Costa Rica Travel Guide
December–April is the dry season and the most reliable window. May–November is greener, cheaper and wetter, with September–October wettest on the Pacific.
Last reviewed
Costa Rica at a glance
Best time to visit Costa Rica
December–April is the dry season and the most reliable window. May–November is greener, cheaper and wetter, with September–October wettest on the Pacific.
Peak: Christmas–New Year, Easter week and July — lodges book out months ahead.
Shoulder season: May–June and November: mostly dry mornings, lower rates, fewer people.
Visa and entry
Visa-free for 90 days for US, EU, UK, CA, AU citizens. Proof of onward travel or sufficient funds may be requested.
Entry rules depend on your nationality and change frequently. Always confirm with an official embassy or consulate source before booking.
Money and tipping
Costa Rica uses the CRC (₡).
10% service charge (IVA) included in restaurant bills by law. Additional tipping not expected but welcome.
Getting around
Public buses are cheap (about ₡500–1,500) but slow and indirect. Most visitors self-drive or use shared shuttles at roughly $50–70 per person per leg.
When a pass pays off: A hire car beats shuttles from about 2 travellers moving between 3+ destinations; solo travellers usually come out ahead on shuttles.
Local etiquette
Do
- Use “pura vida” — it works as hello, thanks and an attitude.
- Book national-park entries such as Manuel Antonio and Poás online in advance.
- Take a 4x4 if you plan to reach Monteverde or remote beaches in the rainy season.
Avoid
- Don't leave anything visible in a parked car at trailheads.
- Don't feed or touch wildlife — it's illegal and harmful.
- Don't rely on street addresses; directions are given by landmarks and metres.
Common scams and tourist traps
- Car-hire desks pushing extra insurance as though it were all mandatory — the liability portion is, the rest usually isn't; confirm inclusions before you land.
- Unofficial “parking attendants” at beaches.
- Dynamic currency conversion — pay in the currency quoted, not the terminal's conversion.
Health
Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccinations are commonly recommended for Costa Rica, and dengue precautions are worthwhile, especially in lowland and coastal areas. This is general information, not medical advice — consult a doctor or travel clinic before your trip.
When locals eat
Meal windows shift by country, and eating on the local clock is the difference between a full restaurant and a closed kitchen.
| Meal | Early riser | Typical | Night owl |
|---|---|---|---|
| breakfast | 6:30 AM | 7:00 AM | 9:00 AM |
| lunch | 11:30 AM | 12:30 PM | 1:30 PM |
| dinner | 6:00 PM | 7:00 PM | 8:30 PM |
Useful Spanish phrases
English is widely used in tourism and at lodges; basic Spanish helps in small towns.
- Hello
- Hola / Pura vida(OH-la / POO-ra VEE-da)
- Thank you
- Gracias(GRA-syas)
- Excuse me
- Con permiso(kon per-MEE-so)
- How much is this?
- ¿Cuánto cuesta?(KWAN-toh KWES-tah)
Staying connected
eSIM providers that cover Costa Rica: Airalo, Holafly. Buying an eSIM before you fly avoids airport queues and roaming charges.
Costa Rica travel FAQ
- When is the best time to visit Costa Rica?
- December–April is the dry season and the most reliable window. May–November is greener, cheaper and wetter, with September–October wettest on the Pacific.
- Do I need a visa to visit Costa Rica?
- Visa-free for 90 days for US, EU, UK, CA, AU citizens. Proof of onward travel or sufficient funds may be requested. Entry rules depend on your nationality and change often — confirm with an official consulate or embassy source before booking.
- Do you tip in Costa Rica?
- 10% service charge (IVA) included in restaurant bills by law. Additional tipping not expected but welcome.
- What currency is used in Costa Rica?
- Costa Rica uses the CRC (₡).
- What power plug and voltage does Costa Rica use?
- Costa Rica uses Type A and Type B sockets at 120V / 60 Hz. Check your device's rated input before travelling; most modern laptop and phone chargers handle both 110V and 220V.
- What is the emergency number in Costa Rica?
- In Costa Rica, call 911.
- What time zone is Costa Rica in?
- Costa Rica is in the America/Costa_Rica time zone (UTC-06:00).
- What language is spoken in Costa Rica?
- The main language is Spanish. English is widely used in tourism and at lodges; basic Spanish helps in small towns.
- Is public transport worth buying a pass for in Costa Rica?
- Public buses are cheap (about ₡500–1,500) but slow and indirect. Most visitors self-drive or use shared shuttles at roughly $50–70 per person per leg. A hire car beats shuttles from about 2 travellers moving between 3+ destinations; solo travellers usually come out ahead on shuttles.
- What health precautions should I take in Costa Rica?
- Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccinations are commonly recommended for Costa Rica, and dengue precautions are worthwhile, especially in lowland and coastal areas. This is general information, not medical advice — consult a doctor or travel clinic before your trip.
Plan a Costa Rica trip around how you actually travel
Travaio builds a day-by-day plan from your travel style, with verified places, real opening hours, and local meal times already accounted for.
Plan my Costa Rica tripThis guide is general travel information, not legal, medical, or financial advice. Visa, health, and safety requirements change — verify anything time-sensitive with an official source before you travel.