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Draft data. Times, fares and step counts are desk estimates awaiting field checks. Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify

country

Costa RicaCosta Rica

First trip: three bases, not six. Arenal/La Fortuna 3 nights, then the Pacific (Manuel Antonio or Guanacaste) 4, plus Monteverde or the Caribbean 3; drive or take shuttles by day and expect 3–5 hours per leg.

Not field-verified

Costa Rica looks small, but mountain roads make a 150 km leg take four hours. Trips break when people change base every night to cover volcanoes, cloud forest and both coasts. Pick three bases, travel in daylight, and plan around the green season (roughly May–November), when afternoon rain is daily and some roads on the Caribbean side and the Osa Peninsula get hard to use.

All regions, cities and parks in Costa Rica (Atlas) →

Regions

Arenal and the northern plainsplanned

La Fortuna, Arenal volcano, hot springs; Monteverde cloud forest

3–5 nights

Central Pacificplanned

Manuel Antonio, Uvita and the Osa Peninsula (Corcovado)

3–5 nights

Guanacasteplanned

Dry-coast beaches (Tamarindo, Nosara, Santa Teresa via Nicoya); Rincón de la Vieja

3–5 nights

Caribbean coastplanned

Puerto Viejo, Cahuita and Tortuguero

3–4 nights

Arrive

SJO

Juan Santamaría International (San José)

In Alajuela, 30–60 minutes to San José; best for Arenal, Manuel Antonio and the Caribbean

LIR

Guanacaste International (Liberia)

Best for Guanacaste beaches and Rincón de la Vieja

Time math

7 days
Arenal 3 + Manuel Antonio 4 (fly into and out of San José)
10 days
Arenal 3 + Monteverde 2 + Guanacaste beach 5 (fly in SJO, out LIR)
14 days
Tortuguero or Puerto Viejo 3 + Arenal 3 + Monteverde 2 + Manuel Antonio or Uvita 5 + 1 buffer

Country rules

Inherited by every page below
  • Check entry rules for your passport with Costa Rica's immigration authority (Migración) or a Costa Rican consulate; proof of onward travel is commonly required.
  • Rental cars require mandatory local liability insurance, often not included in online quotes: check the full price before booking.
  • Do not feed wildlife, including monkeys and coatis; it is illegal and harmful.

Etiquette

  • Greet with buenas and use usted with strangers; pura vida works as hello, thanks and goodbye.
  • Stay on trails and keep noise down in parks; follow guides' distance rules with wildlife.
Semana Santa (Easter week)
National holiday; beaches crowded and many businesses closed Thursday–Friday.
Christmas–New Year
Peak season; hotels and rental cars sell out.
Green season (May–November)
Daily afternoon rain; some rural roads difficult, especially September–October on the Pacific side.

Money & passes

Cash necessity: 2/5

  • Currency is the Costa Rican colón (CRC, ₡); US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas, with change often given in colones.
  • Cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurants and tour companies; carry cash for small sodas (local eateries) and parking.
  • A service charge is usually included in restaurant bills.

Before you fly: eSIM before you fly · Visas and entry

Safety

  • Emergency: 911.
  • Never leave anything visible in a parked car, even for a few minutes at a trailhead or beach.
  • Rip currents are strong on many Pacific and Caribbean beaches; swim only where lifeguards are posted.
  • River crossings on rural roads can be deep after rain; do not drive through flowing water.
  • Petty theft and some violent crime occur in San José and parts of the Caribbean coast: use taxis at night.

Costa Rica borders Nicaragua and Panama; Panama City (PTY) is a short flight for onward connections.

Open Americas

Sources