Destinations · Central America
Costa Rica
Volcanoes, cloud forest and two coasts, including the Caribbean side where I spent ten weeks.
Currency
Colón (CRC)
US visa
Visa-free, up to 180 days
Ride app
Uber in San José
Best time
Dec to Apr
Tap water
Safe in most places
Daily budget
About $60
Hostel or cabina, local food
Routes
How much time have you got?
Fly into San José. The short route goes east to the Caribbean side, where I lived. The classic is the volcano, the cloud forest and the Pacific, and the longest route does both coasts. Each one gets its own day-by-day itinerary.
Short on time
7 days, 6 nights
Puerto Viejo · Cahuita · Manzanillo
One long shuttle east from San José, then a week on the Caribbean coast: Puerto Viejo, the beaches south to Manzanillo and a day in Cahuita’s national park. It’s where I spent ten weeks in 2021.
Full itinerary coming soon
My pick · The classic
10 days, 9 nights
La Fortuna · Monteverde · Manuel Antonio
Volcano, cloud forest, then the Pacific. Four nights in La Fortuna, two in Monteverde, three at Manuel Antonio, which is two and a half hours from the airport.
Full itinerary coming soon
See it all
16 days, 15 nights
Tortuguero · Puerto Viejo · La Fortuna · Monteverde · Manuel Antonio
Start east: Tortuguero’s canals, then four nights in Puerto Viejo, where I lived. One long shuttle day to La Fortuna, then the classic loop to the Pacific.
Full itinerary coming soon
Want to stay longer? Volunteer at a hostel. That’s how I spent ten weeks in Puerto Viejo.
Seasons
When to go
Dry season is December to April on most of the country. The Caribbean coast runs on its own calendar and is at its best in September and October.
Dry season
Dec to Apr
Sunny, busiest, book ahead
Green season
May to Aug
Afternoon rain, fewer people
Wettest
Sep to Nov
Except the Caribbean side
Read next
Stories from Costa Rica
I lived on the Caribbean side for ten weeks in 2021, mostly on dollar empanadas. One story is up now, the rest are on the way.
Story
Why My First Solo Trip Was Costa Rica
A spare bedroom in San José, then ten weeks working at a hostel in Puerto Viejo.
Town guide · Coming soon
Puerto Viejo for first-timers
Where to stay, where to swim, and which beach is worth the bike ride.
Money · Coming soon
What a day in Costa Rica actually costs
Rooms, food, shuttles, and why it costs more than people expect from Central America.
Before you go
What I’d sort out before the flight. Some of these are referral links.
Data
Airalo eSIM
Install it before you fly and you land with data. Coverage drops in the jungle, so download offline maps too.
Stay longer
Volunteer at a hostel
That’s how I spent ten weeks in Puerto Viejo: a few shifts a week for a free bed. Workaway is where I found it.
Free guide
First 24 Hours in a New Country
The night before, hour by hour after landing, and the traps. Free with the monthly letter.