If you’re about to visit Costa Rica for the first time you must have so many questions! And, if this will be your first country in Central America, you might have some worries too.
But I am here to answer those questions, to let you know that you should definitely travel to Costa Rica, and to share my best Costa Rica travel tips.
I have been to Costa Rica twice – the most recent time I visited with my sister – and traveled around the country extensively. This is one of my favorite countries in the world, and I am sure you will fall in love with it as much as I have.
Let me first of all reassure you that it is normal to be a bit anxious before taking off to such an exciting destination! Costa Rica is gorgeous around every corner and with so much to see and do, you would really want to make sure your trip goes smoothly so that you get the best out of it.
The key to having a great trip to Costa Rica is to go prepared. With the right research, you can plan your trip to Costa Rica better and avoid making rookie mistakes. The right research will also help you to feel more at ease about your upcoming holiday.
I’ve spent months traveling to all of Costa Rica’s nooks. Whilst most things went well, I did make some mistakes and saw slip-ups of other travelers too.
So, if you’re looking for Costa Rica travel tips, then this article is all you need. I will share with you all the things to know before visiting Costa Rica so that you can have a great time.
Let’s begin!
Costa Rica Travel Tips: What To Know Before Visiting Costa Rica
Where is Costa Rica?
Costa Rica is a country in Central America. It is one of the smallest countries in the region, being approximately the size of USA’s West Virginia or Europe’s Denmark.
Costa Rica shares its borders with Nicaragua to the north, and with Panama to the south. To its sides, Costa Rica has a lengthy coastline along the Pacific Ocean to the west. To the east, it has a coastline along the Caribbean Sea. Both sides are incredible and worth a visit!
Costa Rica is part of the Central America Mountain Range that extends from Mexico all the way to Panama! The mountains are in the heart of the country, and largely off the tourist radar. It is worth venturing out there if you like the mountains and off-the-beaten-track places.
There are only approximately 5.2 million people that live in Costa Rica. That’s almost half of all people living in London.
Is Costa Rica worth visiting?
Yes, Costa Rica is definitely worth visiting! A small personal anecdote will give you a good idea of how incredible this country is.
It took me a while to convince my sister to visit Costa Rica. She had other places in mind for our usual October trip. I managed to convince her and she came along not knowing what to expect at all. I realized how much she was enjoying it when during a rafting expedition near La Fortuna, water splashing all around us, she turned back, looked at me and said
Thank you for bringing me to Costa Rica!
Elisabetta T.
Costa Rica is small, but it sure is packed with some jaw-dropping beauty. The combination of beautiful landscapes, gorgeous beaches, waterfalls such as Nauyaca and Rio Celeste, all sorts of wildlife, and the great offer of adrenaline sports and professionalism and kindness of the locals (more about that in a bit) make it – quite simply – one of the best countries to travel to.
To discover everything Costa Rica has to offer, head over to my post What To See And Do In Costa Rica.
Costa Rica is a great wildlife destination
Costa Rica is known for its dreamy beaches dotted with palm trees, endless opportunities for quiet retreats, and lots of outdoor activities.
Beyond the breathtaking landscape, Costa Rica is one of the best destinations in the world for wildlife spotting.
There are many national parks in Costa Rica that are home to a remarkable array of wildlife, some of the most exciting ones are howler and capuchin monkeys, parrots, toucans, hummingbirds, and more colorful birds and of course sloths!
Costa Rica is also where you might find jaguars, tapirs, turtles, dolphins, humpback whales, and many, many types of frogs – we saw an incredible variety during a night tour in Manuel Antonio.
Visit Marino Ballena National Park and you will have a chance to go on a boat tour to spot whales (and dolphins). Not far from it, Caño Island is a biological reserve where you will have a chance to swim with turtles.
Corcovado National Park in the Osa Peninsula is home to a variety of ecosystem and one of the most environmentally diverse places in the world.
On the other side of the country, on the Caribbean coast, Tortuguero National Park is the best spot in the country to see turtles lay their eggs and hatch.
There are lots of sloths in Costa Rica!
As the slogan goes “always look up!” and you might spot a sloth chilling high up in the trees.
To be fair, they are not so easy to spot and most of the time they are so well hidden up in the trees that you won’t be able to see them, but there are occasions when even an untrained eye will spot them.
For example the very first day we spent in the country we took a guided tour to see Poas Volcano. The guide told us along the way that we may be able to spot sloths and he knew where they normally hang out. I was casually looking up when I saw one and the bus immediately stopped so we could take photos.
Likewise, a couple we met in Manuel Antonio said they heard noise coming from the roof of their room and when they went out to check what it was (convinced it’d be monkeys) they saw two male sloths fighting!
Best time to visit Costa Rica
Costa Rica is great any time of the year – but there are some things you should know, especially regarding the weather.
Costa Rica experiences two main seasons: the dry season which is considered summer and the rainy season which is considered winter.
The dry season runs from December to April. This is also the high season for tourism, there are more crowds and prices go up. With that, many accommodations get booked pretty quickly, so it is important to plan and book ahead, especially in the touristy areas.
In the dry season, the weather is almost always sunny and dry. This makes it ideal for outdoor activities or beach trips.
The rainy season runs from May to November. Those months often see quite a lot of rainfall. This is why this season is often called the Green Season! All surrounding nature comes to life, and it is a great time to visit for lush vegetation, smaller crowds, and lower prices.
However, the rainy season also means high humidity levels. Not everyone’s cup of tea!
Good news is that the rainy days usually have a pattern where it always rains around the same time (usually in the afternoon) so you can still have a day out exploring if you plan accordingly and have an early start!
What’s more – the weather will depend on where in the country you are. The Caribbean coast tends to have heavier rainy seasons compared to the Pacific (in fact, there are high chances of rain in the Caribbean coast no matter the season), and the mountains experience more rain and clouds throughout the year.
Having said that, the rainy season often sees long streaks of days without rain or even cloudless skies, and there are rainy days or small storms, in the dry season too.
I have visited Costa Rica both in the dry season and in the rainy season and enjoyed it both times.
One of my best Costa Rica travel tips is to always be prepared for all kinds of weather! There is no such thing as bad weather, just inadequate gear. Pack the right things and you won’t have troubles enjoying this beautiful country. Make sure to bring a rain jacket and a little zip bag for your phone.
Is Costa Rica safe to travel to
Yes! Costa Rica is definitely safe for tourists! In fact, it is one of the safest countries in Central and South America.
The country has a stable political situation and a well-developed tourist infrastructure.
It attracts millions of travelers every year, who come to enjoy its natural beauty, incredible wildlife, and the ‘pura vida’ lifestyle, and there are very few horror stories.
However, just like in any other travel destination especially, in Central America, there are some risks involved. Violent crimes are super rare but petty theft can happen. Make sure to always have your belongings close to you. Fanny packs work great!
For more information on the safety situation in the country, read my post Is Costa Rica Safe For Tourists?
Use mosquito repellant
What’s a photo of the scar on my left arm doing in a post about the best Costa Rica travel tips?
Let me start by saying that you will need a good mosquito repellant in Costa Rica (among many other things that I highlight in my post The Ultimate Costa Rica Packing List). All that rich biodiversity, diverse ecosystems, warm temperatures, and high humidity means that there will be a lot of mosquitos, almost everywhere you go.
Rainy months are particularly bad.
And with the mosquitos, come risks of dengue fever. Yes, this mosquito-borne disease is present in Costa Rica. You will need a strong mosquito repellant to lessen the chances of getting dengue and of course, to not get bitten like crazy!
But dengue fever is not the only risk that mosquito bites may carry in Costa Rica.
The only one night I was too tired to be bothered to smother myself in mosquito repellant and decided it was actually ok not to wear long sleeves if I just sat for a quick evening meal, I got a mosquito bite.
I did not even realize at the time, and in fact the day after I did not have the usual itch that mosquito bites cause me, but just a small bruise on my inner arm. It took a week for that bruise to disappear, and after that came the itchiest wheal you can think of.
Once back home in Italy, I went to see my GP and my dermatologist, and they determined I was been bitten by a spider. No lotion, antibiotic or treatment seemed to help bring this wheal down. In fact, it was getting bigger and I had a small hole that secreted a liquid I thought to be pus.
The doctors agreed I had to wait it out. Meantime I covered the hole with a bandaid as all my shirts were getting stained.
One evening, as I removed the bandaid as I was getting ready to go train at the pool, I saw something popping out of that small hole. At first it looked like “condensed pus” but then I saw i looked more like a head of something.
I called my mom, who came rushing, and asked her to pick this thing out with tweezers as I pressed on it. With the remains of “José Maria” (that’s how I named the thing) I rushed to the Emergency Room and was sent to the Infectious Diseases department.
Here, they analyzed the larva that came out of my arm and determined it was a “dermatobia hominis” – a human botfly. A surgery to clean up the whole that the botfly carved in my arm followed.
Two months passed from the day I got bitten by the mosquito to the day stitches were finally removed.
So, I am here to say: one of the most important tips for visiting Costa Rica that I have for you is to always apply bug spray.
Is Costa Rica expensive?
One of my best tips for visiting Costa Rica is to go prepared knowing what to expect in terms of prices.
Costa Rica has the reputation of being quite an expensive country.
It is in fact, it is the most expensive country in Central America, with the prices resembling European or North American prices – and in some cases, higher than Italy where I live.
It is important that you keep that in mind as you plan and budget for your trip to Costa Rica.
Here are some average prices in Costa Rica (in USD), to help you with your planning.
Accommodation:
Bed in a dorm room: $15+ per night
Average hotel: $50+
Luxury/Instagrammable hotel: $200+
Food:
Local restaurant: $6 – $10 per meal
Average restaurant: $15+
Entrance fees:
National Park entrance: $12+
As you can see, Costa Rica is rather expensive. However, it is true that you get what you pay for.
Whilst the food might be more expensive than in neighboring countries, the quality of produce is outstanding in Costa Rica, and food is always carefully cooked so you know it is safe to eat. You also get great service everywhere, from restaurants to tours and hotels.
Currency in Costa Rica
The official currency of Costa Rica is the Costa Rican Colón.
Whilst this is the official currency, US dollars are now widely accepted, especially in tourist areas. What’s more, the locals like receiving USDs. This is actually a big change that I noticed between the first time I visited the country, and my second trip to Costa Rica: the first time I visited, only Colones were accepted.
Cards are also accepted in most areas, but it is best to always be prepared and carry cash on you, especially if you’re going to remote or less touristy areas, or when traveling on public transport.
When paying by card, you will be asked if you prefer to be charged in Colones or USD. Unless your account is in USD, it’s better to pay in Colones to avoid being charged an exchange fee twice.
Should you take guided tours in Costa Rica?
One of my tips for visiting Costa Rica is to take as many guided tours as it is reasonable to do.
We took a bunch and we were impressed by the professionalism of local guides and the quality of tours. Indeed, while it makes sense to visit some places independently, for others it’s better to have a guide – and there are occasions where you simply can’t visit without one.
Going on a guided tour means that everything will be planned and organized for you, including transport and most often meals! All you must do is turn up for the tour.
You will be guided by a local, knowledgeable guide who is passionate about his or her area. Local guides in Costa Rica speak great English and are very knowledgeable and professional, so you really get the full experience!
Taking guided tours is especially a good idea if you want to spot wildlife. It’s not easy to spot wildlife among the lush vegetation of Costa Rica, and local guides not only have a trained eye for that: they also carry a telescope and binoculars, so it’s easy for you to spot even the smallest creatures.
You might really miss out on a lot of wildlife-spotting opportunities if you choose to go to everything independently.
Distances in Costa Rica are longer than you’d imagine
As I previously mentioned, Costa Rica is one of the smallest countries in Central America. But don’t let that fool you into thinking that that means you will be able to get from place to place in no time.
The distances between places are longer than they look on the map. A mountain range goes through the center of Costa Rica, so many roads are very windy and it takes a long time to cover even shorter distances – not to mention, it takes forever to go from the Pacific to the Caribbean coast.
Sometimes there is a lot of traffic, and although most roads are in good condition, some areas of Costa Rica are still developing and might lack proper infrastructure.
Keep that in mind and always leave earlier than needed if you have any fixed plans!
Public transport works in Costa Rica
Not only public transportation works well in Costa Rica: it is also quite cheap and very safe, with a great network of buses connecting most parts of the country. However, sometimes you might have to take more than one bus to get to your final destination.
The buses are very comfortable and at the same time affordable, fast, and safe.
And whenever buses aren’t running, you can count on a great network of tourist shuttles.
These are a bit pricier but are always direct and generally provide a door-to-door service (you get picked up at your accommodation and get dropped off directly at your next accommodation) and there are no stops on the way. This means you will get to your destination faster than on a bus.
But you should rent a car
One of my best tips for visiting Costa Rica it to rent a car. Without a doubt, this is the best way to move around the country.
The road conditions and driving standards in Costa Rica resemble Western ones. Yes, there are a lot of windy roads in the Central Valley and around Monteverde, but you do not have to worry about bad road conditions or crazy drivers.
Of course, we are Italian so our driving standards are a bit different, but when we drove around Costa Rica we really encountered no difficulty and it was actually a very pleasant experience.
If you are worried about the costs of renting a car in Costa Rica, let me reassure you that it is not so bad. My sister and I calculated the cost of having to move around by shuttle or bus, compared it with the price of a car rental for the amount of time we’d need it, and determined that having a car was a better idea, even for a (only slightly) higher price.
Having your own car means you will have full freedom to explore Costa Rica as you wish!
My post How To Rent A Car In Costa Rica will give you an idea of the prices and procedures for renting a car in this incredible country.
Is there Uber in Costa Rica?
Yes, there is Uber in Costa Rica. But… it is a little bit of a gray area. Uber is technically prohibited in some places, such as La Fortuna but, the app still works, and you can still order an Uber. So, although it isn’t fully legal, the law doesn’t seem to be enforced.
We’ve been using Uber in San José – it was cheap, easy to use (as long as you have data or Wi-Fi on your phone to use the app) and we never had a problem.
Ticos are lovely
Costa Ricans are often referred to as Ticos. And one of the things to know before visiting Costa Rica is that Ticos are incredibly friendly people.
During our time in the country, we have not had any negative experiences! All the locals that we came across were super kind and always happy to help.
People working in the tourism industry in Costa Rica are very professional, but there’s more than that.
Costa Ricans approach life with a smile on their face, they will always have a kind, encouraging word, and they will do everything in their power to help you, to make you feel comfortable, to make you feel welcome.
So, if you’re ever in need, do not be afraid to reach out to the locals for help or even a friendly conversation. Of course, we speak Spanish and so it was easy to break ice, but trust me it doesn’t take much to enjoy an every-day conversation with a local!
English is widely spoken in Costa Rica
I just told you that speaking Spanish helped us have a great experience in Costa Rica, but you don’t have to worry about the language barrier here. This is because a majority of the locals speak at least some English – and when they don’t, they will still do their best to communicate.
The tourism sector is very well developed within the country, and you will find almost all guides and tour operators, hotel staff, and more, speak very good English.
However, as always, it is still polite to learn basic Spanish words before you come. Here are a few words you may want to learn before visiting Costa Rica.
- Hola – hello
- Buenos Dias – good day / good morning
- Adios – goodbye
- Gracias – thank you
- Por favor – please
- Cuanto cuesta – how much is it
- Una pregunta – a question (tengo una pregunta – I have a question)
- Como estas? – how are you?
- Todo bien? – all good?
One of my tips for traveling to Costa Rica is to also learn some local slang.
And if there is one Costa Rican phrase that you need to know it’s ‘pura vida!’ Just about the most Costa Rican thing out there, you will hear it and see it everywhere. It’s the country’s unofficial national slogan and the literal translation is ‘pure life’. It symbolizes the simple but cheerful outlook on life that Ticos have.
Oftentimes, you will hear conversations among locals (or you may even ask them) go something like this:
“Hola, como estas?” and the typical answer will be “Pura vida!” which simply means “all’s good” or “everything is great”.
Some other phrases that Ticos say a lot are:
- Mae – it means “dude” or “man”
- Que tuanis – slang expression for something really cool
- Bicho – it has multiple meanings, it’s typically used to mean “thing” or “stuff” (for example “este bicho” means “this thing”)
Visit San José
San Jose is the capital of Costa Rica. It has a little bit of a bad reputation, and many travelers avoid going there and completely dismiss it as uninteresting.
However, it is not unsafe to visit the capital if you use common sense. Stick to the main areas, keep your wits about you, avoid going out after dark, and keep your valuables safe and close to you.
Plan to spend at least a day exploring San Jose, its many museums or art galleries, and the lively Plaza de la Cultura, and remember that the local markets are the best places to observe local life and taste traditional Costa Rican food.
This San José walking tour takes you around the most important landmarks in the city and goes to the central market, where a local guide will help you taste all the best food.
There even is a Municipal Craft Market that’s actually the cheapest place in the country to shop for souvenirs (way cheaper than most tourist destinations in Costa Rica), so if you are planning on doing some shopping you should definitely go.
My Full Guide To San José will provide ideas on more things to do in San José, safety tips and ideas on where to stay in the city.
How do addresses work in Costa Rica?
Unlike other countries in Central America, most of the streets in Costa Rica do have names and numbers. However, they aren’t always widely used, and Ticos usually give directions from a point of reference.
It is normal to hear directions based on the color of a building or distance from a supermarket, a tree, or any other landmark, as well as the number of blocks you need to walk between two landmarks.
You can drink the tap water in Costa Rica
Tap water is safe to drink in Costa Rica. My sister and I drank the tap water anywhere in the country, except in Tortuguero where a local guide advised us not to.
This is a welcome chance from other countries in Central America, as it implies saving on the price of bottled water, saving on plastic, and not having to worry about getting sick from ice or raw vegetables washed in tap water.
Rural and less touristy areas might not yet have access to safe and clean drinking water, so always make sure to check with locals and use bottled water if in doubt.
Don’t throw toilet paper in the toilet
One thing about traveling in Central America (including Costa Rica!) is that the toilet paper does not go in the toilet bowl. The pipes are not designed to handle the breakdown of toilet paper as efficiently. Flushing toilet paper can lead to clogs or other plumbing issues.
There will always be a small waste bin right next to the toilet and that’s where you should throw in your used toilet paper.
Get travel insurance for your trip to Costa Rica
One of the best Costa Rica travel tips is to get travel insurance, especially if you are planning on any adventurous activities. With the right travel insurance, you will be financially protected in case of any unfortunate events, from simple inconveniences to medical emergencies.
I recommend using Heymondo as your insurance to travel to Costa Rica.
You may get stopped by the police
During your time in Costa Rica, you might come across random police checks especially if you’re driving independently. These are normal, and the policemen will just be checking the validity of your driver’s license or the car registration.
There is nothing to worry about – corruption is super rare in Costa Rica and so far, there aren’t any horror stories about Tico police. In fact, as I said before people are truly nice in this country!
Wi-Fi is pretty much everywhere
Good news for the digital nomads! Wi-Fi is super accessible pretty much all around Costa Rica! It is of a very decent speed and largely reliable, especially in urban areas and in all tourist destinations. Most bars and restaurants and literally all hotels and apartments will have Wi-Fi service.
There are very few places where Wi-Fi is very limited. One of them is Corcovado National Park. You will get some Wi-Fi at the rangers’ station, but it will be hardly enough to send a WhatsApp message. Wi-Fi was very limited at La Sirena station when we were there.
So, here’s one of the most useful Costa Rica travel tips I have for you: enjoy Wi-Fi service when you have it, but when it is not available, take the chance to finally unwind!
It gets dark early year-round
Costa Rica is a country near the equator, so it experiences pretty consistent day length, at any time during the year.
One of the things to know before visiting Costa Rica is that the sunset usually occurs around 6:00 pm, with minimal variation throughout the year. Having said that, the sun comes back at around 6:00 am, so if you really want to make the most out of your days, you will need to wake up pretty early!
One of the main benefits about the sun setting so early in Costa Rica is that night walks start very early – between 5:30 and 6:00 pm – so you can go to bed very early even after a night walk.
Costa Rica has no army
Here’s an important fact about Costa Rica: it has no army! The absence of an army became Costa Rica’s national identity, and it is something every Tico is proud of. Come to think of it, I am proud of them for it, too!
The army was abolished in 1948 shortly after the Costa Rican Civil War, in hopes to promote peace and avoid solving conflict with violence.
Since then, the government redirected the funds towards social programs that in turn contributed to the country’s economic and social development.
They must be doing something right, because today, Costa Rica is the most developed and the happiest country in Central America.
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