Costa Rica Journey Suggestions 2023: Issues to Know Earlier than You Go

Today, a visit to Costa Rica appears to be on everybody’s bucket listing! We’ve been listening to increasingly more tales of associates, acquaintances, and a number of our readers planning their upcoming journeys and actions in Costa Rica and asking us for some Costa Rica journey ideas!

Yearly, shut to three million vacationers go to Costa Rica, that’s equal to the scale of your entire inhabitants of the nation! It’s an enormous quantity and one which’s seemingly going to extend within the coming years. Some expats in Costa Rica grunt and complain concerning the crowds, however we’re thrilled to listen to that extra individuals are touring to expertise this stunning nation!

If you’re one of many fortunate many who’re planning a Costa Rica journey within the close to future, there are some useful issues to know about Costa Rica.

Having spent many months in Costa Rica, and with Max having grown up right here, we are able to share a couple of issues to know earlier than going to Costa Rica. After serving to 40 of our family and friends make their method to Costa Rica for our marriage ceremony in 2015, we all know precisely the questions on first-time vacationers’ minds.

We determined to compile all our ideas and tips for touring to Costa Rica: what to deliver, what to keep away from, and what to put on! Listed below are our prime Costa Rica journey ideas!

High Costa Rica Journey Suggestions

Brush up on Your Spanish

The official language in Costa Rica is Spanish, and a big majority of Costa Ricans communicate English within the touristic areas. However, not all of them do! It’s a good suggestion to brush up in your Spanish or deliver a phrasebook to get round in case you plan on visiting. It by no means hurts to know a little bit of the native language.

Locals love to speak. Don’t be shocked if somebody strikes up a dialog with you within the streets. Tourism is on the rise in Costa Rica, and locals are wanting to welcome you to their nation.

“Pura Vida” is a well-liked Costa Rican saying that individuals dwell by.

You Can Go to Costa Rica Any Time of the 12 months

When individuals consider visiting Costa Rica, we regularly get requested, “What’s the greatest time of the 12 months for visiting Costa Rica?” And our reply is all the time the identical, “Any time is an efficient time!”

Costa Rica has two well-defined seasons: The dry season, which runs from December to April, and the inexperienced season from Could to November.

Dry Season in Costa Rica

Don’t be fooled by generic climate forecasts; the climate right here actually relies on what a part of the nation you might be visiting.

Dry Season in Northern Guanacaste

Costa Rica’s northern Guanacaste is the nation’s driest area. If you’re spending time in Guanacaste through the drier season, put together for highly regarded days. Stunning blue skies are frequent, however so are droughts. In the course of the wet season, you may count on much less rain in Guanacaste than the remainder of the nation. Afternoons and evenings are normally wet, however mornings stay clear and sunny.

Dry season in Playa Lagartillo, Guanacaste

Dry Season in Central Valley

Within the Central Valley surrounding San Jose, in Monteverde, Arenal, and different mountainous areas throughout the nation, the climate is far cooler and rainier. So, in case your itinerary features a cease in any of those areas, pack layers and rain gear it doesn’t matter what time of the 12 months you might be visiting.

It’s lush and moist on the path contained in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, regardless of it being the dry season

Dry Season in Southern Puntarenas

The lusher components of the nation within the south, like Manuel Antonio, Osa Peninsula, and Southern Puntarenas, have an extended wet season, however which means they keep inexperienced for longer throughout peak months.

Pacific vs. Caribbean

Usually, the Pacific coast is the driest a part of the nation, even through the wet season, and particularly within the north. For those who resolve to schedule your go to through the wet season, contemplate prioritizing the Pacific coast over the Caribbean coast to some extent.

Mangroves in Osa Peninsula keep moist all 12 months spherical

Inexperienced Season in Costa Rica

September to October is Costa Rica’s off-season. It is usually generally known as the inexperienced season as a result of the nation’s forests and flora are lush from the season’s additional rainfall.

Many companies shut down throughout this time of 12 months, so in case you go to, count on a quieter expertise.

Our Costa Rica journey information recommendation: don’t be afraid of visiting Costa Rica through the wet season. The costs are the bottom you will see that all 12 months spherical, and the crowds are nearly non-existent. This time of the 12 months, vacationers merely jam-pack their mornings and luxuriate in lazy afternoons studying a e book in a hammock to keep away from the rain!

Hazy afternoon in Playa Ventanas, Uvita, Costa Ballena through the Inexperienced Season

Peak Season in Costa Rica

December and January are the most well-liked months for tourism. The environment are nonetheless lush after the wet season, and the climate alongside the coast is incredible: 25-30°C (77 – 86°F) through the day and 20-25°C (68 – 77°F) at night time. That is the busiest time of the 12 months and the most costly time to go to.

All inns and even some excursions will add a “excessive season” premium to their costs. International vacationers will not be the one ones touring throughout this time. Home tourism can also be on the rise throughout this time of 12 months.

Busy day on Tamarindo Seashore, Guanacaste throughout Peak Season

Suggestions for Reserving Throughout Excessive-Season

For those who haven’t any selection however to journey through the excessive season, contemplate these journey ideas:

At all times e book nicely prematurely.
Begin your sightseeing early within the day, or go for later within the afternoon when crowds are at their lowest.
Contemplate going off the overwhelmed path and visiting some lesser-known locations. By doing so, you’ll ditch the crowds and get to expertise a unique aspect of the nation: cheaper costs, genuine experiences, and native interplay.

Finest Time to Go to Costa Rica is Late November or Early December

We advocate visiting in late November or early December. Throughout this time of 12 months, the wet season is usually over, and there may be a number of sunshine to take pleasure in. The panorama is tremendous inexperienced and luxurious from the wet season. Eating places, lodging, and sights are all open the costs are affordable as a result of the crowds haven’t arrived but.

We advocate beginning on the Northern Guanacaste. These areas are the driest within the nation throughout this time. Within the Southern Peninsula, rain typically lingers just a little longer.

Tamarindo Seashore with out the crowds!

One Week in Costa Rica is Not Sufficient

The nation could look small, however there are so many superb actions in Costa Rica. There are a whole lot of seashores to discover, two dozen nationwide parks, half a dozen volcanoes, and an immense variety of actions to participate in throughout your go to.

Many vacationers ask whether or not it’s potential to see Costa Rica in per week, and our reply is: it actually isn’t.

To essentially respect Costa Rica, you need to give your self time to actually soak it in. You may’t base your self on the seashore in Guanacaste and take day journeys to take a look at Arenal Volcano, Manuel Antonio Nationwide Park, Monteverde Cloud Forest, and different important sights. The distances between them could not look far aside, however belief us; the drives are lengthy and exhausting!

For instance, the drive time between Tamarindo Seashore, Guanacaste to Monteverde Cloud Forest is a minimal of three and a half hours by automobile. For those who’re taking public buses, add a few hours extra. The journey requires bus transfers.

It isn’t reasonable (or gratifying) to journey a minimal of seven hours for a day journey. If per week is all you’ve got, come to phrases with the truth that you received’t see all of it and deal with it like just a little sneak preview.

For those who do have restricted time and need to profit from it, take a look at our Costa Rica articles for a great deal of concepts. The High 10 Issues To Do in Costa Rica gives you the ‘must-dos’ to your journey.

We expect that every vacation spot in Costa Rica warrants no less than 2-3 days to understand and get a very good style of the nation.

You’ll need to spend no less than 2 weeks in Costa Rica. A fortnight gives you simply sufficient time to absorb the environment and take a look at the wide range of enjoyable actions Costa Rica has to supply.

Nosara, Costa Rica
Suspension bridge alongside the Puente Path in Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

Is Costa Rica Secure?

Sure – CR is a protected nation when utilizing frequent sense and primary security precautions. Essentially the most harmful a part of the nation is the capital, San Jose, particularly at night time.

Our traveler tip for San Jose is to not linger within the metropolis for too lengthy, however in case you should spend a couple of days within the capital, decide to remain in Escazu, the most secure and nicest neighbourhood in San Jose, and discover the town through the day.

Inside a “Soda” in San Jose

Costa Rica Security Suggestions & Concerns

The largest security threat in different components of the nation is petty theft, like pickpocketing or bag snatching, so hold your valuables in a protected place and don’t flaunt your costly possessions.

When touring across the nation, don’t carry your passport with you always. As an alternative, take a photograph of your passport image and your entry stamp web page in your cellphone to have the ability to current it within the case of random inspection.

Don’t enterprise off the overwhelmed path at night time in busy vacationer areas. Opportunistic crime and drug-related scams usually tend to happen. Watch out to all the time regulate your drinks when having fun with an evening out. Solo ladies vacationers needs to be particularly cautious.

The seashores at night time are a well-liked place for petty theft!

Costa Rica Journey Tip: Faucet Water is Secure to Drink

One of many essential issues to find out about Costa Rica is that faucet water in most components of the nation is completely protected to drink. So, save the atmosphere and don’t drink bottled water.

Convey a very good insulated reusable water bottle with you and refill it straight out of a faucet. We advocate LARQ Water Bottle. This bottle is a great and classy answer for clear and purified ingesting water. It makes use of UV-C LED know-how to mechanically cleanse and purify the bottle’s contents, successfully eliminating as much as 99.9999% of dangerous micro organism and viruses.

LARQ presents two cap choices for his or her water bottles. The Straw Filter Cap features a built-in straw with a filtering mechanism to reinforce the style and high quality of the water you drink, making it ultimate for individuals who desire sipping by a straw or need additional filtration. The UV Cap integrates the identical UV-C LED know-how as the bottom of the LARQ bottle, permitting customers to sterilize the cap and mouthpiece, making certain all components of the bottle stay free from dangerous microorganisms, enhancing total bottle hygiene and comfort.

For areas the place potable water shouldn’t be accessible, we merely filter our water by the LARQ Bottle cap and drink it with out fear!

We served flavoured faucet water at our marriage ceremony in Costa Rica
LARQ Bottle

Purchase a Native SIM card to Keep Linked

Staying related whereas in Costa Rica is straightforward with out paying $30-50 for a roaming plan. Wi-Fi is straightforward to seek out in touristy areas. Most inns and eating places that cater to foreigners may have free Wi-Fi fotherwise you to make use of throughout your keep. You may name and message your loved ones and associates again residence totally free utilizing Whatsapp, Fb, Viber, Facetime, or Skype.

Our favorite method to keep related whereas in Costa Rica is to purchase an eSIM, a digital SIM card built-in into most fashionable smartphones, together with fashions just like the iPhone X and newer.

The benefit of eSIMs lies of their hassle-free carrier-switching capabilities. With an eSIM, you received’t have to swap bodily SIM playing cards when altering carriers or touring, so you may hold your private home SIM and have a neighborhood Costa Rican eSIM lively directly.

For vacationers whose telephones don’t assist eSIM know-how, there’s a very good various. You should purchase a Kolbi SIM card from a neighborhood retailer. Kolbi is a well-established cell service in Costa Rica, and their SIM playing cards are available in lots of places, together with giant cities and even the Liberia Airport.

There’s a Kolbi Store in Liberia Airport (on most of our current visits, the store has been closed), and there are additionally retailers in many of the giant cities throughout the nation. A vacationer SIM Card will set you again lower than a greenback. They provide a variety of pre-paid plans, relying on what you want. For two,500 Colones ($4.30 USD), you will get 200 SMS, 3.4 minutes of speak, and 150 MB of Information. The Planes Dominio 1 presents good worth at 35 minutes of speak time, 30 SMS, and 2GB of 4G knowledge, and 3GB of Whatsapp knowledge.

You may prime up your native SIM in any grocery store in Costa Rica

Foreign money Exchanges in Airports Don’t At all times Provide the Best Charges

Costa Rica’s native forex is the Costa Rican Colon. It was named after Christopher Columbus, who is called Cristobal Colon in Spanish. The worth of the Colon has been slowly inching upward as its economic system continues to develop largely from tourism, agriculture, and electronics.

Each USD and Costa Rican Colones are interchangeable throughout the nation, but when you’re going to use USD, hold the payments small (underneath $20). If you’re shopping for souvenirs or bargaining with somebody, paying in Colones will typically land you a greater worth since most locations alternate at a decrease price.

Listed below are a couple of different journey ideas for Costa Rica to avoid wasting you some cash:

Convey US money and alternate into native forex (Colones) as you go Any native enterprise, huge or small, will give you a minimal price of 550 Colones to USD $1 (On the time of writing the alternate was 578 Colones to USD $1).
Pay with US {dollars} at giant grocery shops and get Colones again. They’ve computerized charges which might be very beneficial and a few of the greatest in Costa Rica.
Withdraw money from an ATM We advocate Scotia Financial institution or BNCR. Withdraw the utmost quantity ($500, in case you can) to keep away from paying the $5 international transaction price on each $100 you withdraw. For those who can handle to take out over $500 in a single go, then you might be seemingly solely paying round 1% per transaction and getting a fantastic alternate price within the course of. Get money out in cities so you may benefit from the Costa Rican countryside worry-free
If you should alternate cash throughout your journey, be ready to pay the worth. Sadly, forex alternate charges on the airports will not be nice and find yourself costing greater than withdrawing from the ATM.

Banks Aren’t At all times Simple to Discover

For those who run out of money, you may all the time withdraw extra utilizing your Debit/Credit score Card from any ATM. Some machines will even provide the choice to withdraw each USD and Colones. However, take into account that there are NO ATMs in smaller cities, so be sure to withdraw money in huge cities.

Don’t Neglect to Add Insurance coverage to Your Automobile Rental Costs

Insurance coverage on automobile leases is obligatory in Costa Rica, however remember that it’s not included within the worth listed on many automobile rental web sites on-line. Sometimes, the extra value is round $10/15 a day for obligatory third-party insurance coverage and sadly, in 9 circumstances out of 10, it’s not one thing that may be coated by your journey insurance coverage or your bank card insurance coverage, so funds accordingly.

It’s price checking your bank card and journey insurance coverage earlier than you lease to see what’s included. Legal responsibility insurance coverage is typically coated by some bank cards.

Rental automobile insurance coverage is obligatory in Costa Rica and you’ll solely think about why…

Driving in Costa Rica Can Be Tough

Driving in Costa Rica needs to be left to assured drivers. Drivers right here will be aggressive, and if you wish to get wherever, particularly in locations like San Jose, you’ll should sustain with the locals.

A number of the roads will not be paved, they’re dust roads with potholes and are sometimes in unhealthy situation. Drive slowly; be careful for potholes and for different automobiles driving on the mistaken aspect of the street. Generally, the potholes are so unhealthy that driving on the mistaken aspect of the street to keep away from an enormous pothole is the one choice.

There aren’t any street/avenue names or home numbers in Costa Rica. Apart from San Jose, avenue names and home numbers don’t exist in different components of the nation. As an alternative, instructions are given utilizing landmarks and sights as references. For instance, “300 meters north of the blue church, 80 meters west, home earlier than the barking canine with one eye.” Sure. We aren’t joking!

Use Waze. It’s the nation’s greatest navigation app. It has turn out to be superior to different navigation apps due to the distinctive challenges that driving in Costa Rica presents. Waze is community-based, which implies that every single day, 1000’s of locals replace the service in real-time. The app gives data on building, real-time visitors, and even the placement of police velocity traps.

In any other case, you should utilize Google Maps in your cellphone or obtain Maps.me an app that you should utilize offline to get step-by-step navigation with out Wi-Fi. (It’s one in all our favorite journey apps!)

Driving at night time has its personal set of challenges. The roads are not often well-lit and are all the time shared with individuals, cattle, stray canine, iguanas, and so forth. Train an additional stage of warning and don’t be afraid to make use of your excessive beams.

For those who come to a river crossing, don’t stress. Automobiles cross it every day and you’ll too. Take a look at the depth of the river by strolling throughout it on foot first. If the extent is beneath your exhaust pipe, it’s protected to cross. Drive SLOWLY, or you’ll flood your automobile’s engine!

If you’re driving on the seashore, keep away from tender sand and all the time use 4WD, go quick or you might be certain to get slowed down.

At all times refill at fuel stations in huge cities to get the most effective worth. Fuel could also be laborious to seek out and can seemingly be much more costly in smaller cities.

Shuttles supply one other nice method to get round Costa Rica and are significantly helpful for individuals who don’t really feel snug driving.

Use Bookaway to seek for all accessible transportation choices together with automobile, bus, bus-ferry, minivan, or flight tickets in Costa Rica

No public transport can get you right here!
Evaluating the river depth at a river crossing in Costa Rica

Buses in Costa Rica are Dependable and a Nice Different to Getting Round by Automobile

There’s a well-developed bus system in Costa Rica that you should utilize to get completely in every single place within the nation. The buses will not be rooster buses however snug, typically air-conditioned coaches. The experience could also be a bit longer (relying on the variety of stops alongside the best way) than driving by automobile, however it may be fairly snug.

You may plan your bus journey forward of time through the use of The Bus Schedule or get recommendation on the most effective route out of your lodge/hostel. Understand that more often than not, bus tickets can’t be bought forward of time, you merely pay the driving force (in Colones) whenever you get on on the bus station. Understand that some buses will proceed previous your cease. So, it’s a good suggestion to ask the driving force to inform you of your cease or observe the route with a navigation app.

Fashionable Bus Routes

San Jose to Arenal Volcano (La Fortuna): Buses go away each few hours, with 1 switch in Ciudad Quesada. There are 2-3 direct buses per day that take roughly 4 hours and go away within the morning.

San Jose to Manuel Antonio Nationwide Park: Direct buses go away San Jose a minimal of 5 occasions per day, relying on the day of the week. They usually go away early within the morning and take 4.5 hours, or 3.45 hours respectively.

San Jose to Tamarindo: There are 2 direct buses per day. The primary leaves at 8:30 a.m and arrives at 2:00 p.m, and the second leaves at 4:00 pm and arrives at 9:30 pm. Buses take roughly 5.5 hours.

Manuel Antonio to Tamarindo: This route requires 2 transfers. It begins from Manuel Antonio to Orotina, Orotina to Espanza, and at last Espanza to Tamarindo. There are two bus routes per day, the primary route leaves at 5:00 a.m to reach at 2:00 p.m. Nevertheless, we don’t advocate it as a result of the primary switch is scheduled to reach at 8:00 a.m, which is identical time the second bus leaves. There could also be visitors or different issues which will delay the bus. The second bus leaves at 8:00 a.m and arrives at 9:30 p.m, for a 13.5 hour journey day.

Tamarindo Seashore, Costa Rica

Costa Rica Can Be Costly

One factor to find out about Costa Rica is that touring right here shouldn’t be low-cost. The truth is, it’s the most costly nation in Central America!

Price range no less than $50USD/day/individual for a backpacker-style journey, and wherever between $100-300 USD for a pleasant lodge, organized actions, and every day meals at highly-rated eating places.

Lodges add as much as loads, particularly in case you are planning to journey through the excessive season. If you’re searching for the most effective deal on-line, seek for your dates and locations utilizing Reserving.com.

Worth listing on the Concord Lodge Juice Bar in Nosara

The right way to Save Cash

Costa Rica presents many joys, however it may be an costly nation, and it tends to be pricier than most different nations in Latin America. However don’t fret; it’s nonetheless potential to go to Costa Rica with out breaking the financial institution. Listed below are a couple of Costa Rica journey ideas that will help you lower your expenses.

The primary invaluable tip is to go to through the inexperienced season, which coincides with the wet season and occurs to be the low tourism season. Throughout this time, you’ll encounter smaller crowds and luxuriate in lowered costs. Understand that some companies could have earlier closing occasions throughout this season.

For a cheap journey, use public transportation and savor native delicacies at small eating places and farmer’s markets. These choices supply scrumptious conventional Costa Rican meals and are usually extra budget-friendly than resort eating.

Chat with the lodge’s employees for native insights; they normally have a wealth of information concerning the space and may level you to hidden gems, like low-cost however good eating places, and hidden seashores, and actions which might be both free or simple on the pockets.

Do not forget that admission costs to Nationwide Parks in Costa Rica can add up, so in case you are trying to save, contemplate different choices. There are many locations to see wildlife and luxuriate in the great thing about the Costa Rican panorama totally free. You simply should know the place to go.

Fortunately for you, we share many of those insights and ideas in our intensive guides and different articles about Costa Rica.

Vaccinations are Not Wanted For a Journey to Costa Rica

No vaccinations or particular drugs are wanted for Costa Rica. However do keep in mind journey necessities like a primary assist package, sunscreen, and plenty of mosquito spray!

The mosquitos right here carry a variety of ailments like Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya. They don’t seem to be widespread, however we all know loads of locals which have caught these ailments.

Don’t overlook to deliver bug-spray to Manuel Antonio Seashore!

Don’t Costume To Impress

Costa Rica isn’t actually a spot for fancy attire and good garments. To many Costa Ricans, Simplicity and luxury rule the native costume code throughout the nation. Belief us once we say the ocean and the jungle don’t care to your jewellery and completely achieved hair. In Costa Rica, much less is extra.

Your garments will get soiled, your hair might be frizzy, your nail polish will peel off, and being always soiled from mud, sand, or mud will turn out to be the norm. Don’t stress about it. Embrace it!

The ocean doesn’t care what you put on; it simply cares that you just cease by for a go to! Breathable, quick-drying materials might be your greatest good friend. Within the seashore cities, you’ll dwell in a washing swimsuit. Flip Flops might be your go-to selection of footwear 90% of the time, however do deliver a pair of closed-toe sneakers for zip-lining and hikes. We advocate Eager or Chaco sandals.

Playa Lagartillo

Defend Your Electronics

A vital Costa Rica journey tip is to concentrate to the plug kinds your electronics require. There are two frequent outlet varieties within the nation: kind A and sort B. Kind A retailers function two prongs, and they’re suitable with kind B plugs, which embrace a 3rd grounding prong. In case your important electronics largely use kind A plugs, you’re all set. Nevertheless, in case your essential units primarily use kind B plugs, it’s a good suggestion to buy a plug adapter beforehand to keep away from any inconvenience.

When it comes to voltage and frequency, Costa Rica operates on a normal voltage of 120, with a frequency of 60 hertz, just like many different nations in Central America. It’s advisable to confirm the voltage and frequency requirements in your house nation to make sure the security and compatibility of your electronics whenever you journey to Costa Rica. This easy precaution can spare you the effort of coping with electrical points throughout your journey.

Rain gear is a should on the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

Don’t Neglect The Exit Tax

This typically catches vacationers off-guard. A $29 USD tax is due on the airport earlier than you may test into your flight. It may be paid with money (USD or Pesos) or a bank card on the airport. Some airways have begun to construct this tax into the worth of the flight ticket.

In case your airline has taken care of it, it is going to be listed as Costa Rica Baggage Inspection Price, Worldwide Boarding Tax, or one thing of the like in your airfare breakdown. Sadly, there isn’t any collective time period that has been adopted by the taking part airways simply but.

A fantastic place to benefit from the ‘Pura Vida’ way of life

Count on The Surprising

That is our most essential Costa Rica tip for vacationers! Right here, nothing ever goes in response to plan. For those who suppose you’ve got your Costa Rican journey deliberate out to the tee, and that nothing can shake up your good vacation plan, we promise you might be mistaken. Journey is unpredictable irrespective of the place on this planet you go.

Again in 2016, Oksana broke her leg whereas browsing in Costa Rica merely from hopping off her surfboard. We didn’t have journey insurance coverage on the time and needed to pay over $7000 for her surgical procedure in a non-public hospital. That could be a mistake we’re by no means going to make once more! Now we all the time journey with insurance coverage and advocate it to others!

Journey insurance coverage covers the surprising, which is why it’s amongst our most essential Costa Rica journey ideas and tips. Other than getting sick or damage, missed flights, misplaced baggage, automobile accidents, pure disasters, and even the dying of a member of the family is usually coated.

In Costa Rica, the surprising appears to creep up much more typically. And in case you are not ready for it (mentally extra so than the rest), it should undoubtedly hit you over the pinnacle and threaten to smash your Costa Rican vacation.

Playa Samara, Guanacaste, Costa Rica

We witness it every day right here. It’s not that it’s an unsafe nation, or that there’s extra corruption right here, or that issues are much less organized. It’s simply that the nation is run on the Pura Vida outlook, a sense of optimism and positivity.

Costa Ricans swear by their stress-free, laid-back angle and aren’t about to ruffle their feathers when one thing doesn’t go in response to plan. “Pura Vida” (Pure Life in English), they are saying as they sit down and crack open a can of Imperial. Every thing might be OK in the long run.

So observe their recommendation and embrace their angle. When issues go mistaken, shrug it off and roll with the punches.