COSTA RICA
Best Time to Visit:
Costa Rica experiences warm weather year round, but the country does experience a dry and a wet season.
The dry season runs from December to April, and it’s when I would recommend visiting! Although there in an influx of tourists during these months, you really will get the best weather!
The wet (or green) season lasts from May to November. It’s a great time to visit the rainforests, as everything will be so green and lush! If you don’t mind the rain, you can also find much cheaper deals on flights and accommodations during this time as well. Just keep in mind – some roads become impassible due to flooding.
Getting Around
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION | Costa Rica has a great bus system! It’s the most economical option for getting around the country, although it’s the slowest option.
DOMESTIC FLIGHTS | There a few domestic airlines offering flights from SJO into several other airports around the country. I highly recommend Costa Rica Green Airways!
CAR RENTAL | If you plan on exploring much of the country, I recommend renting a car. Most big name car rental companies (SIXT, Hertz, etc.) are located at the SJO airport!
Travel Requirements
All you need to enter the country is a valid passport!
As for driving, most tourists can rent a vehicle with their drivers license from their home country. However, licenses in a different alphabet (such as Mandarin or Hebrew) will require an international drivers license to rent a vehicle.
Know Before You Go
AIRPORT | Juan Santamaría (SJO)
CURRENCY | Costa Rican Colón
PLUG TYPE | Type A + B (same as the US)
LANGUAGE | Spanish
PHONE COVERAGE | Claro offers the best coverage in Costa Rica
SUSTAINABLE + ETHICAL TRAVEL IN COSTA RICA
- Costa Rica is one of the most environmentally sustainable countries on the planet! 98-99% of their energy comes from renewable sources.
- I almost always recommend finding a sustainable hotel to stay in – but this isn’t really something you have to worry about as much here! Most hotels in Costa Rica are a part of the NCST – National Sustainable Tourism Certificate. This means they have extensive regulations on energy use, waste, etc.
- Costa Rica’s tap water is safe to drink! Bring a reusable water bottle with you instead of buying single-use plastic bottles.
- Respect the wildlife! Zoos have been banned in Costa Rica for years. Do not attempt to touch the animals, and definitely do not feed them (it’s actually illegal!).
- Choose local tours + guides to support the local economy rather than big tour companies.
