Costa Rica travel guide

Getting there

Juan Santamaría International Airport near San José and Guanacaste Airport in Liberia handle most international flights. Land borders connect to Nicaragua at Peñas Blancas and to Panama at Paso Canoas and Sixaola.

Best time to visit: Dec–Apr – dry season with sunny days on the Pacific side.

Flights: see the cheapest month to fly from your nearest airport.

Tougher months: September to October on the Pacific coast – the wettest months, when some roads and lodges close.

Weather by month in San José

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Average daytime highs in °C; dots show how rainy the month is (one dot dry, three dots wet).

Time zone: America/Costa_Rica. Compare with your local time.

Visas: in our passport dataset, 95 of 198 other passports can enter Costa Rica without arranging a visa first (visa-free or visa on arrival), 0 need an e-visa or electronic authorisation, and 103 need a visa in advance. Check your passport.

Background: Visa policy of Costa Rica (Wikipedia).

Official advisory: Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (U.S. Department of State, updated 2026-04-02). Read the advisory.

Stay

Most trips to Costa Rica are based around Arenal, Monteverde or Manuel Antonio. Pick a base for your main interest, then add day trips rather than moving hotels every night.

Typical daily budget: about US$50–80 for a backpacker and US$120–200 mid-range, per person.

Connect

Plug types: A, B. Voltage: 120 V. Check your own devices on the plug and currency checker.

Calling code: +506.

Mobile data: set up a travel eSIM or check your roaming plan before you fly, so data works as soon as you land.

Do

• Arenal (North · volcano & hot springs): A dramatic volcano, a lake, waterfalls and thermal pools, plus plenty of adventure activities.
• Monteverde (Central highlands · cloud forest): Cool, misty reserves full of orchids, birds and hanging bridges.
• Manuel Antonio (Central Pacific · national park): Gorgeous beaches framed by rainforest and easy wildlife viewing.
• Tortuguero (Caribbean · canals): A roadless village reached by boat, famous for turtle nesting and jungle waterways.
• Corcovado National Park (Osa Peninsula · rainforest): Wild, remote rainforest considered a crown jewel of biodiversity.
• Puerto Viejo (South Caribbean · beach town): Laid-back Afro-Caribbean culture, reggae, cycling and lovely beaches.
• Santa Teresa (Nicoya Peninsula · surf): A bohemian surf town with consistent waves, yoga and stunning sunsets.
• Río Celeste (North · waterfall): A turquoise river and waterfall coloured by a natural mineral reaction.

Things to do

• Hike near Arenal Volcano. Walk old lava trails beneath the perfect cone of Arenal, then soak in steaming hot springs.
• Cross Monteverde's hanging bridges. Stroll through misty cloud forest canopy looking out for quetzals and hummingbirds.
• Spot sloths in Manuel Antonio. Combine beaches and wildlife in a compact park where monkeys and sloths are common.
• Watch turtles nest in Tortuguero. Join a guided night tour to see sea turtles laying eggs on the Caribbean sand.
• Learn to surf. Catch your first wave at Tamarindo, Santa Teresa or Nosara on the Pacific coast.
• Zipline through the canopy. Fly over forested valleys on one of the many ziplines that Costa Rica helped make famous.
• Explore Corcovado. Trek through one of the most biodiverse places on earth with a guide, spotting tapirs and scarlet macaws.
• Swim at Río Celeste. Hike to a waterfall with impossibly sky-blue water in Tenorio Volcano National Park.

Eat and drink

• Gallo pinto – rice and beans, often eaten for breakfast
• Casado – plate of rice, beans, salad, plantain and meat or fish
• Chifrijo – rice, beans, fried pork and pico de gallo in a bowl

Money and safety

Currency: Costa Rican colón (CRC). Currency and plug checker.

Tipping: A 10% service charge is included in restaurant bills; tip guides separately.

Emergency numbers: 911 police, fire & ambulance.

• The currency is the colón, but US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas.
• Cards are accepted in most hotels and restaurants; ATMs are common in towns but scarce in remote areas.
• Costa Rica is one of Central America's safest countries, but petty theft is common – never leave bags in cars or unattended on beaches.
• Swim only on beaches known to be safe, as rip currents are strong on many Pacific shores.