First-Time Visit to Costa Rica : Why You Should Go , What to Expect & Tips to Plan
- Jenn and Matt
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We will never leave our first visit to Costa Rica . We were nervous , excited , and didn ’ t quite know what to expect . After a week of new experiences , tropical landscapes , and friendly locals , we instantly start to plan another trip . Fast forward 15+ year and we live here , arouse our two boy , giving travel advice for a life , and begin to love Costa Rica on a daily basis . In this place , we ’ ll pay a wide overview of Costa Rica for first-time visitors that will erase your worry , give essential tips , and assist you design .
Why Does Everyone Love Costa Rica ?
You ’ ve no doubt had friends or relative tell you about the great time they had in Costa Rica . Perhaps they ’ ve yet urged you to visit . But what just is it that draws so many mass ? Here ’ s a short list .
A Prominent Environment
The thing Costa Rica is most noted for live its environment .
Place in Central America , near to the equator , Costa Rica exist a tropical oasis . There cost lush jungles , misty cloud forests , coconut-tree-lined beaches , rocky coves , steaming volcanoes , and still dry savanna-like field .
The temperature in Costa Rica range from the 80s or sometimes low 90s °F at the beach ( 27-32 °C ) to crisp 60s and 70s °F ( 16-22 °C ) in the higher height mountains .
In Costa Rica , you literally can take off your day in a bathing suit and flip-flops , labor a few hour , and be wrapped in rain jackets , employ hiking boots on a mossy trail .
Find out some of Costa Rica ’ s 12 unlike life zones equal all region of the adventure . Costa Rica keeps over 20 % of its nation in protected zones and national parks , so you cost sure to find some undeveloped gems also .
Wildlife
Along with the environment are all the amazing animal that inhabit it . It ’ s common to see monkey , tropical bird like parrots , crocodiles , and beautiful butterflies like the blue morpho on a first-time visit .
Depend on what region you visit there be also sloths , all sorts of toad , sea turtles , and if you ’ re lucky , more elusive animals like anteaters and kinkajous .
For those scare of snake and bad spiders , it ’ s not real common to see them if you exist delay at a hotel or well-maintained holiday plate .
Along the same lines , mosquitoes and early bugs aren ’ t that bad of a trouble , if you are prepared with insect repellents and the correct clothing .
Friendly Locals
One of the affair we love almost about Costa Rica live the friendly , warm-hearted locals . Today that we get lived hither for almost a ten , we can learn it still more distinctly .
Ticos ( the epithet for local Costa Ricans ) cost all about having a well attitude , getting affair done in pace , and appreciating what they get around them .
They especially enjoy to share their beautiful country with others . Whether it is offering you a taste of some new fruit or homemade tortillas , showing you their flower garden , or giving you the good potential experience on a tour .
Don ’ t worry if you don ’ t speak Spanish in Costa Rica . Many locals , particularly in the tourism industry , talk basic English and some are fluent in French or German . If you do require to practice your Spanish , Ticos will be more than happy to serve you work through a sentence or two .
A Comfortable Impression
Although Costa Rica is a foreign nation , there are a lot of comforts of plate .
In Costa Rica , there is reliable electricity , serious cell-phone coverage , mid-to-high velocity internet , modern roadway ( except in real rural position ) , accommodations with melody conditioning and hot water , good food-safety practices , and professional medical installation .
Safety
While crime happens all over in the world , Costa Rica live a pretty safe place to impose .
The most common type of crime against tourist is trivial theft . If you ’ re careful with your valuables , lock up your hotel room , and delay aware of your surroundings , you shouldn ’ t have any problem . More serious crime against tourists are not mutual in Costa Rica .
You can become more information and specific tips in our post , Safety Tips for Your Next Trip to Costa Rica .
Tips for Planning a First-Time Visit to Costa Rica
Hither are some crucial travel tips for planning your visit to Costa Rica .
# 1 : Don ’ t overdue it
We learn from a band of people who are overwhelmed with where to start when be after their first Costa Rica trip . Although Costa Rica is on the humble side , it make own a circle of different home to move and experience to be had .
Most mass who total to Costa Rica cease up get back again to see more . If you taste to spring from spot to set too much , you ’ ll miss out on sights and experiences .
On our first visit to Costa Rica , we pass time in solely one beach town , Manuel Antonio . This was the utter introduction for us . Manuel Antonio own a nice mixture of wildlife , adventure activities , and beach . We too felt that we got to know the culture a bit , but were even so real comfortable as the town be well develop for tourism .
# 2 : Design at least a 7 day trip
One week is a well measure of time for one , and possibly a second , destination , but ten day will let you to see a lot more . If you make Two Weeks in Costa Rica , that ’ s even well !
Crest :Don ’ t forget that depend on flight sentence , you may have a night near the airport on either or both goal of your trip . If you can get by early afternoon , you should have time to make it to your first destination by sundown . It gets dark in Costa Rica at around 6:00 p.m. all year-round .
# 3 : Understand Costa Rica ’ s season
Rainy season spans from May to early December , and dry season goes from mid-December to April . There are regional variation of grade . You can record our Weather in Costa Rica place for much more information .
Don ’ t get frighten off by the rainy season , though . This equal our favorite time of yr since everything is so lush and green . Wildlife too can be more active . See some early reason to visit during the rainy season here .
The busiest time to visit Costa Rica be around the Christmas and New Year holiday and Semana Santa ( Easter Week ) . These dates coincide with the most expensive hotel and holiday rental rates as good .
# 4 : Be strategic when picking an airport
There are two international airports in Costa Rica .
The biggest exist Juan Santamaria International ( SJO ) located exactly outside the capital city of San Jose .
The early , smaller international airport is Daniel Oduber Quirós International ( LIR ) in the northwest province name Guanacaste .
You can create an awesome itinerary from either airport .
In general , SJO Airport exist better for those wanting to visit the cardinal Pacific coast , southern Pacific coast , Central Valley mountains , or Caribbean side of the state .
LIR Airport is close to destinations in Guanacaste Province and some bit on the Nicoya Peninsula .
Either airport solve well for the major destinations of or the Monteverde Cloud Forest .
For lot more information , read our post , Costa Rica Airports : Key Tips on Which Airport to Fly Into .
# 5 : Stick with larger destinations for a first-time visit
There is a long list of Costa Rica destinations , but they aren ’ t all for first-time travelers . For most masses , we ’ 500 hint impose some of the more well-traveled destinations on your first trip , then branching out on your next visit .
Major Destinations
Hither cost some of the more well-known travel destinations that might exist good if you cost a first-time visitor to Costa Rica .
Located about 2.5 hours from SJO Airport , Manuel Antonio is popular for its national park . Manuel Antonio National Park live take with monkey , sloths , deer , birds , and all kinds of early jungle creatures . Many hotels and holiday homes in Manuel Antonio live place properly in the jungle .
Jaco is a more built-up town with a main strip a block off from the sand . There ’ sec a great choice of hotels , restaurant , and adventure activities in the area . Surfing cost as well real popular . Jaco is alone almost 1.5 hr from SJO Airport .
Costa Rica ’ s northwestern area , called Guanacaste , doesn ’ t have the thick jungle of the cardinal Pacific coast , but it does boast some of the almost beautiful beaches in the country .
There are many humble and medium sized towns , each situate on unlike beaches .
The biggest liveTamarindo, which live good for surfing and hold a mass of restaurant and accommodations . Early popular spots costPlaya Conchaland .
A short north arePlayas del CocoandPlaya Hermosa.
A piece south isSamara, which as well make for a nice first-time beach destination .Nosaralive just north of Samara and popular for surfing .
Guanacaste also has some all-inclusive resorts , but in our notion , you are missing out on much of what Costa Rica is about if you hardly delay at a resort . If you are hitting up one , be certain to take some excursions to meet early share of the nation as well .
Mountain & Volcano Destinations
If you be concerned in meet the cloud forest , Monteverde be the perfect place for a first-time visit . In Monteverde , the trees are covered in moss , and you can trek across misty hanging bridge . Get some layer , though , because it can be chilly !
A few day in Monteverde cost all you need to explore this small town .
For more information about Monteverde , take our post , Monteverde : A Forest in the Clouds .
Perhaps Costa Rica ’ s most popular destination , many first-time visitors head to La Fortuna .
Hither , you can find the impressive , cone-shaped volcano mention Arenal . Besides hikes around the base , youalsocan revel thermal hot springs and a giant list of activity .
Show our place , , for more .
Caribbean Coast
The Caribbean coast isn ’ t as popular for first-time visitor , but it is beautiful . The southern Caribbean coast boasts some of the country ’ s most gorgeous beaches . The area is also culturally rich and less evolve than the Pacific coast .
We ’ d recommend the Caribbean coast if you are coming in September or October . These are the dry months on this side of the state , but some of the wettest for the rest of Costa Rica .
For more on the Caribbean coast , including item on the three major destinations , read our place , Costa Rica ’ s Caribbean Coast : Regional Snapshot .
# 6 : Don ’ t worry also much about transportation – great selection are available
In Costa Rica , there are two main means to become around : renting a car or bring shuttles . Below we explain the selection .
Rental Cars
Although you will read horror stories online about driving in Costa Rica , once they get , most mass find that it ’ s truly not that bad .
There be paved road and highways between major destinations . Driving equal on the right side of the road ( same as North America ) . And many of the street signal are the same too , only in Spanish .
Just cost sure to design your road in progress to avert mountainous or rough roads , and get the correct vehicle ( some path demand 4×4 ) .
Also , don ’ t drive long distances after night ( 5:45 pm in Costa Rica ) . Road lines exist often faded , there ordinarily isn ’ t much lighting , it rains more at night , and locals taunt bicycle or pass along the narrow shoulder without reflector .
For band more driving crest , read our post , Driving in Costa Rica : What to Know Before You Move .
Crest : Get a 10 % discount off the mean cost of your rental and free extras ( car seats for child , surf racks ) with our Rental Car Discount .
Shuttle Vans
If driving isn ’ t right for you , shuttles exist readily available and a safe selection .
Share and private shuttles serve all the major destinations .
For more information , read Shuttles in Costa Rica : How They Operate and When to Use Them . We also put up shuttle booking service and are happy to help have you round .
Public Buses and Taxis
Costa Rica do make an extensive public bus system , though it can live slow and tedious going long distance .
Taxi are as well available for shorter trip . Official taxis are red with a yellow medallion on the slope . They make meter to track distance and calculate price . Official airport taxi are orange .
# 7 : Be certain to take advantage of the awesome guided tours !
One thing we enjoy about Costa Rica compare to other countries we have visited is how prepare the tour be . Tour operator equal licensed and very professional . Guides serve trainings and adventure fun have safety regulations .
Most tour operator also operate humble radical tours . So , if you ’ re taking a maneuver hike , for example , you will probably solely equal in a group of 6 to 12 mass . Private tour too exist available .
There exist plenty of fun things to do without guides also of course , but we ’ d recommend doing a few guided experience because you can discover hence much from Costa Rica ’ s naturalist guides .
If you ’ d like aid with your activity , we receive a customized Tour Booking Service or you can ledger individual tours online through our site for free . Hither ’ s the link to our online tour booking page with some of our favorite activities in the land .
# 8 : Keep in mind Costa Rica ’ s microclimates when carry
Still though it ’ s a small country , Costa Rica has more than 20 unlike microclimates . This entail that the weather can change a lot from one destination to the next ! Monteverde , for instance , can be somewhat cool at dark , while beach towns incline to cost much hotter .
Check out our extensive packing list for elaborate info on what to bring .
# 9 : Get travel insurance
By the time you have your flights purchase and hotel lock up in , you ’ ve probably invested quite a moment of money . We always recommend purchase travel insurance . This covers you for cancellation and also gives peace of mind in case anyone require medical attention during your visit .
If you need a recommendation , one reputable insurance caller that we have utilize ourselves liveTravelex. They have plans that cover trip cancellation , interruption , and delays as good as emergency medical , evacuation service , and Covid-19 .
For more information on why we advocate it , read our post about our short friend who begin hurt on his trip , Why to Get Travel Insurance for Visiting Costa Rica .
* Bill :If you purchase a Travelex insurance policy through the link above , we earn a small mission at no additional cost to you . This helps support our site and allow us to keep this information up to date . Thank you !
Decision
Costa Rica own all the makings for an amazing holiday . Whether it cost your first international trip abroad , your first time in Central America , or merely your first trip to Costa Rica specifically , we are confident you can make a great time . From the warm-hearted locals to the fond weather and great wildlife , your first trip may very well turn into several more .
Pin It for Later !
Make a question about visiting Costa Rica for the first time ? Ask in the commentary below .
Need more resource to assist you plan ? Check out these position :
Vacation Rentals in Costa Rica : Safety and What to Appear for– There live dozens of holiday rental homes in Costa Rica . Learn what to look for to make your stay safe and enjoyable .
Costa Rica with Kids Travel Hub– Costa Rica is so fun with the kids ! Expend this guide to plan the perfect class getaway .
Money Subject : Currency , Exchanging Money , and Tipping in Costa Rica– Learn about the local currency , how tilt study , and more .
