Costa Rica · Travel guide
How the country divides into volcanoes, cloud forests, Pacific and Caribbean coasts, how to choose between the ten destinations, when to go, what it costs and three routes that work.
Photo: Rhododendrites · CC BY-SA 4.0
Costa Rica packs volcanoes, rainforest, wildlife and two coastlines into a country the size of a small US state. This guide explains how the regions divide, how to choose between the ten destinations, how to travel, when to go, what it costs and three routes that work.
Costa Rica is small, and a visitor can think of it in four zones.
The Central Valley. San Jose is the capital and gateway, with volcanoes and coffee farms nearby.
The northern lowlands and highlands. Arenal, Monteverde and Rincon de la Vieja offer volcanoes, hot springs and cloud forest.
The Pacific coast. Tamarindo, Santa Teresa, Manuel Antonio and Corcovado run from the sunny north to the wild south.
The Caribbean coast. Tortuguero and Puerto Viejo and Cahuita have canals, turtles and Afro-Caribbean culture.
Worth knowing: Most first trips combine one volcano or cloud forest area with one beach area.
[[san-jose
[[tortuguero
[[tamarindo-guanacaste
[[arenal-la-fortuna
[[san-jose
[[corcovado-osa-peninsula
Roads are improving but can be slow and winding. A drive of 100 km can take three hours.
Private shuttles link the main tourist hubs and are a good alternative to renting a car.
Public buses cover the whole country cheaply and are slow. Domestic flights with Sansa link San Jose with several beach towns.
Boat transfers are needed for Tortuguero and some remote lodges. Ferries cross the Gulf of Nicoya.
Worth knowing: A 4x4 is useful for Monteverde, the Osa Peninsula and the Nicoya coast.
The dry season, December to April, is sunny on the Pacific side and the busiest time. Book ahead for Christmas and Easter.
May to November is the green season. Mornings are often sunny, with rain in the afternoon, and prices drop.
The Caribbean side has a different pattern, with the driest weather in February to April and September to October.
Turtles nest at Tortuguero from March to October, and humpback whales visit the Pacific coast from July to October and December to March.
Worth knowing: Check the microclimate of each area, since Costa Rica varies a lot.
Costa Rica is more expensive than neighbouring countries. A budget traveller can manage on US$50-80 a day, a mid-range traveller on US$120-200 and a comfortable one on US$250 and up.
National park fees, tours and transport add up, so plan a budget for activities.
Cards are widely accepted, and US dollars are often taken. The local currency is the colon.
Take care of valuables, avoid leaving belongings in rental cars, and swim only at beaches with lifeguards or calm water.
Two nights in [[san-jose
Tip San Jose]] and [[arenal-la-fortuna
One week route plus two nights in [[monteverde
Tip Monteverde]].
The itinerary on the country page, covering the Caribbean, volcanoes and the Pacific coast.
Tip Add [[corcovado-osa-peninsula
Reference
Every place named above has its own detailed guide — attractions, food, where to stay, how to get around and a suggested day-by-day plan.
Alajuela Province, northern Costa Rica
An adventure hub at the foot of Arenal Volcano, with La Fortuna Waterfall, natural hot springs, hanging bridges, Lake Arenal and wildlife.
Don't miss Soaking in a warm river as the Arenal volcano towers overhead.
Explore Destination — Arenal and La FortunaPuntarenas Province, Tilaran Mountains
A high-altitude cloud forest community with biodiversity reserves, canopy walks, ziplines, night walks and coffee farms.
Don't miss Walking a hanging bridge through the clouds and spotting a resplendent quetzal.
Explore Destination — MonteverdePuntarenas Province, central Pacific coast
Costa Rica's most visited park, with beaches, forest trails, wildlife, rafting nearby and views from the hills of Quepos.
Don't miss Spotting a sloth overhead, then swimming at a hidden beach.
Explore Destination — Manuel AntonioLimon Province, northern Caribbean coast
A remote Caribbean national park of rainforest canals, turtle nesting beaches, caimans, monkeys and birdlife.
Don't miss Watching a green turtle haul itself ashore to nest at night.
Explore Destination — TortugueroPuntarenas Province, southern Pacific coast
A remote peninsula holding Corcovado National Park, one of the last large tracts of Pacific lowland rainforest, with Drake Bay and Puerto Jimenez as bases.
Don't miss Walking at dawn on a remote beach with scarlet macaws overhead.
Explore Destination — Corcovado and the Osa PeninsulaGuanacaste Province, north-west Pacific coast
The most developed beach area of Costa Rica, with surfing at Tamarindo, quieter beaches like Conchal and Flamingo, turtle nesting and the Guanacaste dry forest.
Don't miss Catching a sunset surf lesson, then dinner on the sand.
Explore Destination — Tamarindo and GuanacasteLimon Province, Caribbean coast
A relaxed stretch of coast with Cahuita National Park, Punta Uva, surf at Salsa Brava, chocolate tours and Afro-Caribbean food.
Don't miss Cycling along the coast to a black-sand beach with howler monkeys overhead.
Explore Destination — Puerto Viejo and CahuitaSan Jose Province, Central Valley
Costa Rica's capital and transport hub, with the National Theatre, gold museum, central market and day trips to volcanoes and coffee farms.
Don't miss Sipping coffee at a market, then visiting the gold museum under the National Theatre's dome.
Explore Destination — San JoseGuanacaste Province, north-west Costa Rica
A national park around an active volcano, with fumaroles, waterfalls, hot springs, canopy tours and horseback rides.
Don't miss Soaking in a volcanic stream after a morning on the waterfall trail.
Explore Destination — Rincon de la ViejaPuntarenas Province, Nicoya Peninsula
A rugged southern Nicoya coast with Santa Teresa, Malpais, Montezuma, waterfalls and some of the best surf in Costa Rica.
Don't miss Surfing at sunrise, then eating fresh fish on the sand.
Explore Destination — Santa Teresa and the Nicoya PeninsulaFAQ
It is the priciest country in Central America, but a budget traveller can manage on US$50-80 a day with hostels, local sodas and buses.
December to April is the dry season and the most popular. May to November is the green season, with cheaper prices and quieter sites.
It gives flexibility, but shuttles and buses link the main tourist areas. Roads can be rough, so choose a 4x4 for remote areas.
Generally yes, though petty theft is common in tourist areas. Take care in San Jose at night and in the sea, where rip currents are strong.
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