Costa Rica is a country in Central America, bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean to the east. It is translated to rich coast because it once thought the land was rich in gold. It is rich in biodiversity, including Volcanos, Hot Springs, Cloud forests, beaches, natural flora fauna, and wildlife.
How to get to Costa Rica
Most international flights arrive at San Jose international airport. It takes 3 to 7 hours to fly to San Jose from the USA, and most US cities, including New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and more, have direct flights.
How to get around Costa Rica
A rental car gives you the most flexibility to visit different areas in Costa Rica, but the roads are narrow and winding when you visit the La Fortuna area. Moreover, it adds to the hassle, liability, and additional insurance costs. You can also hire a driver with a rental car, but it’ll be even more expensive.
A shared or Private shuttle is a good option if you don’t want to drive, and it offers door-to-door hotel service.
You can also use public transportation between major tourist destinations but need to figure out the route, time, and stops for the buses.
We did a guided tour with Gate 1 Travel and didn’t need to worry about driving. We visited San Jose, Arenal, and Monteverde on our trip.
Where to stay in Costa Rica
We stayed in San Jose, Arenal, and Monteverde. Click here to see the details of our hotels.
Itinerary
We did a seven-day itinerary and visited San Jose, La Fortuna, and Monteverde. Click here to see our Itinerary. You can visit Manual Antonio to experience the beaches if you have more time.
Currency
Costa Rica’s local currency is the colon. US dollars and credit cards were widely accepted in all places. It’s better to have some local currency to pay for small items like coffee or souvenirs. ATMs were also readily available if you needed cash.
When to visit Costa Rica
Costa Rica has two seasons wet season( May to November) and the dry season( December to April). The Monteverde cloud forest and Arenal area are good to visit in the wet season when green and lush. It is also cheaper and less crowded to visit in the wet season. Like Manual Antonio, the Pacific side is good to visit in the dry season when you can enjoy the beaches and other water activities. It is also the peak season when most Americans flock to Costa Rica to escape the cold.
Things to Pack
It rains a lot in Costa Rica, so its better to pack a rain Jacket or rain gear, quick dry clothes, bug repellent, closed shoes, and beach wear(if you plan to visit hot springs or beaches)
Tipping
A 10% service charge is already included in restaurants, so you don’t need to pay additional tips. However, you can tip your guide, driver, porter, waiter, etc., which is much appreciated.
Best places to visit in Costa Rica
Arenal Volcano, located in the La Fortuna area, is mainly visited because of its picturesque conical shape. It was the most active volcano between 1968 and 2010. Click here to see our experience.
Monteverde Cloud Forest is a must-do to experience the cloud forest by Ziplining or hanging bridges. Click here to see our experiences.
Hot Springs are located in the La Fortuna area and are naturally heated by the Arenal Volcano and is a great experience to wind down after a day of sightseeing. Click here to see our experience.
Coffee Farm Costa Rica is famous for its coffee; visiting a local coffee farm helps you to learn about the whole process. Click here to see our experience.
Cano Negro Wildlife is located in La Fortuna Area, and you can see wildlife from the comfort of a boat tour. Click here for the details.
San Jose is the capital of Costa Rica; click here to see what to do there.