Planning a trip to Costa Rica? Full of tropical rainforest and beautiful beaches, this Latin American Country has so much to offer! Costa Rica is located in Central America, boarded by Panama to the South and Nicaragua to the North. This Costa Rica travel guide includes itineraries, tips, practical information, and more to help you plan an epic trip!
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Costa Rica Travel Guide Tips
Here is some practical information and travel tips for traveling in Costa Rica, including popular cities, favorite eats, and more!
Costa Rica Population: 5.09M
San José Population: 1.029M
Credit Cards/ATM: Credit cards are widely accepted in Costa Rica. Some of the major banks are CitiBank, Branco de Costa Rica, Branco Nacional de Costa Rica, and Branco Promerica.
Currency: The currency is Costa Rican Colón. US Dollars can be used, however, it is best to exchange some money for Colones.
Airport: Costa Rica is home to two major international airports. San Jose International Airport (SJO) and Liberia International Airport (LIT). Find flights here.
Getting Around Costa Rica: Costa Rica is a small country making it relatively easy to get around. Those planning to travel to multiple areas are best renting a car.
During the rainy season, a 4×4 vehicle may be necessary. You can also use the bus system. If you choose this method, make sure you give yourself extra time to get to your destination.
Costa Rica Travel Safety: Costa Rica is considered one of the safest counties in Latin America, however, safety precautions should be taken.
Petty theft is common. Also, be careful late at night. Tourist areas in general, tend to be safe. During our time, we felt very safe.
Popular places in Costa Rica: La Fortuna, San José, Liberia, Tamarindo, Monteverde, Jaco, Santa Teresa, and Manuel Antonio.
Famous Dishes Across Costa Rica: Gallo Pinto, Olla de Carne, Casado, Sopa Negra, and Tamal de Maicena. Tipping is optional in Costa Rica.
Power Outlets: In Costa Rica, there are two plug types: A and B. Plug type A is the plug that has two flat parallel pins and B is the plug that has the same pins and a grounding pin. Costa Rica operates on 120V supply voltage and 60Hz. I recommend using a universal adaptor.
Cell Service in Costa Rica: In Costa Rica, you should have access to 3G, 4G, and 4.5G LTE. Make sure to contact your phone service carrier before going to Costa Rica to make sure your phone is unlocked for international travel if you plan on using a sim card.
The 3 most popular carriers to use are Kolbi, Claro, and Movistar. It is important to note that in some rural areas of Costa Rica you may not be able to get cell phone service like in the mountains in Monteverde.
Travel Insurance: Protect your Costa Rica vacation with travel/health insurance. Find plans here.
Additional Reading Material: Lonely Planet Costa Rica |
Fodor’s Essential Costa Rica | Moon Costa Rica (Travel Guide)
Weather in Costa Rica
Costa Rica has a diverse, tropical climate. The country itself is made up of many different climate zones.
April is the official start of Costa Rica’s ‘green season.’ The weather is a mix of rainfall and warmer weather. During the months of May to June, the national parks are quieter, making wildlife more prevalent. So, if the diverse range of wildlife is the main reason that you wish to visit, these months are a great time to do so.
During July and August, rainfall in Costa Rica increases. This is a great time to see sea-life animals and can still be a fun time to visit if you don’t mind wet weather as the activities are a lot less busy. The average temperature is anywhere between 69°F to 89°F.
The months of September and October are the height of Costa Rica’s wet season on the west coast, and travel is not recommended. The rainfall makes the roads extremely muddy and difficult to get around on. The temperatures are usually around 68°F to 76°F. However, on the Caribbean side, September and October are two of the best months to visit.
In November and December, the heavy rain ends and going into January through to April, there is rarely any rainfall. This is the busiest period for Costa Rica as the amazing weather conditions make activities around Costa Rica extremely enjoyable (and expensive). The temperatures range from 86°F to 96°F.
Here is your Beach Vacation Packing List!
Costa Rica Travel Guides
Popular Things to do in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is the perfect place for those who are looking for a lot of adventure for their vacation, wildlife, or relaxing by the beach. Some of the most popular activities in Costa Rica include:
- Ziplining
- Canyoneering
- White Water Rafting
- ATV Tours
- Surfing
- Coffee and Chocolate Tours
- Boat Tours
- Wildlife tours
- Surfing
