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.
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.
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