Costa Rica travel guide: itineraries, budget and practical tips

Volcanoes, rainforests, two oceans a few hours’ drive apart: Costa Rica packs a great diversity of landscapes and wildlife into a small country. More than a quarter of the country is protected by parks and reserves, and tourism revolves around nature. This Costa Rica travel guide helps you prepare your trip: what to see, which itinerary to follow, what budget to plan and which entry requirements to meet. Among these practical points, the time difference with Costa Rica has its own page, useful for planning your arrival.

To locate cities, regions, terrain, national parks and airports, see our map of Costa Rica.

When to go to Costa Rica

The dry season, from December to April, is the most reliable period for the Pacific coast, Guanacaste and the Central Valley. From May to November, the « green season » brings showers mostly in the afternoon, lower prices and turtle nesting at Tortuguero. The Caribbean coast follows a different rhythm: its driest months are September and October. All the details, with official climate normals, are in our guide best time to visit Costa Rica.

What to see in Costa Rica: the highlights

Arenal Volcano and La Fortuna

Arenal’s almost perfect cone towers over the small town of La Fortuna, a classic stop on a first trip. Things to do: hikes in the national park around old lava flows, La Fortuna waterfall, hanging bridges in the canopy and hot springs. The volcano has not been actively erupting since 2010 and climbing to the summit is prohibited. If Arenal’s volcanoes and canopy appeal to you, the neighboring country extends the adventure: see things to do in Nicaragua before adding that stop.

Monteverde and the cloud forest

At about 1,400 m (4,600 ft), this region is covered in a humid forest almost always in the mist. The Monteverde and Santa Elena reserves have well-maintained trails; a guided night walk lets you see insects, frogs and small mammals. The access road is winding: allow time.

Manuel Antonio National Park

A small coastal park on the central Pacific, known for its forest-fringed beaches, capuchin monkeys and sloths. It is one of the most visited parks in the country: entries are limited and booked online, and the park is closed on Tuesdays for maintenance, according to the Costa Rica Tourism Institute (ICT) (confirm hours when you book). Arrive at opening time and hire a guide to spot the animals.

Tortuguero

This village on the Caribbean coast is reachable only by boat or small plane. The national park is explored by canoe along forest-lined canals. From July to October, green turtles come to nest on the beach: night outings are only allowed with a licensed guide. The UK FCDO reports several incidents involving small boats in the Tortuguero area, including a fatality due to a falling tree: use an established company (GOV.UK, updated 19 May 2026).

Cahuita and Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

The southern Caribbean coast has a different atmosphere from the rest of the country, shaped by Afro-Caribbean culture. Cahuita National Park is explored on foot along the beach, and Puerto Viejo is the base for the beaches of Punta Uva and Manzanillo. Best time: September–October. The UK FCDO notes that muggings and theft are significant problems, particularly on the Atlantic (Caribbean) coast.

The Osa Peninsula and Corcovado National Park

The wildest region of the country, in the south of the Pacific coast. Corcovado has very rich wildlife (tapirs, four species of monkeys, scarlet macaws). Visiting the park requires a licensed guide. Access via Puerto Jiménez or Drake Bay; best in the dry season.

Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula

The northwest is beach country: Tamarindo, Playa Conchal, Sámara, Nosara, Santa Teresa. The climate is the driest in the country from December to April. Inland, Rincón de la Vieja National Park offers fumaroles, mud pots and waterfalls; the U.S. Department of State notes that the Rincón de la Vieja volcano has become more active: follow park alerts.

Río Celeste and Tenorio Volcano National Park

A hike of about 3 hours round trip leads to a waterfall and a milky-blue river, colored by a chemical reaction between minerals where two streams meet. The color is less visible after heavy rain. An easy stop to combine with Arenal.

San José and the Central Valley

The capital is mainly an arrival point, but deserves half a day: the National Theater, the pre-Columbian gold and jade museums, the central market. Around it, the Central Valley offers easy excursions: the craters of Poás and Irazú volcanoes (access by reservation, opening subject to change with volcanic activity), the basilica in Cartago and coffee plantations, several of which offer guided tours. According to the UK FCDO, Poás has recently had a significant series of eruptions (GOV.UK). Mornings are the clearest for seeing the craters.

Things to do in Costa Rica: experiences not to miss

• Watch wildlife in the national parks (Manuel Antonio, Corcovado, Tortuguero), ideally with a naturalist guide
• Get close to the volcanoes: Arenal from La Fortuna, Tenorio and the Río Celeste
• Walk in the cloud forest of Monteverde
• See the turtles at Tortuguero in nesting season (see best time to visit Costa Rica)
• Enjoy both coasts: Guanacaste and Nicoya beaches on the Pacific side, Cahuita and Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean side
• Try adventure activities: zip-lining, rafting, surfing

Option	Who it suits	Points to watch
Road trip in a rental car	Independent travelers, families	4×4 advised on some roads, long drives, avoid driving at night
Public buses and shared shuttles	Budget travelers	Slower, check timetables locally
Organized or tailor-made tour	First trip, little time	Higher cost, set pace
Beach stay	Rest, beach	Guanacaste and Nicoya, driest from December to April

Itinerary ideas for Costa Rica

7 to 10 days: volcanoes, forest and the Pacific

• San José (arrival), then drive to La Fortuna: 2 to 3 nights for Arenal
• Option: half a day or a day at Río Celeste
• Monteverde: 2 nights for the cloud forest
• Manuel Antonio: 2 to 3 nights for the park and the beach
• Back to San José (about 3 hours’ drive)

2 weeks: both coasts

• San José, then Tortuguero (access via the Cariari or La Pavona road, then boat): 2 nights
• Cahuita or Puerto Viejo: 2 to 3 nights
• Back through the Central Valley, then La Fortuna and Arenal: 2 to 3 nights
• Monteverde: 2 nights
• Guanacaste or Nicoya for the beach: 3 nights, flying home from Liberia airport
• Dry-season variant: replace the Caribbean coast with Manuel Antonio, Uvita and the Osa Peninsula

Who is Costa Rica for?

Our view by profile, based on the information in this guide:

Profile	Our view	Why
Nature and wildlife	✅ Ideal	Manuel Antonio, Corcovado, Tortuguero, the Monteverde cloud forest, Arenal Volcano.
Families	✅ Yes	A rental-car road trip suits families; beaches on both coasts.
Adventure	✅ Yes	Zip-lining, rafting, surfing, the Río Celeste hike.
Beaches	✅ Yes	Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula on the Pacific side, Cahuita and Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean side.
Budget travelers	⚠️ Possible	One of the most expensive destinations in Central America: roughly US$65–100 a day on a budget.
Culture	⚠️ Limited	San José deserves half a day; the trip remains focused on nature.

Budget for a trip to Costa Rica

Costa Rica is one of the most expensive destinations in Central America: accommodation and guided activities cost about as much as in Europe or North America, or more. Orders of magnitude per person per day, in high season (converted from our euro estimates at the ECB rate of 23 October 2026, €1 = US$1.12):

Item	Budget	Comfort
Accommodation	roughly US$20–45 (hostel, single room)	roughly US$90–170 (lodge, boutique hotel, based on 2 people)
Meals	roughly US$15–30 (sodas, set dishes)	roughly US$45–65 (restaurants)
Transport	roughly US$6–17 (public buses, shared shuttles)	roughly US$45–80 (4×4 rental, fuel)
Activities	roughly US$11–35 (park entrance fees, self-guided hikes)	roughly US$55–110 (guided tours, zip-lining, rafting)

How much does a trip to Costa Rica cost in total? Adding up the ranges above, excluding international flights:

Length	Budget	Comfort
10 days	roughly US$560–1,230	roughly US$2,350–4,250
2 weeks	roughly US$785–1,725	roughly US$3,290–5,950

Getting around Costa Rica

A rental car is the most flexible option. A 4×4 is advised for some roads (Monteverde, the Osa Peninsula, Nicoya), especially in the rainy season. Distances are short but journeys are long: often 3 to 4 hours between two stops. According to the U.S. Department of State (travel.state.gov, last updated August 11, 2025), you need a valid passport and a US driver’s license or an international driving permit, and should try not to drive outside urban areas at night; bridges are often single-lane. UK visitors can use a UK photocard licence for up to 180 days, depending on the stay granted (UK FCDO, GOV.UK, updated 19 May 2026). Do not stop for strangers signaling for help, and in case of an accident, do not move the vehicle until the traffic police and insurance investigator arrive. Mandatory insurance is usually added to the price shown when booking: check the final price.

Public buses serve almost the whole country cheaply, from several bus stations in San José, but the U.S. Department of State advises avoiding them because of pickpocketing. Shared tourist shuttles link the classic stops (San José, La Fortuna, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio, Tamarindo, Puerto Viejo). Domestic flights by small plane save time to Tortuguero, Drake or Puerto Jiménez. Only use official taxis (red, or orange at the airport) or well-known ride-sharing services (GOV.UK).

Where to stay in Costa Rica

Accommodation is concentrated in the stopover towns: La Fortuna, Santa Elena (Monteverde), Quepos and Manuel Antonio, Puerto Viejo, Tamarindo. In San José, most travelers spend only the first or last night, often near the airport in Alajuela. The country has many lodges in the middle of nature, sometimes isolated: check access in the rainy season, and make sure isolated rentals have good security, as robberies have been reported (U.S. Department of State). At Tortuguero and on the Osa Peninsula, lodges often offer packages including transport, meals and guided outings. Hostels and family-run cabinas are the cheapest options.

Entry requirements for Costa Rica

US citizens

• According to the U.S. Department of State (travel.state.gov, last updated August 11, 2025), you need a passport valid for the duration of your stay (a damaged passport may be refused) and a return or onward ticket. Authorities may allow stays of up to 180 days without a visa, but this is not guaranteed. Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required if you arrive from certain countries in South America or Africa.
• Always carry copies of your ID and immigration papers. If you owe money in Costa Rica (for example unpaid bills from car accidents or medical costs), you may not be allowed to leave.

UK citizens

• According to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK foreign travel advice, updated 19 May 2026), you can visit without a visa for up to 180 days under a tourist visa waiver, the exact period being at the discretion of the immigration officer. Your passport must be valid at least 1 day after the day you plan to leave.
• A yellow fever certificate is required if you come from a country listed as a transmission risk. A departure tax of US$29 may apply when leaving by air (usually included in the ticket). Cash or goods worth US$10,000 or more must be declared.

Entry requirements checked on 24 October 2026; check them again before you travel. For customs allowances on your return, check your home country’s rules (e.g. CBP in the US, HMRC in the UK).

Health and safety

• Health: the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 19 May 2026) lists malaria, dengue and Zika among the health risks, and the U.S. Department of State adds chikungunya and recommends repellent. Check vaccine recommendations at least 8 weeks before your trip and ask a travel clinic about malaria for your itinerary. Medical care is generally of a high standard, but only initial emergency treatment is free for visitors; hospitals often require payment up front. Insurance covering medical costs and evacuation is essential. UK prescriptions cannot be used locally.
• Water and alcohol: according to the U.S. Department of State, tap water is often not safe to drink: ask for bottled water. Methanol-tainted spirits, including cheap vodka and « guaro », have caused deaths (GOV.UK).
• Swimming: rip currents are very common and there are often no lifeguards; drownings average 50 to 60 a year, a third of them tourists (GOV.UK). Crocodiles are regularly sighted along the Pacific coast between Playa Azul and Playa Esterillos. Do not swim alone or at night.
• Safety: theft from rental cars and on beaches are the most common risks: never leave valuables in a vehicle, even in the trunk, and beware of the slashed-tyre scam (GOV.UK). Gang-related violence has become more frequent in some urban areas; avoid walking alone at night in poorly lit areas. Drinks have been spiked. Emergency number: 911.
• Natural hazards: earthquakes, hurricane season from June to November, flooding and landslides in the rainy season; several volcanoes are active (Poás, Turrialba, Rincón de la Vieja).

Practical tips for Costa Rica

• Money: cards are accepted almost everywhere; keep some colones or dollars in cash for sodas, buses and tips. Be aware of who is around you when using ATMs (GOV.UK). Use our currency converter for your estimates.
• Tipping: in restaurants, a service charge is usually already included in the bill; tipping is customary for naturalist guides.
• Internet: Wi-Fi is available in most accommodation, but the mobile network can be weak in remote areas (Osa, Tortuguero). A local SIM card or an eSIM is handy for GPS navigation.
• Etiquette: « pura vida » is used as hello, thank you and « all good ». Never feed wild animals: it is prohibited in the parks.
• ID: as a foreigner, you must carry ID; the police usually accept a printed copy of your passport (GOV.UK).

Read more: Mexico travel guide and Peru travel guide, two other major Latin American destinations.

Frequently asked questions

Our sources

• Entry, health and safety information read on 24 October 2026: U.S. Department of State, Costa Rica country information (travel.state.gov, last updated August 11, 2025), and UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Costa Rica (GOV.UK, updated 19 May 2026)
• Costa Rica Tourism Institute (ICT): Manuel Antonio National Park hours
• Instituto Meteorológico Nacional (IMN): climate data
• European Central Bank, euro reference rates of 23 October 2026: budget conversions
• Our methodology

Updated October 2026.

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