Costa Rica
Surfing, rainforest, volcanoes, and wildlife in extraordinary density.
Costa Rica is the easy entry point to neotropical wildlife. Cloud forests, two coastlines, active volcanoes, sloths, monkeys, more bird species than the United States — all in a country smaller than West Virginia. Pura vida is real and the infrastructure works.
The classic loop is short and proven: fly into San José, head to Arenal for volcano hikes and hot springs, take the bumpy road around the lake to Monteverde's cloud forest, then drop to the Pacific for surf, sunsets, and sloths. Hire a guide with a spotting scope at least once — you'll see ten times more than you would alone. Budget reality: this is a trip of rental cars, park fees, and guided walks, and it adds up fast.
Costa Rica is not cheap — expect prices closer to the United States than to the rest of Central America, especially in Guanacaste and the surf towns. Distances look tiny on the map and take hours on rough roads. September and October rains can wash out whole afternoons, and San José deserves one night at most. If you're after culture, ruins, or city life, go elsewhere. For wildlife per day of vacation, almost nowhere on earth beats it.
Highlights
-
Manuel Antonio
National park where the rainforest meets the beach — sloths all but guaranteed.
-
Arenal & La Fortuna
Volcano, hot springs, hanging bridges.
-
Monteverde
Cloud forest at altitude — quetzals, mist, and a cooler world entirely.
-
Nosara / Santa Teresa
Pacific surf coast with yoga and slow-living scene.
Practical info
- Visa
- Visa-free for most Western passports (90 days).
- Currency
- CRC (Colon) — USD widely accepted.
- Language
- Spanish. English in tourism.
- Safety
- Very safe by Central American standards. Watch belongings on beaches.
- Getting around
- Self-drive (4WD for some areas) or shuttles between hotspots.
- Tap water
- Tap water safe in most of the country.
- Plug type
- Type A Type B 120V
- Money
- USD or local; cards work in tourism.
General guidance — visas, safety, and health change, so check your government's travel advisory and the official sources before you go.
Common questions
- When is the best time to visit Costa Rica?
- Costa Rica is at its best in December–April. It's best to avoid September, October.
- How many days do you need in Costa Rica?
- Most trips run 1–4 weeks, depending on how much ground you want to cover.
- Is Costa Rica expensive?
- Plan for budget – mid-range daily spend, depending on how you travel.
- Is Costa Rica safe for travelers?
- Very safe by Central American standards. Watch belongings on beaches.
- Do you need a visa for Costa Rica?
- Visa-free for most Western passports (90 days).
Compare Costa Rica with
If you like Costa Rica, also consider
Argentina
Buenos Aires has the best steakhouses and nightlife in South America.
The Alps
The ski and alpine benchmark — every other mountain range is measured against this.
Australia
Vast, varied, relaxed. Reef, Sydney, and proper wilderness in one.
Not sure where to go
Take the 5-minute quiz
Answer a few honest questions and get matched to destinations that actually fit how you travel.
Start the quiz