Costa Rica is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. This small country in Central America packs a lot in, and is the perfect place for an eco-luxury adventure! With jungles, cloud forests, volcanoes, beaches, rainforests, and lots of wildlife, it’s one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. You can find more than 500,000 different species in Costa Rica. These include colorful macaws, howler monkeys, sloths, dart frogs, sea turtles, and humpback whales. On top of that, the people are incredibly friendly, the beaches are pristine and the natural springs are relaxing.
Have you ever considered an adventure to Costa Rica? Here’s our intro guide with everything you need to get you started.
Eco-Travel Destination
Costa Rica is home to more than 5% of the world’s biodiversity and 26% of its land is protected! With 30 national parks and reserves, Costa Rica is a perfect place to enjoy nature and wildlife and contribute positively to the environment.
This country takes its mission to care for and protect the land seriously, with about 98% of its energy coming from renewable sources. The government focuses on conservation and preservation, choosing to spend a large portion of its budget on the cause. This makes it a great place to travel if you’re looking to make a positive environmental impact with your adventure.
Best For
Costa Rica is great for travelers who want a mix of adrenaline adventure and laid-back beachy relaxation. There’s no shortage of things to do and see but there’s also plenty of room to sit back and relax. If you’re a nature lover, this is a must-see destination.
[Photo Credit: Steve and Julia via Shared Adventures – read about their Costa Rican honeymoon here! ]
Minimum Stay
Of course, you could spend forever in Costa Rica and never run out of new adventures to enjoy. But realistically, we recommend no fewer than 5 days to enjoy the country. An ideal amount of time is between 10 days to 2 weeks.
Accommodation
Accommodations will be your biggest expense on your Costa Rican adventure, but you have a wide variety of styles to choose from. You can stay in a lodge nestled in the heart of the rainforest, or a beachfront resort with all the bells and whistles. Choose a luxury retreat with pools, beaches, and spas, or a simpler lodge with beautiful porches and hammocks.
Most of the lodges, hotels, resorts, and villas incorporate sustainable design, including solar energy, water conservation, and sustainably sourced construction materials making them top notch eco-luxury stays.
Wherever you stay, we recommend splitting your stay across at least two locations so you can experience different aspects of this stunning country during your adventure.
[Photo Credit: Ellen and Mike via Shared Adventures – read about their honeymoon in Costa Rica here! ]
Geography
On one side is the rugged and less developed Caribbean coast. Here you will find the beautiful Puerto Viejo and Tortuguero. On the other side is the Pacific coast which is more developed for tourism with places like Guanacaste and Manuel Antonio.
Wherever you go in Costa Rica you will find lush jungles and rainforests, bursting with life and brilliant colors. Both coasts boast sandy beaches, but the Caribbean coast has white sand and placid water, while the Pacific side has dark volcanic sand and waves that are great for surfing.
In the interior, one of the best areas to stay is La Fortuna, home to the conical Arenal Volcano and natural hot springs. The Monteverde Cloud Forest boasts misty skies and unique flora and fauna. Manuel Antonio and Tortuguero are small national parks with pristine beaches and lots of ocean life.
Best Time to Visit
December to April is the nicest time of year with very little rainfall. Naturally, in the high season, you will see more crowds and higher prices.
October to December is the low season because it has the most changeable weather, with frequent downpours. Some places are prone to flooding.
The shoulder months are November and May – usually a more peaceful experience with fewer crowds.
If you’re looking for a particular wildlife experience like sea turtles or humpback whales, you’ll need to base your time around those specific months.
[Photo Credit: Katie and Oliver via Shared Adventures – read about their Costa Rican honeymoon here!]
Activities
[Photo Credit: Steve and Julia via Shared Adventures – read about their Costa Rican honeymoon here! ]
Adrenaline Based:
Canyoning
Rappelling
Quad Biking
Ziplining
Surfing
Scuba Diving
White Water Rafting
Volcano Climbing
Wildlife Based:
Guided Jungle Walks
See sea turtles hatching
Humpback Whale Watching
Birding
Relaxation Based:
Laying on beautiful beaches
Relaxing in hot springs
Enjoying luxury resorts
Leisurely hikes to waterfalls
Culture
Costa Rica is known for their laid-back “pura vida” lifestyle. They are renowned for their inclusivity and you’ll find lots of colorful streets and markets celebrating life at every turn. They are known for being a very warm and welcoming culture.
Food
The food is a lovely blend of simple fresh flavors. Rice and beans are a staple. Often joined by fresh seafood and tropical fresh fruits like mango and papaya.
Typical Dishes to Try:
Casado: Fried tortilla chips, maize or corn salad, black beans, rice, and a stewed leg of chicken or a slab of pork.
Tamal: A stuffed into a banana leaf and is usually served as a breakfast snack with black beans on the side.
Gallo pinto: The national dish of Costa Rica. Rice and black beans with spices and a bit of chili pepper.
Coffee and chocolate are big exports in Costa Rica and you can take tours to see the production and taste the local product.
Beaches
There are over 300 beaches in Costa Rica and they’re all incredible in their own way. Some of our favorites include:
[Photo Credit: Katie and Oliver via Shared Adventures – read about their Costa Rican honeymoon here!]
Punta Uva in Puerto Viejo for soft white sand and hanging palms.
Tamarindo Beach in Guanacaste for surfing and watersports.
Marino Ballena in Uvita – Whale Tail Beach. A bit of sand and good for beach spotting humpbacks. (January – March or October)
Conchal Beach in Guanacaste – for soft white sand and beautiful coral reefs.
Flamingo Beach in Guanacaste – named for the pink undertones of the white sand. For a relaxing beach day and stunning sunsets.
Manuel Antonio Beach in Manuel Antonio – A costal rainforest full of wildlife and hiking trails for adding a bit of adventure to your beach day.
Money:
No longer a cheap destination, you’ll find prices similar to the US. While many places do accept USD, it’s a good idea to get some cash in the local Colon currency. You’ll be able to use a card for bigger purchases and cash for small transactions, tipping, and taxis.
Generally, tipping is not expected as there is often a 10% service charge and a 13% tax added to restaurant bills. But if you feel your guide or server went above and beyond you can give them a bit extra.
Getting Around:
It takes time to get around Costa Rica, whether you’re traveling by rental car or public transport. This is not a fast-moving country. The shuttle buses from the resorts or the regular public buses all work well and are generally reliable. The roads, however, are often damaged by the rains so if you decide to rent a car you should get 4WD and never try to take a shortcut.
To Pack
Pack for all kinds of weather because the country has microclimates — you can experience 90F hot and humid to thunderstorms to a chilly 50F all in a day.
Bring water shoes – especially for exploring the waterfalls.
Between the humidity, beach, and rain make sure you pack quick-drying clothing.
Pack high-SPF, reef-safe, water-resistant sunscreen, and bug spray
Pack a dry bag, waterproof phone case, and waterproof camera.
Wildlife spotting is a must since there’s so much to see – be sure to pack a good camera with a telephoto lens. And, of course, binoculars.
[Photo Credit: Katie and Oliver via Shared Adventures – read about their Costa Rican honeymoon here!]
Top Tips
The tap water is generally safe and clean but always check as it can vary from area to area.
Mekatelyu, Bribri, Patois, and Spanish are the official languages, and although English is widely used in tourist destinations, having some basic Spanish is always a plus.
When surfing or swimming look out for rip tides and warning flags (red means danger and black means stay out of the water.)
For a low-key local meal go to the Sodas (mom-and-pop restaurants)
Book tours in advance to avoid scams.
Keep in mind that the amazing national parks will each cost between $12-20 to visit.
[Photo Credit: Robin Bennet via Unsplash]
Ready to plan your amazing adventure to Costa Rica? Let us know – we’d love to help you plan the perfect vacation!
