Costa Rica Travel Guide
This Costa Rica travel guide is focused on answering some common questions when planning a Costa Rica vacation. Hopefully, it helps you get started on your next getaway. See our other travel related articles at the bottom for more inspiration to plan your next trips!
Last Updated: December 30, 2022
Topics we cover:
- Where is Costa Rica?
- What are the Costa Rica travel restrictions?
- Do I need a visa to visit Costa Rica?
- When is the best time to visit Costa Rica?
- What are the best things to do in Costa Rica?
- Where to stay in Costa Rica?
- What currency does Costa Rica use?
- Is Costa Rica expensive?
- Is Costa Rica safe to travel alone?
Where is Costa Rica?
Costa Rica is a country in Central America. It is located between Panama and Nicaragua. It has coastal regions on both the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea.
What are the Costa Rica travel restrictions?
The Visit Costa Rica tourism site includes the current travel restrictions and protocols for entry into Costa Rica. You should check the site before you start planning a trip to make sure it’s open. Look for updates to the Costa Rica travel restrictions and protocols leading up to your vacation to make sure you are familiar with any changes.
Do I need a visa to visit Costa Rica?
Currently, US citizens do not need an entry visa to enter Costa Rica. However, you must have a valid passport and proof of a return flight ticket within 90 days, since 90 days is the maximum stay on a tourist visa.
Visitors from other countries might need a visa, so it’s best to double check the requirements for your country. Always check a countries official website to make sure you’re getting the most up to date information before attempting to travel.
When is the best time to visit Costa Rica?
The dry season is from December to April making it the best time to visit. If you’re looking for a winter getaway this is the ideal time and place. Unfortunately, this is typically the most expensive time since it’s the busy season.
Travelers that don’t mind the rainy season can save money if they travel during the offseason.
What are the best things to do in Costa Rica?
1. Relax on a Costa Rican beach
Costa Rica has tons of amazing beaches. Enjoying one of them is the perfect way to spend a winter vacation. If lounging isn’t your thing, many beaches offer surfing, scuba diving, snorkeling, and more!
A few of the more notable beaches are Conchal, Flamingo, and Tamarindo. Manuel Antonio National Park also has a nice beach. You may enjoy one of these options depending on which side of the country you’re in, or there are lots of other choices.
2. Arenal Volcano National Park
As the name implies, Arenal Volcano National Park is the home of the Arenal Volcano. It was quite active up until recent years, but is still well worth a visit. It’s likely the volcano activity will pick up eventually making the lava flow visible again.
The park includes another, less active volcano as well as waterfalls, hot springs, and hiking trails. There are both short and long trails depending on your preferences.
3. Explore San Jose, Costa Rica
San Jose is the largest city and capital of Costa Rica. It is located in the middle of the country. The city boasts a high quality of life and is one of the safest cities in the region.
Visitors can attend one of the theaters, museums, parks, or the zoo. There are also lots of great restaurants and bars. Public transportation makes it easy to get around to different venues.
4. Hike to a waterfall
Costa Rica has plenty of picturesque waterfalls. One of the most well known ones is La Fortuna. It is located in Arenal Volcano National Park, so it’s easy to see if you’re already visiting the park.
Rio Celeste Waterfall in Guanacaste is another great waterfall if you’re on the northwestern or north central part of the country. If you’re closer to San Jose, the La Paz Waterfall Gardens in the Cloud Forest is nearby. It’s a large privately owned area that contains multiple worthwhile waterfalls.
5. Manuel Antonio National Park – Wildlife, Hiking, and Beach Access
Manuel Antonio National Park is on the Pacific coast southwest of San Jose. It includes rainforest, beaches, and a coral reef. The forest is home to many animals including sloths, monkeys, iguanas, and more!
Please visit the park website here for information on when the park is open and the entrance fee.
Where to stay in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica has many great areas to stay depending on your preferences. Travelers that enjoy cities, or digital nomads that need stable internet, might opt to stay in San Jose for the infrastructure.
If you’re looking to relax for vacation, you’ll probably want to gravitate towards one of the coasts. The Guanacaste region is in the northwest on the Pacific coast and is popular. Tamarindo is a town in Guanacaste with a little of everything. There are great beaches, surfing, and solid nightlife in the area.
Visitors looking for a mellow vibe might prefer Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. It’s located in the southeast on the Caribbean coast. It has a great surf break, beaches, and some more affordable lodging options if you’re traveling on a budget.
These are just a couple of good choices, but there are many great towns in Costa Rica to stay in.
What currency does Costa Rica use?
The official currency of Costa Rica is the Costa Rican Colón (CRC). However, many places around the country will accept the US Dollar since they are used to high numbers of US tourists.
It’s not a bad idea to have a little of each currency if you plan to travel to more rural areas. Populated areas often show prices in US Dollars due to the tourists, but some rural places will show it in the local currency. It might save you a little money to use CRC in those situations.
Is Costa Rica expensive?
Costa Rica has become more expensive due to the increase in tourism and the large expat community. It’s one of the most expensive countries in Central America. The cost will largely depend on where you stay and when you travel.
Visitors staying in all-inclusive resorts will certainly pay more than people staying in small, locally owned hotels. Also, you can save money by traveling in the off season, and staying in less touristy areas. Costa Rica is full of amazing beaches and locations, so it’s possible to stay in less popular places and still have a great trip.
Is Costa Rica safe to travel?
Yes, Costa Rica is a relatively safe place to travel. Compared to other Central American countries, it has fairly low crime rates. That said, there is still some petty and even violent crime, so it tends to be safer in tourist areas.
Remember to keep valuable items tucked away and be respectful of everyone. Avoid venturing into unfamiliar areas at night and if you’re ever unsure of something, trust your gut. Better to be safe than sorry.
Additional Central America Travel Articles
Check out our other articles below for more Central America travel guides and tips that we’ve learned on our journey.
- What are the best things to do in Costa Rica? See our top 10 activities.
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