Have plans to journey to Costa Rica and wish some Costa Rica journey ideas? With low cost and direct flights from the US, a plethora of wildlife, beautiful shoreline, and pristine jungle, it’s no surprise Costa Rica has grow to be a sizzling journey vacation spot within the final decade.
We have been transfixed by stunning nation pictures and knew it was time to make the journey. When you’re like us and dreaming of a Costa Rican trip, listed here are my greatest Costa Rica journey ideas that will help you plan.
Costa Rica Journey – Prime Excursions
Useful Costa Rica Journey Tricks to know
Welcome to an Eco-Lovers Paradise
Certainly one of my prime Costa Rica journey ideas is to get pleasure from all the character. Within the ’80s, the primary ecotourism growth started in Costa Rica. Vacationers started to be taught of the nation’s wealth of pure natural world and acted quick to protect it.
As tourism {dollars} continued, the Costa Ricans rapidly fell in step and preserved their nation’s magnificence. It’s now trickled all the way down to nearly each stage; we even discovered small soda outlets (native eating places) utilizing eco-friendly merchandise like biodegradable straws and ditching styrofoam takeaway.
What’s wonderful is over 27% of the nation is protected as a nationwide park, wildlife refuge, or reserve. To make issues higher, even the Costa Rican authorities has taken energetic measures to guard the nation’s biodiversity. When you’re questioning the place to go in Costa Rica – be certain to incorporate the rainforest!
Take Observe of Your Invoice
One other of my Costa Rica journey ideas is to be aware of your checks. It’s value noting that anytime you eat out, whether or not at a restaurant, soda store, or restaurant, there will probably be a ten% service cost and a 13% tax added to each invoice.
So don’t be stunned in case your invoice is 23% greater than what you thought it could be. This additionally implies that there isn’t a want to depart an additional tip in your server except you need to ( you Americanos).
Roads = Crap
No record of Costa Rica journey ideas could be full with out mentioning that many of the roads are absolute crap. When you plan on driving in Costa Rica, it’s greatest to know that the roads may be fairly terrible, among the worst in all of the Americas, to be actual.
All of it is determined by the place you journey, however we discovered nearly any highway, not a part of the nationwide freeway, to be fairly meh. The worst we personally traveled on was from Nicoya to Santa Teresa (I could or could not have had again spasms from the fixed crater-like potholes).
It’s greatest to lease a 4×4 in the event you drive in Costa Rica. Belief me, pay the additional quantity and save your self the headache of touring with a small automobile. You’ll need the excessive clearance and energy from a four-wheel-drive automobile, granted it doesn’t have to be something enormous.
Test Your Automotive Rental Costs
If there’s one Costa Rica journey tip I may give you, double-check your automotive rental costs. After we first began trying to find automotive leases in Costa Rica, we have been shocked by the loopy low costs we noticed. Sadly, for our wallets, we simply hadn’t clicked to the cost web page but. In Costa Rica, all drivers are required to have third-party legal responsibility insurance coverage.
This isn’t coated together with your bank card or dwelling insurance coverage supplier like in different nations (however verify simply in case you are feeling it might be coated). Even our major insurance coverage coated by our Chase Sapphire Reserve (one of many prime journey bank cards in the marketplace) doesn’t work in Costa Rica as a third-party legal responsibility plan.
Because of the insurance coverage, the net worth is far more costly than you suppose. We propose including the insurance coverage to your reserving to make sure you aren’t met with a shock price addition whenever you land in Costa Rica. For 25 days, we received a small 4×4 for $436 from Alamo and had a terrific expertise, and that was a fairly first rate deal, in my view! I usually prefer to verify comparability websites to get the perfect costs. You may see our rental automotive ideas right here.
When you’ve got extra particular rental automobile necessities, a number of websites I like to check charges and specs on are:
Drive Rigorously
Now that you’ve got your rental automotive, it’s time to apply protected driving. Once more, lots of the roads in Costa Rica are pothole-ridden and grime. They are often powerful for an inexperienced driver to navigate. To not point out as with many nations, we discovered the drivers right here to be impatient, quick, and scary, and I’m not even speaking concerning the semi-truck drivers who don’t appear to worth life.
We noticed one motorcycle accident in our 25 days in Costa Rica and two, sure two, overturned semis in a ditch. Watch out and get journey insurance coverage earlier than touring to Costa Rica.
USD is Completely Acceptable
The colón is the foreign money of Costa Rica, however nearly wherever will settle for USD as cost too; you simply could get a nasty change price. On the time of writing the change price is 1 USD = 560 Costa Rican Colón. Be certain to obtain the XE app so you’ll be able to all the time keep updated with the charges.
Nature is Not Free
After all visiting all of the pure sights is the perfect factor to do in Costa Rica. The primary waterfall we visited in Costa Rica was Catarata del Toro, and I used to be shocked once they requested for a whopping $15 admission charge to see it.
I anticipated I must pay one thing, perhaps $5 – however $14? Little did I do know that this may not be a first-time prevalence.
All through our time in Costa Rica, we visited numerous waterfalls. All the time paying a minimum of $12-$20 per individual to go to. Don’t be shocked in the event you go to La Paz waterfalls and pay a $50 entrance charge! I hope all these charges are going again to conservation as a substitute of a authorities official’s pocket.
The Ticos are So Welcoming
If there’s one reality about Costa Rica I can stress, it’s that the persons are amiable and signify Costa Rica tourism properly! Costa Ricans or “Ticos” are comfortable to welcome you to their stunning nation, assist you out, chat with you, and share their piece of paradise with guests.
We additionally discovered that the majority Ticos might converse English properly, however it actually will assist to choose up a number of Spanish phrases.
Watch Out for the Humidity
If there’s one factor that killed us (and our electronics) in Costa Rica, it was the humidity. We discovered the humidity in Costa Rica horrible within the south, together with the coast, and just about wherever away from the cloud forest. It was powerful to dry our garments and hold them from not smelling and molding, however the true drawback was with our electronics going haywire.
When you’re touring with plenty of electronics, as we did, it’s greatest to stuff socks filled with rice in your bag to soak of the moisture. Or, in the event you suppose you’ll have bother within the warmth, be certain to ebook locations with AC.
We booked Airbnb a number of instances with a washer, dryer, and AC to dry our stuff out. Be certain to examine the perfect time to go to Costa Rica so you’ll be able to entry temperatures and rain in your go to.
Convey Water Footwear
Not certainly one of your typical Costa Rica journey ideas, however a useful one! Cameron could have laughed at me a number of instances whereas exploring the waterfalls, however I received the final snicker with stunning ft protected by my water sneakers.
When you plan on spending time across the waterfalls and going within the water, it’s value choosing up a pair of low cost water sneakers. They’ll assist you grip the slippery rocks and shield your ft from cuts.
Costa Rica is Not Low-cost
It’s possible you’ll suppose that Costa Rica is an affordable vacation spot to journey to, given its location in Central America. We came upon first hand that this was not the case. Whereas touring round Costa Rica, we discovered park charges to be excessive for the vacationers (bear in mind these waterfalls I talked about?), gas costs costly, automotive rental costs are excessive given that you just had so as to add insurance coverage to all the pieces, and meals costs a rip-off.
Suppose I’m mendacity? Costa Rica is rated as some of the costly locations to reside in Latin America and has the best costs in Central America.
The nation is stuffed with vacationers, ex-pats, and American retirees in search of their little slice of paradise. This, mixed with excessive taxes on imports and sustainability efforts, has elevated costs through the years.
I’m not saying that Costa Rica is as costly as Norway. It’s simply one of many higher-cost locations to journey in Central America.
There are Methods to Save Cash
Regardless of the nation being a bit costly there are methods to economize in Costa Rica. My recommendation could be to:
Keep in dorm rooms or camp: Like wherever on the earth, hostels and campsites are the most cost effective lodging choices.
Eat native: Sodas offers you an opportunity to attempt the native meals at the perfect worth.
Skip the touristy websites: Issues like zip-lining, four-wheeling, and horseback using are enjoyable however are usually not precisely budget-friendly.
Go to within the Off Season: Visiting within the inexperienced season will yield decrease costs and fewer vacationers.
Keep out of San Jose: Not that you just’ll actually need to hand around in the capital anyway, however lodging and getting round this space can add up.
Plan Your Journey Accordingly With the Wet Season
When you’re questioning learn how to journey in Costa Rica effectively, be sure to time your journey proper. You’re not assured dry, sunny climate anytime in Costa Rica, however the traditional wet season in Costa Rica is from Could to December. The wet season right here might have an effect on the place you journey, and I might pay explicit consideration to the climate patterns.
As beforehand talked about, many Costa Rican roads are grime and dirt, so in the event you add a little bit rain to that, they may rapidly grow to be impassable. We visited in the beginning of the wet season in Could and had completely no bother driving. Though it did rain a bit greater than we favored, the luxurious jungle surroundings was attractive, costs have been decrease, and it was certainly much less busy than within the dry season.
A phrase of warning – We have been advised that October is the worst time to go to Costa Rica. Rainfall is excessive, and lots of companies shut down. When you can’t keep away from touring in September or October, head to the Caribbean coast for the perfect likelihood of dry climate.
Credit score Playing cards are Broadly Accepted
One other Costa Rica journey tip to know is that bank cards are broadly used. I used to be pleasantly stunned to pay with my bank card at most institutions in Costa Rica. Even little soda outlets have been accepting playing cards. We all the time attempt to pay with a card after we can whereas touring to rack up airline factors.
Nevertheless, I might by no means counsel touring round Costa Rica cashless. All the time have some USD or Colons in your pocket simply in case. Learn extra of our journey banking ideas right here.
Costa Rica is the Switzerland of Central America
Costa Rica has been dubbed the “Switzerland of Central America” for a number of causes. They’ve a steady democracy and no army. They like to stay impartial and never get entangled in battle and violence.
Costa Ricans usually reside first rate lives out of poverty, in contrast to a lot of the remainder of Central America. There’s good well being care and training system in place as properly. On the whole, Ticos are very comfortable and happy with their small nation.
The Actual Rainforest Cafe
I needed to journey to Costa Rica for the jungle and to really feel like I used to be in Jurassic Park 5. Fortunately, I used to be not disillusioned when visiting Costa Rica. It really is a fantastic nation with many major and secondary forests, wildlife, and pure lushness.
It was onerous for me to imagine this beautiful nation was so shut and accessible to america and even Europe. Severely we traveled to Costa Rica cheaper than it could have price us to fly again to North Carolina. There are many direct flight choices from the US that fly proper into San Jose!
Benefit from the Wildlife
Costa Rica is dwelling to greater than 500,000 species, with 300,000 of these bugs. This staggering quantity represents almost 4% of the whole species estimated worldwide. That’s an entire lotta wildlife in a single little nation.
Costa Rica is definitely some of the biodiverse nations on the earth. Regardless of the place you’re within the nation, many wonderful animals and birds may be discovered.
When you’re trying to find a sloth, you most likely know to go to Costa Rica. Then there are the monkeys, coati, ocelots, toucans, macaws, and the quetzal. They even have jaguars, however good luck discovering some of the elusive animals on the earth!
In our time within the nation, we noticed numerous monkeys, toucans, macaws, birds, anteaters, and frogs. The highlights for us must be the scarlet macaw, sloth, fiery acari, coati, inexperienced and black poison dart frog, and squirrel monkeys.
You could have higher luck than us and spot the well-known Resplendent Quetzal within the cloud forests. To seek out the perfect place for wildlife in Costa Rica, it’s important to try the Osa Peninsula. It’s been named essentially the most biodiverse area on earth.
Costa Rica Saved Their Setting
So, the place does all this wildlife reside? Over 25% of Costa Rica’s land has been become protected parks and reserves to guard the wonder. In accordance with Go Costa Rica, there are literally 27 nationwide parks, 58 wildlife refuges, 32 protected zones, 15 wetland areas/mangroves, 11 forest reserves, and eight organic reserves, in addition to 12 different conservation areas that shield the distinctive and various pure habitats discovered all through the nation. Wowza!
It’s Nice for Households, Honeymooners, Buddies, and Solo vacationers
Costa Rica is an each man’s vacation spot. Whereas there, we discovered each stroll of life, together with solo backpackers, surfers chasing the waves, {couples}, honeymooners, teams of buddies, and households. Severely it’s received some sort of journey or romantic exercise for everybody!
The Married Man’s Meal
There are various typical Costa Rican dishes to attempt, however maybe the one we discovered essentially the most was the cascado. A cascado, or a “set meal of meat,” or a “married man’s meal” consists of principally rice, beans, meat –it might be fish, rooster or beef.
There are additionally vegetarian cascados that normally embrace plantains and avocado too. It’s one of many most cost-effective meals that may be had in Costa Rica, usually for underneath 5000 colons, and it’s scrumptious and plentiful.
Sodas
These casados that I converse of and lots of different typical dishes may be discovered at sodas. Sodas are native family-run eating places that serve typical Costa Rican meals and drinks. Sodas are the place the locals eat and the place your greatest worth for meals may be had.
You can not miss seeing a soda store as they’re in every single place within the nation. Be certain to provide one a attempt! Trace Search for the one with essentially the most locals consuming there at lunchtime. It’s possible the perfect one!
There’s a Lot of Climate Going On
For a small nation, there’s plenty of climate and totally different environments. Certainly one of my prime Costa Rica journey ideas is to pay shut consideration to the climate. Round Monteverde and the cloud forest, temperatures drop, and it stays fairly cool, particularly at evening.
San Jose and the encircling space are recognized to have an “everlasting spring,” Guanacaste is dry and sizzling, whereas the coastal areas are simply miserably sizzling and humid all yr spherical. The nation usually sees plenty of solar and usually enjoys 12 hours of sunshine day-after-day. The solar normally rises earlier than 6 am and units simply earlier than 6 pm.
Faucet Water is Typically Protected to Drink in Costa Rica
One other essential Costa Rica journey information is that the water is fairly protected. Yep, the faucet water in Costa Rica is usually okay to drink. Nevertheless, in the event you really feel you could possibly simply get an upset abdomen, you need to stick with a water filter, bottled water or boil your water earlier than you drink it.
Each time we arrived at a brand new place, we’d ask if the water was okay to drink; for essentially the most half, it was. Our buddies at My Tan Toes do a terrific job of delving in-depth into the water scenario in Costa Rica.
Pura Vida
My final Costa Rica journey tip entails the saying Pura Vida. Pura Vida means Pure Life and is a lifestyle in Costa Rica. Ticos will use this time period with one another and guests to say hi there, goodbye, and something in between. It means don’t stress, get pleasure from life, don’t fear, and be grateful. Embrace it and benefit from the Pura Vida way of life!
Our Favourite Locations to Keep in Costa Rica
Probably the greatest locations to remain in Costa Rica! This property is a part of the well-reputed Cayuga Assortment. A few of the greatest guides within the nation work right here, and there are all types of excursions to suit everybody’s wants. We personally spent our two days right here on evening walks scouting uncommon frogs, dawn chook watching, waterfall trekking, and guided hikes to see the howler monkeys.
On some days, yoga is obtainable, and native distributors typically are available in to share their crafts. Or you’ll be able to chill on the pool all day and get full-on watermelon juice. No matter exercise you select will probably be distinctive and remind you of why you got here to Costa Rica within the first place. All meals and actions are all-inclusive. Charges begin at $800 an evening.
Finca Bellavista is likely one of the most original and coolest locations to remain in Costa Rica. This eco-community is ready in the midst of the Costa Rican jungle alongside the Pacific Coast.
It’s a surprising monitor of secondary and first forest with a community of climbing trails to discover by yourself. Rooms right here come within the type of treehouses unfold all through the forest, some an hour-plus hike from the primary lodge so be sure to ebook accordingly.
The entire neighborhood is off the grid and runs on solar energy. Visitors must be ready to be fairly self-sufficient when visiting, though there’s a predominant kitchen dishing up tasty Costa Rican classics for individuals who don’t need to cook dinner.
With a down-to-earth vibe, it attracts a clientele trying to find digital detox and good dialog. Treehouses begin at $100 an evening, meals not included, however you’ll have entry to their wonderful grounds and climbing.
MORE COSTA RICA TRAVEL
Hope these Costa Rica journey ideas assist you could have the perfect journey ever! For extra studying round Costa Rica, see beneath.
Costa Rica Journey Planning Assets
Packing Information — Take a look at our Costa Rica packing record to assist pack your baggage and make sure you don’t go away something at dwelling.Lease a Automotive — We propose most guests think about renting a automotive for the perfect journey doable. Strive Uncover Automotive Rent to check quotes from totally different rental companies. Test Value Right here!Shield Your Journey — Don’t neglect to buy journey insurance coverage! We all the time carry journey insurance coverage to guard us from damage, theft, or a canceled journey. Strive HeyMondo for aggressive short-term plans.Excursions in Costa Rica — Take a look at our record of the perfect excursions you’ll be able to get pleasure from in Costa Rica!Journey Adapter – Be sure you discover a good adapter to maintain your private electronics charged. In any other case, chances are you’ll be paying for an inexpensive one when you land. Buy one right here.