With breathtaking volcanoes, stunning beaches, tropical rainforests and exotic wildlife it’s hard to find a more scenically diverse travel destination.

There’s much to see and do around Costa Rica so a trip here is best divided into more than one location. The jungles and highlands are brimming with exotic and wonderful wildlife, there’s great hiking and nature trails around the national parks and volcanoes, and along the coastlines you’ll find beautiful beaches and great surf.

Costa Rica, situated in between Panama to the south and Nicaragua to the north, has a population of 4.9 million with around 300,000 living in the capital city San Jose. Costa Rica’s territory is just 0.03% of the earth’s surface yet accounts for over 5% of the world’s biodiversity and over a quarter of its lands are protected as parks and preserves. The country is almost entirely Christian with around 80% of the population being Roman Catholic. Costa Rica’s biggest industry is tourism with around two million people visiting this unique and exciting country each year.

Costa Rica has a temperate tropical climate and it’s a place that’s made up of many sub climates. For example in Monteverde temperatures will be a lot colder, with cooling mist, fog and rain whilst the pacific coastal areas will be hot and dry with more sunshine (perfect for beach goers).

Costa Rica has average year round temperatures of  21°C (70°F) to 27°C (81°F) due to its proximity to the equator, therefore it has no summer or winter seasons — it does however have a rainy season which runs from May to November.

Generally the best time to visit is between December and April which is classed as the dry season, but that is also peak season for tourists making it expensive, so book early!

Car

Generally the best way to see Costa Rica is by renting a car, it will allow you more flexibility and is normally the cheapest way to get around. There are many international car rental companies around and most roads are easily accessible by car. If you’re feeling adventurous or visiting in rainy season (where you will likely have to cross fords or flooded sections of road) a 4×4 is highly recommended.

Buses

Public buses are another way to get around, most are comfortable but rarely have air conditioning, with a trip costing anywhere from $1 to $20 USD. There are also many tourist bus companies around Costa Rica, the buses are generally comfortable, most with air conditioning but will cost more than public transport, around $15 to $25 USD per trip (prices can vary by bus company).

Taxis

Taxis around San Jose are all metered, outside of the city there are no metered taxis, most towns will have at least one licensed taxi which you can hire by the hour or anywhere up to a full day.

Flights

There are domestic flights daily from San Jose to most of the country’s major destinations with prices ranging from $50 to $170 USD each way, its two domestic airlines are Sansa and Nature Air.

The national currency is the Costa Rican colon (CRC/colones), but US dollars (USD) are widely accepted.

We recommend paying in USD as you will get more for your money, but it is also good to carry some colones for smaller item purchases, food stalls and taxis. Take USD with you to exchange for colones as that will give you the best exchange rate. ATMs are widespread around Costa Rica apart from more remote villages and coastal areas, most withdrawals will likely cost you a small transaction fee of 0–1% as well as a flat fee of a couple of dollars.

Average Costs (in USD)

• A mid range hotel (3–4 star) $40–$120 per night
• Meal at a local restaurant $6–$12
• Dinner at a restaurant in a tourist area $20–$30
• A wildlife watching tour $30–$50
• A cup of coffee $2
• A local beer $2–$3
• Bottle of water $1.50
• A cocktail $3–$7
• Car hire costs between $40–$80 a day dependent on the vehicle

All restaurants add a 13% sales tax plus 10% service tax and this is not usually included on the menu price.

Most of Costa Rica’s attractions are based around its natural beauty, and there’s something for everyone here whether it’s exploring the many national parks, relaxing on its beaches, zip lining through jungles or white water rafting, you’re bound to enjoy yourself.

Arenal Volcano

Situated near the town of La Fortuna in the northern lowlands, this huge, perfectly symmetrical volcano is hard to miss when travelling in this part of the country. There are many hikes around the National Park over old lava fields and through beautiful rainforests with spectacular up-close views of this majestic volcano.

Poas Volcano

This awe-inspiring site is situated at 2,708 m (8,885 ft) and the main crater, at almost a mile in diameter, provides a breathtaking view.  An early morning visit is a must as clouds often roll in from mid-late morning. The National Park opens at 8:00 am and has a $10 entrance fee.

La Fortuna Waterfall

Dropping 75 metres into a pool surround by jungle, this amazing waterfall is situated about 3.5 miles (6 km) outside of La Fortuna town. Before walking down over 400 steps to reach the bottom of the waterfall, make sure you take in the beautiful views from the viewing platform at the top. You can visit here from 7:30 am till 4:00 pm and the entrance fee is $15.

Monteverde Cloud Forest 

The forest sits 1,440 m (9,724 ft) above sea level, was established in 1972 and spans over 25,000 acres. Although the majority of the forest is off limits to the public, there are still over 8 miles (13 km) of trails to explore either on your own or with a guide. The forest is home to a huge number of mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles, including 6 species of the cat family. Entrance fee is $20 and it opens between 7:00 am and 4:00 pm.

Rio Celeste

Inside Tenorio Volcano National Park lies this river and waterfall with an incredible blue hue. The river itself is 8.5 miles (14 km) long, but the waterfall is only 1 mile from the park entrance. The viewing platform is 250 steps down and provides stunning views of the 90 m (295 ft) cascading waterfall and its deep blue pool (swimming is not permitted). Entrance to the park is $12 and opens from 8:00 am till 4:00 pm, although last admission is 2:00 pm.

Cerro Chirripo

The highest mountain in Costa Rica, standing 3,820 m (12,533 ft) above sea level, is situated in Chirripo National Park. The hike to the peak is 12 miles (19 km), although there are many other hiking trails within the park, taking you through different ecological zones. If you do decide to hike to the summit, there is a basic lodge 3.4 miles (5.4 km) from top where you can spend the night, as long as you purchase the correct permit in advance.

Manuel Antonio National Park

Forests, mangrove swamps, lagoons, wildlife, coral reefs and white sand beaches are all part of this diverse area of Costa Rica, that has been protected since 1972. Admission is $16 USD and the park opens between 7:00 am and 4:00 pm, apart from Mondays when the park closes.

Arenal  

A 3 hour 30 minute drive from San Jose sits Arenal Volcano one of the youngest but most active volcanoes in Costa Rica. Situated near the small town of La Fortuna there is an abundance of activities and things to do for adventurers and nature lovers alike. There are many natural hot springs around the area most of which are centered around resorts but you don’t necessarily have to be a guest as most offer daytime passes. There is a whole host of activities to indulge yourself in around the shadow of this awe-inspiring volcano such as kayaking, rafting, zip lining, tree top canopy walks, wildlife spotting, waterfalls, nature walks, hiking, horse riding and plenty of natural hot springs to relax in.

Poas

The Poas Volcano National Park is around 42 miles (67 km) from the Capital San Jose and sits at around 2,710 metres (8,900 ft) above sea level. The park covers an area of approximately 16,000 acres and is open from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm, we recommend getting there early as there is more chance of getting a clear view from the top of the crater. The park has a small entrance fee of $10 USD and there are a limited number of lodgings around the area of the park. We recommend a 1–2 night stay around Poas to see the areas attractions.

Monteverde

Monteverde is a mountainous area in the northwest region of Costa Rica that sits around 1,400 metres (4,600 ft) above sea level. The quaint town of Santa Elena sits nestled between the two well preserved cloud forests and acts as a central hub for Monteverde’s activities and attractions. The area has an incredible amount of biodiversity, there are over 100 species of mammals, 400 species of birds and over 2,500 species of plants. The two cloud forests both have guided nature tours, numerous trails, canopy tours, suspension bridges and even zip lines if your craving a touch of adrenaline.

Taramindo

A town on Costa Rica’s pacific coast in the Guanacaste province. The area is known for it’s beaches and is very popular with surfers. To the north the Playa Grande beach is a major nesting site for turtles and forms part of Las Baulas National Marine Park. There is also the opportunity to explore the mangroves at the estuary of Taramindo Wildlife Refuge via a boat tour, with the opportunity to see the protected crocodiles and howler monkeys.

Jaco 

Located on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, one and a half hours from Juan Santamaria International Airport near San Jose is this beautiful bustling beach town. It is known for its beaches, that are popular with surfers and its party atmosphere and nightlife. It is also used as a base to explore the nearby Carara National Park, that has scarlet macaws, and crocodiles at Tarcoles River.

Tortuguero

A village on the Caribbean Coast in the Limon Province. It is part of Tortuguero National Park whose beaches attract thousands of nesting turtles. The trail along the beach is mostly used for the popular activity of observing turtle nesting, whilst the rest of the park is best explored by boat via the extensive waterways intertwining through the dense rainforest. There are no roads in Tortuguero so it is only accessible via boat or small plane.

Corcovado National Park & Drake Bay

An enormous reserve on the southwest Osa Peninsula protects the varied ecosystems, from lowland rainforest, highland cloud forest, mangrove swamps, coastal marine and beach habitats. There is a huge variety of wildlife such as Baird’s Tapir, jaguars and monkeys and numerous hiking trails. To access this National Park you can take a boat from the nearby village of Drake’s Bay or fly via a small propeller plane. This remote village is also generally only accessible via boat from the town of Sierpe as the rough roads and river crossings would not be covered under your car rental agreement, the alternative is to fly. As this area is more difficult to access than other parts of Costa Rica it will really feel as though you’re away from it all once you’re there.

• There are 121 volcanic formations in Costa Rica and 7 of them are active.
• Costa Ricans call themselves ticos (males) and ticas (females).
• Costa Rica hasn’t had an army since the last civil war ended in 1948.
• At its narrowest Costa Rica is only 74 miles (120 km) wide, but has 801 miles (1290 km) of coastline.
• 10% of the world’s butterflies live in Costa Rica, as do 52 different species of hummingbird.
• 25% of the land is protected, which is made up of over 100 National Parks or reserves.
• Pura Vida is the national saying that means ‘pure life’. It is a feel good expression that can be used as a greeting, a farewell or in answer to ‘how are you?’