Top Travel Tips For Travellers To Costa Rica

Costa Rica may be a tiny country, however, it is incredibly diverse. Beautiful unspoiled nature awaits you, rainforests, wildlife, delicious food, tradition, adventure, and of course sensational beaches!
Costa Rica is a truly exciting destination to add to your bucket list.

This post contains affiliate links to trusted partners I think you’ll love.

Wait! Do you need help getting organized for your trip? What should you pack? How can you ensure your flights are smooth and comfortable?…This TRAVEL GEAR GUIDE is for YOU!

What do you need to know before traveling to Costa Rica?

The best time to visit Costa Rica ~ The best time to visit Costa Rica is between mid-November and April. Not only is it the dry season, but you will enjoy toasty and comfortable temperatures. The temps will be around the 28-degree mark, with up to twelve hours of sunshine each day.

Visa requirements for Costa Rica ~ Some travelers require a visa to visit Costa Rica. Check the list of countries before you buy your ticket to verify the entry requirements according to your nationality.

I'll tell you a little secret...Costa Rica is not as cheap as you might expect. Keep that in mind.

Getting around Costa Rica ~ Driving is the way to go in my opinion. Having said that, it is not for the faint-hearted as it can get crazy on the roads, and the infrastructure isn't that good. We chose to hire a private chauffeur for the duration of our trip, and it was the best decision we've made! We have learned so much about Costa Rica, and we got around safely able to enjoy our spectacular surroundings to the max.

I highly recommend using tocanlimoservices ~ They are reliable, trustworthy, and offer amazing value for money.

If you are hiring a car do it from a reputable company. Safety tips when hiring a car ~

• I recommend not driving long distances in the dark. Make sure you arrive at your destination before dark.

• If you experience a mechanical issue or a flat tire please avoid stopping in lonely places and don’t accept unsolicited help from strangers. It is better to call the rental company or dial 9-1-1 for help.

• Don’t leave any valuables unattended in your cars to avoid a break-in.

• Use public parking lots.

• Use a GPS navigation app. It will save time and prove convenient when exploring.

• Read the contract to understand what is covered and what is not.

DiscoverCars.com has been named the world's leading car rental booking website in the 2020 edition of the World Travel Awards. On this website you can find, compare and rent a car globally.

If you choose public transportation please use official transportation only.

The cheapest internet solution is using a local sim card. You can find sim cards at the Kolbii, the national telecommunications company booth at the airport, or in any of the cities and towns you’re visiting.

The tap water in Costa Rica is completely drinkable.

Money Tips ~

• The colón is the official currency of Costa Rica however, US$ dollars and major credit cards are widely accepted.

• Exchange money only at banks and approved change offices to make sure you're not getting ripped off. NOTE ~ Such transactions require a valid passport.

• ATMs are located throughout the country. Some of them remain closed from 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Remember not to flash your cash.

What should you pack for your flight? Check out my ultimate IN-FLIGHT PACKING GUIDE

I recommend booking your chosen activities in advance. This way you avoid standing in long lines or getting turned away. Especially now with COVID-19 restrictions still in place, everything is sold online, and for the most part, there is no option to purchase directly at the ticket office spontaneity as we are used to.
GetYourGuide is my go-to tour operator; this company is trustworthy and reliable, it offers diverse possibilities for tours, activities, and attractions. Purchasing from them directly offers great value for money.

Suggested Two-Week Itinerary

After landing in San Jose and spending just one day there we headed out from the capital towards Tortuguero National Park. This amazing nature park in a nutshell ~ Adventure closer to nature!

This is one of the most popular nature parks to visit in Costa Rica. Tortuguero is renowned for its canals running through the rainforest, earning it the nickname 'Central America's Amazon’. Tortuguero means the Land of Turtles. This remote village is located on the Northern Caribbean coast, in the Limon province. The main attraction here is in the name…The turtles! They come to nest on the beaches here. There are also other interesting animals to observe here from birds to monkeys, jaguars, frogs, insects to snakes, and crocks too.

How to get to Tortuguero

You can only arrive here by boat (or a very small charted plane) which leaves from a central location at the entrance to the rainforest. The boat ride takes just under two hours, introducing you to this heavenly spot you’re about to explore for the next few days. You can tour the canals; bird-watch, take a night tour to discover the wildlife, hike and simply hang out. Don’t forget to relax and enjoy your spectacular surroundings. Disconnecting from the modern world has never been easier.

Where to stay in Tortuguero

I recommend you stay at least two nights here. We stayed three nights at the La Baula Lodge across the water, very nice and affordable. I highly recommend this place! It is surrounded by gardens and is located right in front of Tortuguero Lagoon. From the balcony of your room, you can admire howler monkeys, spider monkeys, sloths, birds such as the toucans, manakins, and trogons as well as a wide variety of flowers and plants.  

More places to stay in Tortuguero

Mawamba Lodge

Tortuga Lodge & Gardens

Manatus Hotel

Aninga Lodge

From here travel to Arenal Volcano. The biggest attraction here is the area of La Fortuna and the hot springs. This place is so much fun! The weather in this region is slightly cooler so going from wearing a light jacket to enjoying a hot and steamy natural spring in my bikini was awesome!

Some hotels have their own private springs which are even better. The area of Arenal offers scenic views, mountain hiking trails, lakes you can do water sports on, and fishing.
PRO TIP ~ Book your accommodations in advance, including entry to the springs! There is a limited number of people allowed in at any one time so it could be that without tickets in advance, you won’t be allowed in.
Accommodations that offer you entry to springs are located in La Fortuna only. BE AWARE! You will find hotels in the area for surprisingly cheap rates promising entry to the hot springs but here’s the catch ~ The springs are about a two-hour drive away! And speaking from experience; once our driver realized there was something wrong with the address the hotel gave us of the springs, they finally confirmed it’s a two-hour drive to the nearest spring. We canceled our reservation there and spent about two hours with Louis, our driver that likely knows the area very well, looking for an alternative and entry to the springs.

We spent one night in Arenal before continuing across the river by boat and up into the mountains towards Monteverde. What an amazingly fun and adventurous time we had there! Absolutely not to be missed!
Monteverde is located in the Cordillera de Tilarán Mountain Range and is one of the top ecotourism destinations in Costa Rica today. Monteverde is most famous for its Cloud Forest where you can hike and tour, and enjoy the stunning natural scenery. PRO TIP ~ The weather here is mountainous so it can sometimes be a bit damp and wet. I recommend you have a light rain jacket with you. If you plan to trek through the forest and explore the area you will be more comfortable.

I recommend spending three nights here as this area is breathtaking and incredibly unique. Some scientists predict that the cloud forest may disappear sometime this century which is terrible to hear. It is definitely something you will want to experience.

Where to stay in Monteverde

We chose a family-owned place called the Dream Lodge. And dreamy it was!
This small family-run lodge was a lovely and cozy spot. It was super clean and accommodating with the whole family there to help us with anything we need to arrange.
The adventures of Monteverde are at your doorstep, and they are far out! Apart from the scenic views to enjoy and the wildlife you can observe, serious peace and quiet await you here.

Acommadation tips for Monteverde

Calathea Lodge Monteverde

El Establo Mountain Hotel

Hotel Belmar

Hotel Ficus - Monteverde

There are wonderful outdoor extreme adventures you can choose from!
Nature trails, hanging bridges, bungy jumping, buggy, and quad rides. Ziplining and so much more!
My favorite activities to do offering the BEST adrenaline rush ever all take place at Extremo Park

4330 meters of zip lining canopy tours, Tarzan jumps, swing falls…DON’T miss the Superman zip line, it was too crazy for words! We spent four magical days here, and to date, those were our fondest memories of the whole trip.

It was now time to explore the gorgeous beaches of Costa Rica! Costa Rica has almost 1300 kilometers of spectacular scenic coastlines bordering the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. The beaches of Costa Rica are postcard-perfect; tropical views all around, tall palm trees, the sand is white and super soft, and the water is crystal clear. What more can one ask for. right?

The most beautiful beaches are located in northwest Costa Rica, in Guanacaste and the southern Caribbean of Puerto Viejo and Cahuita.

Top 5 beaches of Costa Rica

1. Manuel Antonio Beach.

2. Tamarindo Beach, Guanacaste.

3. Conchal Beach, Guanacaste. Possibly my favorite as I'm a sucker for the turquoise blue water and calm seas. You can surf, snorkel, go on boat rides and just get sunkissed in style.

4. Dominical Beach, South Pacific.

5. Costa Ballena Beach.

We decided to stay, get sunkissed and work on our tan in Guanacaste!

Where to stay in Guanacaste

We stayed at the RIU Hotel & Resort for the remaining 10 days of our trip.
This beautifully chic resort is right on the beach; beach bliss, water sports, and boat rides you can take to explore the area are available from here. Stunning swimming pools and spa treatments are also available around the pool…Great times in the sun, and in the pool’s bar.

More accommodation options in Guanacaste

Bahia del Sol Beach front Boutique Hotel

Nandel Beach Resort

Margaritaville Beach Resort Playa Flamingo

The Coast Beachfront Hotel

Activity recommendation ~ Take a snuba dive trip! This is a great adventure to go on and you don’t need to be a certified diver to do it. It also allows the whole family children included, to enjoy the water world together.

Visit Tamarindo Beach for the day via boat. It is absolutely beautiful out there and if you’re lucky, dolphins, whales, and sea turtles will make an appearance and give your boat an escort!

BEFORE YOU GO ~ I HAVE A SPECIAL GIFT FOR YOU!

It is important for all of us travelers to be responsible and think about the environment. One easy way to travel green is to help fight the plastic pollution threatening our planet. Use a sustainable reusable water bottle! Not only are you helping to reduce plastic pollution, but you will also feel it in your wallet not having to purchase plastic water bottles wherever you go.

USE MY CODE MYTRENDYTRAIL AND GET A 10% DISCOUNT ON YOUR PURCHASE!

A reusable water bottle takes less oil to produce; it replaces all the plastics you would have used helping you to reduce your carbon footprint. Winners all around!
This is my choice of a reusable bottle which I always have with me. Check this link for more styles, types, and colors of water bottles.

Don’t forget to follow me on social for more amazing travel content! Let’s hang out ~ @mytrendytrail

Yours,

Diti