Planning a Trip to Costa Rica: Your Essential Guide to Costa Rica
Costa Rica is well-known as the 'treasure' for travel in Central America, and with good reason. Few other destinations pack in quite so much in so little area. Costa Rica tours cover the slopes of the Arenal Volcano to the beaches of the Nicoya Peninsula as well as the wetlands of Tortuguero National Park. The only difficulty in planning a trip to Costa Rica is managing to fit in all the things to do! Let us help with this guide to planning the perfect Costa Rica escape!
- Sanjay Sola
- From USA
The peak seasons are December to April on the Pacific side and March to September on the Caribbean side. March is one of the best times to visit Costa Rica since it’s one of the few months when it’s possible to fully discover both the Pacific and Caribbean halves of the country.
What not to miss in Costa Rica
- Arenal Volcano: A stunning vista as you bathe in natural hot springs or a wonderland of hiking opportunities, Arenal Volcano is not to miss when planning a family trip to Costa Rica or even an adventurous honeymoon.
- Nicoya Peninsula: Although a must for anyone planning a surf trip to Costa Rica, there’s far more to the Nicoya Peninsula than just surfing. Eco-tourists have a range of lodges to choose from, and it’s difficult to tire of charming villages surrounded by perfect stretches of sand.
- Tortuguero National Park: Get away from it all by heading to the remote beauty of Tortuguero National Park, where waterways are nesting sites for endangered sea turtles and jungles are inhabited by everything from caiman to jaguar.
Because of its small size, even five days in Costa Rica is enough time to take in its main sights and destinations. But, our recommendation of how many days to spend in Costa Rica is a minimum of 10 days. With tours to Costa Rica of this length, there’s no need to rush on a 10-day tour in Cost Rica. Instead, absorb the laidback nature the country is known for.
How to get to Costa Rica
International flights are relatively easy to find when planning a trip to Costa Rica. Most will arrive at San José International Airport, however, Liberia also possesses an airport where international flights come and go. The country is also becoming an increasingly popular cruise stop, although this will limit your time to a day or two. If you’re planning a larger regional tour, crossing the country’s overland borders is generally a simple process.
Getting around
Plan a trip to Costa Rica and you might want to give some consideration to hiring a car. Doing so gives you the freedom to do what you want when you want, and road conditions are generally good. If you don’t drive, shuttle taxi services now link up to many of the country’s top destinations, while Costa Rica’s long-distance bus network will also get you where you want to be, but perhaps in a little less comfort!
Budget and money
Costa Rica is a backpacker’s paradise, with plenty of accommodation options for those on a tight budget. At the opposite end of the spectrum, there are a growing number of exclusive luxury lodges where you can indulge in five-star spa treatments or yoga practice.
Street food is usually safe to eat and will set you back just a couple of dollars, while there are also plenty of restaurants in the major tourist destinations offering up everything from burgers to local cuisine. A 13% tax and 10% service fee are normally added automatically to checks.
Hiring a car will set you back around USD 50/day in the low season and double that in the high season. Intercity buses start at less than USD 10.
Fees to enter National Parks range from USD 7-15 per person per day.
What you didn’t know (but should)
- Tap water in Costa Rica is safe to drink.
- Lunch is traditionally the biggest meal of the day, with many places to eat and drink running meal deals at this time, making it a good way of saving a little money.
- US dollars are widely accepted. Change may be given in Costa Rican colón, the national currency. ATMs and foreign currency exchanges are common.
- Spanish is the main language of the street, although many Costa Ricans speak at least some English.
- Dial 911 to contact the police in an emergency. The service is trustworthy and can be relied on.
If you’re thinking of planning a trip to Costa Rica, there is a lot to consider and all of it is good! To simplify the process and get exactly what you want on a custom tour to Costa Rica, our local travel experts are on hand to help.
