Costa Rica, one of the happiest countries in the world, is located in Central America between Nicaragua and Panama. Visitors come from far and wide to take advantage of Costa Rica’s affordable prices, lush rainforest, volcano tours, surfing, yoga, nature conservation programs and Pura Vida lifestyles. Most who come a long time to return; don’t be surprised if your own travel experience in Costa Rica inspires you to come back in the future!
If Costa Rica is on your bucket list, there are various tours and activities that you should just try during your stay. Travellers love the varied offer of Costa Rica and you will find that with government efforts to preserve the natural beauty of the country, there is no shortage of memorable experiences.
Costa Rica offers many visiting options for travellers who love the outdoors, adventure and nature. Here are some tours you can consider for your trip:
Adventurous tours
Discover the cloud forest from an exciting zipline, learn to kayak, raft, hike on a volcano and more. Costa Rica’s adventure travel is among the best in the world thanks to its varied landscape. If you are looking for a quieter adventure, Costa Rica is also known for its many yoga and wellness retreats.
Beach and sea tours
If you want to explore Costa Rica alongside lush greenery and volcanoes, head to the sea. Costa Rica, located between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, has access to large waves for lessons surfing in the Pacific, diving courses and fishing expeditions. You can even go to a breeding place for sea turtles and learn more about preserving marine life.
Cultural visits
During your visit to Costa Rica, you can improve your Spanish, learn about local life in a host family, or volunteer at a school. There are an abundance of tours that help you connect to the Tico culture on-site in an authentic way.
Wildlife Tours
Contact one of the most biologically diverse countries in the world. If you love animals and nature, book a Costa Rica wildlife tour to access howler monkeys, sloths, a variety of birds and sea turtles (to name a few). These types of tours offer exciting experiences when visiting mangroves, cloud forests and jungles.
Best time to visit Costa Rica
There is no bad time to visit Costa Rica. The climate is generally divided into two seasons: dry and rainy. Because of the many microclimates, it is best to know how each region varies.
Pacific Coast vs. Caribbean Sea
One side of Costa Rica borders the Pacific Ocean, where the best dry weather is from December to April, while the wet season brings lush green flora with rain showers in the early afternoon and evening. Many visitors prefer the rainy season on the Pacific coast because of the greenery and the comfort.
The other side of Costa Rica touches the Caribbean Sea – where it rains most of the year, sporadically.
Central Valley against Highlands
The central valley experiences moderate temperatures during the dry season and rain showers in the late afternoon and evening during the rainy season.
While the highlands (like Monteverde) experience windy and occasional rains from December to April, they also experience heavy rainfall during the rainy season. Note: some travellers boast of the beauty of the cloud forest in all its glory during the wet season – so don’t let that stop you.
What to look for when visiting Costa Rica
Before booking a tour, check reviews, inclusions and supplements. Many tours can only include additional meals or additional equipment costs. When booking adventurous trips, specifically inquire about their safety procedures and qualifications. Beware of companies that do not take reasonable precautions. If possible, consult reviews from previous customers to find out how the tour operator works and what is included.
Typical visit fees
Most multi-day tour packages range from $ 800 to $ 3,000 and do not include flights. The average duration of a visit can vary from 3 to 10 days, depending on the activities you do during the itinerary. It is also possible to book additional smaller tours upon arrival.
Tips for packing and renting equipment
If you are looking for greenery and wildlife, warmer clothes and rain gear are necessary. Bring good hiking shoes or boots, a poncho or windbreaker, and uncomfortable clothing. Or, in the highlands or in the central valley, you feel warm for a second, wet next time, and maybe cold afterwards. You never know completely!
If you prefer to visit the beaches and surf the coast, you can see your surfboard during the flight or get one when you arrive. When booking a surf trip, make sure that boards are available.
- Other tips for travelling to Costa Rica
Transport: Costa Rica is known for its constantly changing and constantly changing bus schedule. If you decide to take a bus, plan ahead and prepare for a full day of travel. As another option, many tours and hotels can arrange transportation for you. Expect this type of transportation to be up to 5 times the cost of a local bus if you’re travelling long distances – but it’s definitely worth it, depending on who you ask. - Accommodation: Costa Rica offers accommodation selections that meet all budgets. From hostels and budget hotels to luxury resorts and getaways, there is something for everyone. Your tour package probably contains accommodation, so be sure to confirm the type of accommodation offered.
- Budgeting and Currency: The costs of a visit to Costa Rica may increase, but they are still much cheaper than many North American and European destinations. Costa Rica uses the Colón (CRC) but also accepts US dollars. Expect a 1 to 1 exchange rate when paying in USD. Sellers generally do not accept large invoices.
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