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Costa Rica.
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Travelling to Costa Rica: what to know before you go

Costa Rica packs cloud forests, volcanoes, rainforest and two coastlines into a small country, with a large share of its land protected in national parks and reserves. Sloths, monkeys, toucans and nesting turtles are part of a normal day out, and zip lines, rafting and surfing are easy to arrange. It suits nature lovers, families and active travellers who want a well-organised trip.

Where to go

• Arenal Volcano and La Fortuna. A cone-shaped volcano rising above rainforest and a large lake.
• Monteverde Cloud Forest. Misty, moss-covered forest high in the Tilarán mountains, home to orchids, hummingbirds and the resplendent quetzal.
• Manuel Antonio National Park. A small park on the Pacific where rainforest trails lead to white-sand coves.
• Corcovado and the Osa Peninsula. One of the most biodiverse places on earth, with rainforest that reaches the sea.

Best time to visit

The dry season, roughly from December to April, is the most popular time, especially on the Pacific side, and it is also the busiest and most expensive, with Christmas and Easter peaks. The green season from May to November brings afternoon showers, lush forests and fewer visitors; September and October are usually the wettest months on the Pacific side, when the Caribbean coast is often drier.

Staying online in Costa Rica

Mobile coverage is good in towns, along main roads and in most tourist areas, and hotels, lodges and cafés nearly always offer Wi-Fi. Signal becomes patchy or disappears deep in the rainforest, in parts of Corcovado and the Osa Peninsula, on Tortuguero's canals and in some mountain valleys. Download offline maps before driving remote roads, install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land so navigation works from the airport.