Costa Rica is an eco-friendly paradise filled with lush tropical forests, gorgeous colorful wildlife, and a world of adventure waiting to be explored. Costa Rica is a booming tourist destination, and it’s no surprise why. This Central American gem has plenty of activities to explore amidst a variety of terrains, explore warm beaches, tropical rain forests, hiking volcanoes, and explore the amazing cultures of this country.
Costa Rica is nestled between Nicaragua and Panama between the Caribbean and the Pacific Ocean. Listen to reggae, look for sloths and monkeys in the wild, and lay on the white sandy beaches to pass the day away.
There are lush tropical rain forests and the best time to travel to the beautiful country of Costa Rica and visit is during its dry months from Mid-December to April. It’s a popular tourist destination, so be prepared for large crowds and higher price tags. If you do not mind a little rain, get your visit in November or May, where prices and tourism are a little lower.
Things to Know
Traveling to other countries, as you know, is best to be prepared with knowledge of the language, the currency you’ll need, plugs you’ll use for your electronics, and the safety ratings. Costa Rica is one of the safer countries to visit but always check the news before traveling.
In Costa Rica, the country was settled by the Spaniards, so it’s no surprise the majority of the country speaks Spanish. Costa Ricans (Ticos) use this term Pura Vida to say hello or goodbye. The term brings them a humble life, it’s the way they use it in their everyday attitude to make them happy.
The official currency of Costa Rica is the Colón, but the U.S. dollar is widely accepted. There is a wide selection of ATMs across the country, and many vendors take credit cards.
The plugs used in Costa Rica are type A, and they are the same that are used in the U.S., so you will not need an adapter.
Places to Stay
There is just about every type of accommodation available for your stay in Costa Rica. From tiny romantic bungalows to luxury resorts, you can find an affordable or immersive experience for any budget.
Stay in a room in the Tropical Forest Bungalow at Tifakara near the coast of the Pacific Ocean and is only $195 a night. Or stay in a unique Costa Rica Container Loft near Monteverde Reserve. It has its beds facing the windows overlooking the reserve and enjoys the views for an average of $198 a night.
Head to the Caribbean side, enjoy a Costa Rica airbnb entire bungalow with a truly Costa Rican vibe, and enjoy being close to the water and delightful authentic space for *$250 a night. Costa Rica is an experience that you can enjoy on even the most modest budgets.
All prices when booking vacation rentals vary on the season and the day of the week. *The prices listed here are the average cost per night.
Getting around Costa Rica
In Costa Rica, buses seem to be the best form of public transportation. You can rent a car to travel the island, and Uber has been operating in Costa Rica for several years; however, they are limited to hot spots and tourist destinations, so it can be hard to find a car.
There is an option of hiring taxis, although more expensive than the bus systems, and you want to be sure to take an authorized red taxi. Many locals look to make money driving as taxis, although they are not authorized to do so.
Popular Destinations
Costa Rica is a large country with so many things to do and explore it would take multiple visits to cover them all. Costa Rica is home to over 300 beaches, spectacular waterfalls, incredible national parks, animal sanctuaries, volcanoes, and amazing cities to explore. These are just some of the most popular places to visit in Costa Rica.
Visit the Arenal Volcano National Park, where the Arenal used to erupt until it abruptly stopped in 2010 regularly, and that has scientists stumped. The park is covered in rain forests and river habitats that protect the land and wildlife. The park is open from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and it is a $15 fee to get in.
The Monteverde Cloud Forest ranks amongst one of the top places to see in Costa Rica. With an impressive amount of wildlife and the zip lines through the greenery, it’s a must-see to experience Costa Rica at its finest.
Eats and Treats
Costa Rica is known for its rich culinary culture heavily influenced by the array of fruits and veggies made possible by the surrounding microclimates.
Visit Santa Juana Lodge for an authentic Costa Rica culinary experience and try the traditional Casados, a dish made of rice, beans, local tilapia, and spices. At Santa Juana, they locally source all of their ingredients.
In Puerto Viejo, visit Salsa Brava, named after the world-famous wave that rolls in directly in front of this beachfront restaurant. At night they host a reggae party late night Fridays and Sundays. And they offer cooking and Latin dancing classes.
Nightlife
Visit the colorful Costa Rica nightlife in San Jose with activities for just about everyone. At El Steinvorth in the heart of San Jose, this venue has an ultimate karaoke experience where you can perform on stage in front of hundreds of people. You can view the unique artwork or get out on the dance floor when the live bands start playing.
Visit the British Pub-inspired dive in Barrio Escalante, where you can enjoy the rooms filled with Victorian furnishings where people will hang out and dance until the early hours of the morning.
Costa Rica has hundreds of beaches along the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean for you to relax and enjoy the day or spend a day exploring the cultural sites in any of the cities inland. For the explorer, visit one of the many volcanoes or tropical rain forests. There’s something about Costa Rica that makes it the perfect vacation spot that must be on your places to travel.
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Travel Restrictions
As we know, it can be hard these days to stay on top of travel restrictions to each country. The travel status of vacation countries can change daily, weekly, monthly. That’s why it’s best you learn before you go and get the information you need to consider when planning travel. Learn about country-specific entry requirements such as:
- quarantine requirements,
- the border status and
- COVID-19 testing requirements
Many countries are reopening their borders for international travel. Find out which countries are open to vaccinated travelers. Kayak offers a way to Check Travel Restrictions to Vacation Rentals in Costa Rica Here.
Moon Costa Rica (Travel Guide)
Discover itineraries designed for strategic backpackers, beach-lovers, adventure travelers, honeymooners, college students, including the best swimming holes, white sand beaches, gorgeous sunsets, and privacy. Hike to the summit of Mount Chirripó, the highest point in Costa Rica, snorkel with sea turtles in warm turquoise water, or soak in a volcanic mineral pool. Swim under a waterfall, raft over rapids, explore mysterious caves, and cliff-dive into river pools. Continue Reading…