an aerial view of a city with mountains in the background

Central America

Costa Rica

Visitors come to Costa Rica for volcanoes, cloud forest, wildlife in national parks, and beaches on both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts.

Start with the essentials Where to stay Plan a trip to Costa Rica

Costa Rica sits in Central America, with Nicaragua to its north and Panama to its southeast. The Caribbean lies to the east and the Pacific to the west. San José is the capital and home to Juan Santamaría, the country's main international airport. Despite its small size, Costa Rica ranks among the most biodiverse places in Latin America, and about a quarter of its land is protected. Its national parks are one reason the country is seen as a pioneer of ecotourism.

Common stops include Arenal's volcano area, the cloud forests around Monteverde, and beaches on both coasts. The climate is tropical all year. The dry season runs from December to April and the rainy season from May to November, so the month you choose shapes your route. Expect strong sun, heavy rain and humidity, and pack for both. Roads are worn and slow to upgrade, so a route that looks short on a map can take much longer. Spanish is the official language, and English is widely used in tourism.

Five things to know before Costa Rica

Check your stay length and carry a ticket out
Costa Rica sets the stay by country group: UK, Canadian, German and Spanish government pages cite up to 180 days, Smartraveller under 90 for Australians. Carry a ticket out and US$100 per month of funds. Visa checker
Fix park dates before you book hotels
Manuel Antonio sells tickets only online through SINAC and closes on Tuesdays, and Corcovado needs a prior reservation by email. Lock those dates first, then choose where to sleep. Manuel Antonio
Treat a region change as a transfer day
Mountain roads are narrow and slow, and in the rainy season heavy rain can cause potholes and landslides that block roads, per UK advice. La Fortuna to Monteverde is a move, not a short hop. Monteverde and Santa Elena
Expect VAT and service in restaurant prices
Costa Rica's tourism board says restaurant and hotel prices include 13% VAT and a 10% service charge, so extra tipping is optional. Check that a menu price already includes them.
Ask about the access road before you rent a 4x4
UK advice puts the peak rainy season at June to November. If your lodge is up a dirt road, ask whether a 4x4 is needed before you rent, and drive in daylight.

Costa Rica travel guides

Practical guides from writers who live there.

Best time to visit

Dry season, green season and which coast to pick.

Read the guide San José

The arrival city, museums and a night before the road.

Read the guide La Fortuna

Hot springs, a waterfall and Arenal's trails.

Read the guide Monteverde

Cloud forest reserves, night walks and the road up.

Read the guide Jacó

Surf and the closest Pacific beach to the airport.

Read the guide Manuel Antonio

Beaches inside a small park, tickets and wildlife.

Read the guide Guanacaste

The dry northwest coast, beach towns and Liberia airport.

Read the guide Caribbean Coast

Tortuguero canals, Cahuita and Puerto Viejo.

Read the guide Entry requirements

Stay limit, onward ticket, passport validity and the departure tax.

Read the guide

Top places to visit in Costa Rica

See all attractions in Costa Rica

Church · Puerto LimónSacred Heart Cathedral

Beach · Manuel Antonio National ParkManuel Antonio Beach

Sight · Santa TeresaManzanillo

Museum · TortugueroSea Turtle Conservancy Visitor's Center

Destinations in Costa Rica

Where to stay in Costa Rica

Neighborhood first, hotel second.

All stay guides

body of water under cloudy sky during sunset

TamarindoWhere to stay in Tamarindo: four bases from town to Avellanas

La FortunaWhere to stay in La Fortuna: town, volcano road or lake shore

Itineraries

3 daysLa Fortuna in 3 days: waterfall, Arenal park, springs and the lakeA three-day La Fortuna plan: the waterfall and town on day one, Arenal park and a hot-spring evening on day two, then lake, bridges or river, with a rain swap.

3 daysTamarindo in 3 days: surf, the estuary and a beach day tripA three-day Tamarindo plan: beach and sunset on day one, surf and the Las Baulas estuary on day two, a day trip on day three, with a rain plan and safety notes.

green trees near body of water during daytime

3 daysJacó in 3 days: Tárcoles crocodiles, Carara forest and a surf lessonA three-day Jacó plan: the Tárcoles bridge and beach on day one, Carara National Park and Herradura on day two, a surf lesson and a flexible day three, with safety notes.

an aerial view of a sandy beach with palm trees

3 daysPuerto Viejo in 3 days: beaches, the refuge and a cocoa dayA three-day Puerto Viejo plan: village and Cocles on day one, Punta Uva and the Manzanillo refuge on day two, cocoa or Cahuita on day three, with coach times.

What a day costs in Costa Rica

Per person, in CRC

Work out your trip

BudgetCRC 21,500a day≈ $47 · per person

Hostel beds, cheap eats, buses and free sights.

Bed a night: CRC 10,000
Food: CRC 10,000
Transport: CRC 1,500
Sights: Free

Mid-rangeCRC 70,000a day≈ $154 · per person

A 3-star room, casual restaurants, public transport and one paid sight a day.

Bed a night: CRC 30,000
Food: CRC 22,000
Transport: CRC 6,000
Sights: CRC 12,000

ComfortCRC 175,000a day≈ $384 · per person

A 4-star room, good restaurants, taxis and a guided tour.

Bed a night: CRC 60,000
Food: CRC 45,000
Transport: CRC 20,000
Sights: CRC 50,000

Checked Oct 3, 2026 by Tomás HerreraA source for every line on the trip cost page. Flights not included. Rates By Exchange Rate APIWork out your trip

When to go

Rainy days

Best

JanuaryPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh25°Low15°Dry, windy
FebruaryPartly cloudy4 rainy daysHigh27°Low15°Dry, sunny
MarchPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh28°Low16°Dry, warm
AprilRain16 rainy daysHigh27°Low16°Dry, hot
MayRain27 rainy daysHigh25°Low17°Rains start
JuneRain29 rainy daysHigh24°Low16°Green season
JulyRain25 rainy daysHigh24°Low16°Short dry spell
AugustRain27 rainy daysHigh25°Low16°Green season
SeptemberRain29 rainy daysHigh25°Low16°Wet
OctoberRain29 rainy daysHigh24°Low16°Wettest
NovemberRain25 rainy daysHigh23°Low16°Rains ease
DecemberPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh24°Low15°Dry, holidays

Average daily high and low in San José, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to Costa RicaPut the places you like in Costa Rica on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Right now in Costa Rica

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 25°
Humidity: 79%
Wind: 4 km/h
Chance of rain: 100%

San José

02:06 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT-6

Today24°19°100%Monday: Thunderstorms. High 24°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 100%.
Tue24°17°100%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 24°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 100%.
Wed21°17°99%Wednesday: Rain. High 21°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 99%.
Thu19°18°95%Thursday: Rain. High 19°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 95%.
Fri23°17°100%Friday: Rain. High 23°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 100%.
Sat20°18°100%Saturday: Rain. High 20°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 100%.
Sun25°17°100%Sunday: Rain. High 25°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 100%.

Updated 09:51 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 455.4 CRC

Amount

Converted to

CRC · Costa Rican Colón

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Costa Rica

Big events, festivals and concert tours

Events calendar

On tour in Costa Rica: Karol G Tropitour San José, Nov 27, 2026

Before you go to Costa Rica

eSIM for Costa RicaUseful for maps on mountain roadsRead the guide Travel insuranceCheck zip-line and rafting coverRead the guide Best time to visitDry versus green seasonRead the guide Colones or dollarsWhen each works betterRead the guide

Rules for Costa Rica, checked

UK passports: up to 180 days visa-free, set by the officer; the passport must be valid at least 1 day after you leave (UK FCDO advice).Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Read more Immigration may ask for US$100 per month of stay in funds and a return or onward ticket by flight, bus or cruise (Costa Rica Tourism Board).Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Read more A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you arrive from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission (UK FCDO advice).Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Read more

Costa Rica FAQ

Do I need a visa for Costa Rica?

Not with UK, Canadian, German or Spanish passports, which their governments list as visa-free for up to 180 days; Australia lists under 90 days. The officer sets the exact stay and Costa Rica sorts countries into groups, so check your own passport.

Is Costa Rica worth visiting in the green season?

Often, yes. Mornings are usually clear, prices drop and the forests are at their greenest. Expect afternoon rain and slower travel on dirt roads, especially in September and October.

Should I fly into San José or Liberia?

Fly into Liberia for Guanacaste beaches and a shorter drive to Arenal. San José suits routes to Manuel Antonio, the Central Valley and the Caribbean coast.

Do I need to tip in Costa Rica?

Restaurant and hotel prices already include a 10% service charge and 13% VAT, per the tourism board, so an extra tip is optional. Guides, drivers and hotel staff are commonly tipped for good service.

How many days do I need in Costa Rica?

Ten days covers Arenal, Monteverde and one coast without rushing. With a week, pick two areas and keep the drives short.