Costa Rica travel guide
Costa Rica
Rainforest, volcano, and coastline eco-lodges built around genuine sustainability.
Costa Rica's ecotourism reputation is backed by substance: properties like Tabacón Thermal Resort operate as fully carbon-neutral, 5-leaf CST certified resorts at the base of Arenal Volcano, while remote lodges like SCP Corcovado Wilderness Lodge run entirely on solar power at th
Costa Rica — current status
Open. (Status checked 2026-08-30.)
Costa Rica — TL;DR
Costa Rica's ecotourism reputation is backed by substance: properties like Tabacón Thermal Resort operate as fully carbon-neutral, 5-leaf CST certified resorts at the base of Arenal Volcano, while remote lodges like SCP Corcovado Wilderness Lodge run entirely on solar power at th
Costa Rica at a glance
- What are the best things to do in Costa Rica? Balance one or two headline sights with unhurried time in the neighbourhoods highlighted in this guide — that mix is what makes a Costa Rica trip feel like more than a checklist.
- How many days do you need in Costa Rica? Three to four full days is the sweet spot for a first visit to Costa Rica — enough to cover the main neighbourhoods on foot, sit down for two or three proper meals, and still keep a day for a…
- When is the best time to visit Costa Rica? December to April, the dry season, offers the most reliable weather for wildlife viewing and outdoor activities across most regions.
- Where should I stay in Costa Rica for the first time? First-time visitors do best in one of the walkable central neighbourhoods covered in the Where to Stay section of this guide — the ones that put you within a short walk of dinner and public transport.
- How do you get around Costa Rica? Domestic flights connect San José to regional hubs like La Fortuna and the Osa Peninsula; some remote lodges are accessible only by boat.
Costa Rica overview
- December to April, the dry season, offers the most reliable weather for wildlife viewing and outdoor activities across most regions.
- Domestic flights connect San José to regional hubs like La Fortuna and the Osa Peninsula; some remote lodges are accessible only by boat.
- Costa Rican Colón (CRC)
- Spanish. English is common in tourism.
- CST (UTC-6)
- Sustainability certification (CST, the Certification for Sustainable Tourism) continues to be a genuine differentiator among Costa Rica's top lodges, with carbon-neutral and solar-powered properties increasingly the norm rather than the exception at the high end.
Where to eat, drink & do in Costa Rica
Costa Rica neighborhoods
- La Fortuna / Arenal Volcano Home to the country's most iconic hot spring resorts at the base of an active volcano.
- Osa Peninsula A remote rainforest region bordering Corcovado National Park, home to some of the country's most immersive eco-lodges.
- Monteverde The country's cloud forest region, known for canopy walks and biodiversity.
Practical info for Costa Rica
- Getting around in Costa Rica? Domestic flights connect San José to regional hubs like La Fortuna and the Osa Peninsula; some remote lodges are accessible only by boat.
- When to go in Costa Rica? December to April, the dry season, offers the most reliable weather for wildlife viewing and outdoor activities across most regions.
- What's changing now in Costa Rica? Sustainability certification (CST, the Certification for Sustainable Tourism) continues to be a genuine differentiator among Costa Rica's top lodges, with carbon-neutral and solar-powered properties increasingly the norm rather than the exc
- Seek out Monteverde Cloud Forest in Costa Rica? A misty cloud forest reserve with canopy walkways, offering a completely different ecosystem from the volcanic and coastal regions most visitors prioritise.
- Base yourself in La Fortuna / Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica? Home to the country's most iconic hot spring resorts at the base of an active volcano. Known for hot springs, volcano views.
Frequently asked questions about Costa Rica
- What are the best things to do in Costa Rica? Balance one or two headline sights with unhurried time in the neighbourhoods highlighted in this guide — that mix is what makes a Costa Rica trip feel like more than a checklist. Book any high-demand entries in advance, keep evenings loose for a proper dinner, and leave at least one afternoon completely unplanned for the small discoveries Costa Rica tends to reward.
- How many days do you need in Costa Rica? Three to four full days is the sweet spot for a first visit to Costa Rica — enough to cover the main neighbourhoods on foot, sit down for two or three proper meals, and still keep a day for a nearby day-trip or a slow morning. Extend to five or six days if you plan to combine the city with the surrounding region.
- When is the best time to visit Costa Rica? December to April, the dry season, offers the most reliable weather for wildlife viewing and outdoor activities across most regions.
- Where should I stay in Costa Rica for the first time? First-time visitors do best in one of the walkable central neighbourhoods covered in the Where to Stay section of this guide — the ones that put you within a short walk of dinner and public transport. Avoid staying next to the main transit hubs unless convenience trumps atmosphere for your trip.
- How do you get around Costa Rica? Domestic flights connect San José to regional hubs like La Fortuna and the Osa Peninsula; some remote lodges are accessible only by boat.
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