If you’re planning a vacation to Costa Rica, your dreams have probably comprised lush rainforest, spider monkeys, and stunning beaches. But there’s so much more to this diverse, vibrant country. Costa Rica has a lot to offer any enthusiastic adventure-seeker, and the biodiversity is matched by the diversity of people and cultures that populate …
Costa Rica Travel Guides
Costa Rica wasn’t particularly high on my travel bucket list. Some of my friends said they were going there, I was free during that time so I decided to join them. And I couldn’t be more glad I did.
Costa Rica turned out to be one of my favourite places that I’ve recently visited. What amazed me the most is the huge variety of landscapes and things to do, especially in such a small country.
In just ten days in Costa Rica we saw volcanoes, rainforests, beautiful waterfalls, mountains, hot springs, pristine beaches and more. It’s the perfect destination for an outdoors and adventure lover like me.
I loved it so much that I’m seriously considering moving to Santa Teresa to spend the winter.
In this category you will find all my top Costa Rica travel tips.
Quick travel facts about Costa Rica
Where is Costa Rica? Costa Rica is a country in Central America, between Panama to the South and Nicaragua to the North.
How to get there: You can find the cheapest flights via SkyScanner. You can also get to Costa Rica overland from the neighbouring countries, either by bus or with a rented car.
Currency: Costa Rican Colon (CRC) – see the latest exchange rate here.
Electrical plugs in Costa Rica: Type A&B (these are the ones you get in Central & North America) – I recommend an international adapter so you can use it on multiple trips.
Capital City: San Jose.
Best time to visit: The best time to visit Costa Rica is from mid-December to April, during the dry season. During these months you can find hot temperatures and little rainfall.
However it will also be very busy and prices will be higher. From April to November you get more rainfall, but this tends to be concentrated in heavy short downpours.
You can check the average weather forecasts for every month in Costa Rica here.
How to travel around Costa Rica: The easiest way to travel around Costa Rica is to rent a car and drive yourself. Most of the roads are in good driving conditions, but a 4×4 is advisable if you plan to go a bit off the beaten track.
You can also travel around Costa Rica by bus, but these are quite slow and uncomfortable. Most bus routes go via San Jose so it will add a lot of time to your travel times.
Visa requirements: Most passport holders won’t need to apply for a visa before travelling to Costa Rica. You will get a free visa on arrival valid for 90 days. You can check what visa you need for your nationality here.
My Costa Rica travel guides
The lush country of Costa Rica is known predominantly for three things; gourmet coffee, dense green jungles, and surf-worthy coastlines. We made the most of all these highlights when working our way through the ultimate Costa Rica itinerary. The experience was even better than expected, with a few activities standing out above the rest. …
Let’s start with the premise that I fell in love with Santa Teresa. Santa Teresa has perfect surfing waves, lots of cool cafes and restaurants, friendly locals and expats living there, chill vibes and beautiful sunsets. It has everything I want for a surfing holiday. Heck, it has everything I want for somewhere to …
If you love waterfalls, you will love the Blue Falls of Costa Rica. These are powerful waterfalls secluded in the jungle, with bright turquoise water that you can swim in! They’re amongst the most incredible waterfalls I have ever seen, and I can highly recommend them to anyone visiting Costa Rica. In this guide …
When I first started planning my trip to Costa Rica I searched for inspiration on Instagram, and the first results were all of incredible waterfalls. I knew I just had to fit some waterfall chasing into my Costa Rica itinerary. Catarata del Toro is the most stunning waterfall we saw in Costa Rica. Located …
Tortuguero National Park is arguably one of the most heavenly places found in the northeastern part of Central America. This ecological treasure trove is hidden in Costa Rica. It boasts an abundance of wildlife – from clusters of nesting sea turtles laying their eggs at night to its wild, remote Caribbean beaches and lush …
Are you planning a Costa Rica itinerary, but don’t know where to start? You’ve come to the right place! I recently came back from ten days in Costa Rica, and can confidently say it’s one of the most incredible places I have ever visited. The country has a breathtakingly beautiful landscape and a …
Isla Tortuga is a postcard-perfect paradise nestled in lush green foliage and white sandy beaches. It’s fringed by gem blue waters and swaying palm trees. Costa Rica offers a vast range of magnificent islands to visit. One highlight is Tortuga Island, located southeast of the Nicoya Peninsula. To reach the island, you would need …
I have recently returned from Costa Rica, and can confidently say it’s one of the most incredible places I’ve ever visited. What amazed me the most about Costa Rica is the huge variety of landscapes and experiences you can have. We spent two weeks in Costa Rica, one of which was dedicated entirely to …