In a nutshell
- Costa Rica is one of the world’s most exciting nature travel destinations — and a little preparation goes a long way.
- This article covers all the essential information you need: entry requirements, costs, safety, food, and practical tips for planning your trip.
- We personally traveled Costa Rica and share what actually worked — from renting a car vs. taking the bus to what to pack and how to stay healthy.
Is a Trip to Costa Rica Worth It?
Absolutely! Costa Rica is a truly beautiful country and one of the most popular travel destinations in the Americas.
The focus here is above all on nature: dense rainforests, mystical cloud forests, stunning beaches, exotic plants, and an incredible amount of wildlife.
But the culture and people of Costa Rica are also incredibly interesting.
Costa Ricans call themselves Ticos (or Ticas for women), because they have a fondness for diminutives.
Their motto in life is Pura Vida — pure life! You’re meant to enjoy life, no matter what comes your way.
Charming, right? You’ll feel this laid-back attitude everywhere on your Costa Rica trip.
For the experiences we had and some first inspirations, check out our Costa Rica travel report.
How Much Time Should You Plan for Costa Rica?
If you ask us, three weeks are ideal for a road trip through Costa Rica. If you have less time, two weeks works too — but that should really be your minimum.
Of course, more than three weeks is always better. Every extra day gives you more of this wonderful country to explore.
In our Costa Rica road trip article, we’ve laid out the perfect routes for a two- and three-week road trip covering all the highlights.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Costa Rica
The best time to visit Costa Rica is from December to April. That’s the dry season — it rains very little and the sun shines almost every day. The trade-off: this is also peak season, so expect more tourists and higher prices.
We visited in June and July, right in the middle of rainy season, and the weather was mostly great.
Plus, during the rainy season the national parks in Costa Rica are especially lush, prices are lower, and at Tortuguero National Park you can watch sea turtles nest.
Read everything about climate, dry season, and rainy season, plus the best time for turtles, hiking, swimming, and more in our dedicated article:
Getting to Costa Rica
Flights to Costa Rica from Europe typically connect through major hubs — you can find connections via Amsterdam, Paris, Madrid, or Frankfurt, depending on the airline. Some routes also connect through the US.
In Costa Rica, you’ll always arrive at the Juan Santamaría International Airport in San José.
The best way to find flights to and within Costa Rica is through Skyscanner.
Entry Requirements for Costa Rica: Do You Need a Visa?
Entering Costa Rica is straightforward. Citizens of most Western countries do not need a visa for stays of up to 90–180 days, depending on your passport. You do need a valid passport, though.
We didn’t have to show anything at customs. But it’s possible that upon entry you may be asked for your return flight ticket and proof of sufficient funds — a bank statement or cash will do.
The authorities use this to confirm you can cover your trip and don’t intend to overstay. But this happens very rarely.
How Much Does a Trip to Costa Rica Cost?
Costa Rica is the most expensive country to travel in Central America, but it’s still affordable compared to most Western countries.
How much you spend ultimately depends on where you stay and which activities you choose.
Guided hiking tours in the national parks in particular can get quite pricey.
Here’s a quick overview of prices:
- Double room in a good mid-range hotel: Around $80, depending on location and time of year.
- Long-distance bus from San José to Manuel Antonio: $10
- Lunch at a simple local restaurant: $8
- Dinner at a restaurant: $16
- Beer at a bar: $3
- Really delicious coffee: $3
- Fresh fruit shake: $5
- Plantain chips at a roadside stop: $2
- Guided tour in Manuel Antonio National Park: $35
- Tour in Corcovado National Park: $100
- 3-hour zipline tour in Monteverde: $90
Currency and Payments in Costa Rica
The official currency in Costa Rica is the Colón (CRC). In tourist areas especially, you can also pay with US dollars or by credit card.
When withdrawing money, you can usually choose between Colón or dollars. Since most prices in restaurants and shops are listed in Colón, we always got Colón.
Maestro debit cards are not accepted. We recommend always carrying some cash alongside your credit card.
Also read our dedicated article on the best travel credit cards.
Accommodations in Costa Rica
There’s a huge range of places to stay in Costa Rica. On our trip, we mostly stayed in hostels or budget hotels. Our personal favorites, though, are small mid-range hotels or special boutique hotels in Costa Rica.
For a good double room in a tourist area, budget around $80 on average. You can stay cheaper at one of the many hostels.
There are also some luxurious resort and spa hotels, which are of course considerably more expensive.
In a dedicated article, we share some really great hotel recommendations for the entire country — plus two additional articles on the most beautiful boutique and beachfront hotels in Costa Rica.
How Safe Is a Trip to Costa Rica?
Costa Rica is generally considered a safe travel destination and is also a great choice for solo female travelers. We never felt unsafe as women.
That said, crime does exist, and there are certain places where you should be especially careful. Always check the latest travel and safety advisories from your country’s foreign ministry before your trip.
In a dedicated article, we’ve covered everything you need to know about safety in Costa Rica — crime, solo female travel, safety in national parks, and general safety tips.
Renting a Car or Taking the Bus Through Costa Rica?
There are so many amazing things to do in Costa Rica, but they’re spread all across the country. To get from A to B, you can either rent a car or take the public buses.
Exploring Costa Rica by Car
We recommend doing your trip by car, especially if you’re short on time. You’ll be much faster, more flexible, and a lot more comfortable.
That said, you do need to drive carefully and stay alert. The roads in Costa Rica are in rather poor condition — lots of potholes and missing lane markings.
We recommend comparing rental car deals on Discovercars — it’s easy to navigate and lets you compare prices and value side by side.
Compare rental car deals on Discovercars
Rental car prices vary widely. For two weeks, prices start at around $350 to $1,000, depending on the month.
Our tip: Book your rental car as early as possible — it’s usually the cheapest that way. On Discovercars, you can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before pickup.
Exploring Costa Rica by Bus
The alternative to a car is the bus. The bus network in Costa Rica is fairly well developed and you can reach almost all the major attractions — though you’ll have to make some compromises.
Buses run regularly on the main routes. On average, you’ll pay around $10 per route. Travel times can be quite long, though — it’s not uncommon to spend six hours on the road.
The rides themselves are perfectly fine, and you can sit back and enjoy the scenery rolling by.
If you’re traveling alone or as a couple, the bus is still the more affordable option. With three or more people, a rental car could actually work out cheaper — so it’s worth doing the math.
In our Costa Rica road trip article, we’ve listed the prices for the most popular bus routes.
Language and Communication in Costa Rica
The official language of Costa Rica is Spanish. In our experience, though, you can get by very well with English in tourist areas — most people speak at least some English and will understand you.
Even better if you know at least a little Spanish. In more remote areas or smaller local restaurants, not everyone speaks English, and knowing a few Spanish basics goes a long way.
By the way, Costa Rica is also a fantastic place to learn Spanish. There are language schools all over the country — whether right on the Caribbean coast or deep in the rainforest.
SIM Cards, Internet, and Power Outlets
In Costa Rica, we had good connectivity almost everywhere. Of course, deep in the jungle in Corcovado National Park you’ll sometimes lose signal — but you’ll have it wherever you actually need it.
You can pick up a prepaid SIM card right at the airport — the stands are next to baggage claim. You can also find them at supermarkets or phone stores.
There are several providers; the biggest are Claro, Movistar, and Kolbi. Claro often has the best coverage, but for a two- to three-week vacation you probably won’t notice much of a difference.
For around $7, you can get unlimited WhatsApp access plus some data for general internet use.
A great alternative is an eSIM, which you can purchase before you even leave home.
Don’t forget to pack a travel adapter. Costa Rica uses outlet types A and B — the same flat-pin plugs used in the US and Canada.
Here you can buy a travel adapter that works in almost every country
Food and Drink in Costa Rica
We really enjoyed the food in Costa Rica. It’s not the best food we’ve eaten on a trip, but it’s definitely not the worst either.
The Ticos have a deep love for rice and beans — and they eat them at every meal. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
At breakfast, this dish is called Gallo Pinto. Rice and beans are fried together in a pan, usually served with eggs, cheese, or natilla (a kind of sour cream) on the side.
At lunch and dinner, the combo is called Casado. Here, the rice and beans are cooked and served separately, alongside salad, plátanos maduros (fried sweet plantains) or patacones (double-fried plantains), and a piece of meat or fish.
Chocolate and coffee are also seriously excellent in Costa Rica. You can not only buy both locally or order them at cafés — you can also take a guided tour to see how they’re made.
Combo chocolate and coffee tour in La Fortuna
Find out what you absolutely must try and get real restaurant recommendations in our dedicated article on food in Costa Rica.
Where to Eat Really Well in Costa Rica
Particularly popular in Costa Rica are the so-called sodas. These are small, casual eateries with a short menu and low prices — this is where you eat like the locals.
There are also plenty of restaurants with a more comfortable atmosphere, offering international dishes like pizza and burgers, though prices are higher.
Vaccinations, Illnesses, and Health in Costa Rica
There are currently no mandatory vaccinations for travel to Costa Rica. As recommended travel vaccinations, Hepatitis A is at the top of the list, and for longer stays, also Dengue fever, Hepatitis B, typhoid, and rabies.
It’s best to see a travel medicine or tropical medicine specialist well in advance to get personalized advice.
Mosquito-borne illnesses
Costa Rica has many day- and night-active mosquitoes that can transmit various diseases, including Dengue fever, the Zika virus, Chikungunya fever, and malaria.
How to protect yourself from mosquitoes:
- Always use insect repellent — ideally several times a day. We’ve had great results with Anti Brumm Ultra Tropical spray.
- Wear light-colored clothing, long pants, and long-sleeved tops when possible.
- Sleep under a mosquito net.
Rabies
With so many wild animals in Costa Rica’s national parks, there’s a real risk of animal bites throughout the country. Rabies is transmitted through animal saliva, so always keep your distance from wildlife and consider getting vaccinated.
Stomach issues
If you get mild stomach aches, diarrhea, or nausea, don’t panic right away. Mild stomach bugs or even food poisoning are common on a Costa Rica trip — it’s just part of traveling somewhere with different hygiene standards.
What to watch out for:
- Always wash fruit and vegetables before eating them.
- Don’t drink tap water.
- Order your drinks without ice.
For up-to-date information on potential illnesses and recommended vaccinations, check the travel health advisory from your country’s foreign ministry or a trusted travel medicine resource.
Healthcare system
In rural areas especially, the healthcare system is not comparable to what you’d find at home. If you do need a hospital, try to use one in San José if at all possible.
Treatment costs must be paid directly — usually in cash, though credit cards are occasionally accepted. Make sure you have travel health insurance before you go, so you can get reimbursed for any expenses.
Packing List for Your Trip to Costa Rica
Packing for Costa Rica takes a bit more thought than for a typical beach holiday. You’ll need gear for swimming, hiking, and comfortable travel across very different environments.
Beyond the basics — t-shirts, pants, sneakers, sandals, swimwear, and underwear — here’s a short packing list of things you absolutely shouldn’t leave home without.
Bags:
- Backpack
- Backpack cover
- Day pack
- Slim fanny pack
- Dry bag
Clothing and shoes
- Hiking shoes
- Bag for hiking shoes
- Hiking socks
- Good rain jacket
- Comfortable athletic pants
- Cap or sun hat
Miscellaneous:
- Travel adapter for the power outlet
- Binoculars
- Insect repellent
- Credit card
- Passport
- Driver’s license (if you’re renting a car)
- Copies of travel documents
