thank you for the info! What would be the best means of transportation from Liberia to Tamarindo for a family of four?

August 30, 2022

Hello Sarah, we sent you an email with more information

Michelle Decker says

June 19, 2022

Hi, What a super website.

Myself and 2 friends would like to go, all of us first timers, in the first week of November 2022. We would like to know where you would recommend with least likelihood of daily rain.

Michelle Decker

June 23, 2022

Hello, please check the following posts

Best places in Costa Rica Costa Rica weather

April 1, 2022

Is there a private airport shuttle company you would recommend from Liberia airport to our hotel in Playa Conchal?

April 4, 2022

Hi Holly, we sent you an email with quotes and information yesterday

james comerford says

March 14, 2022

I inquired thru email about rental cars at Liberia airport from 3/15-3/29 and I did not receive any notification from you.

How can I best communicate with you? I am on Whatsapp.

Thanks, Jim Comerford 1+708-436-7883

Hi James, we haven’t received any communication from this email, the form may have had some problems. Please email us at web @ mytanfeet . com (we do not communicate via Whatsaspp, only email) and we will be happy to help

ViaTravelers says

June 25, 2021

Thank you for including necessary travel in Costa Rica information from the language, weather, currency, and concerns in this blog. Love how the best spots in the country are also presented.

June 3, 2021

Hi, do you know if the border crossing near Los Chiles going into Nicaragua is open?

I’m not 100% but it should be as all land borders opened back mid April

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Planning your Trip

• Planning Your Trip

Planning your trip to Costa Rica

Trip planning could be overwhelming sometimes; there is a lot of information out there that may not be accurate or reliable. Also, it may be a little difficult to choose among the many different activities, places, experiences and services available for the curious traveler. That is the primary reason why the ICT has created a special list of top ten activities to experience in every region, with a little bit of everything for all kinds of interests.

The first step is to choose your main interest and select the places you’d like to visit. Costa Rica offers a variety of diverse locations, like: beaches and mountains, volcanoes and forests, rivers and hot springs, among many others. Second, choose the type of activities that will enhance the experience in Costa Rica. Finally, read all the information available to create an itinerary that will fulfill the expectations of even the most experienced traveler.

Let's start planning your vacation!

Suggested itineraries in Costa Rica

Accommodations in Costa Rica

Rent a Car Costa Rica

Airlines Flying To Costa Rica

Restaurants Costa Rica

Local Travel Agencies

Tour Guides

Exchange Rate in Costa Rica

Entry Requirements

Tips for travelers

Costa Rica Tourism Information Centers

Planning your trip to costa rica.

Suggested itineraries

Accommodations

Restaurants

Other Activities

Travel Tips

#EssentialCostaRica

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Best Time to Visit

Weather & Climate

Juan Santamaría International Airport Guide

Top Destinations in Costa Rica

Top Resorts in Costa Rica

Best Honeymoon Resorts

Complete Guide to San Jose

Costa Rica's Islands

Day Trips From San Jose

48 Hours in San Jose

Top Things to Do in Costa Rica

Adventurous Things to Do

Best Diving Sites

Best Beaches

Top Things to Do in San Jose

Food to Try in Costa Rica

Best Restaurants in San Jose

Nightlife in San Jose

Your Trip to Costa Rica: The Complete Guide

The name of this Central American country—meaning “rich coast”—evokes paradisiacal visions of beaches lapped with world-class waves and bordered by dense jungles. Costa Rica has that and much more: the highest level of biodiversity in the world (sloths, sea turtles, and rainbow-colored birds, to name just a few), towering volcanoes and winding rainforest trails to trek, a lively capital with a growing culinary and craft beer scene, and a taste of Caribbean culture on the eastern coast. It’s the perfect place to get your blood pumping with an active adventure and then slow down and immerse yourself in nature—at an eco-retreat, on the beach, in the jungle, under a waterfall, or with a soak in some thermal hot springs. This guide will get you acquainted with some of the best of Costa Rica so you can design your dream trip.

Planning Your Trip

• Best Time to Visit : Dry season is the best time to visit, which is generally mid-November through April. However, prices are cheaper during the wet, green season.
• Language: Spanish
• Currency: Colones
• Getting Around: Due to rough and often winding roads, elevation changes, and weather conditions, journeys that appear short on the map can take much longer than you might expect. Public transportation is not always the most efficient way to get around and can be a challenge if you don’t speak Spanish (though it is quite safe), so it’s best to either rent a car if you’re comfortable driving; book a shuttle such as Interbus (which offsets 100 percent of its carbon footprint  ), or hire a driver-guide. In the main cities like San José, you can also make use of taxis and rideshare apps but keep in mind that the local taxis are currently opposed to rideshare apps so this can cause some tension. If you book a ride in a rideshare app, locals recommend sitting in the front seat to avoid becoming a target of disgruntled taxi drivers.
• Travel Tip: Pack a rain jacket and don’t be deterred by rain in the forecast, it's a common occurrence in Costa Rica but the sun is still out for at least part of the day. Embrace the rain; after all, it is one of the reasons this country is so lush and abundant.

Things to Do

Build an ideal itinerary that balances the best of Costa Rica: adventure, nature, culture, wildlife, and wellness. And, of course, food! Sample the comida tipica (typical or traditional food) around town or the local brew on a culinary or craft beer tour. Fly through the treetops on a zipline and immerse yourself in the natural environment at a jungle eco-retreat. Tour an organic coffee or chocolate plantation and learn to cook corn tortillas with a local family. Take a surf lesson, dive into the underwater world, or reset yourself with some peaceful days by the sea. 

• Get your adrenaline fix at Lost Canyon where you’ll hike deep into the jungle near Arenal Volcano and rappel a 200-foot waterfall. 
• If sun, sand, and surf are more your speed, head for the Pacific side and beach hop down the coast to find your favorite . 
• Visit the Caribbean coast from August through December and witness tiny green sea turtles as they hatch and scurry into the sea. Tortuguero National Park is the largest nesting site in the Western Hemisphere for endangered green sea turtles  .

Unearth more Costa Rican adventures with our articles on the best hiking trails and family-friendly resorts in Costa Rica .

What to Eat and Drink

Costa Rican food may not have the same level of international recognition as other Latin American cuisines, but you will certainly find hearty and delicious dishes here. Meals are traditionally uncomplicated and home-cooked, incorporating fresh produce, meats, cheese, rice, and tortillas. Start your day with some tropical fruits, a big scoop of gallo pinto (rice with black beans, seasoned with garlic, onions, peppers, cilantro, and often, Lizano sauce), eggs, a side of sweet plantains, and a mug of Costa Rican-grown coffee poured through the choreador (a cloth filter traditionally used here). Lunch is often arroz con pollo (a bowl of seasoned rice and chicken) or a casado of rice, picadillo (a cooked vegetable hash) or salad, and a protein such as beans, grilled chicken, or fish. If you want authentic local food like a Costa Rican grandmother makes, try La Esquinita de JM in San José. Wherever you dine, don’t forget dessert; grab a locally-made bar of chocolate to go or lap up a plate of tres leches (cake doused in three kinds of milk and considered the national dessert).

Beer lovers rejoice: Costa Rica has a growing craft beer scene. Join local guides from Carpe Chepe for a craft beer tour and sip your way around the city, learning how local brews like Cerveceria Calle Cimarrona are made and where they are served.

Explore more articles on the best restaurants in Monteverde , the best restaurants in San José , must-eat foods in Costa Rica , and a guide to tropical fruits in Costa Rica .

Where to Stay

When you touchdown in San José, a stay at Gran Hotel puts you in the heart of the city, next to the National Theatre and walking distance to a number of attractions like the Central Market and the trendy Barrio Escalante neighborhood.

Arenal has it all—except a coastline. And it should be your next stop. Spend at least a day or two here soaking in thermal hot springs, hiking an active volcano, zipping through the forest canopy, and scouting wildlife (yes, sloths live here) before you head for the beaches. You can find the full range of accommodations in the area around Arenal: sustainable farm stays at Rancho Margot , luxury hotels such as Arenal Kioro with direct views to the volcano, and serene escapes at eco-inns such as Living Forest .

If you’re after black sand beaches and breaking waves, spend some time on the Caribbean coast. En route, book a stay at family-run Chilamate Rainforest Eco Retreat in the Sarapiqui area for wildlife (toucans, howler monkey, red-eyed tree frogs, and green macaws are common in this biological corridor) and white water rafting.

On the opposite side of the country, the Pacific coast is the perfect place to soak up some sun and do some deep diving—both into the ocean and internally, as this Blue Zone is known for its colorful marine life as well as its wellness retreats.

Explore the different regions of Costa Rica and our recommendations on the best family-friendly resorts , the best all-inclusive resorts , and the best hotels in San José

Getting There

From the U.S., the majority of travelers arrive by plane to San José’s Juan Santamaria International Airport or Liberia International Airport on international carriers such as Delta Airlines, United Airlines, American Airlines, Jet Blue, and Southwest. Decide first where you will be staying in Costa Rica before choosing your arrival airport. If you’re starting your trip in Guanacaste, for example, flying to Liberia will get you closer to your destination. Whereas if your trip begins with Arenal, you’ll need to arrive in San José. 

If you’re confident about driving in Costa Rica, you can rent a car at the airport. It’s wise to book ahead to ensure one will be available. Shared shuttles are another option and most, such as Interbus, are efficient and comfortable. Ask your hotel what shuttle options are available to your first stop, as many of them run set routes. Private shuttles or private driver-guides are other (and arguably the best if you’d like to relax and let someone else handle the driving) possibilities, though they are more expensive.  

Culture and Customs

• The spirit of pura vida (translated directly to “pure life” but is used to convey many meanings including “no worries” and “all is good”) is infectious and you’ll find Ticos (Costa Ricans) are typically friendly and welcoming, particularly if you spend time in the rural areas.
• Tipping is not mandatory but you’ll see that restaurants include a 10 percent service charge and leaving some extra cash for the server is always appreciated. It’s also common to tip $1: per bag to the airport driver and bellhop, per drink to the bartender, to the doorman for hailing a cab, to the concierge, if they help with a difficult request or make an exceptional recommendation
• You should also tip tour guides and drivers that give great service. These tips range from $5-20 per day per person depending on the group size; the larger the group, the less per person. If you are pleased with your salon or spa experiences, leave 15 percent for the provider.
• Ask permission before photographing anyone.
• Costa Rica contains 6 percent of the world's biodiversity  , so do your part to protect it. Don’t disturb wildlife and natural environments and always heed guide instructions.
• Be mindful of your valuables when walking in crowded areas or on public transportation. While Costa Rica is generally a safe country, pickpockets do exist. Necklace snatching occurs occasionally in San José, so it’s best to leave jewelry in a safe or at home.
• San José is a growing city with neighborhoods evolving every day. If you’ll be spending time in San José, take advantage of the free city tour so you can familiarize yourself with the walkable neighborhoods and get the best and most up-to-date insight from locals.

Money Saving Tips

• Take a free walking tour in San José.
• Skip expensive meals and hit up a local pulperia (grocery store) for snacks such as tortilla chips, cheese, refried beans, and avocados instead. 
• Book a homestay experience to connect with locals and save some cash. 
• Travel in the green season when rates are lower. 
• If you’re visiting Arenal area, consider staying at a hotel with hot springs on-site so you can avoid paying an additional fee for one of the larger hot springs facilities. 
• Buy gifts such as coffee, Lizano sauce, and chorreador in a grocery store where prices are generally lower than the tourist shops. If you’ve got time in San José, the Mercado Central (Central Market) is also an option. Patrons are largely local, so prices tend to be more reasonable than you might find in other areas frequented by visitors.
• Bring your own reusable water bottle to refill from the tap. You will not only save money but you’ll also help the planet by creating less single-use plastic waste. Tap water in Costa Rica is generally safe to drink, but you can pack a purification bottle such as GRAYL or a device like the Steripen for peace of mind (and stomach). 

Learn more about affordable ways to have fun with our article about what to do on a budget in San José .

Interbus . "Corporate Social Responsibility."

National System of Conservation Areas . "Tortuguero National Park."

Embassy of Costa Rica in Washington, D.C. "Environment."

Weather in Costa Rica: Climate, Seasons, and Average Monthly Temperature

How to Travel From San José to Bocas del Toro by Bus, Plane, and Car

The Top 19 Things to Do in Costa Rica

The Top 11 Day Trips From San José

The 19 Best Beaches in Costa Rica

10 Foods to Try in Costa Rica

The Top 10 Destinations to Visit in Costa Rica

The Top 12 Things to Do in San Jose, Costa Rica

48 Hours in San José: The Ultimate Itinerary

What to Do on a Budget in San José, Costa Rica

San José: A Visitor's Guide to Costa Rica's Capital

The Best Time to Visit Costa Rica

Your Trip to Lima: The Complete Guide

Your Trip to San Diego: The Complete Guide

April in Costa Rica: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See

Los Cabos Guide: Planning Your Trip

15 Dos and Don’ts When Planning A Trip To Costa Rica

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Costa Rica has quickly emerged as the top destination for adventure lovers . If you’re reading this post, it is likely that you’re planning a trip to Costa Rica. To get you started, here are a few things you need to know before traveling to Costa Rica!!

This post contains affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, we may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you!).

Top Tips For Planning Your Costa Rica Trip

1| Get Ready To Spend Money

Let’s face the truth: Costa Rica is not cheap. Actually, Costa Rica is  one of the most expensive countries to visit in Central America.

Take gas prices, for example. It costs approx. USD$1.07 a liter, which is 48% more expensive than in the USA and 22% more than in Canada! Tours average around USD$100 per person per day.

Why so expensive? It is probably because of the high prices of importing fuel and goods as well as the heavy import taxes. All these are transferred to the cost of traveling in Costa Rica. So make sure you adjust your travel budget accordingly!

If you’re curious, check out this Costa Rica Travel Costs page detailing how much it costs to visit Costa Rica.

2| Allow More Than One Week In Costa Rica

Costa Rica may look small on the map, but don’t let its small size fool you. There are so many places to see and adventures to be had – from its gorgeous beaches, misty cloud forests, extraordinary wildlife, lush rainforests to active volcanoes. It is impossible to see Costa Rica in merely a week. On our recent trip, we spent 2 weeks in Costa Rica – every day packed with activities – and we still feel we barely scratched the surface!

Our advice is: plan a minimum of 2 weeks in Costa Rica . It is a good amount of time to explore 3-4 places without feeling too rushed. You can add extra days if you want to cover more ground.

[irp posts=”7932″ name=”Two Weeks In Costa Rica: An Action-Packed Itinerary For First-Timers”]

3| Visit During Rainy Season

Most people choose to travel to Costa Rica during the dry season (December-April) so that they can enjoy the nice sunny weather. But that comes with a price – it’s busy and expensive!

Why not visit during the rainy season (May-November) instead? You will run into rain showers, but in return, you’ll be rewarded with thinner crowds, greener landscapes, cooler temperatures and cheaper rates! Also, most tours run year round. Even for whale watching  and turtle nesting tours!

Note:   the weather really depends on what part of Costa Rica you are visiting. For example, when we visited in early November, it rained almost every day in Arenal, but was bright and sunny in Monteverde!

[irp posts=”7763″ name=”Luxury Hotel Near SJO Airport That Won’t Break The Bank”]

Pro tip: pack a light water-resistant rain jacket and bring a waterproof backpack when visiting during the rainy season.

4| Ditch Roaming. Buy A Pre-Paid SIM Card Instead.

Want to stay connected during your trip in Costa Rica? Buy a prepaid SIM card. It is cheap and easy!

You can get one at both SJO and LIR airports. Look for the Kolbi service desk. This mobile carrier is the largest in Costa Rica and has great connectivity around the country. You can buy 500MB data for USD$10 for one week , or 2GB for one month for USD$20.

Pro tip:   2GB should be more than enough to last you 2 weeks in Costa Rica. If you need more, you can top up at any store that has the Kolbi logo on the window. Simply ask for “recarga,” give the staff your phone number, and tell them how much money you want to top up.

5| Forget Google Maps. Download WAZE.

In North America, we rely heavily on Google Maps for navigation. But in Costa Rica, everyone uses WAZE. This free app is similar to Google Maps in searching for the best route. On top of that, it also gives you of real-time traffic updates, including accidents and police warnings!

6| Rent A Car

Typically, we avoid driving in a foreign country. But to maximize our sightseeing time and have the ultimate freedom to go wherever and whenever we would like, we decided to book a car rental. And that was the BEST DECISION we’ve made on our trip.

However, renting a car in Costa Rica can be tricky. We had come across many complaints about hidden fees while doing our research. After sifting through the options, we decided to go with Adobe Rent A Car – largest and most reputable car rental company in Costa Rica!

Why Adobe Rent A Car?

Renting from Adobe is easy and stress-free. They are transparent in their quote.  This means you know exactly how much you will be charged when you pick up the car (no surprises!). There is NO license plate fees, environmental fees, airport fees  or any other “mandatory” fees that other car rental companies make their customer pay. The only mandatory fee is the Liability Insurance (PLI), required by law. More comprehensive insurance like Collision Damage Waivers (LDW) and Total Protection (SPP) are available, but optional.

Another reason we chose Adobe is that they make it possible to enjoy a one-way trip. Our itinerary was arranged in a way that we had to fly into SJO and fly out of LIR. We thought this might be an issue given that our outbound flight was scheduled to leave at 6am (before their office hours). After explaining our situation, the Adobe staff was very accommodating. With more than 16 offices across Costa Rica, they are flexible to have the  car picked up and dropped off at different locations . On the day, the staff waited at the office early in the morning for the drop-off and drove us at the airport!

On top of all that, they have a wide selection of vehicles for hire , all of which are less than 2 years of service !

Our experience with Adobe Rent A Car was exceptional. We highly recommend them to anyone looking to hire a car in Costa Rica!

How’s Driving In Costa Rica?

→ Driving in Alajuela & San Jose: Traffic is terrible during the daytime. Pay attention to unpredictable and reckless drivers. Watch out for motorbikes.  

→ From Alajuela to Arenal: Hilly at times, but roads are well paved with a few potholes here and there. Try not to drive at night as there is no street light.  

→ From Arenal to Monteverde: Make sure you drive a 4×4 vehicle. The last 1/3 of the drive turns into pothole-ridden dirt and gravel roads. The roads in Santa Elena town are paved though.

→ From San Jose to Liberia/Guanacaste:  The main Route 1 is generally well-paved. In between Canas and Liberia, there is a 4-to-6 lane highway. Other parts are 2 lanes.

7| Book Domestic Flights If Short On Time

Flying within Costa Rica is expensive, but if you’re short on time (or don’t want to drive), domestic flights may be a sensible option.

Costa Rica has 2 local airlines: Sansa Airlines and Nature Air . They fly out to as many as 13 different destinations within the country , and it generally takes 30-45 minutes! Both airlines use small propeller planes that can hold between 12-19 passengers only .

We flew with Nature Air once from LIB to SJO and it took us only 50 mins. Even though we spent a total of USD$300 on the tickets, it was money well spent to skip the 4 hours of driving back on the same route. Plus, Nature Air has large windows, giving us an unobstructed view of Costa Rica’s lush mountains, beaches, and volcanoes from above!

One important thing to note is the small luggage allowance per person . At check-in, if your baggage exceeds their size and weight restriction for carry-on (and they are VERY strict about it), you will need to pay extra to have it checked.

8| No Need To Exchange Colones Beforehand

US dollars are widely accepted in Costa Rica, especially at hotels, restaurants, and tour agencies. Even at local supermarkets! So there is absolutely no need to exchange Costa Rican Colones in advance.

If you need Colones, go to the banks for the best exchange rates. Or, pay in USD at restaurants or supermarkets and get the change back in Colones.

Pro tip: Keep some coins for the tolls if you plan to drive. We encountered a toll booth when driving from San Jose to Alajuela.

9| Tipping Is Not Required

It is not customary to leave a tip. At restaurants, a 10% service charge is included in your bill. Tour guides, drivers, housekeepers usually do not expect an additional tip for their service.

10| Tap Water Is Safe To Drink

Yes, it is perfectly safe to drink tap water!

11| No Spanish? No Problem.

English is widely used in most tourist destinations. Having said that, it is always useful to know some Spanish, especially if you want to eat at a soda (local diner).

The Spanish phrase you will hear a lot in Costa Rica is:  Pura Vida. It means “pure life,” but it is commonly used to mean hello, goodbye, and everything’s great. Remember that!

12| Follow The Experts: Join Guided Naturalist Tours

It is true that you can go on self-guided hikes and tours at many places. But you will see so much more than expected if you join the experts on guided tours.

At the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park , we joined the specialist on a walk who pointed out a variety of bird species, animals and insects along the way. If we visited on our own, we wouldn’t have spotted ourselves and gotten these amazing pictures and videos of them!

Although guided naturalist tours are a bit more expensive, they will leave you an unforgettable memory!

Note: many of these tours include hotel pick-up and drop-off so there’s no need to worry about transportation.

[irp posts=”7864″ name=”The Adventurer’s Guide: 16 Unforgettable Things To Do In Costa Rica”]

13| Order Seafood, But Know That Shrimps Are Expensive

Costa Rica has plenty of fresh seafood, but do you know that shrimps are very very expensive?

Fishing techniques such as trawling kill turtles and destroy coral. So, to protect the marine resources, the government has put a halt to the use of trawler nets to catch shrimp and other unselective and destructive fisheries. That is why shrimps are expensive in Costa Rica.

But not to worry, there are so many other delicious seafood available for us to enjoy at inexpensive prices!

14| Don’t Miss Out On Local Healthy Snacks

Make a trip to a local supermarket and you’ll realize  Ticos (Costa Ricans) love cassava chips, yuca chips and plantain chips . They are addictingly delicious! You can find a variety of them on the shelves, sold under the brands PRO and Soldanza.

Toasted corn snacks by Jacks Picaronas are popular among the locals as well.

Coffee aficionados, check out Cafe Britt . This brand is known for their coffee and gourmet chocolates. The chocolate covered coffee beans, dark chocolate covered pineapple, and dark chocolate with creamy nut filling are a few of our favorites!

15| Go Beach Hopping? Keep In Mind That…

One of the fun things to do in Costa Rica is going beach-hopping. However, the beaches may seem close to each other on the map, but are actually far to drive to.

This is because there is no actual “road” connecting the beaches so you can’t really drive along the coast. You will have to drive out of the beach town and go back to the main road first before you can head towards the next beach community.

You may find some people attempting to drive their car onto the sandy pathways leading up to the beaches. Don’t do that. We have seen cars got stuck there and people had to push them from behind.

Pro tip: Instead of driving, rent an ATV. That is the fastest way to beach hop!

We hope you find these tips helpful for your Costa Rica trip planning. If you have any questions, feel free to ask them below!

Costa Rica Trip Planning Resources

✓ Best Luxury Hotels:   The Springs , Hotel Belmar , Andaz | Compare reviews on TripAdvisor ✓ Flights + Hotels + Rental Car Bundle:   Search on Expedia

Disclaimer: This post is written in partnership with Adobe Rent A Car .   As always, all opinions on For Two, Please are my own and I only recommend brands that I 100% stand behind.

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60 comments leave a comment ».

These are all great tips! Costa Rica is such a beautiful country, and there’s so much to do and see. I’m glad you talk about the driving here. We actually hired a local driver because the roads were so bad – or non-existent – that we felt much safer with him doing the driving! Plus, he took us to some amazing little restaurants that we would never have known about otherwise!

Hi Lois, i’m traveling there next week. I’m afraid to drive but not have much money either to spend on taxis. how much was the cost of the driver that you hired?

Hi Lois Can you tell Me the name of the restaurant a that the driver took you?

Great article! Visited the Pacific Coast last summer and it was great during rainy season, especially since it wasn’t too crowded. It is true that in less than 2 weeks you can’t visit the whole country. I would disagree with your point 11 though, if you stick to touristy places, yes they speak English but if you visit off the beaten path places they definitely don’t and as in all of Latin America, you pay more and will be treated more like a tourist if you don’t speak Spanish. That being said English levels are higher in Costa Rica than in the rest of Central America. Renting a car is obviously a great idea but also a lot more expensive and a bit burdensome. Happy travels!

Are you saying WAZE works better than Google Maps? That is incredible. I know google maps is not as dependable when you move out of urban areas in India so I can imagine it may not be so accurate in Costa Rica. I like places where people do not expect a tip from you. I find tipping culture very demeaning. It is like throwing change on people. There are more respectful ways of saying Thank you.

I had no idea about the tipping and tap water! My former student has been traveling through Costa Rica and it’s been wonderful to see her photos of the beaches and animals. It may be one of the more expensive countries in Latin America, but it’s sure worth it!

Oh wow I didn’t know Costa Rica is so beautiful during the rainy season. The green is so lush and gorgeous! I always agree it’s better to travel during off season to enjoy a different kind of beauty!

Getting an expert local guide was probably the best thing we did in Costa Rica. Our guide took us to the top of Arenal Volcano and then the magic happened. He showed us insects, plants, and trees that we never would have noticed. With his knowledge and enthusiasm, he showed us all kinds of medicines, secrets, and mysteries of the forest. We realized that our two hour hike wasn’t even close to long enough for everything that we were seeing.

Wow, so many great tips and very useful for my trip planning to this amazing central American countries – thanks a lot for covering aspects, like: transportation, food, and pre-paid sim card. I should bookmark this when I am about to fly there! @ knycx.journeying

These are some great tips. They have really made me rethink some of my plans for Costa Rica as I was planning to visit for a week. I like the idea of hiring a car but good to know what to look out for 

I loved this article. I had never been to Costa Rica and would love to visit it in 2018. I really loved your advice of planning for a minimum of 2 weeks in Costa Rica. That is what I usually do. You can’t enjoy a place in FF mode. And, I love rains so I am definitely going to follow your advice.

Havent been to Costa Rica yet but these are some great tips which I will take on board.

Fabulous tips – we LOVE Costa Rica! I’ve been three times now and it’s the most incredible country! But yes, it’s definitely not cheap, and the mass tourism from the US will keep it that way. And you should definitely allow for upwards of a week – there’s SO much to see and do!

I love love love the wet season, so am totally behind you there – we’re big wildlife fans, and photography enthusiasts, and the landscapes always look so lush for photos, with the rain bringing out more wildlife 🙂

Fantastic post and very useful tips. I’m hoping Central America, and especially Costa Rica, will feature in my travel plans in 2019 so this post will be extremely useful. I like your suggestion to visit in the rainy season – ‘bad’ weather has never really bothered me / stopped me doing anything, so it’ll definitely be nice to avoid ridiculous costs and crowds.

I have only visited Costa Rica as a cruise port. I would love to go back. Thanks for the tips on rental cars. High prices, no tipping, and roads full of bad drivers will remind us of home (Auckland). Lots of really useful tips here, and I will remember to check out cassava chips and plantains (two favourites of mine). I will come back to this page before we plan a visit.

Super tips. and the great tip on tipping not expected too 🙂 Never been to that part of the world yet. but I have read so much about Costa Rica that I need to seriously plan. Happy New Year!

Thanks for the recommendations. I live part-time in neighboring Boquete and we are hoping to take a Costa Rica road trip this year. The prepaid phone card is the #1 thing I always tell people visiting Panama, too. Great tips- especially the road conditions in each of those areas. Thanks for that.

Wow great list of tips for CR. Like the fact that you recommend people to buy a local sim card. Many travelers still dont seem to get this and are always so dependent on WiFi signal. Also no need to change Colones before your trip. Those travelers with a big stash of money always make me wonder why the hell they did this! 🙂

Costa Rica is really beautiful and we would love visiting it during the rainy season. But your first pointer of being ready to spend money left me rethinking on spending two weeks there. Great pictures and tips.

Costa Rica is an absolute delight from all the numerous accounts of travelers that I have read. Costa Rica is definitely high on our bucket list, we would love to get there ASAP. These are some great tips and are sure to stand us in good stead when we get there.

Such great tips. Certainly, didn’t know tips were not required and that the water was safe to drink. Costa Rica has been on my bucket list for a long time. Especially to see the unique and lush landscape. Waze also works better in Ecuador and other countries in Latin America. Really hope I can visit Costa Rica soon. Pinning this for later 😀

These are wonderful suggestions for all travelers. Costa Rica has fast risen on the global tourist map and on many traveler’s bucket list. It’s good that you talked about WAZE as an alternative to Google Maps. I’ll keep Adobe Rent a Car in mind when i plan my trip to Costa Rica.

Ohh Costa Rica! The main reason for why I havent visited Costa Rica before is how expensive it is! But I guess by reading your post going during the rain season a trip to Costa Rica doesn’t have to cost that much! I knew that there are many american tourist  ut I am surprise that we can use american dollar there. I love seafood but I am quite glad to hear that the goverment is trying to protect the sea life! Thanks for this post and hopefully I will get to Costa Rica soon!

These tips are fantastic and also make me want to head to Costa Rica. I also love the aerial picture you have from the plane.

Looks like you explored the in and out of Costa Rica as your guide is detailed for anyone going there. I think I read somewhere about soemoen swearing by WAVE over Google, so not surprised you mentioned it again. I never expected Costa Rica to be expensive though, the name looks affordable. I agree with you, going on a gudied tour is the best way to explore another environment especially the ones that boasts of rich natural landscape such as Costa Rica. Good tips you have here. Anyone heading over to Costa Rica will surely find this useful.

Costa Rica reminds me so much of my home country, Trinidad and Tobago. It’s so lush and the birds look similar! I didn’t know it was so expensive though so I better start saving up!

I’m dying to get to Costa Rica, and I’m surprised to hear that it’s expensive. I always just think of Central America as super cheap. What would you say a budget day would cost? I would LOVE to visit in rainy season when the landscapes are extra lush, so that’s an amazing perk that it’s cheaper then as well! Great tips! 

Your photos are awesome, I have always wanted to visit Costa Rica! I had no idea it was so expensive, I will definitely make sure I take your tips into consideration while I plan my trip! Grabbing a SIM card is an awesome idea to cut back on roaming costs, and renting a car would be awesome while I am there!

Great tips for travel in Costa Rica! The money one definitely sticks out, lol–we knew it would expensive, but after coming from Nicaragua, the sticker shock was significant. We also rented a car, and agree it makes the country so much more accessible. You pay a price for that, though–it’s expensive and a headache to drive, as I’m sure you guys saw! We may look into Adobe Rent a Car next time.

Inspiring Guide! I spent a few weeks in Costa Rica back in 2014! It’s true what you say about WAZE it works so well. I also concur with you about visiting during the wet season. What I did was visit right at the end of dry season. That way I got the best of both worlds 🙂

This makes us so excited for Costa Rica! it’s like a trend for Canadians to go and feel like have been missing out not going! For sure will go for more than a 2 week!!

Great tips…especially about traveling in monsoon to escape the crowd -m less crowd and greener landscapes…what more can one ask for 🙂

Also, I had no idea about this app waze…thanks for sharing 🙂

Minimum of 2 weeks? Wow! As you say, one just doesn’t think of such a long stay in the tiny place. Good to know that Costa Rica has so much to offer. I’d definitely take the guided nature tour. The view from the sky are splendid.

Nice reading about all the tips for planning a trip to costa rica. I can’t agree more with your choices.

Pingback: The Adventurer's Guide: 16 Unforgettable Things To Do In Costa Rica | For Two, Please

nice post thanks for sharing n keep it up

Pingback: Two Weeks In Costa Rica: An Action-Packed Itinerary For First-Timers | For Two, Please

this post really amazing.

Excellent in every way. Thinking of including this beautiful country in my next travel plans. Thanks.

I am looking to go to the Osa Peninsula but have never been to Costa Rica. I will be staying at a new Place called Osa Falls Resort. It will be completed soon and it’s on the Osa Peninsula. Any do’s and don’t?

Hey! I have not been to the Osa Peninsula actually. Sorry, I can’t help answer your question.

Thank you for sharing amazing tips. Very well organized pictures and content.

Thank you, very informative post! I completely agree, one week is nowhere near enough time to fully enjoy they beauty of Costa Rica. Went two years ago for a week and came back the next year. Make sure to research and plan before going to make the most with your time over there. Amazing place!

Awesome post. This place seems to be very interesting and full of fun. I would love to add it it my bucket list and now can’t wait to explore it. Your tips are also very helpful. Keep sharing such interesting and informative posts.

Cool post! The trip to Costa Rica is really a wonderful experience. I am really interested in traveling too 🙂 Thanks again !

I travelled a lot and have seen so many places but this will be my first time in Costa Rica. I found your post so useful for me. Many thanks for sharing all the information and tips.

If you are flying in to the airport during business hours you can buy up to six bottles of liquor or wine at the duty free store just before you clear customs. Liquor is just as expensive or more expensive in the grocery store than it is at home. There is also a 13% sales tax on almost everything along with a 10% service tax on all restraunt meals which makes it 23% added on to all restraunt meals.If you are using a foreign credit card most credit cards will charge items in colones and use the bank daily exchange rate to change them to US$ and then convert the Us dollar to your country’s currency. This can amount up to an extra 10% just on credit card and exchange rates. ATM s are available in most popular tourist towns but are usually limited to a maximum of 200$ per day. If you carry Us dollars that are accepted everywhere . If menus are priced in $ you will get dollar for dollar but if the menu is in colones most restraunt only give you 500 colones per $ when the posted bank rate just hit 600 colones. If you don’t rent a car(short term approx100$ day with full insurance)interbus and or grey line bus will pick you up from your hotel and deliver you to your next hotelat a very reasonable rate I would not go anywhere in CR pre-christmas or at Easter vacation very very expensive. The best times to go are June July, November. If you are driving beware of all the crazy motorcyclists everywhere. Enjoy your stay it is more than worth it to see this country at least once

There are great tips and good posts to travel in Costa Rica.

thanks for the information

Thank you for sharing this information. It was very useful and interesting.

Interesting place. I am glad that my family has planned a trip to Costa Rica next week as it’s so much fun and I am sure our trip will be full of excitement and enjoyment. I would love to share your post with my dad and relatives so that we can see each and every attraction there. Keep posting such wonderful places attractions.

I am sure that these are gonna help out soo nicely.

An additional note on driving, bridges in CR require the drivers attention. To save money, bridges on most roads reduce lanes.  A two lane road will choke down to one lane. There is signage in Spanish to let you know which direction has right of way. Even on the multi-lane highway, bridges choke down to one lane. It is an unusual experience.

I love to visit Costa Rica. Very helpful post for me. Great informations. Thanks!!!!

These are great tips! This definitely wants me to go and visit Costa Rica. Think that is is really helpful that you suggested to buy a sim card. Also, I didn’t realise that it was going to be expensive. This has been very helpful for my future planning.

Would love to visit Costa Rica. More beautiful is the way you have captured it.

This is great tips! This definitely wants me to go and visit Costa Rica. Thanks for sharing your information.

Costa Rica is an amazing place for nature, birds and wildlife lovers, the small country has so much to offer from tropical rain forests, cloud forests, volcanic mountains, so many variety of birds, wildlife, beautiful beaches!

Great post!

Words cannot explain the love can feel when connecting with the Pura Vida vibe of Costa Rica. A very magical and special place that should be a bucket list item for everyone.

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Costa Rica Bucket List: 17 Top Places & Must-Do Experiences

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: April 30, 2024

Planning a trip to Costa Rica and wondering what are the top places to visit and best experiences not to miss on your first visit? In this guide, we share some of the  must-dos in Costa Rica that should be on your bucket list . Find out!

Costa Rica is one of the most unique destinations in Central America. The country is best known for its natural wonders and wildlife, but it also boasts a wide variety of amazing experiences for all types of travelers.

From misty cloud forests, majestic waterfalls, and impressive volcanos, to sandy beaches, geothermal springs, and an array of adventurous activities, Costa Rica is surprisingly diverse. Whether you want to explore lush rainforests, hope to see some exotic wildlife, soar above the canopy on ziplines, or simply relax amidst breathtaking landscapes, Costa Rica offers all of this and so much more.

But where to go and what to do in Costa Rica if you have limited time and want to experience the VERY BEST that the country of Pura Vida has to offer?

Rather than overwhelming you with 129 things to do in Costa Rica, in this guide, we only focus on top places and most special experiences that are absolute must-do for first-time visitors. These are all experiences that make it worth traveling to Costa Rica even if you are coming from the other side of the world as we were.

This list is based on our extensive research, personal experience, and what we feel is worth your time and money the most. We listed our family’s absolute favorites at the top.

I hope that this list will help you narrow down your Costa Rica bucket list so that it’s actually doable in one short trip while at the same time giving you a chance to experience all kinds of different facets of this beautiful country. Find out!

READ ALSO: Costa Rica Itinerary for 2 Weeks

These are the best things to do in Costa Rica:

1. Zipline Canopy Tours

Zip-lining above the forest canopy should be at the top of any list of the best things to do in Costa Rica. When I asked my family to rank their favorite experiences from our recent trip, everyone indicated zip-lining in their top-2 (without knowing what others chose). I was actually quite hesitant to do ziplining at first, but I gathered all my courage and I am so glad I did – it was amazing!

There are many places in Costa Rica where you can find ziplining experiences, but there is a big difference between simply ziplining and canopy tours.

By far the best place for ziplining in Costa Rica is Monteverde . Here, you can experience the true meaning of canopy tours that not only give you the thrills of ziplining itself but also allow you to enjoy the most spectacular scenery. As you soar above treetops, you can enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the beautiful surroundings. You might even find yourself flying through the clouds here. It’s such a unique experience!

Good to know: There are several places where you can go zip-lining in Monteverde. If you are simply looking for the best-value zipline experience, check out 100% Aventura (this is the tour we took and highly recommend). It includes the longest zip line, Superman experiences, and a Tarzan swing (most other places charge extra for these).

If you want an all-in experience including zip lining, hanging bridges, and more, check out all the different options offered by Selvatura Park .

The second best location for zip lining in Costa Rica is the La Fortuna – Arenal area . Also here, there are quite a few options . One of the best places with great views is Sky Adventures Park .

2. El Tigre Waterfalls

El Tigre Waterfalls is my personal favorite of all the places we visited in Costa Rica. The whole family, including the kids, listed it in their top-3 so I guess that says it all. If your trip brings you to Monteverde and you can spare a couple of hours, don’t miss this beautiful place!

Located on private land, El Tigre boasts a series of waterfalls (4 big ones and 4-6 smaller ones) that can be reached by hiking through a forest. Along the way, you also pass several hanging bridges. In addition, they also offer a Zipline Bike experience and a local lunch (the views from the restaurant are phenomenal!).

The hike to the waterfalls is mostly downhill with some up-and-down sections. It takes about 2-2.5 hours and the trail can be muddy and slippery, so it’s not a simple walk in the park. That said, it should be doable for most people (wear good shoes!). Plus, you can save yourself the uphill hike by taking a horse or a 4×4 ride at the end of the hike.

The price of the experience depends on what exactly you opt to do and you can book it via their website or on Viator . You can upgrade to Zipline Biking on the spot if you feel like it.

Good to know: Just like most roads around Monteverde, the road to get to El Tigre is quite steep and bumpy and you will need a 4WD vehicle to get here. If you book this experience via Viator, most tours usually include a transfer from Monteverde hotels.

TIP: We recommend the all-in experience that includes the waterfalls hike, a horseback ride, and lunch at their beautiful restaurant (+ hotel pick-up/drop-off).

3. Manuel Antonio National Park

Manuel Antonio National Park on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast is the most popular national park in the country and for a good reason. This small park has several stunning beaches and an easily accessible rainforest with a surprisingly wide variety of wildlife.

If you want to spot wildlife in Costa Rica without too much effort, this is the place to be!

You can expect to see capuchin monkeys, sloths, iguanas, howler monkeys, and all kinds of colorful birds. With some more luck, you will likely see many more animals, some of which you may have never even heard of.

Good to know: Due to its popularity, Manuel Antonio National Park is sometimes dismissed by repeat visitors to Costa Rica as too touristy and overrated, but don’t let this put you off. There is truly no better place in Costa Rica where you can see so many wild animals with so little effort. The park is easy to reach, the pathways and boardwalks make it simple to explore, and there is an abundance of wildlife.

PRO TIP: Entry tickets are sold via the official national parks’ website SINAC and have to be booked well in advance. In addition, we highly recommend visiting here with a local guide . You will miss 90% of the animals if you go on your own! We booked this private tour and it was great.

Important! No matter which tour/guide you book, you still need to reserve the park tickets yourself. Also, we highly recommend visiting first thing in the morning – that way, you will avoid the crowds and will likely see more animals too.

LEARN MORE: Tips & Tricks for Visiting Manuel Antonio National Park

4. Hot Springs of La Fortuna

La Fortuna area around Arenal Volcano is known for its natural geothermal hot springs . The entire area here is dotted with thermal pools. Many hotels have hot springs and they are usually beautifully set up in a rainforest with the volcano as a backdrop (if you are lucky to visit when it’s not hiding in the clouds).

If you love soaking in the hot geothermal waters, you may want to consider booking an accommodation that has some hot springs on site (e.g. the luxury thermal resorts like Tabacón or Baldi , mid-range resorts like Los Lagos or Chachagua Rainforest Hotel , or budget-friendly options like Relax Thermalitas , to mention just a few). Most of the hotels also offer day passes, so you can also check out different hot springs every day.

While it’s usually so warm in Costa Rica that the idea of jumping in a hot pool might not sound too appealing, the Arenal area is often quite cloudy/rainy making hot springs really enjoyable. Plus, most places have pools with different water temperatures for you to choose from.

5. La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park

La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park is located about 1-hour drive north of San Jose and about a 1.5-hour drive from La Fortuna. This makes it a very popular destination for day trips from the capital city or a great sightseeing stop when driving to/from La Fortuna.

We didn’t expect much and only stopped here because we had a few hours to fill before heading to the airport from La Fortuna. But wow, if there is one place in Costa Rica that exceeded all our expectations, it’s the La Paz Waterfall Gardens.

This park is like the best of Costa Rica all in one. Set in the rainforest high up in the mountains, the park boasts stunning views and gives you access to a series of impressive waterfalls. But there are so many reasons to visit here that the waterfalls are just a cherry on the cake. You can enjoy beautiful gardens and see all kinds of (rescued) animals and birds that are not always easy to spot in the wild.

We came here at the end of our trip, after seeing lots of wildlife in national parks and forests all over Costa Rica, so we thought we would be hard to impress. But the way this park is built and the animal encounters they have exceeded all our expectations. We could walk between sloths and toucans, see dozens of hummingbirds, snakes, frogs, and stand eye-in-eye with leopards and pumas. It’s not the same as seeing animals in the wild, but it’s also not a zoo.

La Paz gardens are well-maintained and manicured and not something you can compare to a wild nature destination, but it’s so well done that even the biggest skeptics will be impressed. I would have never thought I would say this, but it’s definitely one of the top places to visit in Costa Rica. Even our teenagers who were not thrilled about us stopping here quickly changed their minds and afterward ranked this place in their top 5!

Good to know: Count at least 2 hours for a visit, 3 if you also want to have lunch here. You can book entry tickets in advance on Viator , but we were able to visit just like that. Just like all the attractions and tours in Costa Rica, a visit here is not cheap (and was the main reason we were hesitant if it was worth it). But it is worth it way more than many other places/tours which we did during our 2-week trip.

PRO TIP: If you have a night or two free in your itinerary, consider staying at the Peace Lodge here. This hotel is amazing and guests get free access to the gardens.

6. River Tubing in Rio Celeste

If you are looking for more adventurous things to do in Costa Rica, then you cannot go wrong with river tubing ! The best place to do this is at Rio Celeste (famous for its azure-blue waters and a stunning waterfall – more info about it further below).

River tubing in Rio Celeste is so much fun and the waters are indeed as blue as in the pictures. The river is quite calm and has a combination of more adventurous sections with river rapids but also calmer waters where you just float. There are also several opportunities to go swimming, including over-the-water rope swings that our kids just couldn’t get enough of.

Often, you can also see all kinds of animals on tubing tours. For example, we saw a sloth and tons of monkeys as well as many birds.

Good to know: River tubing is adventurous, but not scary and the river isn’t deep at all. It’s an activity that the whole family can enjoy. A lot will also depend on the water levels when you visit. Also, if you float on your own, you will always go faster and spin more than when you hold on to each others’ tubes and float as a small group. So you can make it more or less adventurous based on your comfort level.

TIP: Book river tubing in advance (even if just a few hours before) because there are no ‘offices’ by the river where you can walk in and book on the spot. In most cases, they will drive you to the river and back to your car at the end of the tour. We did this highly-rated tubing tour and really enjoyed it.

7. Nauyaca Waterfalls

Whether you are looking for impressive waterfalls or just like the idea of swimming and jumping off cliffs (be careful though!), don’t miss Nauyaca Waterfalls in southwestern Costa Rica. This stunning waterfall is located close to the Quepos area (Manuel Antonio National Park) and is therefore easy to include in any trip itinerary.

Just to be clear, there is no shortage of waterfalls in Costa Rica and you will be spoiled with the choice of which ones to visit. However, there is just something special that makes Nauyaca Waterfalls one of the best places to see in Costa Rica, so don’t miss this one!

I have a friend who calls Costa Rica her second home and spends several weeks there every year and she keeps on telling me that Nauyaca Waterfalls is her absolute favorite spot in the country. So if you visit just one waterfall, make it this one.

We visited Nauyaca Waterfalls at the end of the dry season after weeks and weeks with no rain and the falls were still impressive. I have seen pictures of them during the rainy season and it’s even more spectacular.

Good to know: There are several waterfalls here – the upper one is more scenic, and the lower one is better suited for swimming. Don’t forget to take your swimwear. Water shoes are recommended as well.

The waterfalls can be reached by hiking or you can opt to travel by horse or a 4×4 shuttle (reservations recommended, especially for horse riding – see the official site for more info). The hike is about 2.5 miles (4 km) one way and the trail is quite hilly with little shade. It’s more expensive to take a 4×4 but believe me, it’s worth it.

TIP: Avoid weekends and arrive early in the morning if you want to enjoy the swim without too many other people around. If you don’t have a car, you can easily visit the waterfalls with tours or private transfers .

8. Hanging Bridges in Monteverde Cloud Forest

Monteverde Cloud Forest is one of the most unique places in Costa Rica. Some of our absolute favorite activities (ziplining at #1 and El Tigre Waterfalls at #2) can be found here. But there is more!

No visit to Monteverde would be complete without visiting the actual cloud forest and walking through the clouds (or at least at treetop level if you are exceptionally lucky with the weather).

The ‘official’ place to visit is the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve , with hiking trails, birds and wildlife, etc. But it’s not always well organized, can get crowded, and often has a long wait. Plus, if you want to see some wildlife, it’s best to visit with a guide , and this park only has one hanging bridge.

Alternatively, you can also opt to visit other – private – reserves in the same area. That’s what we chose to do.

After spending hours and hours researching the best spots to enjoy the scenery in Monteverde, we were left with two final choices: Treetopia (previously Sky Adventures) and Selvatura . They both also offer zip-lining experiences and more, or you can just opt to do the treetop walk and enjoy the scenery. Based on recommendations from the locals that I found in different online forums and Facebook groups, we chose Selvatura.

This park borders the cloud forest and is located higher up than most others. Their treetop walk also has 8 hanging bridges and the scenery is spectacular. I can’t compare it to others from personal experience, but I can definitely say that it didn’t disappoint! More than that – we LOVED the hanging bridges of Selvatura! Ziplining also looked amazing here, so if your time in Monteverde is limited, just book a combo deal and do everything in one place.

Good to know: No matter which hanging bridges you decide to visit, most roads around Monteverde are really bad and you need a 4×4. If you don’t have a car, you can easily book tours that include transfers.

READ ALSO: Best Things to Do in Monteverde

9. Rafting in La Fortuna

La Fortuna is often called the Adventure Capital of Costa Rica and one of the most popular adrenaline-rushing experiences here is rafting . In fact, if you want to go rafting in Costa Rica, there is no better place to do that than in La Fortuna!

There are two main rivers for rafting in La Fortuna: Balsa and Sarapiqui. Sarapiqui is wilder (including class 4 rafting), whereas Balsa has two sections – the lower one with class 2-3 rafting and the upper one with a bit more adventurous 3-4 class rafting. So you can easily find a rafting experience that you are comfortable with.

Here are some of the best La Fortuna rafting tours for different levels:

• If you are looking for the ultimate adrenaline-rushing white water rafting experience, opt for a class 4 Sarapiqui rafting tour (ages 14+).
• If you want a fun rafting trip without too many challenges and steep drops, then choose a class 2-3 rafting tour on the Balsa River . It’s also suitable for families (ages 6+). We recently did this rafting tour and the whole family (including 13-15 year-olds) enjoyed it. The first part was wild and fun and the second one was more relaxing with tons of wildlife sightings from the boat.
• If you are not sure which rafting option to choose, then opt for the class 3-4 rafting on the Upper Balsa (ages 8+). It’s more adventurous than Class 2-3 but not as extreme as Sarapiqui Class 4.

READ ALSO: Best Things to Do in La Fortuna

10. Ballena National Marine Park in Uvita

Uvita is a small beach town located about 1 hour drive south of the famous Manuel Antonio National Park. It is best known as home to the Ballena National Marine Park and its Whale’s Tail Beach (which looks like the tail of a whale from above).

The best thing to do here is simply to walk on the beach and enjoy the views. In season, you might get lucky to see whales in the sea (+- December to March and July to November). There are also some crocodiles, caimans, and water birds at the river mouths (don’t go swimming here!) and all kinds of wildlife in the rainforest.

The scenery at Playa Uvita is stunning, the beaches are gorgeous, and you can also go swimming if you like. Just be careful with your belongings as some cheeky monkeys (or people) can run away with them.

Good to know: Contrary to most other popular national parks in Costa Rica, Marino Ballena doesn’t require reservations (but there is a small entry fee). What you can see/do will also depend on how high the tide is. Either way, prepare to walk through some water, so it’s best to wear sandals.

TIP: While you can easily visit Uvita from Quepos (Manuel Antonio), we recommend staying here for a few days. The town has such a nice authentic vibe and it’s also a great base for excursions to some of the best places in Costa Rica (see the next two points!).

11. Corcovado National Park

Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula is the best place in Costa Rica to see wildlife. This park is home to 3% of the world’s biodiversity, which means that 3 out of 100 animal species worldwide can be found in this rather compact area.

If you want to see some truly unique animals in Costa Rica, then Corcovado should be very high on your bucket list!

So why is this unique and untouched place not at the top of our list of the best things to do in Costa Rica, you might wonder…

It’s mainly because of its more remote location, far away from the most popular tourist destinations. Furthermore, it’s not simple to get here so it requires more time to visit.

If you are only going to Corcovado for a day as we did, the journey takes about as much time as sightseeing. Plus, you only get to see a tiny part of the park. So if you have more time, plan a longer stay in this area! I promise you, it will be worth it! Even with just a few hours in a park, we saw a tapir, several different species of monkeys, a group of coatis, and tons of other wildlife that we didn’t see anywhere else during the trip.

Good to know: We had limited time in our itinerary so we visited Corcovado on a day tour from Uvita/Sierpe . A better way to do this would be by staying in Drake’s Bay for a few days and taking day tours from there ( like this one ), or by booking a multi-day tour to this stunning area.

There are also overnight stays possible inside the park itself, if you don’t mind a rather basic shared accommodation and want a real rainforest experience.

12. Rio Celeste Waterfall

Rio Celeste Waterfall is one of the most picturesque waterfalls in Costa Rica. It’s not that much the waterfall itself that attracts the attention, but the bright turquoise color of the water in the river.

This remarkable river and the waterfall are the main attractions of the Tenorio Volcano National Park in Guanacaste Province in the northern part of the country. In addition, you might spot some wildlife here, but it’s not comparable to the species you get to see at Corcovado or Manuel Antonio.

TIP: Combine a visit to Rio Celeste Waterfall with the earlier-mentioned river tubing. If you prefer something less adventurous, there are also sloth tours and night tours in the area.

Good to know: If you don’t have a car, you can easily visit Rio Celeste with day tours from La Fortuna . However, most of these tours do not include tubing.

13. Snorkeling at Caño Island

Caño Island is one of the best places to go snorkeling in Costa Rica. If you want to see colorful fish, sea turtles, stingrays, and maybe even small sharks, this is the place to be. On the way to the island, you may also get lucky to spot some dolphins and – in season – also whales.

Just like the nearby Corcovado National Park, Caño Island is located quite remotely and requires some extra effort to get to. The two places are rather close to each other, so many people visit here from Drake’s Bay , or as part of multi-day tours that combine the two .

We visited Cano Island on this day tour from Uvita . It’s quite a long boat ride to get there, but snorkeling itself was impressive enough to make up for it. The kids loved snorkeling with sea turtles!

14. Night Tours

There is one more thing that you really have to do in Costa Rica at least once and that’s taking a night tour . Many animals are nocturnal and are only active in the dark, so it’s difficult to see most of them on day tours.

Think of the famous Red-eyed tree frog (and most other frogs), snakes, and scorpions, but also mammals such as tapirs, agoutis, opossums, armadillos, or kinkajous…

There are many places where you can do night tours, all over Costa Rica. What you get to see will highly depend on where you take a tour and you will find different types of animals at lower elevations than in the mountains.

We booked this night tour in Monteverde and saw some animals we had never seen before – kinkajous, opossums, golden beetles, spiders, certain types of frogs, and many others I don’t remember the names of.

Good to know: If you want to see the iconic Costa Rica red-eyed tree frog (awake), then book a night tour in the Manuel Antonio area or around La Fortuna .

15. Volcanos

Costa Rica is home to quite a few volcanos, including 6 active and over 60 dormant ones. So you may want to add a visit to a volcano to your list of things to do.

The most famous volcano in Costa Rica is undoubtedly Arenal . However, it’s often hiding in the clouds and we were told that only about 25% of visitors actually get to see it in its full glory. Furthermore, there are no roads to get to the crater or such, just a few hiking trails over lava fields.

If you want to see a volcano crater without too much effort, then you can visit either Poás Volcano or Irazú Volcano . In both cases, you can drive all the way to the top and the walk to the crater itself is just a few minutes.

Both – Poas and Irazu Volcanos are just about 1-hour drive from San José, which makes it quite simple to add a visit to one or both of them to any Costa Rica itinerary. However, they are located in different regions quite far from each other, so you will have to plan separate trips if you want to see them both. Whether it’s actually worth going to both, depends on your interests and overall itinerary.

Good to know: For both volcano craters, you have to reserve timed entry slots via the SINAC website: here for the Poas Volcano and here – for Irazu . Alternatively, you can also visit the volcanos with guided day tours from San Jose, in which case, they will take care of the tickets.

Keep in mind that temperatures here can be a lot cooler than at lower elevations, so – depending on the weather forecast – you may need to wear a sweater or even long pants and a jacket.

READ ALSO: Costa Rica Packing Essentials

16. Tortuguero National Park

Tortuguero National Park  is another place that should be on your Costa Rica bucket list, especially if you are visiting in late summer – early fall. This is the prime green sea turtles nesting season and the beaches of Tortuguero are a great place to see them.

July and August are the prime months for turtles, but Tortuguero National Park is well worth a visit at any time of the year. Its remote location accessible only by boat means that nature here is still unspoiled so you can expect to see lots of wildlife.

Here, you can find a big variety of birds and frogs, but also different types of monkeys and sloths, iguanas, and even jaguars.

Good to know: Getting to Tortuguero National Park requires some effort since you can’t just drive to it. On the other hand, it’s not too far from San Jose and you can even visit on a day tour . However, just like in Corcovado, the better way to visit would be by taking a multi-day trip and staying a night or two in the area.

17. Coffee & Chocolate Tours

And finally, no list of the best things to do in Costa Rica would be complete without mentioning chocolate and coffee tours . After all, this is where cacao trees and coffee beans grow.

If you want to learn more about coffee – from growing to harvesting and roasting or discover the secrets of really good chocolate, then it’s well worth visiting one of the plantations that organize guided tours. It’s a deliciously immersive experience that also gives you a chance to discover some local culture.

Good to know: There are many places in Costa Rica where you can find coffee and/or chocolate tours, so it’s easy to find one that fits your plans. La Fortuna area is a good place for chocolate tours and Hacienda Doka near San Jose is one of the best places to do a coffee tour.

We did this 3-in-1 coffee, chocolate, and sugar cane tour in Monteverde and it was quite interesting (and delicious ;)).

So, this sums up our list of must-dos in Costa Rica. As you can see, the country has a lot to offer!

From wildlife spotting in the rainforest, swimming in breathtaking waterfalls, or soaking in relaxing hot springs to adventurous activities such as ziplining, river tubing, or rafting, there are so many amazing places to visit and things to do in Costa Rica!

Good to know: In this article, we only focus on the VERY BEST places and things to do in Costa Rica. Even so, you will need at least 10-12 days to do all of this in a somewhat relaxing way. If you are in a hurry, you could do it all a bit faster as well, but remember that Costa Rica is the land of Pura Vida! So if your trip is shorter, you may want to visit fewer places and explore them deeper rather than trying to see ‘everything’.

If you are wondering how to plan a trip so that you can cover most of these top spots and activities in Costa Rica, take a look at our recommended itinerary for first-time visitors via the link below!

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James Kaiser

2024 Costa Rica Travel Guide

Costa Rica boasts pristine beaches, lush mountains, cool cloud forests, active volcanoes, world-class coffee plantations, & stunning wildlife. There’s no shortage of things to see and do.

But planning a trip to Costa Rica can be overwhelming.

Costa Rica: The Complete Guide puts the best of Costa Rica at your fingertips, helping you maximize your time for the perfect trip.

Discover the Best of Costa Rica

The #1 Costa Rica guidebook.

Costa Rica Travel Tips

Best Times to Visit

Discover the best times to visit Costa Rica. Avoid the rainy season, escape the crowds, discover paradise.

What to Pack

Whether you’re visiting the beaches, the rainforests, or the mountains, don’t leave home without these essential items.

Best National Parks

Costa Rica’s stunning national parks protect stunning beaches, dramatic mountains, lush rainforests, and cool cloud forests.

Best Beaches

From Caribbean beaches with fabulous sunrises to Pacific beaches with terrific sunsets, Costa Rica is famous for sun, surf, and sand.

Best Waterfalls

Costa Rica’s lush mountains are filled with waterfalls. Visit any of these tropical oases and you might never want to go back home.

Best Volcanoes

Find out why Costa Rica is called the “Land of Volcanoes.” Drive to the rim of an active volcano and peer inside the crater!

Best Hotels

From luxurious ecolodges to beachside B&Bs, discover the best hotels and lodging in Costa Rica.

Weather & Seasons

Costa Rica’s weather patterns are essential for travel planning. Don’t get caught in the rain!

Costa Rican Food

Discover authentic local specialties — from Afro-Caribbean dishes to indigenous cuisine.

Costa Rican Culture

Understanding the basics of Costa Rican culture will help you avoid embarrassing mistakes!

Introduction to Costa Rica

Adapted from Costa Rica: The Complete Guide

Costa Rica is a tiny country with big attributes: the most peaceful country in Central America, the most democratic country in Latin America and one of the most biodiverse places on earth .

The country’s name, “Rich Coast,” was given by early Spanish explorers who assumed Costa Rica was filled with gold. In reality there was little gold to be found, but the country is home to something even more precious: stunning natural beauty.

Located just north of Panama and just south of Nicaragua, Costa Rica occupies one of nature’s most incredible pieces of real estate. Like the rest of Central America, Costa Rica is sandwiched between two continents and two oceans, attracting an amazing diversity of plants and animals from each ecosystem.

Biodiversity

Even within Central America, Costa Rica’s biodiversity is impressive. Its Pacific Coast is the transition zone between the tropical dry forests of the north and the tropical rainforests of the south. A string of mountains runs through the center of the country, sheltering cool cloud forests and freezing páramos.

This varied geography supports an astonishing range of flora and fauna. All told, Costa Rica is home to roughly 5% of the world’s biodiversity, including nearly 8% of the world’s bird species , 10% of the world’s butterfly species, 10% of the world’s bat species and 20% of the world’s hummingbird species.

Even more impressive, all this natural wonder is packed into a country just 300 km (186 miles) long by 120 km (75 miles) wide, about half the size of Ohio. No other area of comparable size in the Western Hemisphere contains so much biodiversity.

Costa Rican People

The people of Costa Rica, who call themselves “Ticos,” are the proud stewards of this natural heritage. In contrast to the rest of Central America, which suffered a series of ruthless dictators and bloody civil wars throughout the 20th century, Costa Rica is a stable democracy that abolished its army in 1949 and invested in its people. Today its citizens are among the most educated and prosperous in Latin America.

Costa Ricans also take environmentalism seriously . They have set aside over 25% of Costa Rica as national parks or preserves, and ecotourism is a major part of the economy .

As such, Costa Rica has become a powerful role model for other developing countries, demonstrating that environmentalism and economic growth can go hand in hand.

Costa Rica Travel

Not surprisingly, Costa Rica’s unique combination of peace, stability, natural beauty, and environmentalism lures travelers from around the world. Costa Rica vacationers are treated to gorgeous beaches, lush rainforests, active volcanoes, and world-class wildlife.

And because foreigners have been visiting for decades, Costa Rica is incredibly user-friendly. English is widely spoken, hotels and restaurants are up to international standards, and getting around is easy.

You don’t have to be Tarzan to enjoy Costa Rica, which is what makes it one of the world’s most popular eco-destinations.

Discover the best of Costa Rica

Costa Rica Travel Guide

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Our trip has been amazing. This is our third time in Sri Lanka and possibly my favourite trip. I am already planning my next one.

Costa Rica is an ecological treasure trove. One of the world’s most biodiverse areas, it’s home to pristine rainforests, steaming volcanoes and tangled mangroves that support an incredible variety of wildlife, from sloths to rainbow-billed toucans. Read on for our Costa Rica travel guide overview.

Travel Facts about Costa Rica

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12 days  / from 2980 USD

Costa Rica: Coast to Coast

From paradise beaches, scenic narrow waterways and magical rainforests, Costa Rica has much to offer. Head east and discover the tranquil Caribbean Sea, head west for the tumultuous Pacific Ocean and surfer’s paradise.

10 days  / from 1825 USD

Discover Northern Costa Rica

This self drive itinerary allows you to explore the Central and Northern highlights of Costa Rica: from the active volcano Arenal to the cloud forest of Monteverde and the beaches of Guanacaste with plenty of surf & yoga - discover why they call it the land of Pura Vida - pure life!

10 days  / from 1440 USD

A self drive Caribbean adventure

It's time to discover Costa Rica's Caribbean coast in your own rental car: From Boca Pacuare, where the turtles come to lay their eggs, to the unique culture of Cahuita and the beaches of Puerto Viejo! Your trip will finish in Turrialba, home of the main archaeological monument in our country.

All this - and more - can be found in The Rough Guide to Costa Rica - check it out for top Costa Rica travel inspiration and advice.

• Language: Central American Spanish.
• Currency: Costa Rican colón (CRC).
• Area: 51,100 square kilometres.
• Population 4.8 million.
• People: Largely of Spanish origin, with a substantial community of English-speaking Costa Ricans of African origin along the Caribbean coast, plus 64,000 indigenous people.
• Costa Ricans are known as Ticos.
• Costa Rica is home to around 250 species of mammal, over 400 species of reptiles and amphibians, nearly 900 species of bird, and 250,000 types of insect.

Find out more essential information about travel to Costa Rica .

Costa Rica Sunset at Manuel Antonio Antonio National Park © thefilmpoets/Shutterstock

All regions of Costa Rica offer a richness of natural attractions, from the jungle-cloaked Osa Peninsula, to the turtle-nesting beaches of Parque Nacional Tortuguero. Lesser-trodden sites for wildlife wonders can be found at Parque Nacional Los Quetzales, while the Nicoya Peninsula is a remote spot to kayak in the company of monkeys and sloths - Costa Rica travel at its most immersive.

San José and Valle Central

Costa Rica’s capital San José has a good arts scene and the surrounding Valle Central is home to the steaming Volcán Poás and the lunar-like Volcán Irazú.

Volcán Arenal and Zona Norte

The plains of the Zona Norte feature iconic Volcán Arenal, while the Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Caño Negro (near the Nicaraguan border) is a haven for birds and basking caiman.

Osa Peninsula and Zona Sur

Off-the-beaten-path travellers should head to Cerro Chirripó, which looms above the plains of Zona Sur . Parque Nacional Corcovado is arguably the best hiking destination in Costa Rica.

Guanacaste province

The province of Guanacaste boasts some of Costa Rica’s best (and most popular) beaches. Try Sámara and Nosara on the Nicoya Peninsula for stunning scenery without the crowds.

Limón province

Limón province is home to descendants of Afro-Caribbeans who came to Costa Rica in the late nineteenth-century. It’s best known for the sea turtles that nest on Parque Nacional Tortuguero’s beaches.

Monteverde and Manuel Antonio

Near the Pacific coast , Monteverde presents one of Americas’ last remaining high-altitude cloudforests. Further south is Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio.

Arenal volcano, Costa Rica © Simon Dannhauer/Shutterstock

Discover more places in Costa Rica

• San José Costa Rica
• Valle Central and the highlands travel guide
• The Zona Norte Travel Guide
• The Zona Sur Travel Guide
• Samara travel guide
• Arenal Volcano
• Tortuguero National Park: A Complete Guide
• Puerto Viejo
• Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
• Drake Bay, Costa Rica
• Uvita, Costa Rica

Here’s a run-down of famous landmarks and attractions in Costa Rica everyone should see in a lifetime - top choices you’ll definitely want to consider when planning to travel to Costa Rica.

• Volcán Arenal - enjoy an array of activities around Arenal volcano, from soaking in hot springs, to forest zipwiring.
• Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio - untouched beaches and lush tropical forests full of sloths and monkeys.
• Monteverde cloud forest - walk a suspended bridge to experience a bird’s-eye view of the forest.
• Parque Nacional Rincón de la Vieja - experience sulphurous smoke clouds and steaming mud pots en route to an epic waterfall.
• Parque Nacional Tortuguero - thousands of turtles (including giant leatherbacks) come ashore to lay their eggs here each year. An unforgettable experience.

Discover more great places to see in our ultimate list of things not to miss in Costa Rica .

Birdwatching

When you visit Costa Rica, birdwatching should be near the top of your must-do list, even if you’ve never done it before. With almost 900 species - a higher number than all of North America - it really is a bird-watcher’s paradise, with an abundance of hummingbirds, toucans, kingfishers and trogons. The iconic resplendent quetzal can be found in the higher elevations of Monteverde and the Cordillera de Talamanca. Most hotels and all eco ldoges will be able to hook you up with a Costa Rica travel guide with avian expertise. Catching sight of this shimmering beauty is a true a Costa Rica travel highlight.

From multi-day hikes through remote rainforest to rambles around national park trails, Costa Rica offers heavenly hiking experiences. Some of the finest hikes include Cerro Chirripó for incredible views, Sendero Laguna Meándrica for birdwatching, Sendero Los Patos–Sirena for wildlife and Sendero Las Pailas for scenery.

Over 20 rivers in Costa Rica offer good kayaking opportunities, especially the Sarapiquí, Reventazón, Pacuare and Corobicí, and the wildlife-rich mangroves of Isla Damas and Bahía Drake. La Virgen in the Zona Norte is a good base for customized kayaking tours, with specialist operators or lodges renting boats, equipment and guides. Be warned, though, sea-kayaking is for experienced kayakers, and only ever with a guide - both coasts have treacherous currents.

Both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts offer good surfing. You can surf all year round on the Pacific: running north to south the best beaches in Costa Rica for surfing are Naranjo, Tamarindo, Boca de Barranca, Jacó, Hermosa, Quepos, Dominical and, near the Panama border, Pavones. On the Caribbean coast, the finest year-round beaches are at Puerto Viejo de Talamanca and Punta Uva.

Diving and snorkelling

Though diving is less of a big deal in Costa Rica than in Belize or Honduras’ Bay Islands, there are a few worthwhile dive sites around the country. The best, however, lie some 535km off Costa Rica’s Pacific coast in the waters around Parque Nacional Isla del Coco. To see an abundance of concentrated underwater life, try the small reef near Manzanillo on the Caribbean coast.

Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica © PAUL ATKINSON/Shutterstock

If you’re wondering “what’s the best month to go to Costa Rica?”, November, April and early May are most ideal. The dry season runs from mid-November to April, with sunshine and warm temperatures, while the rainy season (May to mid-November) is at its wettest in September and October. Visiting pre-Easter is best if you want to avoid too many crowds.

Find out more about the best time to visit Costa Rica .

Costa Rica is served by two international airports. Juan Santamaría (SJO), just outside San José, receives the majority of flights, though Daniel Oduber Quiros (LIR), near Liberia, handles an increasing range from the US, Canada and the UK. If you’re already in the region, Costa Rican airlines Sansa and Nature Air run regular flights between San José and Nicaragua and Panama.

Read on for the best ways to get to Costa Rica .

Travelling in Costa Rica is relatively straightforward and, if you’re wondering how to travel around Costa Rica on a budget, the bus is an excellent, inexpensive way to get around - even in remote areas. Car rental in Costa Rica is more common than in the rest of Central America, but it can be a pretty a hair-raising experience, with precipitous drops in the highlands and potholed roads just about everywhere else.

Learn more about transport and how to get around Costa Rica .

When you travel to Costa Rica, there are a wide range of accommodation options to consider - from upscale all-inclusive resorts, to private guesthouses (casas). And, given its exceptional natural attractions, it’ll come as no surprise that Costa Rica is blessed with excellent eco-lodges that afford the country’s best wildlife-watching opportunities.

A top Costa Rica travel experience is trying the local food. Called comida típica (“native” or “local” food) by Ticos, it’s tasty and unpretentious with interesting regional variations found along the Caribbean coast, with its Creole-influenced cooking, and in Guanacaste, where there are vestiges of the ancient indigenous peoples’ use of maize. A must-try meal is Gallo pinto (“painted rooster”), a breakfast of red and white beans with rice that’s often described as the national dish.

Read more about local food and drink in Costa Rica .

Monteverde cloudforest, Costa Rica © Simon Dannhauer/Shutterstock

Though not on the scale of, say, the fiestas in Mexico or Guatemala, Costa Rica has its fair share of lively holidays and festivals (feriados) when banks, post offices, museums and government offices close and people take to the streets and beaches to celebrate. Perhaps the biggest and brightest of them all is held on 15th September - Independence Day - with patriotic parades celebrating Costa Rica’s independence from Spain in 1821. For culture vultures, this is perhaps the best time to travel to Costa Rica.

To include a festival in your trip to Costa Rica, check out the month-to-month overview of festivals in Costa Rica .

Capital San José pulsates with the country’s most diverse nightlife, and is home to scores of bars, clubs, live music venues and theatres. Avenida Central in Los Yoses is a well-known trail of upmarket bars, while San Pedro’s Calle de la Amargura nightlife is geared more towards students. Those looking to kick back with locals should head to a boca bar. In Costa Rica, bocas (appetizers) are the tasty little snacks traditionally served free in bars. If you’re lucky enough to score a table at a boca bar you’ll be handed a menu of free bocas - one beer gets you one boca, so keep drinking and you can keep eating, and very possibly feel spurred to salsa. Even in remote rural areas you’ll find bars buzzing to the beat of live music.

How many days do you need in Costa Rica? The honest answer is as many as you can spare - a Costa Rica trip offers such a diversity of experiences. That said, here are some ideas if you have at least a week in Costa Rica. You could begin by exploring the area around awe-inspiring Arenal volcano, where a wealth of waterfalls, wildlife reserves and river-rafting opportunities await, before zipping to the Central Pacific coast for sand and surf fringed by fertile forests.

Alternatively, start out at Tortuguero National Park on the Caribbean coast and enjoy a wildlife-rich lagoon tour before heading to Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio on the Pacific Coast for more epic wildlife-watching.

For more inspiration, see some of the Costa Rica itineraries from our Costa Rica travel guide and local travel experts .

• Ticos love to dance, so you might want to take salsa lessons before your Costa Rica travel adventure.
• Unless service has been exceptional, you don’t need to leave a tip in restaurants, where a ten percent service charge is automatically levied.
• Accessible nature trails can be enjoyed at Poás and Carara National Parks, and the Reserva Santa Elena. In addition, the main-crater viewpoint at Parque Nacional Volcán Irazú is accessible to wheelchair users.
• Costa Rica has a good reputation among LBGT travellers, with a large gay and lesbian community (by Central American standards). San José holds a Gay Pride Festival every June.

Before you travel, read more travel advice and get a more in-depth understanding of culture and etiquette in Costa Rica. And for more first-hand advice, read Costa Rica travel experiences from our content manager who shares with you what you should consider when planning your trip .

Practical travel tips for Costa Rica

From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Costa Rica

• Eating and drinking in Costa Rica
• How to get around in Costa Rica?
• National Parks in Costa Rica
• Travel Tips Costa Rica for planning and on the go
• Best time to visit Costa Rica
• Papagayo, Costa Rica
• Tortuga island, Costa Rica
• Costa Rica Weather in January
• Costa Rica Weather in March
• Costa Rica Weather in April
• Costa Rica Weather in May
• Weather in Costa Rica in August
• Weather in Costa Rica in June
• Costa Rica Weather in November
• How to get from San Jose to Puerto Viejo
• How to get from San Jose to Tortuguero
• How to get from San José to La Fortuna
• How to get from San José to Tamarindo
• While tourists who stay in large resorts might claim that “everyone speaks English”, that’s not the case in more rural areas - your time in Costa Rica will be more meaningful if you arm yourself with a few Spanish phrases.
• The electrical current in Costa Rica is 110 volts - the same as Canada and the US - although plugs are two-pronged.
• While official currency of Costa Rica is the colón, the US dollar has long been the second currency of Costa Rica and is accepted almost everywhere.
• When heading for the more remote areas, carry cash with you, and in small denominations - you may have trouble finding an ATM, or changing a 5000 note in the middle of the Nicoya Peninsula, for example.

For everything practical when travelling in Costa Rica , check the travel advice for Costa Rica.

Costa Rica is the most expensive country in Central America. Just about everything - from ice-cream cones and groceries, to hotel rooms and car rental - costs more than you might expect. Even on a rock-bottom budget, you’re looking at spending at least $50 a day for lodging, three meals and the odd bus ticket. Staying in mid-range accommodation, and enjoying the odd excursion could push you over $130 a day, while the sky’s the limit at the upper end, where one night in a swanky hotel can cost over $500 in some places. The good news is that bus travel is always cheap - about $1.50 for local buses, and around $5-7.50 for long-distance buses.

Tortuguero Canal, Costa Rica © Kenneth Vargas Torres/Shutterstock

• Decent hiking boots - essential for enjoying top Costa Rica travel experiences
• Binoculars to get the best views of Costa Rica’s wildlife - vital when it comes to trying to find the more elusive birds, and also very handy for sloth-spotting.
• Sunscreen and a hat - Costa Rica is in the tropics, after all.
• Mosquito repellent, especially if you’re staying in the forests.
• Lightweight rain gear to keep dry during those brief blasts of tropical rain showers (or long blasts, if you visit Costa Rica during the rainy season)
• Headlamp or torch - if you’re planning to stay off-the-beaten-track, you never know when the power might go.

Costa Rica is one of the safest countries in Latin America. Pickpockets and luggage theft are the greatest problems, particularly in San José and other larger cities, so be vigilant in bus terminals and markets. Car-related crime, especially involving rental vehicles, is on the rise, so always park securely.

For up to date information about safety and travel requirements for Costa Rica, check government guidelines. UK nationals should heed Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advice , while travellers from the US should check governmental travel advisory guidelines for Costa Rica.

• Don’t drive at speed - there are sharp curves and pot holes aplenty, plus you never know when a dog, cow, goat, iguana, or armadillo might be crossing the road.
• Avoid buying anything made from coral, tortoise shells, and furs such as ocelot or jaguar.
• If you have qualms about buying goods made from tropical hardwoods, steer clear of mahogany, laurel, purple heart and almond (which is illegal anyway).
• Don’t take a dip in a river - you never know when a crocodile or caiman might appear.
• Don’t mess with wildlife or their habitats when you visit Costa Rica. Whether you’re watching turtles on a beach, or spotting birds in a forest, remember you’re a guest in their home.
• If you’re keen to explore Arenal’s varied attractions after reading about them in this Costa Rica guide, you could look to book a tour that takes in trekking to La Fortuna waterfall, visiting an indigenous village, and hiking a lava field.
• To truly experience Costa Rica’s natural beauty, staying in a rainforest eco-lodge comes highly recommended, and luxurious Lapa Rios Lodge sits top of the canopy.
• For more ideas about what to see and do in Costa Rica, plus plenty of practical guidance that will help you make the most of your trip, take a look at The Rough Guide to Costa Rica .
• To take the hassle out of planning, Rough Guides’ tailor-made travel platform has a range of customisable Costa Rica itineraries .

The Rough Guides to Costa Rica and related travel guides

In-depth, easy-to-use travel guides filled with expert advice.

Find even more inspiration here

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written by Rough Guides Editors

updated 31.05.2024

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Destination of the Year 2024: Costa Rica

Destinations.

• Central & South America
• Destination of the Year 2024

Introduction

Picture yourself on a white-sand beach, surrounded by palm trees. In the distance, surfers ride the breaking waves. Behind you rises a dense rainforest, where white-faced capuchin monkeys jump from branch to branch. Welcome to Costa Rica . 

I grew up in Costa Rica, and while I’ve lived all over the U.S., I'm always drawn back home. In the northwest, a dry tropical forest stretches down the Nicoya Peninsula. The laid-back beach towns that dot this part of the Pacific coast include Nosara, a mecca for surfing and yoga, and my favorite, the lesser-known San Juanillo, which still has the charm of a small fishing village. Farther south, Santa Teresa has an intriguing mix of cultures and superb international cuisine.

Venture inland and you’ll reach the Guanacaste pampas, with its sabaneros — Costa Rican cowboys — and rich pre-Columbian and colonial history. I love to walk through the town of Nicoya, one of the first Spanish settlements in the country and the home of the Chorotega people.

On the Caribbean side of the country, you’ll find the freshwater canals and serene rivers that meander through the rainforest of Barra del Colorado National Wildlife Refuge and Tortuguero National Park. In Limón, the vibrant Afro-Caribbean culture includes the sounds of calypso and an aromatic cuisine built around strong spices and coconut milk.

If hiking is your passion, try the Camino de Costa Rica, a 174-mile trail that cuts across the country: starting in Barra del Pacuare on the Atlantic coast and eventually winding into the Dota Mountains — the place where I grew up. 

Off the Osa Peninsula, in southern Costa Rica, is the Golfo Dulce, a sanctuary for Pacific humpback whales. The region is defined by mangrove swamps and Corcovado National Park, which protects one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world — and where it is possible to see a jaguar strolling along a white-sand beach.

I could go on and on. There is no single recipe for enjoying Costa Rica. Any road you take will likely bring the same result: a sense of wonder and a desire to return. We Costa Ricans are relatively few — the population barely exceeds 5 million. But we’re proud of our shared idea that things will always turn out fine and that life is, above all, beautiful.

— Ronny Rojas

Cover shot on iPhone 15 Pro Max

Cover Story

If 2024 is your year for retirement, then one, congratulations, and two, we've got a destination for you to consider moving to in your golden years. 

Travel Tips

Experiences, culture & style.

Costa Rica in May: Guide to Weather, Where to Go, What to Do

C osta Rica in May is the start of the rainy season throughout most of the country. It is a great time to visit, but there are a few things you should know as you plan your trip.

Thomas and I created this post to detail the pros and cons of May in Costa Rica. We have lived in Costa Rica since 2016, so we are somewhat experts on the weather you can expect each month of the year. We also included tips on what to pack, the best areas to visit, and the pros and cons of this time of year.

So, let’s get to all the tips to make sure you have an amazing experience while visiting Costa Rica during the month of May.

Costa Rica in May at a Glance

• This is a transition month between the end of dry season and the start of rainy season. Weather will be hot and sunny with occasional afternoon rain showers on the Pacific Coast.
• Typically tourism starts to go down a bit at this time of year. That means prices also get a bit lower.
• Focus on sun-blocking clothing, high SPF sunscreen, bug spray, rain protection, and lots of water for hydration. This time of year is humid!

Should You Travel to Costa Rica in May? 

We say definitely! It’s actually one of the best months of the year to visit Costa Rica (in our opinion).

Pros of Visiting Costa Rica in May

• The weather should be good. We go into the weather details further in this post, but in general, you can expect perfectly sunny days, afternoon rain storms, and warm evenings.
• Everything will be open at this time. Sometimes later in the year tour companies and hotels close because there are just not enough tourists for there to be a reason to stay open.
• Everything starts turning green again after the dry season, and it is so beautiful!
• There are still a lot of tourists, but it is not as busy as peak high season ( January – April).
• You can expect what is referred to as “mid-season prices”. That means rates aren’t as high as in peak season, but not as low as later in the year when the chance of rain is higher. 
• Hotels, activities etc, aren’t as full.
• Wildlife can be more active because the temperatures cool down a bit. It’s a great time to visit national parks !

Cons of Visiting Costa Rica in May

• This is the beginning of the green season and you may have to contend with afternoon rain.
• Rates go down a bit, but not as much as later in the year
• The mosquitoes tend to be worse in the rainy season versus dry season

Costa Rica Weather in May

​​May is the start of the rainy season in many parts of Costa Rica, which means you can expect some wet weather during your visit. 

The weather can vary significantly depending on where you are in the country. 

The sun rises daily around 5:15 am and sets around 5:50 pm. 

One thing to keep in mind is that the weather forecast online is never correct during the rainy season. They typically predict rain showers all day long. This is luckily all lies.

Pacific Coast

On the Pacific Coast, we suggest getting up as early as possible. Usually, you won’t really be able to sleep in anyway because the however monkeys and other loud wildlife will make sure you are up early.

In our opinion, the early morning hours are the very best time of the day. It’s beautiful!

You can expect hot days (mid 80’s Fahrenheit) with plenty of sunshine until the early afternoon.

Around 2pm the afternoon rain storms usually roll in. These storms typically last for an hour or two. This is a great time to take a little siesta. 

After that, the weather tends to cool off a bit. But, “cools off” is a relative term. Really, it typically gets down to the mid to high seventies Fahrenheit. 

The evenings tend to be clear with nice sunset views. 

After sunset, you will need bug spray.

On the northern Pacific Coast in the Guanacaste Province , you can expect even less rain. Typically this area tends to stay dry a bit longer.

San Jose & Central Valley

San Jose and the Central Valley area is always bit cooler than the Pacific Coast.

The average daytime temperatures range from around 75°F to 80°F (24°C to 27°C), while nighttime temperatures usually drop to around 60°F to 65°F (16°C to 18°C).

Just note that temperatures can vary depending on the specific location within the Central Valley. Higher elevation areas tend to be cooler.

Northern Mountains   

The Northern Mountains region consists of La Fortuna and Monteverde.

The days should be clear enough that you will be able to enjoy good views in mountain towns. For example, Arenal Volcano should be mostly clear for viewing. 

In Monteverde , you may have more rain. Usually, it is not super heavy, but the rain can occur more throughout the day and tends not to be limited to only the afternoons. 

Caribbean Coast

The Caribbean Coast has the opposite rainy and dry season the Pacific Coast. May in the Caribbean can mean heavier rains. In our experience, usually, it rains more in the evening than during the day, but you never know.

Average highs range from 80°F to 85°F (27°C to 29°C) and lows from 70°F to 75°F (21°C to 24°C).

What to Pack for Costa Rica in May

In May, layers are also a good idea because it can get cool in the evenings after the daily rain. 

• Lightweight and breathable clothing (shorts, T-shirts, tank tops). We suggest opting for moisture-wicking clothing that also blocks UV rays. 
• Long-sleeved shirts and lightweight pants for cooler evenings and sun protection
• Swimsuits for beach and water activities
• Comfortable walking shoes or sandals for exploring
• Rain jacket for occasional showers during the transition to the rainy season
• Sunglasses for sun protection

Weather-Specific Items:

• Sunscreen (high SPF) for sun protection in the tropical climate
• Insect repellent to ward off mosquitoes, especially during evenings
• Daypack for carrying essentials during day trips and excursions. I suggest a dry bag. 
• Plastic bags or waterproof pouches for protecting electronics and important documents from rain

Outdoor and Adventure Gear:

• Sturdy and comfortable hiking shoes for exploring natural trails. We like Keens .
• Pocket binoculars for wildlife viewing, especially in national parks
• Refillable water bottle to stay hydrated during outdoor activities. I suggest LifeStraw bottles .
• A glasses strap to keep your sunglasses secure during adventures like zip lining and boat trips
• Quick-dry microfiber travel towel for convenience on the go

Electronics and Accessories:

• Camera or smartphone for capturing the stunning landscapes and wildlife
• Portable charger to keep devices powered during outdoor excursions

Health and Safety:

• Travel first aid kit with basic medications, bandages, and any necessary prescriptions
• Motion sickness tablets if you’re sensitive to travel on winding roads or if you plan to take boat trips
• Hydration tablets or electrolyte supplements for staying hydrated in the warm weather
• Hat with a wide brim for added sun protection, especially during outdoor activities

Miscellaneous Items:

• Copies of important documents (passport, travel insurance, itinerary)
• Zip lock bags to separate wet items in your luggage

Check out our complete packing list for women and packing list for men for more ideas of what to bring.

The Best Places to Visit and Places to Avoid

There is nowhere I would suggest completely avoiding. You will likely have more rain on the Caribbean Coast, but it is a beautiful area to visit.

As always, you can expect more tourists in the bigger towns (La Fortuna, Monteverde, Playas del Coco, Tamarindo, Jaco, Manuel Antonio) but it shouldn’t be too crazy. 

Things to Do at this Time of Year

This is a great time of year for pretty much all activities. When booking your Costa Rica tours, keep in mind that there may be afternoon storms. We like to try and schedule as much as we can in the morning to avoid the possibility of being rained out. 

Some of our favorite activities are:

• Visit a Waterfall : The water levels will be a bit higher than during the dry season, so you can enjoy a better experience.
• Go Hiking in a National Park : We love it when everything turns lush and green again. Plus, with fewer crowds, the national parks are super enjoyable. This is a great time to go to Corcovado National Park or Manuel Antonio National Park .
• Go Zip Lining : Again, with everything starting to turn green and vibrant in May it is a great time to get overhead views of the jungle canopy with a zip-lining adventure. We suggest this activity in Monteverde or La Fortuna .
• Take a Catamaran Sunset Tour : This is a fun activity to do after the brief afternoon rain shower. A catamaran tour typically includes a fun time out on a nice boat, Usually, these tours are a bit cheaper than in the high season.
• Visit the Beautiful Beaches : It is always a good time to visit the amazing beaches. All beaches in Costa Rica need to have free public access by law. That means there is thousands of miles of coastline for you to explore.

Booking Transportation

Typically, we think renting a car is the best way to easily get around.

In May, demand isn’t as high, but it is still best to book somewhat early because things can still book out.

Adobe Rent-a-Car

• 10% discount for Costa Rica Vibes readers
• Free second driver
• 0% deductible on Liability Protection Insurance
• Excellent customer service
• New fleet of well-maintained vehicles

Some other transportation options you might consider are:

• Book a shared shuttle on BookAway
• Book a private shuttle with Adobe Transfers

Booking Hotels

We like to use Booking.com and reserve places with free cancellations up to a certain date. This will give you the most flexibility if your plans change or if you find a better option. Just make sure to remember to cancel in time!

We also really like VRBO for booking villas or houses. Again, we suggest filtering by places that allow free cancellation if you are concerned about your plans possibly changing.

When booking a place make sure it has AC. sometimes you might be fine with just an electric fan, but we have definitely learned to give preference to places with AC because the evenings can stay semi-warm. 

Holidays and Festivals

There is one Costa Rican national holiday in May.

Labor Day : May 1st is celebrated as Labor Day in Costa Rica, and it is a public holiday. Many businesses and shops are closed, and there are often parades and demonstrations in the major cities.

Another fun festival is, Día de San Isidro Labrador on On May 15th. This event is observed in various towns near San Jose such as San Isidro de Heredia, Perez Zeledon, and Atenas.

This festivity pays homage to the patron saint of farming. It features vibrant parades, traditional cuisine, and a ceremonial blessing of the crops.

Our Travel Tips for Visiting Costa Rica in May

• Check out flying into both the San Jose and Liberia Airport for your trip to Costa Rica in May. More and more flights are flying into Liberia Airport and sometimes you might find great deals. We like San Jose Airport because it is very centrally located, but Liberia is a lot less hectic and great if you are planning to visit the Guanacaste Province or Northern Mountain region. 
• If you need more info, we have a complete guide to Costa Rica weather with more details of what to expect in every month.
• Don’t forget travel insurance. Since we suggest booking everything as early as possible. It is always good to have travel insurance if your travel plans change. 

Do You Have Travel Insurance?

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Conclusion: Costa Rica in May

In conclusion, May is a great month to visit Costa Rica for a fun and unique experience. Get ready for sunny days, afternoon rains, and lush landscapes!

While May is part of the rainy season, don’t let the occasional showers dampen your spirits. Just remember to pack lightweight rain gear, insect repellent, and you’ll have an amazing experience!

So what do you think? Are you ready to plan your Costa Rica vacation in May and enjoy the start of the green season? If you have any questions about visiting at this time of year, just leave them in the comment section below. We are always happy to help you out!

You Might Also Like:

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The post Costa Rica in May: Guide to Weather, Where to Go, What to Do appeared first on Costa Rica Vibes .

I spent 12 days seeking Costa Rica's highlights, from the Cloud Forest to the Nicoya Peninsula. I'd revisit 3 places in a heartbeat but one tourist trap I'll never fall into again.

• My partner and I spent nearly two weeks in Costa Rica for our birthdays this year.
• We tried to see the highlights of the country as we visited Arenal, Monteverde, and Paquera.
• Here are 3 activities I'd do again in a heartbeat, and 1 tourist trap I'd skip if we visited again.

My partner and I decided to splurge on a vacation to Costa Rica for a milestone birthday celebration this year. We spent 12 nights traveling across the western side of the country, trying to soak up as many of the Central American country's highlights as possible.

Costa Rica boasts 5% of the world's biodiversity , with white sand beaches and lush jungles to explore — a huge draw for us as animal lovers. It's also home to a small Blue Zone on the Nicoya Peninsula , where the region's residents are said to live longer, healthier lives than average.

Ultimately, we spent time in Costa Rica's capital city of San Jose, the volcanic hot springs of La Fortuna in Arenal, the cloud forest of Monteverde in Santa Elena, and the beaches of Paquera and Montezuma in the Nicoya region for a taste of the coastal life. While there were moments when we felt our experience was a bit too polished and gimmicky, the trip as a whole was full of incredible wildlife encounters and stunning views I haven't seen anywhere else in the world.

I'd hop on a plane tomorrow to go back if I could, but there are some things I'd skip on a return trip.

Rafting Rio Celeste in Arenal

Our first main stop was La Fortuna, in the shadow of Volcano Arenal — one of Costa Rica's active volcanoes. While this area has plenty of hanging bridge tours and night walks to spot wildlife like sloths and glass frogs, rafting down the Rio Celeste allowed us to see the jungle from a different perspective.

We traveled at the end of May, the start of Costa Rica's wet season, so we encountered fewer tourists than were usually present during our trip. This paid off especially well for our rafting excursion, where we were the only two people on the tour besides our guide.

For about two hours and $75 each, we navigated class II and III rapids — intermediate difficulty, with white caps up to three feet and some obstacles in the way — on the Rio Celeste, taking brief breaks to swim in the beautiful, clear water. We also took drone footage of curious howler monkeys who watched us from the shore.

Our guide pointed out local birds and fish, helping us stop our raft when there were sights we wanted to linger on. Once we were done on the water, we enjoyed fresh fruits and a hot lunch of empanadas, which was included in the tour's cost.

Hiking El Tigre Waterfalls in Monteverde

Hiking in the cloud forest of Monteverde quickly topped our list of things to do while we researched our trip. If I could have extended our stay longer, this is the one thing I'd want to do more of, mostly to see more of the incredible wildlife in the Puntarenas province.

High in the mountains, about 30 minutes from the artsy township of Santa Elena, we went on a self-guided hike to see the El Tigre Waterfalls. The 8-kilometer hike takes you through a humid jungle over several hanging bridges and offers stunning views of nearly a dozen waterfalls — but the animals were the highlight.

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We saw massive butterflies, multiple species of hummingbirds and frogs, a toucan, motmots, a concerningly large snake , and glimpses of monkeys in the branches above.

Even in the cooler month of May, it was wildly hot in the jungle, so while the trekking wasn't physically challenging, we opted to catch a 4x4 up the mountain on the last leg of the trail — adding $20 to our $46 entry fee. For a little more than three hours of hiking, it was still a less expensive way to spend the afternoon than other tour options, and it once again felt like we had the trails to ourselves, only crossing paths with a few other groups the entire time we explored.

Bioluminescent kayak tours in Paquera

There are only a handful of places in the world where you can spot bioluminescent algae conditions year-round, and the coastal waters of the Nicoya Peninsula are one of them.

This tour was magical, even in less-than-ideal conditions for the glowing to appear. We shared a kayak and paddled out into the darkness with an enthusiastic guide who explained the chemistry behind bioluminescence and helped us find secluded coves to see the light produced by algae in the water.

The algae likes warm, still waters that get lots of light during the day. When it is charged with enough energy from the sun, it glows bright blue. In less-than-ideal conditions, it can appear greenish or white.

Our algae, which hadn't totally "charged," glowed an eerie white as our paddles broke the water's surface. It couldn't be captured on camera — but that's all the better, according to our guide, who encouraged us to be present in the moment, stepping out of our kayaks in a shallow cove to catch the algae in our shirts and watch it glow against the fabric and our skin.

At $36 each, perhaps we could have explored the coastline ourselves with a rented kayak, but the unique experience left us both feeling like it was one of the best parts of the trip.

Are coffee and chocolate walks worth it?

Costa Rica is known for its coffee and chocolate, so it's nearly impossible to drive through any main stretch of road without seeing signs for tours showing how the products are grown and cultivated.

They're not worth it. Any questions you have about the process can be answered at the gift shop where the tours end, and you're likely to get a free sample regardless of whether you paid for a 2+ hour tour.

We chose to take a night walk that included a coffee and chocolate tour. Our guide (for $60 each) walked us around the grounds of the coffee grove, explained how chocolate was made from cacao beans, and then sent us out with flashlights to look for wildlife in the dark.

While we bought chocolate for our friends and family as souvenirs, we didn't glimpse any exciting animals or glean any particularly interesting knowledge from our guide, so the tour stood out as a pricey decision we could have skipped without losing out on anything.

Overall, our Costa Rican adventure was beautiful, full of incredible sights, exciting excursions, and delicious meals I won't soon forget. If you're planning a trip , skip the highly curated outings to explore the country's less popular attractions — and be quick with your camera; the jungle won't wait.

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The Ultimate Guide to Renting a Car in Costa Rica

I love Costa Rica . It was the first place I visited by myself over 15 years ago and the country that set me on my nomadic journey. From its stunning beaches to its lush jungles, this biodiverse nation is popular with backpackers, honeymooners, and expats alike. And while it’s small, there’s a ton to see and do . You could easily spend a month and still barely scratch the surface.

It’s also amazing for road-tripping.

As much as a backpacking bus or hitchhiking adventure might initially sound appealing, the reality is that waiting in the hot sun and then bouncing along bumpy roads in an old bus without shocks or air-conditioning is not for the fainthearted. If you want real freedom to explore, you need a rental car .

To help you plan your trip, here’s everything you need to know about renting a car in Costa Rica.

Table of Contents

Picking the Right Rental Car (and Rental Company)

Arriving at the airport, documents needed for renting a car in costa rica, insurance coverage, driving in costa rica, additional rental considerations, 11 driving tips for costa rica.

Before you rent a car, read and compare reviews for car rental companies. While the standard big companies are available here, there are lots of local ones too.

Once you have narrowed down the list to a chosen few, ask for quotes for the type of vehicle and travel dates that you require. The quote should include mandatory third-party insurance, taxes, and any other surcharges, like airport tax. Most sites include all this info when getting a quote online.

Whether you are reserving online or directly with an agent, double-check the details of your reservation. Crossing time zones may mean that your rental pickup time or even date is different in Costa Rica than your country of departure. You will need to confirm the time, date, and location of your vehicle’s pickup and drop-off, the vehicle category, transmission, and coverage required.

Points to remember when renting a car in Costa Rica:

• A manual transmission may be cheaper than automatic and more common in Costa Rica but should only be selected if you can drive a stick shift.
• Returning your car at a destination different from where you picked it up will probably incur an additional charge.
• Most rental companies will not guarantee a specific make and model within the rental category.
• Expect to rent for 24-hour periods. Time your pickup and drop-off accordingly.
• Provide your flight number before you arrive, so the company can track your flight.
• If you have an early flight, consider dropping off the vehicle the night before and using a hotel shuttle to the airport.
• Online travel agencies (OTAs) often fail to include all charges, so if you book through one, be sure to check the final price with the car rental company, through which the pricing may be more transparent.
• Most companies now offer an online check-in process to upload documents such as passports and driver’s licenses to cut time at the counter and get on the road faster.

My go-to rental car company in Costa Rica is Vamos. You can click here to get a quote . (You’ll get 5% off just by using that link).  

Both international airports in Costa Rica have car rental company desks within the building; however, the offices (where you’ll get your car) are off-site. They generally have a shuttle service to take clients to their offices, most of which are located within a 10-minute drive of the airport.

Local hustlers might tell you that your company has gone out of business to convince you to go with a different company that will pay them a commission. Look for a sign with your company’s logo and ignore the hustlers.

If your flight is delayed or you miss your connection, contact the company with your new estimated arrival time to avoid having the reservation canceled as a no-show.

When you arrive at the rental office, the agent will fill in any outstanding paperwork that has not been done online and conduct a vehicle inspection with you. Although the agent will note existing damage, you should take photos or video of the car for backup purposes.

Your vehicle may not have a full fuel tank when you pick it up, but the fuel gauge level should be logged on the inspection form. You will need to return the car with the same fuel level. Although you will not be reimbursed for a level higher than the one registered, you will be charged if it is below the starting level.

Returning the Vehicle Confirm your drop-off location and time when you pick up the vehicle. If you are caught in traffic or are delayed for any reason, contact the rental company to avoid a penalty. Make sure that your fuel gauge is at the right level, or else head to a gas station before you drop it off. The company’s representative will inspect your vehicle with you and then process the deposit reimbursement.  

Here’s everything you need to rent a car in Costa Rica:

Driver’s license – You can use your local driver’s license during the rental period as long as it is printed in the Latin alphabet. If your license is in a language that does not use the Latin alphabet (e.g., Mandarin, Arabic), an international driving license is required. Your driver’s license must be valid for the entirety of your stay.

It is important to note that although most tourists will be given a 180-day visa when they enter the country, their driver’s licenses are only valid for 90 days, and they will be required to leave Costa Rica and return to legally drive again.

Credit card – You need a valid credit card in your name to pay the car rental and to place the deposit.

Passport – Your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay. Legally, tourists must carry it with them at all times. The transit police will want to see it and your entry visa if you are pulled over.

A Note on the Minimum and Maximum Driving Age Each car rental company has policies regarding the age of the drivers it insures. Many do not have a maximum age, but some set a limit of 70-75 years old. The legal age to drive in Costa Rica is 18; however, most companies require that drivers be at least 25. Younger drivers may be able to rent a car for an additional surcharge and insurance costs.  

Costa Rica has mandatory third-party insurance for car rentals. It is not possible to obtain this coverage any other way. Check that this cost is included in your rental quote, as it’s often left out, so you may end up paying more than what you initially thought.

A collision damage waiver (CDW) covers losses from damage to your rental car. This is legally required when renting a car in Costa Rica. Most companies offer various tiers of insurance, with various deductibles. Many renters select full coverage for peace of mind, as then any damage that occurs during rental is covered. Some companies offer additional coverage for tires and the windscreen (windshield), as they are not always covered by the CDW.

If your credit card provider has a CDW as a perk, you can waive the in-house CDW. Just note that you will need to bring a letter that explicitly states the amount of coverage, that Costa Rica is included in the areas covered, and the last four digits of the driver’s credit card. A copy of the credit card company’s terms and conditions is not usually sufficient.

One important thing to note is that the rental company may hold a deposit for the rental period, which could be up to $5,000 USD if the renter is using their credit card provider’s CDW. The deposit will be released at the end of the rental period. Make sure you have a credit card that can absorb this deposit.  

Here are a few things to keep in mind while driving in Costa Rica:

Speed limits – Signs are in kilometers rather than miles, and speed limits are generally lower than you’d expect, with a 90 km/h (55 mph) limit on major highways. Speed limits change with limited warning between areas, so stay alert to signage.

Gas stations – Make sure that you know if your rental vehicle is fueled by gas or diesel. This information should be on the vehicle inspection report if you’ve forgotten. Gas stations are not self-service, so be prepared to ask for the kind of fuel you need as well as the amount.

If you’re renting one of the EVs that are starting to form part of fleets in Costa Rica, then plan your route around the network of charging stations across the country. You can learn more about those here .

Navigation – Use Waze , which is updated in real time by an enthusiastic group of volunteers, so you’re aware of accidents or other situations that may affect your travel time. Google Maps is available but does not always have accurate information. It also tends to underestimate journey times, so you should take that into consideration when planning your itinerary if you plan to use it.

Despite Costa Rica’s official address system, which consists of calles (roads that run north-south) and avenidas (avenues that run west-east), almost all locals give directions using landmarks, and few can provide directions using road or avenue numbers. It’s helpful to know that a block is usually described as 100 meters.

To add to the confusion, a location may use landmarks that no longer exist but were known well enough to remain in living memory. So you may be directed to go 600 meters south of the place “where the big mango tree used to be” or to turn left after “the supermarket that used to be pink.” Thankfully, Waze is a navigation lifesaver, but you might grow to enjoy the quirky tico (Costa Rican) way of finding places!

Parking – Always park in secure parking lots, and do not leave valuables in an unattended vehicle, as break-ins can occur.

In the last few years, there have been cases of the transit police issuing fines and removing license plates from vehicles parked on yellow lines at popular tourist spots like Manuel Antonio. The headache in this situation is that the vehicle cannot be driven without plates and must be towed back to the office, where it remains off the road until the car rental company reclaims the plates from the relevant authority. This is a time-consuming and expensive procedure, so be mindful of where you park!  

Many car rental companies charge a daily price for equipment or services beyond the basic rental costs. You should take this into account when budgeting your trip. These can include:

Additional drivers – Expect to pay a daily rate for each driver added to your rental agreement after the main driver. ( Vamos Rent-A-Car offers additional drivers without extra cost.) It makes sense to have at least one additional driver to share the burden for longer journeys or to take over if the main driver is feeling under the weather.

Roof racks – If you’re traveling with a lot of luggage or surfboards, then renting a roof rack at a daily rate may be a solution to a cramped vehicle interior.

Baby or car seating – If you’re traveling with children, Costa Rican law about seating (see below) is strictly enforced. Either bring your own child seat or rent one at a daily rate from the company.

Costa Rican seating laws for children are based either on age or weight/height:

• Rear-facing baby seat: Required for children less than a year old and under 22 lbs (10 kg)
• Child seat: For those up to 4 years old or less than 40 lbs (18 kg) and under 3’7”
• Booster seat: For those 5 to 12 years old, 40 pounds or more, and still under 4’9”
• Seat belt: For those 4’9” or taller or over the age of 12

Wi-Fi – Stay connected throughout your trip without paying extortionate roaming charges by using a Mi-Fi (mobile Wi-Fi) device from your rental company. It’s usually fast enough to upload your latest vacay pics onto Instagram, connect to your Spotify road-trip playlists, and navigate with Waze, but downloading movies is probably too much to expect. Internet coverage in Costa Rica is wide, but don’t count on it if you are traveling off the beaten track.

Accidents – If you are involved in a traffic accident, check that no one is hurt then move to safety off the road. Do not move the vehicle. Call the transit police and your insurance company. You should also call your car rental provider to assess if the car can be driven, if a mechanic is required onsite or if the car needs to be exchanged and towed. The vehicle can be moved once the transit police give permission.

Crossing the Border – Rental vehicles cannot be taken to neighboring countries ( Nicaragua or Panama ) due to insurance restrictions. If you want to visit those places, you can arrange to drop off your rental vehicle at the border and reserve a car to be delivered once you’ve crossed it.  

2. You’re renting a car, not a boat, so resist the temptation to drive through rivers (even if the locals are doing so). Insurance policies are voided if the vehicle is driven through any body of water. And the electronic components of modern vehicles are likely to experience expensive damage in water.

3. On a similar note, it is illegal to park on the beach. This is to protect wildlife, such as turtles. Even if locals are doing it, find a secure parking lot instead.

4. Drivers in the other lane may flash their lights as they are coming toward you. This is usually a warning that there are transit police ahead or that there’s an upcoming obstacle.

5. Speed bumps may be big and could be unmarked. Stay vigilant.

6. Bridges may be one lane, so you need to look for signage that indicates which direction has priority.

7. If driving a manual-transmission vehicle, change gears when driving downhill, and don’t ride the brakes or else the pads could overheat.

8. Use caution while driving at night. Roads are often poorly lit, and cyclists or pedestrians may use the road edge in places where there’s no sidewalk. Plan to arrive at your destination by sunset or around 5:30pm. Keep your eyes peeled for sloths or other wildlife crossing the road.

9. If you’re traveling outside of the Central Valley or the most visited tourist spots like Jaco, rent an SUV for the higher clearance that the vehicle offers. For more rural destinations, a 4×4 may be required, especially in the rainy season. Feel free to ask your car rental provider for advice on the best vehicle for your itinerary.

10. Flat tires are not usually covered by in-house or credit card policies. If you get a flat tire, a local garage can usually fix it for less than $20 USD.

11. If you are pulled over by the transit police, you should present your driver’s license, passport, and the paperwork provided by the car rental company. Traffic tickets can be issued by officials, but the payment can only be made in a bank or via your car rental company. Should a police officer ask you for cash, call the police directly or your car rental company for assistance. Do not pay any bribes.

Costa Rica is a beautiful country and one of my favorite destinations in Central America. To ensure you make the most of your visit and get off the beaten path, rent a car. You’ll have more freedom and flexibility, and be able to explore beyond the standard tourist sites. I can’t recommend it enough!

Click here to get a quote from Vamos Rent-A-Car. You’ll get an automatic 5% off just by using this link!

Book Your Trip to Costa Rica: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned!

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. My favorite places to stay are:

• Arenal Backpackers Resort (Arenal)
• Rocking J’s (Puerto Viejo)
• Pura Natura Lodge Manuel Antonio (Manuel Antonio)

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• Safety Wing (best for everyone)
• Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.

Hi, I’m Nomadic Matt, the New York Times best-selling author of How to Travel the World on $50 a Day and Ten Years a Nomad, as well as the founder of this website! And I’m here to help you save money on your next trip.

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Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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