Like a giant rugged blanket, millions of trees and plants cover the mountains of Costa Rica to the delight of the more than 850 bird species that play around rivers and waterfalls adding another splash of colour to the flower-dotted green landscape.
“The country should change its name to Costa Verde” says Andre as we see the emerald tones while we travel from San José to one of the many beaches on the Pacific Coast.
He has point, I won’t argue that. But Costa Rica is rica. Rich in wildlife, in flowers that inspire the most beautiful colour combinations, in sand and waves, in abundance. Rica en vida (rich in life).
“Pura Vida!”
You’ll hear these two words over and over from the ticos (how Costa Ricans call themselves). A simplistic, literal translation would be “Pure Life!”. It certainly has to do with life, but it refers to the joy of life. They say Pura Vida to express how good or how grateful they feel, to react to good news, or to convey that everything is OK.
Q: “How are you?”
A: “Pura Vida!” (response normally accompanied by a big smile)
They also use it to express acceptance of a less than ideal situation, like when things take longer than expected.
And there’s a lot of that in here. Things just move slower and people don’t make a big fuss about it. Have an agua dulce or a tamarind juice and move on. So much beauty around is distracting!
Tipping in restaurants: there is a 10% service charge automatically added to your bill. Anything on top isn’t expected but welcomed if you received good service.
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Language: Spanish.
Currency: Colones (although US dollars are generally accepted at restaurants and ticket booths at attractions).
Capital: San José.
Power outlets: type A and B; 120V/60 Hz
Table of Contents
Cost of Travel in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is not a cheap destination when compared to other Central American countries. Even more so in the hot tourist spots.
Public transit is inexpensive, and so are the delicious local produce and local meals at local places. Other than that, drinks and tickets to attractions can quickly add up. Costs will also vary depending on the time of the year you visit. More on that below.
Best Time to Travel to Costa Rica
There are two seasons: the dry season (from December to April) and the rainy or “green” season (from May to November).
But with the weather now being all over the place these are general guidelines to be taken with a pound of salt.
If you want to enjoy the vibrant green landscape and powerful waterfalls at their peak, with little to no rain, the best time to go is January. The downside is that you’ll pay higher prices as it’s also when occupancy in hotels and vacation properties is at its peak, which also means crowds.
There may be little room for spontaneous travel as you need to make reservations well in advance and minimum stays apply.
If you want to see that vibrant green landscape without seeing your bank account drained in three days, the best time to go is between May and August. The downside is that it’s the beginning of the rainy season (which brings back the lush green!) and you can expect rain pretty much every afternoon, except for a short break in July (called veranillo, or little summer).
We stayed in Costa Rica from May to July. My recommendation is to plan all your outings in the morning. An afternoon shower is guaranteed (except for the short break in July during veranillo).
September and October are the wettest months. If hiking is your activity of choice, this isn’t the best time. It’s also when many vacation-related companies and facilities are closed.
Top Things to Do in Costa Rica
Costa Rica has a diverse landscape, ideal for all types of outdoor adventures.
Visit the Beaches
From the famous beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park to the ones further north on the Pacific Coast like Jacó or Playa Hermosa in Puntarenas or some spots on the Caribbean coast you’ll find the perfect beach for what you’re looking for: either walking, relaxing, surfing, diving, or snorkeling.
Visit the National Parks and Nature Reserves
No matter where you go in Costa Rica you’ll find a park or reserve nearby (like Bosque del Niño in Grecia) with hiking trails and plenty of opportunities for birdwatching.
Chase Waterfalls
With so much rain you’ll encounter powerful waterfalls in jungle settings as gorgeous as the fall itself. One not to miss is Catarata del Toro and its hummingbird garden.
Visit the Museums and Craft Centres
Although Costa Rica is known internationally for the richness of its nature, you can learn about the richness of its past by seeing the archaeological treasures in San José’s museums. It’s also a great opportunity to check out the work of Costa Rican artists.
Take a trip to Sarchí, known as the cradle of arts and crafts in the country and see the colourful oxcarts in this artsy town.
Getting Around Costa Rica
Travelling by Bus in Costa Rica
You can easily get around by public bus, but for some remote places, or if you only have a few days to explore and you want to cover big distances, you may need a car.
And of course, you have domestic flights if you want to go from coast to coast.
From San José, the capital, you can take buses to pretty much all popular destinations, including shuttle buses that may cost more but will take you to your destination faster and more comfortably.
Urban and suburban transportation is inexpensive with frequent service in popular areas and buses departing on time.
We took buses most of the time we spent in Costa Rica and rented a car for a few days at the end of our stay to explore some remote places.
Renting a Car in Costa Rica
Renting a car here is on the expensive side, especially when you add insurance and taxes. Beware of deals that are too good to be true. The excitement of finding an incredibly lower rate will be met with surprise and disappointment the day you go to pick up your car and find out that “this” and “that” wasn’t included.
But if you want to explore some off-the-beaten-path locations at your own pace it’s the best way, and in the end, it may be cheaper than taking a tour.
Main roads in Costa Rica are in good condition, but you’ll find some side roads that need maintenance: potholes, lack of guardrails, and mudslides can make the ride..interesting.
Almost as interesting as the crazy drivers you’ll encounter. People seem to turn into some version of Danica Patrick when they jump in their car.
If you’re planning an off-the-beaten-path excursion at the height of the rainy season (I definitely don’t recommend that), you’ll have a better chance to make it on a 4×4 vehicle.
Follow safety rules: lock your vehicle, don’t leave valuables in plain sight, fill up on gas frequently (you won’t find a gas station at every corner), and download a map on your phone in case you lose connection.
Blog Posts About Costa Rica
Best Booking Resources
These are the go-to resources we use all the time to find where to stay, book flights, and get travel insurance
- Agoda: we’ve found great deals in apartments, guesthouses, and boutique hotels through this site.
- Airbnb: rent a whole house or a room directly from the homeowner through Airbnb. We’ve used it to book apartments and private rooms.
- Booking.com: you’ll find any type of property you can think of in their massive listing, with one of the most comprehensive filters. We’ve found great deals on boutique hotels and apartments.
- Great Escape: it combines the listings from Expedia, Kiwi, Kayak, and Skyscanner (on the premium service) to find the best airfares.
- Hotwire: the first site I check when we plan to stay at a hotel for a few nights. You can save anything from 20% to 60%. Use the search filter to find what you want and you’ll end up with three listings that match your criteria. You’ll know which one you’ll get after you book. If you can handle a little bit of uncertainty you can score big savings.
- House Sitting: you take care of people’s pets and house for free while staying for free. It’s the closest thing to experiencing a place “like a local”. But it comes with responsibilities. Are you an animal lover? You may want to give it a try.
- Momondo: we check Momondo to find great deals to book our flights.
- SafetyWing: travel medical insurance gives us peace of mind knowing that we’re covered in case of emergency. It’s convenient, affordable, and great for digital nomads who spend a long time outside their home country.
Check my Resource Page to learn about the brands I use and trust during my travels and how they can save you time and money. More sightseeing and more cocktails for you!