Costa Rica
"Immerse yourself in pure life and natural wonders"
Costa Rica at a glance
- Best time to go
- Roughly December to April is the dry season and the most popular time, especially on the Pacific coast. The green season, roughly May to November, brings afternoon showers, lower prices and fewer crowds, and September and October are usually the wettest months. The Caribbean coast follows its own pattern and can be drier in September and October, when the Pacific is at its wettest.
- How long to stay
- We'd suggest ten days to two weeks for two or three regions, for example the Central Valley, the Pacific coast and a cloud forest or volcano area. Distances look short on the map but mountain roads make them slower than expected.
- Who it's for
- Wildlife-watchers, hikers and beach-and-jungle travellers who like a bit of adventure with their comfort.
- Might not be for you if
- You want to wing it at the more popular parks. Manuel Antonio is booked online only, and Corcovado can only be entered with a certified guide.
Costa Rica packs an incredible diversity of ecosystems into a small country. From cloud forests to tropical beaches, volcanic peaks to coral reefs, this Central American gem is a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers.
Best Time to Visit
December to April (dry season)
December to April (dry season)
The recommended period for the most pleasant weather and best overall experience.
Shoulder Season
Fewer crowds and better prices, with generally acceptable weather conditions.
Off-Peak
Lowest prices and emptiest attractions, though weather may be less predictable.
Getting Around
Costa Rica's mountains slow things down — internal flights save half-days between the coasts and volcanoes.
🚗 4x4 Rental
Best for La Fortuna, Monteverde, and remote beaches. Mandatory insurance adds up.
✈️ Sansa / Skyway
Short flights between San José, Tamarindo, Quepos, and Puerto Jiménez.
🚐 Shared Shuttle
Interbus and Gray Line connect all tourist hotspots door-to-door.
🚌 Public Bus
Cheap and reliable between major towns if you have time and patience.
💡 Book a 4x4 in Monteverde — the gravel road up to Santa Elena will punish a standard car.
Suggested Itineraries
San José Arrival
Central Valley overnight.
Arenal
Volcano and hot springs.
Arenal Adventures
Hanging bridges, waterfall.
Monteverde
Cloud forest zipline and reserve.
Manuel Antonio
Beach town, national park.
Manuel Antonio Beach
Wildlife hike, beach afternoon.
Return & Depart
Drive to San José, fly home.
🍋 Not a race. Skip, swap, siesta — the world keeps spinning and you get to come back and finish the story.
Highlights
Must See
- Monteverde Cloud Forest
- Arenal Volcano
- Manuel Antonio
- Tortuguero
Local Cuisine
Insider Tip
Wake up early - wildlife is most active at dawn in the rainforests.
Costa Rica travel questions, answered
When is the best time to visit Costa Rica?
Roughly December to April is the dry season, the most popular time and the easiest for road travel. The green season, roughly May to November, has lower prices, greener scenery and shorter, more predictable afternoon showers, with September and October usually the wettest on the Pacific side. The Caribbean coast doesn't follow the same pattern and can be a good choice in that window.
Do you need to book Manuel Antonio National Park in advance?
Yes. Tickets are sold only through the official SINAC reservation system, tied to each visitor's passport, and the park has a daily visitor cap that can be reached well before closing time in high season. Lookalike websites that resemble the park's name exist, so book only through the official SINAC site.
Can you visit Corcovado National Park without a guide?
No. Corcovado is a special case: the general public can't enter or hike unaccompanied, and visits must be arranged through a registered guide or agency. It's one of Costa Rica's more remote and biodiverse parks, and the guide requirement is partly about safety on unmarked trails.
Is Costa Rica safe for tourists?
Most visits are trouble-free, but petty theft, including from parked rental cars and beach bags, is a common complaint, particularly around popular coastal towns. Government advisories describe a generally moderate risk with a need for normal safety precautions, and they flag rip currents at Pacific beaches as a real hazard, since drowning is a leading cause of tourist deaths in the country. Check your own government's current advice, for example the UK or US pages, before you travel.
Details last checked 22 September 2026.