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Costa Rica is one of the most famous destinations in Central America. It is popular with luxury travelers, adventurers, expats, and general backpackers alike.
While it is slightly expensive by regional standards, it is nevertheless a phenomenal country to visit.
There is great surfing and amazing diving, picturesque beaches to explore, wonderful biodiversity and natural beauty to feed your eyes on, and plenty of places to adventure.
It is a land where volcanoes sprout in the middle of jungles.
This definitive travel guide to Costa Rica will help you plan a trip of a lifetime. It offers insights into all aspects of the most enthralling destinations and pursuits that Costa Rica has to offer.
Our guide will also cover some of the best tips for planning your itinerary. So, get ready to immerse yourself in the ‘Pura Vida’ way of life while experiencing the very best that Costa Rica has to offer.
You may have already heard that Costa Rica is one of the few countries with endless things to do, and that is true, as you will learn in this guide.
General Information About Costa Rica as a Travel Destination
Costa Rica is one of the gems in Central America, located between Panama and Nicaragua.
The country, like most of the nations in Central America, has two coasts: the Caribbean Sea to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west.
The country is now firmly established as a world leader in adventure travel and ecotourism. It has gained this reputation because of its combo of natural gifts and legislation.
More than a quarter of the country’s land area is protected in national parks and reserves.
Today, Costa Rica attracts more than 3 million international travelers each year, with the tourism sector contributing 12.5% of the country’s GDP.
The best thing is that Costa Rica attracts diverse travelers. Here are other finer details about this beautiful country:
- Language: Costa Rica is primarily a Spanish-speaking country. But the younger generation is more proficient in English. Those on the eastern coast speak a version of English-Creole, mainly due to the influence from the Caribbean.
- Currency: Costa Rica uses the Colones (CRC), which is exchanged for around 500 CRC to 1 USD. When compared to its neighbors, Costa Rica is slightly expensive. In some cases, prices are almost comparable to those in the US.
- Weather: Costa Rica’s weather is relatively warm throughout the year. While the capital city is located in a valley, it is cooler than the coasts.
Apart from this, the country enjoys a rainy season for almost half the year, i.e., from May to November. January through April is usually drier, while December is the transitional month. - Provinces: The country has seven regions or provinces, which are: Puntarenas, Guanacaste, San Jose, Heredia, Alajuela, Limon, and Cartago. Each of these provinces has its own unique advantages. For instance, Puntarenas is the largest and has several national parks and diverse biodiversity, while Guanacaste is famous for its stunning Pacific coastline.
What Costa Rica Is Famous For
There are several things that contributed to the fame of this central American country. Here are the major ones:
1. Incredible nature
The country boasts some of the world’s most diverse natural features.
Waterfalls, beaches, cloud forests, rainforests, hot springs, rivers, and volcanoes all await travelers to explore.
2. Coffee
Costa Rica and coffee are so intertwined. Travelers to this tropical paradise will get to enjoy the rich aroma of coffee beans roasting.
The country’s volcanic soil and high altitude yield coffee beans with a distinctive taste that are attractive to consumers worldwide.
3. Adventure travel
Many travelers visit the country because of its adrenaline-pumping adventure activities.
They get to enjoy activities ranging from hiking to zip lining to more extreme ones like river rafting, skydiving, rafting, world-class surfing, waterfall rappelling, and more.
4. Biodiversity and animal watching
Despite its tiny size, the central American hotspot holds about 4% of the world’s biodiversity. It is home to four monkey species, vibrant tropical birds, migrating wales, and charming turtles, among others.
With that said, nothing encapsulates the country’s slow-paced Pura Vida lifestyle better than the sloth. The country is home to two species of sloth: the three-toed sloth and the two-toed sloth.
Required Visas for Costa Rica Visits
Costa Rica has a relaxed visa regime. In fact, most travelers don’t need to apply for a visa before they get to their destination.
About 65 countries can travel to Costa Rica visa-free for up to 90 days, including travelers from the US, the EU nations, and the UK. A further 40 nationalities can get the same treatment, but for 30 days.
To enjoy these visa freedoms, you need to have a passport that is valid for at least six months.
You may also need to show proof of financial means to support yourself during your duration or a proof of a return ticket.
For those looking to stay in the country for an extended period, they can apply for the digital nomad visa, which is valid for up to two years.
How to Get to Costa Rica
Traveling to this central American gem is now easier than before. You can get there by flying from different international airports.
And the good thing is that you have plenty of arrival points to choose from. Most of these airports have connections coming from the US, Europe, Central America, and South America.
Here are the two major airports in the country:
- Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO): This airport is situated on the northern side of San Jose, the country’s capital. It serves more than 5.5 million visitors each year and is well connected to the US, Europe, and beyond.
- Guanacaste Airport (LIR): This airport, which is often referred to as Liberia Airport, is the second largest arrival point in the country. It is an alternative option if you are looking for something different to explore, as it is near the best surf spots and beaches on the Nicoya Peninsula.
For road trippers, they can arrive in the country via the Pan-American Highway.
But be warned that this iconic roadway has some challenging sections, including untarmacked roads and winding mountain roads.
But the good thing is that it links more than 18,000 miles of territory, right from Alaska in the north to Ushuaia in the south.
Getting Around Costa Rica
If you are already in Costa Rica’s main entry points, like San Jose, you are probably wondering where to go next.
Or, how do you explore the Caribbean reefs in the east, idyllic surf beaches in the west, magma-spewing volcanoes in the north, or the attractive landscapes and biodiversity that spread throughout the country?
The good news is that there are lots of ways to get around the country, including:
- Buses: The country has a fantastic bus network that links most of the smaller towns and major destinations. San Jose is the hub of it all. From this city, you can get to all corners of the country.
- Private shuttles: Shuttles offer a more comfortable middle-of-the-ground choice with a balanced mix of comfort, price, and travel time. They can be pricier than buses, but they are at least 50% faster.
- Rental cars: Rental cars are ideal for travelers who wish to drive themselves across the country. With this option, you will be free to travel the length and breadth of the nation.
- Flights: There is a growing network of internal flights that link up several of Costa Rica’s regions and destinations. Flights are naturally the fastest option to travel around the country, but they can also get expensive.
Top Destinations to Visit and Things to Do in Costa Rica
1. San Jose
The capital city hosts several lovely parks and a number of museums.
Actually, there are plenty of things to do in the city, including international cuisine. Some rides away from the city are at adventure sites like Alajuela, Cartago, Sarchi, Heredia, Zarcero, and Orosi.
2. Beaches
Costa Rica has some of the most stunning beaches you can’t find elsewhere in the world.
Some of the world-renowned beaches include Tamarido, Papagayo, Playa del Coco, and Playa Conchal in Guanacaste; Jaco, Playa Hermosa, Manuel Antonio, Punta Leona, and Dominical on the Pacific Coast; and Samara, Montezuma, Manzanillo, and Nosara on the Nicoya Peninsula.
3. National Parks
Mentioning Costa Rica’s natural parks is like opening a door to a biodiversity heaven. Canara National Park serves as a biodiversity bridge between Mesomerican and Amazonian ecosystems, while Braulio Carrillo National Park is a few miles away from San Jose.
On the Caribbean coast are the Cahutia and Tortuguero National Parks.
4. Volcanos
Each of the country’s volcanoes, such as Arena, Poas, Rincón de la Vieja, Irazu, and Tenorio, has its own unique qualities. In fact, some of them are close to San Jose.
Other activities and Destinations to Explore
- Must-try foods and drinks: Beans, rice, oodles of earthy vegetables, and tropical fruits make up the mainstays of many locals. Dines that you must not miss include casado, gallo pinto, and tamal.
- La Fortuna is a charming town for adventurers looking for extreme activities like hiking, horseback riding, and whitewater rafting.
- Monteverde: If you love forests, then you will appreciate what this cloud forest has to offer. It is a great destination for zipline lovers.
- The Osa Peninsula hosts a number of parks and is a biodiversity paradise in remote areas.
Wrap Up
Costa Rica is among the few beautiful countries in the world that boast both beauty and biodiversity. In fact, it has nearly 5% of the world’s plant and animal species.
On top of this, the country offers several relaxation and adventure activities for adventurers and is also welcoming to visitors.
So, if you are planning a trip to this central American gem, be assured that you won’t miss what to do.
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