San José & Central Valley
Capital with the National Theatre, museums and SJO hub. Many use Escazú/Santa Ana or Heredia as a quieter base and start tours from here.
Travel & Discover
Regions, best time to visit, entry groups and practical tips for Costa Rica.
Updated: November 2026
Top regions & routes
Arenal / La Fortuna
Volcano, hot springs, waterfalls. Easy to combine with Monteverde (boat+bus or shuttle).
Monteverde
Cloud forest, hanging bridges, quetzal country. Cool and humid — rain jacket and good shoes.
Guanacaste (north Pacific)
Tamarindo, Nosara, Playas del Coco: surfing, dry season, LIR airport. High season is busier and pricier.
Caribbean coast
Puerto Viejo, Cahuita: reggae culture, parks, rain. Plan roads and buses; follow local safety advice.
Manuel Antonio & Osa
Beaches and wildlife in the park; Osa/Corcovado for deeper nature — check entry rules and capacity.
Classic combo: San José → Arenal → Monteverde → Pacific or Caribbean. Domestic flights and shuttles shorten long bus rides — book early in high season.
Best time to visit
Orientation (rules of thumb — check microclimates)
| Region | Often pleasant | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Pacific / Guanacaste | Dec–Apr (dry season) | May–Nov rain; dry-season prices and crowds higher |
| Central Valley (San José) | mild year-round | Cooler nights; afternoon rain in wet season |
| Caribbean | often a bit drier Sep–Oct | Rain possible year-round; patterns differ from the Pacific |
| Arenal / Monteverde | humid year-round | Mist and showers common; trails slippery |
Safety
Costa Rica is often seen as relatively stable regionally, but pickpocketing, car break-ins and occasional robberies occur — especially in tourist hubs and beaches. Natural hazards: heavy rain, landslides, coastal currents, volcanoes. Risks vary by place and time.
- Keep valuables discreet; leave nothing visible in parked cars
- At night use registered taxis or ride-hailing apps, not hitchhiking
- Respect beach flags / lifeguards; watch for rip currents
- Check your home country’s travel advice and local warnings before you go
Money & payments
Currency: Costa Rican colón (CRC). US dollars are common in tourism and some rents — check the rate and change in colones. Cards are widespread in cities; cash helps for sodas, markets and smaller towns.
- ATMs (BAC, BCR, BN and others) in centres; watch fees and daily limits
- Avoid unchecked street exchange; keep receipts
- Tipping: service may be included or expected — check the bill
Entry (tourism)
The Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería (DGME) groups nationalities in its Visa Guidelines. Group 1: often visa-exempt up to 180 days (not extendable; stays under 90 days may be extendable up to 90 under the rules). Group 2: often up to 30 days, extendable to 90. Group 3: consular visa before travel. Always verify your group and limits on the current DGME list — they change.
- Passport with sufficient remaining validity; entry form/data as required
- Proof of onward travel and sufficient funds may be requested
- Tourist status generally does not allow local employment
- Primary source: migracion.go.cr (Visa Guidelines / Foreign Persons)
Insider tips
- Plugs type A/B, 120 V — check adapters and appliance ratings
- Time zone UTC−6 year-round (no daylight saving)
- Spanish helps a lot; English is more common in tourism zones than inland
- National parks: check capacity, online tickets (where available) and hours
- Rain jacket useful even in the “dry” season (microclimates)
Sources
Disclaimer: This page is for general guidance only and is not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules and prices change — verify with official sources.