Costa Rica travel guide
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.
Places worth the trip
Arenal Volcano and La Fortuna
A cone-shaped volcano rising above rainforest and a large lake. Around the town of La Fortuna you can hike old lava trails, cross hanging bridges in the forest canopy, swim below the La Fortuna waterfall and soak in natural hot springs.
Monteverde Cloud Forest
Misty, moss-covered forest high in the Tilarán mountains, home to orchids, hummingbirds and the resplendent quetzal. Suspension bridges and night walks show different layers of the forest, and the area is known for zip lines.
Manuel Antonio National Park
A small park on the Pacific where rainforest trails lead to white-sand coves. Sloths, white-faced capuchin monkeys and iguanas are common; a guide with a telescope helps spot animals you would otherwise miss.
Corcovado and the Osa Peninsula
One of the most biodiverse places on earth, with rainforest that reaches the sea. All four of Costa Rica's monkey species live here, along with tapirs and scarlet macaws. Entry to Corcovado is with a licensed guide.
Tortuguero
A village reachable only by boat or small plane on the Caribbean coast, surrounded by canals. Green turtles nest on its beaches in the summer months, and guided night tours let visitors watch without disturbing them.
Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula
The drier north-west has long beaches and surf towns such as Tamarindo, Santa Teresa and Nosara. Inland, Rincón de la Vieja National Park has bubbling mud pots and fumaroles.
The southern Caribbean coast
Puerto Viejo and Cahuita have an Afro-Caribbean culture, with reggae, coconut-based cooking and a relaxed pace. Cahuita National Park protects a coral reef and a jungle coastal trail.
Interesting facts about Costa Rica
- Costa Rica abolished its army in 1948, and the decision was confirmed in its 1949 constitution.
- The country covers only a small fraction of the world's land but is home to roughly five per cent of its known species.
- More than a quarter of Costa Rica's land is protected in national parks, reserves and wildlife refuges.
- Almost all of the country's electricity comes from renewable sources, mainly hydropower, geothermal and wind.
- 'Pura vida', literally 'pure life', is used as a greeting, a thank you and a general description of the Costa Rican outlook.
Best time to visit Costa Rica
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. Turtle nesting in Tortuguero peaks in the middle of the year.
Getting around
Distances look short on the map, but mountain roads make journeys slow. Renting a car, ideally a four-wheel drive for rough rural roads and river crossings, gives the most flexibility. Shared shuttle vans run between the main tourist towns, public buses are cheap but slower, and short domestic flights reach the Osa Peninsula, Tortuguero and the beaches. Never leave valuables visible in a parked car.
Practical details
- Capital
- San José
- Currency
- Costa Rican colón (CRC); US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas
- Languages
- Spanish
- Plug types
- A, B
- Voltage
- 120 V, 60 Hz
- Emergency
- 911 for all emergencies
- Driving side
- right
- Tipping
- Restaurants add a service charge to the bill by law, so extra tipping is optional. Tipping wildlife guides, drivers and hotel staff is customary.
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.
Useful apps
- Waze: The most popular navigation app among Costa Rican drivers, with live reports on traffic and road closures.
- Uber: Available in San José and some larger towns as an alternative to taxis.
- Google Maps: Offline maps for remote areas and walking directions in towns.
- Merlin Bird ID: Identify the hundreds of bird species you will see and hear, from toucans to hummingbirds.
- Google Translate: English is common in tourist areas, but Spanish helps in rural towns and markets.
Costa Rica travel FAQs
Both work in tourist areas, and many prices are shown in dollars. Paying in colones often gives a better rate in local shops, buses and markets. Cards are widely accepted.
Not for the main highways, but it helps on unpaved rural roads, in the rainy season, and in areas such as Monteverde, the Osa Peninsula and parts of the Nicoya Peninsula.
Yes. Coverage is good in towns and along main roads, but weak in deep rainforest and remote areas. A travel eSIM gives you local data for navigation and bookings while your home number stays active.
Not necessarily. Mornings are often sunny, forests are green, wildlife is active and there are fewer visitors. Some rural roads become difficult in the wettest months, so allow extra time.