Major city · Costa Rica
Carate
Skip Carate unless you are entering Corcovado National Park via the La Leona trailhead. One night is enough: arrive, sleep, enter the park at dawn.
Carate is a dirt-road settlement at the southern edge of Corcovado National Park, used almost exclusively as a launch point for the La Leona ranger station. There is no town centre, no bank and no supermarket. Most visitors arrive from Puerto Jiménez, spend one night and walk into the park the next morning. Without a park permit and a plan, Carate has nothing to do.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CRC
- Best months
- December–April (dry season)
- avoid September–November (heavy rain, roads may be impassable)
- Airport
- PJM
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Costa Rica ↗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.
- Costa Rica ↗Rental cars require mandatory local liability insurance, often not included in online quotes: check the full price before booking.
- Costa Rica ↗Do not feed wildlife, including monkeys and coatis; it is illegal and harmful.
- Costa Rica ↗Buy national park tickets (Manuel Antonio, Poás, Irazú and others) online from SINAC before you go; several parks do not sell at the gate and cap daily numbers.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Carate911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Carate, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Costa Rican colón (CRC, ₡); US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas, with change often given in colones.Costa Rica-wide
- SIM or eSIMKölbi, Claro and Liberty sell SIMs at SJO and in towns; passport required.Costa Rica-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in most of the country, including San José; drink bottled on parts of the Caribbean coast and in remote areas.Costa Rica-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% service is in the bill; extra optional.Costa Rica-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Costa Rica-wide
- SafetyCarate is remote but safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets; put paper in the bin in many places.Costa Rica-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police · 911 fire and ambulance
- Sundays & holidayscheckManuel Antonio closes on Tuesdays (check); Semana Santa Thursday–Friday shuts most businesses.Costa Rica-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckPJM Puerto Jiménez Airport (10 min flight to Carate (charter only, check availability)).
- Getting aroundWalking only.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PJM Puerto Jiménez Airport (10 min flight to Carate (charter only, check availability))
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Feb
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
May
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jun
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Dec–Apr. Avoid: Sep–Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Oct (22 rain days), driest Feb (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Carate: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
4 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 rd
Apr
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10 rd
May
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
18 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
19 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
20 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
20 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
21 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
22 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
17 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walking only. The beach path to La Leona ranger station takes about 35 minutes. No taxis, no buses, no rental cars beyond the lodges' parking.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Corcovado National Park (La Leona sector)
goDoor to door: 35 min walk from Carate lodges
Walk along the beach, about 35 min
Permit and guide required; book ahead. Enter at 07:00.Permit and guide required; book ahead. Enter at 7:00 AM.
Puerto Jiménez
goDoor to door: 1.5–2.5 h
Collectivo (dry season) about 2.5 h, or taxi about 1.5 h
Resupply point; last collectivo leaves Carate early afternoon.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Beachfront lodges
A handful of ecolodges along the beach; book ahead in dry season.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₡25,000–40,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- ₡40,000–70,000 excl. bed
- High
- ₡70,000+ excl. bed
Watch out
Safety
- No ATM, no bank, no fuel station: bring enough cash (US dollars or colones) for your stay and park fees.
- Road from Puerto Jiménez is unpaved and can be impassable after rain; a 4x4 is essential.
- Park entry to Corcovado is by reservation only: book your permit and guide in advance.
- No shops worth the name: buy all food and water in Puerto Jiménez before you come.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 911
- Fire and ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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CarateCarate
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police911
- Fire and ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Collectivo Puerto Jiménez → Carate: about ₡5,000–8,000, 2.5 h (check)
- Taxi Puerto Jiménez → Carate: about US$60–80, 1.5 h (check)
- Charter flight Puerto Jiménez → Carate: about US$100–150 per person, 10 min (check)
Say or show
- Hola — Hello (OH-lah)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-see-ahs)
- ¿Cuánto? — How much? (KWAN-toh)
- ¿Dónde está la entrada? — Where is the entrance? (DOHN-deh es-TAH la en-TRAH-dah)
- Necesito un guía — I need a guide (neh-seh-SEE-toh oon GEE-ah)
No cell signal in most of Carate; download maps and park info before you leave Puerto Jiménez.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Carate. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: December–April (dry season) · avoid September–November (heavy rain, roads may be impassable) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Carate
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