Planning a trip to Costa Rica? Come for the rainforests, volcanoes, waterfalls, beaches and incredible wildlife. Spend your days searching for sloths and monkeys, hiking through cloud forests, soaking in hot springs, ziplining through the jungle, visiting coffee farms, and exploring beaches along the Pacific and Caribbean coasts.
This Costa Rica travel guide will help you decide where to go, when to visit, how to get around, how much to budget, and what you need to know before you arrive. You’ll also find practical information about Costa Rican entry requirements, currency, transportation, weather, electrical outlets, safety, food, packing, and local travel tips.
Visiting Costa Rica for the first time? La Fortuna and Arenal are great for volcano views, waterfalls and hot springs; Monteverde is known for cloud forests and wildlife; Guanacaste is popular for Pacific beaches; and Manuel Antonio combines rainforest, beaches and wildlife.
Costa Rica looks small on a map, but travel between destinations can take longer than expected. Choose a few regions that match your interests and give yourself enough time to enjoy them rather than spending your vacation constantly moving between destinations. Use this Costa Rica travel guide and the following Costa Rica travel blog posts to plan your perfect vacation.
READ Things to Do in Northwest Costa Rica, One Week Itinerary
Costa Rica Travel Guide at a Glance
Planning your first trip to Costa Rica? Here are the essential things to know before you go:
Capital: San José
Currency: Costa Rican colón (CRC)
Official Language: Spanish
Emergency Number: 911
Driving: Costa Ricans drive on the right
Power Outlets: Type A and B, 120V, 60Hz
Best Time to Visit: December–April for generally drier weather; May–November for greener landscapes, fewer crowds in some areas, and more rain
Popular First-Time Destinations: La Fortuna and Arenal, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio, Guanacaste, and the Nicoya Peninsula
Getting Around Costa Rica: Rental cars, shared or private shuttles, public buses, and domestic transportation services connect popular destinations
Visa Requirements: U.S. citizens can currently visit Costa Rica without a visa for tourist stays of up to 180 days, although immigration determines the permitted length of stay; proof of onward or return travel is required
Best Known For: Rainforests, volcanoes, beaches, wildlife, cloud forests, coffee, hot springs, surfing, and adventure activities
Don’t Miss: Arenal Volcano, a rainforest or cloud forest experience, Costa Rican wildlife, a waterfall, a coffee farm, hot springs, and at least one Pacific or Caribbean beach
First-time Costa Rica travel tip: Don’t underestimate driving times. Mountain roads, traffic, weather, and road conditions can make relatively short distances take much longer than expected.
Best Places to Visit in Costa Rica
Costa Rica may be a small country, but its destinations offer completely different experiences. You can hike around volcanoes, search for wildlife in rainforests, walk through misty cloud forests, relax on Pacific beaches, and experience Caribbean culture in a single trip. Here are some of the best places to visit in Costa Rica for first-time visitors.
La Fortuna and Arenal: Best for Volcanoes, Hot Springs and Adventure
La Fortuna is one of the most popular destinations in Costa Rica and a great choice for first-time visitors. The area is home to Arenal Volcano National Park, natural hot springs, waterfalls, rainforest trails, hanging bridges, and plenty of outdoor adventures. Spend your days hiking, ziplining, spotting wildlife, visiting La Fortuna Waterfall, and relaxing in thermal hot springs.
Monteverde: Best for Cloud Forests and Wildlife
Visit Monteverde to experience Costa Rica’s famous cloud forests. The cool, misty landscape is ideal for hiking, birdwatching, wildlife tours, hanging bridges, and ziplining. Monteverde is especially appealing to nature lovers hoping to see tropical plants, colorful birds, and other wildlife in a completely different environment from Costa Rica’s beaches.
Manuel Antonio: Best for Beaches and Wildlife
Manuel Antonio combines tropical beaches with rainforest and wildlife, making it a great destination for travelers who want a little of everything. Explore Manuel Antonio National Park, watch for monkeys and sloths, hike through the forest, and spend time relaxing on the Pacific coast.
Guanacaste: Best for Beaches and Resorts
Guanacaste is a popular choice for a Costa Rica beach vacation. The region is known for its Pacific coastline, tropical dry forests, beautiful sunsets, and beach towns such as Tamarindo. Spend your time swimming, surfing, snorkeling, relaxing on the beach, or exploring nearby national parks and wildlife areas.
Tortuguero: Best for Wildlife and Sea Turtles
Tortuguero is one of Costa Rica’s most unique wildlife destinations. Located on the Caribbean coast, the area is known for its network of rivers and canals, rainforest, abundant birdlife, and important sea turtle nesting beaches. Explore the waterways by boat or kayak while searching for monkeys, birds, reptiles, and other wildlife. Tortuguero is accessible primarily by boat or small plane, which adds to its remote feel.
Puerto Viejo and the Caribbean Coast: Best for Beaches and Caribbean Culture
Head to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca for a different side of Costa Rica. The southern Caribbean coast combines beaches and rainforest with Afro-Caribbean and Indigenous cultural influences. Explore Puerto Viejo, visit nearby Cahuita National Park, relax on beaches such as Playa Cocles and Punta Uva, and enjoy the region’s distinctive food, music, and laid-back atmosphere.
San José and the Central Valley: Best for Culture, Coffee and a First or Last Stop
San José is Costa Rica’s capital and a convenient starting or ending point for many trips. Explore museums, markets, restaurants, and historic attractions before heading into the countryside. The surrounding Central Valley is also a good place to visit coffee farms and explore some of Costa Rica’s volcanic landscapes.
South Pacific and Osa Peninsula: Best for Rainforest and Remote Nature
Costa Rica’s South Pacific is ideal for travelers looking for a more remote nature experience. The region is filled with tropical rainforest, wildlife, beaches, and marine ecosystems. Use the area as a base for hiking, wildlife watching, snorkeling, whale watching, and exploring some of Costa Rica’s less-developed landscapes.
First-time Costa Rica travel tip: You do not need to visit all of these places on one trip. For a one-week vacation, choose two or three destinations that work well together and match your interests. Travel times in Costa Rica are often longer than the distances on a map suggest.
Costa Rica Travel Guide: What to Know Before You Go
Where Is Costa Rica?
Costa Rica is in Central America with a population of over 5.1 million. The country is about the size of West Virginia and is bordered by Nicaragua, Panama, the Pacific Ocean to the West, and the Caribbean Sea to the East. Although Costa Rica appears small, it takes longer to get around the country than it appears on a map. Costa Rica is divided into seven provinces: Guanacaste, Puntarenas, Alajuela, Heredia, San Jose, Cartago, and Limon. San Jose is the capital with a population of 1.5 million people.
What Language Is Spoken in Costa Rica?
The national language of Costa Rica is Spanish, with its own form of slang. Tourism is a main source of income, and many locals speak English. It is important to at least try to speak the common language before resorting to English. FluentU offers a helpful list of common words and phrases to learn before you travel. You will also find tutorials on YouTube.
Do U.S. Citizens Need a Visa for Costa Rica?
U.S. citizens currently do not need a visa to visit Costa Rica for tourism for stays of less than 180 days. Immigration officials determine the permitted length of stay when you enter the country, so a 180-day stay is not guaranteed. Travelers need a passport valid for the duration of their stay and proof of onward or return travel. Yellow fever vaccination requirements may also apply if you are arriving from certain countries or regions where yellow fever is present. Always check current entry requirements before traveling to Costa Rica.
What Currency Does Costa Rica Use?
The currency in Costa Rica is the Colón. The exchange rate is about 500 CRC to $1 USD. Untorn and unmarked USD are also widely accepted in Costa Rica. Don’t be fooled by ‘0 commission’ money exchangers because the ‘service fee’ is high. Be sure to download a free currency calculator before you arrive.
Can You Use Credit Cards and ATMs in Costa Rica?
ATMs are available in large cities. Banco Nacional (BN) or Banco de Costa Rica (BCR) as they offer fee-free ATM withdrawals with foreign cards. Avoid large fees by using your bank’s international partner in Costa Rica, and Google its location before you travel. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in Costa Rica; you will need a 4-digit PIN from the bank. American Express and Discover may be accepted. Save money on fees with a credit card that waives foreign transaction fees, and ask for payment to be in colones; you will get a much better exchange rate from your bank. It is always a good idea to carry some cash.
How Much Does a Trip to Costa Rica Cost?
Costa Rica is the most expensive country in Central America. Expect prices similar to those in the United States. Tipping is not necessary in restaurants. Staff are paid a living wage, and an additional 10% services charge is built into the prices. According to Budget Your Trip, the average daily cost of traveling in Costa Rica is $138. Expect to pay $1,935 + airfare for a one-week trip for 2.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Costa Rica?
Costa Rica is warm year-round. Temperatures are warmer along the coast and cooler in the rainforests. The temperatures in Costa Rica range from the 80s or sometimes low 90s °F at the beach (27-32 °C) to crisp 60s and 70s °F (16-22 °C) in the higher elevation mountains.
The wet season runs from May to November, and the dry season is from January to April. The high season in Costa Rica is the dry season, expect high prices and crowds. The shoulder season is the beginning of December; many Costa Ricans travel around the Christmas holidays, and prices increase. The low season is during the wet season. Be aware that dry season means less wet, not actually dry!
How Do You Get Around Costa Rica?
There are two international airports. One in San Jose (San Jose International Airport SJO), and the other in Liberia (Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport LIR). Use SJO if you plan to visit the Caribbean coast, South Pacific Coast, or Osa Peninsula, and LIR for Guanacaste or Nicoya Peninsula. La Fortuna and Monteverde can be reached from both airports. There are many direct flights to Costa Rica from the US, Canada, and Europe. A direct flight from Newark or LAX to San Jose is 5.5 hours.
Car rental is the best way to see the country. Note that driving is on the right side (like the United States and Canada), gas is expensive, and insurance is mandatory. The roads are typically 2 lanes with narrow shoulders. There are few street lights or street signs, and road conditions are unpredictable with big potholes. Renting a 4X4 is recommended for remote regions. To legally drive in Costa Rica as a tourist, you need to have your original passport (not a color copy), your original driver’s license, and a valid tourist stamp with you.
I chose to book escorted excursions. While this option is less flexible than car rental, I did not want to drive on poor roads in the dark, so it worked well for me during this trip. Alternatively, the country is connected through tourist shuttles and public buses. Uber is illegal, but it is available.
What Power Adapter Do You Need in Costa Rica?
The plugs in Costa Rica are Type A and Type B, and the standard voltage is 110 V, the same as in the United States and Canada. Travelers from the United States generally do not need a plug adapter or voltage converter. If you are traveling from other countries, I recommend buying a universal adapter with surge protection.
What Should You Pack for Costa Rica?
Beaches: Pack lightweight, quick-drying clothing, a swimsuit, comfortable sandals, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and a light rain layer.
Rainforests: Pack lightweight, quick-drying clothing, insect repellent, sturdy walking or hiking shoes, and a rain jacket or poncho. Long pants and a lightweight long-sleeve shirt can provide additional protection from insects and vegetation.
Cloud forests and higher elevations: Bring layers and a light sweater or jacket. Temperatures can feel considerably cooler than along the coast, particularly in the mornings and evenings.
Adventure activities: Bring secure closed-toe shoes, quick-drying clothing, a small day bag, and a waterproof phone case or dry bag. Water shoes can also be useful for certain waterfalls, beaches, and water activities.
Year-round: Bring sunscreen, insect repellent, a reusable water bottle, comfortable walking shoes, and rain protection.
Costa Rica travel tip: Pack for the regions you plan to visit rather than the country as a whole. Beach destinations can be hot and humid while Monteverde and other higher-elevation areas can be cool, wet, and windy.
Is Costa Rica Safe for Solo Travelers?
As of April 2, 2026, the U.S. State Department rates Costa Rica Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime. There is a high risk of natural disasters such as floods, landslides, cyclones, or volcanoes. Pickpockets and petty theft are common in San Jose and other large cities. Whenever traveling, don’t leave valuables out in the open in your hotel while you are out, keep your wallet and phone in your front pockets, and never walk around at night alone. Dial 911 in an emergency. Contact the US Embassy for non-urgent emergencies, such as a lost passport.
What Costa Rican Food Should You Try?
Common Costa Rican foods include gallo pinto (rice and beans), chorreadas (corn pancakes), Rondón (seafood and coconut stew), and ceviche. For a sweet treat, try a copo (shaved ice with kola syrup, powdered milk, and condensed milk). And, do not miss pipa fria (cold coconut water). Be sure to eat a meal at a soda while in Costa Rica. A soda is a small, open-air, family-run restaurant serving only Costa Rican food. Order a casado, which is a plate of rice, beans, salad, meat, and usually plantains.
Costa Rica Travel Guide Tips
- Tap water is generally safe to drink in most urban and tourist areas, but bottled water may be preferable in remote areas.
- Hire a guide to search out wildlife for you on excursions; it’s worth the money.
- Bring binoculars for rainforest hikes.
- Mosquitoes can carry dengue and Zika, cover bare skin, and use insect repellent containing at least 20% DEET.
- The sun rises and sets about 6 AM and 6 PM every day.
- Costa Rica does not permit the removal of sand or shells from the country.
- The Costa Rica drinking age is 18.
- Gambling and prostitution are legal in Costa Rica.
- Bring a GoPro to attach to your helmet while ziplining.
- Police can stop and ask for your papers at any time. Carry a color copy of your passport and a photo of your tourist stamp with you.
- It is hot and humid in Costa Rica; drink lots of water.
- Do not swim or surf alone. Rip currents are common; look out for warning flags. A red flag indicates a danger zone, while a black flag means stay out of the water.
Top 10 Things to See and Do in Costa Rica
- Zipline through the cloud forest
- Hike to the famous La Fortuna Waterfall
- Relax in a thermal hot spring at the base of Arenal Volcano
- Walk the Mistico Hanging Bridges
- Look for sloths on the Bogarin Sloth Trail
- Search for baby turtles
- Take a tour of a coffee farm in the Central Valley
- Explore the jungle canals by boat in Tortuguero National Park
- ATV through the jungle
- Experience a rainforest night walk and search for bright colored frogs
Be sure to check the Costa Rica Board of Tourism for upcoming festivals, special events, and what’s happening during your stay.
Costa Rica Travel Guide: Interesting Facts
- Costa Rica means rich coast in Spanish.
- Costa Rica does not have an army.
- 28% of all land in Costa Rica is protected.
- Costa Rica has over 800 miles of coastline.
- There are 121 volcanoes in Costa Rica, 7 of which are active.
- 25% of the country is protected land, including 25 national parks in Costa Rica, 10 biological reserves, 61 wildlife refuges, and 31 protected zones.
- Costa Rica has 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Cocos Island National Park, Area de Conservación Guanacaste, La Amistad International Park, and the Stone Spheres of the Diquis.
- The main crops in Costa Rica are bananas, coffee, sugar cane, rice, pineapples, and beef.
- Costa Rica runs on renewable energy for about 300 days a year.
- Costa Ricans refer to themselves as “ticos” (males) and “ticas” (females).
- Costa Ricans live by the philosophy of pura vida (“pure life”).
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