Costa Rica Quick Guide

Costa Rica Travel Guide is one of the leading Costa Rica travel guides that outlines all about this beautiful South American nation. Costa Rica has a wide variety of travel destinations that range from adventurous adventurers to nature lovers. It is also a safe option for traveling to because of its low crime rates and a stable economy. Costa Rica's lush tropical rainforest offers an ideal location for bird watching. With an abundance of birds within its vast territory, Costa Rica offers many opportunities for bird watching tours, including birding tours to Manzanillo National Park, the biggest bird reserve in Central America.

Costa Rica Travel Guide provides a detailed account of some of the most popular tourist destinations in Costa Rica. Costa Rica is a beautiful, lush, and volcanic country with spectacular coastline and majestic mountain ranges on its Eastern side. Although its capital, San Jose, houses some magnificent cultural institutions such as the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, Costa Rica is largely recognized for its pristine beaches, wildlife, and biodiversity. Roughly a fourth of the Costa Rica landmass is made up of national parks, sanctuaries, or reserves that are protected by international conservation laws.

One of the best ways to explore Costa Rica's amazing coastal spots is through its extensive network of coastline highways. These interconnecting routes can take you to numerous beach resorts that cater to tourists with unlimited options for accommodation, from budget hotels to luxurious five-star ones. In this way, you are able to explore the authentic Costa Rica culture along the way, and even sample the local food and beverages. Some of the popular Costa Rica travel guide destinations include Montezuma, the eastern coastal city, with its cobblestone streets and colonial buildings; Sayulita, the western city with cobbled streets and old colonial buildings; Santo Domingo, the Central American city, famous for its white sand beaches and restaurants; and San Jose, the Pacific port city, with its tall buildings and colonial past.

Another important aspect of Costa Rica travel tips is the country's diversity of scenery, from rainforests to moist tropical forests, from tropical jungles to arid plains, from white sand beaches to brown soil villages. Costa Rica has a variety of climates and features unique volcanoes, including Popoyo, Catatumara and Puntarenas, which each have their own unique characteristics that set them apart. This range of landscapes allows Costa Rica to offer visitors not just a diverse landscape but also a range of special natural settings, including beautiful beaches and rainforests, which feature species such as blue monkeys, sloths, insects, birds, and even tortoiseshell crabs.

Costa Rica travel tips also tell you to take your time and enjoy the scenery, including hiking and jungle treks through national parks and wildlife refuges. You can participate in different types of adventure activities such as zip lining through the rainforests, which provide an ideal destination for nature lovers and eco-tourists. Costa Rica travel tips also point tourists to waterfalls and lush jungle vegetation, which are perfect for trekking and canopy tours. Costa Rica has unique waterfalls such as those found in Buenaventura and Los Tecumilleros; however, there are several other waterfalls around the island.

You should also take advantage of Costa Rica travel guide series that are available online. Costa Rica travel guides give detailed information about different areas such as the Sacred Valley, which is Costa Rica's national park; and the Volcanic Zone, which has many active volcano systems. Other interesting destinations include the Grand Canyon, which are the largest in the world, and the Caribbean Sea, which is Costa Rica's largest ocean. There are also lots of nature reserves, most of which are off the beaten track. The National Parks in particular allows visitors to explore unspoiled nature with its unique flora and fauna.

When it comes to outdoor adventures, there are numerous options, from hiking to surfing and kayaking to windsurfing. If you're into adventure activities, you can also try zip lining and other such activities. In fact, a Costa Rica travel guide will advise you to do some bird watching and hiking before you visit Costa Rica. In this regard, a number of bird species can be seen in Costa Rica, including large forest birds like the black-cheeked albatross, white-crowned sparrow, masked buntings, red-winged albatross, and masked orioles. You can also see some sea birds such as blue-footed boobies, waders bird, and white-footed duck.

It's not just the flora and fauna that you should be concerned about while exploring Costa Rica, but also the animals and insects that inhabit this vast tropical jungle. Costa Rica has got lots of wildlife reserves where you can see monkeys, sloths, deer, and even snakes. To see the variety and richness of Costa Rica's wildlife, you need to have a Costa Rica Travel Guide.

What vaccinations do I need?

Up to date information for vaccinations before you travel to Costa Rica are available from the NHS Fit for Travel website.

Is it safe to travel?

Best time to visit?

The best time to visit Costa Rica is from mid-December to April (the dry season). This peaktourist season boasts plenty of sunshine making it anideal time for exploring rainforests and lounging on beaches. That said, the dry season is the most popular (and expensive) time to visit.

Do I need a Visa?

British nationals don't need a visa to enter Costa Rica. You may stay as a visitor for up to 90 days under a tourist visa waiver, although the exact period is at the discretion of the immigration officer on arrival.You should check the requirements with the Costa Rican authorities.

See which forms you may need for entry into Costa Rica.

What currency do i need?

The official currency of Costa Rica is the Costa Rican Colón (CRC). If you're looking to transfer or spend money in Costa Rica you can grab amazing Costa Rican Colón deals via Wise.com (GBP to CRC).

What about the wildlife?

Mexican Tree Frog, Golden Orb Weavers, Ocelot, Three-Toed Sloth, King Vulture Chestnut-Mandibled Toucan.

What is the traditional food?

Spanish food? Gallo pinto, which has a literal meaning of "spotted rooster", is the national dish of Costa Rica. It consists of rice and beans stir-fried together in a pan to create a speckled appearance.

What Languages are spoken?

Costa Rica's official and predominant language is Spanish. The variety spoken is Costa Rican Spanish, is a form of Central American Spanish. A Creole-English language, Jamaican patois (also known as Mekatelyu), is spoken along the Caribbean coast. You can learn some basic Spanish before you travel to Costa Rica and really impress the locals!

How much do you tip?

The currency in Costa Rica is the Costa Rican Colón (Tipping in Costa Rica is not mandatory, though restaurants do add a service charge on the final bill that includes 10 percent gratuity.).

Disclosure: This content is reader-supported. We may receive a small commission from affiliate links you follow from this Costa Rica travel guide.

Useful Numbers

  • Police: 911
  • Ambulance: 911
  • Fire: 911
  • UK Embassy: +506 2258 2025

Time Difference

The GMT time difference is -6 hours

Travel Apps

Grab a travel app or two


Learn Spanish

Learn some Spanish before your trip to Costa Rica


Costa Rica Guidebook

Stay informed before, during and after your trip to Costa Rica by buying a guidebook.


More Guides from Central America