Costa Rica Travel Information

Costa Rica Travel Information

Arenal Volcano

Costa Rica is a main ecotourism destination in Central America. With its pristine beaches, tropical rain forests and active volcanoes, it's a paradise. Travelers can surf, hike, kayak and relax in Costa Rica's varied landscape.

When To Visit

The best time to visit Costa Rica is during the dry season, which runs from December through April. The rainy season--beginning in May--is when most budget travelers prefer to visit.

Weather and Climate

La Fortuna Waterfall
La Fortuna Waterfall

During the dry season, most areas in Costa Rica are sunny, hot and humid. However, the highlands and cloud forests are misty and cool. The rainy season sees cooler temperatures and predictable rain showers.

Getting Around

Buses are by far the easiest and cheapest ways to get around Costa Rica. Car rental in Costa Rica is expensive, and the roads are rough and difficult to navigate.

Food and Dining

Costa Rican food is very basic and typically consists of rice and beans. Most towns offer an array of restaurants that serve local foods--cocina tipaca.

Accommodations

Hotel Lys - Montezuma, Costa RIca
Hotel Lys - Montezuma, Costa RIca

Most Costa Rican towns have a wide variety of lodging options from budget hostels to mid-range hotels and high-end bungalows.

Article Written By Wren Mcilroy

Based out of Salt Lake City, Wren Mcilroy has been writing outdoor recreation and travel-related articles for 3 years. She holds a Bachelor of Science in psychology and biology from Winona State University in Minnesota.

Write for Trails.com
  • Editor's Pick

    5 Top North American Wildflower Hikes

    5 Top North American Wildflower Hikes

    Springtime brings a sense of new beginnings and new life as flowers begin to bloom and fill the air with their sweet and pleasant fragrance. Luckily we can see wildflowers all summer long, since spring hits at different times throughout North America. See flowering cactu...

    More National Parks...
  • Popular Article

    National Park Substitutes: Great Spots Without the Crowds

    National Park Substitutes: Great Spots Without the Crowds

    Coping with crowds at national parks can get tiresome, especially during the peak tourist season. If you want to escape from the herd, or just take a breather from the bustle of bigger attractions, the United States has plenty of less-visited but still worthwhile spots t...

    More National Parks...
  • Featured Destination

    Prevent Yourself from Getting Lost While Hiking

    Prevent Yourself from Getting Lost While Hiking

    When you're hiking you're going to want to make sure you stay found. What I mean by that is that you've put an itinerary in the car, you know the area that you're hiking to, you know the route and the trail you plan on being on, you know what the trail markers are going ...

    More Camping Basics...

Hotel Finder

Destination
Check-in
Check-out
Adults (18+ yrs)
Children (2-17 yrs)
Get Rates and Availability

Outdoor Gear & Equipment

ALL NEW Trails Gear Store powered by:

Trail Finder

US Map

Search by Keyword