Travel Tips for Costa Rica

Costa Rica: An Educational Travel Guide

Exquisite beauty, renowned biodiversity, picturesque volcanoes and tranquil waters — Costa Rica is a tropical paradise. The pure life — pura vida — isn’t just the national motto; it’s a way of life.

The laid-back pace of life in Costa Rica's cities would enchant any traveler, but the country's true charm lies beyond the city streets. In the mighty forests, keep your eyes peeled as monkeys swing through the trees and sloths slink along the branches. Search for the awe-inspiring Resplendent Quetzal flying through the cloud forest canopy. Under the cover of moonlight, feel the soft sand beneath your toes as turtle hatchlings scamper across the beach. A small country with a big personality, Costa Rica is the natural adventure you’ve been waiting for.

Whether exploring coffee plantations as a group, watching your grandkids feed hummingbirds out of their hands or traveling solo as you learn the secrets to Costa Rican longevity, this is the natural paradise of your imagination.

Costa Rica Travel Tips

1. Pack cautiously and always be prepared

It’s always a good idea to be prepared when traveling in Costa Rica. Weather and temperatures can vary greatly with altitude up to 5,000 feet above sea level. Even though Costa Rica’s seasons are divided into the dry and wet season, rain is common year-round. A waterproof bag and rain jacket can go a long way, with sun showers possible at any time of the day, as well as a quick dry shirt to protect from the sun. If you’re trying to avoid the showers, Costa Rica’s Pacific coast is your best bet.

2. Some useful Spanish quirks

You may have heard the phrase pura vida (“pure life”) used when talking about Costa Rica, and it is one of the most common phrases you’ll hear during your visit. It is commonly used to refer to something that is good or to respond favorably to a question.

Many countries in the Spanish-speaking world have their own regional variations, including Costa Rica. Here, the diminutive “-ito” more than other Spanish speaking countries. For example, a coffee is called a “café,” whereas a small coffee is called a “cafecito.”

3. Sustainability is key

Expect to eat locally grown food, with rice and beans being a staple of the Ticos diet. Not only is fresh water safe to drink, it is the only Central American country’s water that Heineken will use to brew beer. Most products at local grocery stores are locally sourced and offer some of the best prices for exotic fruits and Costa Rican coffee. The government has also taken steps to ensure their resources remain within the country. It is prohibited by law to remove shells and other nature from their territory — it will be collected at the airport.

4. Prepping for Costa Rica is hassle-free for Americans

For American citizens, no visa is needed — only a passport that does not expire for six months from the conclusion of your trip. Despite using the Costa Rican Colón (CRC) as its currency, U.S. Dollars are widely accepted and can be exchanged in many hotels throughout the country at a good rate. American credit cards are also widely accepted, with Visa being the most common. ATMs are easy to find in San Jose and major Costa Rican cities. Costa Rica uses the same electrical grid as the United States, however many outlets lack a third prong.

Costa Rica At-A-Glance

Population: 4,930,258
Language: Spanish
Capital: San Jose (population 1.17 million)
Currency: Costa Rican colón
Time Zone: UTC-6 (One Time Zone Behind Eastern Standard Time)
Total Size: 19,653 square miles (130th in the world)
Land Use: Agriculture (37%) Forest (52%) Other (11%)
Major Cities: San José, Alajuela, Heredia, Cartago, Puntarenas, Limón, Guanacaste

Geography

With more than 800 miles of coastline, it is no wonder why Costa Rica translates to “Rich Coast.” However, black and white sand beaches lining the Caribbean and Pacific coasts only begin to scratch the surface. As you journey inland, the gentle slope of the beaches gives way to the dense tropical rainforest, highland cloud forests and towering volcanic peaks.

Costa Rica’s diverse geography owes its origin to five mountain ranges. Within a width of 200 miles from coast to coast, elevation ranges from sea level to a maximum of 12,530 feet above sea level at Mount Chirripo. More than one-third of the Costa Rica’s population lives in its capital, San Jose, in the Central Valley. Roughly 50% of the landscape untouched by human infrastructure and 25% federally protected.

Costa Rica Wildlife

Costa Rica is a haven for biodiversity — home to an estimated 5% of the world’s species within 12 key ecological zones.

Encompassing 0.03% of the world’s landmass, Costa Rica’s biodiversity is unprecedented. With more than 500,000 species, there is a record 615 species per 10,000 square kilometers. Approximately 25% of Costa Rica’s land is protected within three UNESCO World Heritage Sites and 27 national parks.

Among thousands of species, Costa Rica is home to:

Six species of motmot: the Blue-crowned Motmot, Broad-billed Motmot, Keel-billed Motmot, Rufous Motmot, Turquoise-browed Motmot and Tody Motmot.
Leatherback, green, hawksbill and olive ridley sea turtles
4 species of monkeys: the Central American squirrel monkey, white-headed capuchin, mantled howler and Geoffrey’s spider monkey.
52 species of hummingbirds

Country Facts:

One of the most popular places to retire abroad, Costa Ricans refer to seniors as “cuidadanos de oro” or “golden citizens.”
Costa Ricans refer to themselves as “ticos” (males) and “ticas” (females).
Ranked 39th in the world, Costa Rica has a life expectancy of 79.
Costa Rica has a 96% literacy rate, with classes taught over the radio where there are no schools.

Renewable Energy Initiatives:

One of the most eco-friendly countries in the world, Costa Rica ran on renewable energy for a total of 229 days in 2015 and 2016.
Costa Rica generated 98.1% of its energy from renewable resources in 2016.

Weather in Costa Rica

Located 10° north of the Equator, Costa Rica doesn’t have summer and winter. Instead, it has the rainy season from May to November and the dry season from December to April. Though classified as tropical and subtropical climates, weather can vary greatly due to Costa Rica’s microclimates and diverse geography. The Central Valley — home to San Jose — ranges in elevation from 2,000 to 5,000 feet above sea level. In the highest elevations, the average temperature becomes cooler.

Caribbean Coast:
Has its own distinct microclimate due to trade winds. Typically warmer weather with higher humidity and year-round rain.

Pacific Coast:
Drier weather with less humidity than the rest of the country from the cool Pacific Ocean and mountain breezes. The rainy season starts later in the year.

San Jose:
Located in the Central Valley with a year-round temperate climate with highs ranging from the mid-80s to lows in the mid-60s.

“We saw so many more turtles, plants, animals and birds than I would have expected. Our leader was excellent and knowledgeable. It rained but it didn't bother us. We had a great time.”

— Eleanor from Wexford, Pennsylvania —

Top 5 Must-see Destinations in Costa Rica

We’ve compiled our list of the best of Costa Rica, starting with the most popular and well known and ending with some more off-the-beaten-path spots you may not know much about.

San José

The beating heart of Costa Rica, San José is the country’s social, cultural and economic hub. Named the capital in 1823, San José is home to extravagant displays of 19th-century wealth and classical architecture. Located in the Central Valley, it is a primary launching point to explore Costa Rica’s biodiversity and natural beauty.

Arenal Volcano

Costa Rica’s most active volcano until 2010 stands at 5,437 feet, shaping the geography of the surrounding area. Arenal Volcano National Park protects the rainforest, rivers, canyons and hot springs as well as Costa Rica’s largest body of fresh water — Lake Arenal. Arenal is known for canopy adventures, geothermal springs and wildlife including armadillos, tree frogs and butterflies.

Monteverde Cloud Forest

The dense fog that hangs to the rainforest canopy of Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve creates one of the world’s unique ecosystems and boasts a large number of endemic species. Coffee plantations prosper from the local environment, skywalks navigate the canopy where 90% of all cloud forest organisms live featuring monkeys, sloths and 400 species of birds — including the famed Resplendent Quetzal.

Tortuguero National Park

Translating to “Lots of Turtles,” Tortuguero National Park rests on Costa Rica’s northeastern Caribbean coast. Green sea turtles, leatherback and hawksbill can be seen nesting on beaches created from volcanic sediment. An extensive network of rivers and lagoons is home to river turtles, spectacled caiman and southern river otters as spider, howler and capuchin monkeys swing through the trees overhead with birds and sloths.

Guanacaste Province

In the northwest, Guanacaste Province’s capital, Liberia, is a transportation hub and the access point to some of Costa Rica’s most astounding beaches, volcanic hotspots and waterfalls. Liberia boasts colonial architecture with Wild West vibe from the surrounding ranches and in-town rodeos. On the Pacific coast, Guanacaste is one of the driest regions of Costa Rica and home to exceptional biodiversity. Rincon de la Vieja National Park encompasses nine volcanic craters and diverse ecosystems and Santa Rosa National Park was the country’s first, protecting the scene of the Battle of Santa Rosa and 10 unique natural habitats.

“What a great adventure! I was amazed and awestruck at the variety of flora and fauna the group saw. I was overwhelmed daily with a sense of gratitude at being able to discover and experience this beautiful part of the world.”

— Elizabeth from Redding, California —