Money and payments
Cards and cash
Unfortunately, some ATMs dispense such bills; use ATMs with a bank branch in its proximity.
Tipping
Tipping is not customary in Costa Rica.
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Americas · Central AmericaUsable guideCountry in Central America
Photo: Peter Fitzgerald, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Costa Rica has bewilderingly diverse culture, climates, flora, and fauna, and landscapes range from rainforests, to dry tropical and temperate forests, to volcanoes, to Caribbean and Pacific beaches, to high mountains, and marshy lowlands. Costa Rica is an exceptionally stable and peaceful country compared to the volatile region it's in, and is one of the world's top destinations for nature and ecotourism. Owing in part to its comparative wealth, it can be a bit more expensive than its northern neighbors in Central America.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Costa Rica.
Cards and cash
Unfortunately, some ATMs dispense such bills; use ATMs with a bank branch in its proximity.
Tipping
Tipping is not customary in Costa Rica.
Spanish
Spanish is the official language of Costa Rica, and is spoken by virtually all locals.
The primary means of outside contact are through e-mail, SIM cards for unlocked phones, or public pay telephones.
Mobile networks
Tap water in urban areas of the country is almost always safe to drink.
Costa Rica has one of the highest levels of social care in the world. Its doctors are known worldwide as some of the best., Canada, and Europe go there to be treated, not only because of quality but also cost.
In general, Ticos are very hospitable and laidback people, happy to assist visitors in any manner necessary. Being bien educado (well-mannered) is emphasised heavily in Costa Rica.
Covered in the guide
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
the capital
location of Juan Santamaría International Airport
Costa Rica's first capital
a Center for Agriculture and Tourism in Costa Rica
coffee plantations
the Central Pacific coast's largest city, among incredibly biodiversity and natural beauty, famous surf spot
location of Guanacaste Airport and gateway to the beaches of Guanacaste, such as Samara, Nosara, Carillo
main city on the Caribbean side
active volcano
Cahuita National Park is in eastern Costa Rica, along the Caribbean coast. The park is known for its pristine coral reef, turquoise waters, white sand beaches, and inland forests teeming with wildlife.
Parque Nacional Chirripó (Chirripó National Park) is a national park in South Pacific Costa Rica accessible by road through the locality of San Isidro de El General in Pérez Zeledón canton.
Cocos Island is a nationally protected jungle-covered island and national park off the coast of Costa Rica. The park also includes surrounding ocean surface of about 60,000 square miles that were added to the park to protect several species of shark.
Parque Nacional Corcovado is on the Osa Peninsula in South Pacific Costa Rica.
Manuel Antonio National Park (Spanish: Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio) is a national park in the Central Pacific region of Costa Rica in the municipality of Manuel Antonio, 7 km (4.3 mi) south of Quepos.
Monteverde and Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserves are in the Central Pacific region of Costa Rica.
Rincón de la Vieja Volcano National Park (Parque Nacional Rincon de la Vieja) is a park of 14,161 hectares (34,990 acres) covering a dry tropical forest region in the provinces of Guanacaste and Alajuela , centered around the volcano, Rincón de la Vieja, and the surrounding volcanic and natural features. Sights include an extraordinary amount of interesting flora and fauna, as well as plenty of hot bubbling sulphurous mud pits and a little "mini-volcano." This national park is great for day tours in Guanacaste for those who love hiking and adventure.
Tortuguero is a village in the North East of the province Limón about 80 km north of the Caribbean city Limón in Costa Rica. It is the entrance of Tortuguero National Park which is one of the most popular parks of Costa Rica.
280 km hike from Atlantic to Pacific, passing through beaches, swamps, rainforests and mountains
A scenic drive through the Aguacate Mountains Biological Corridor between the towns of Berlin de San Ramon and Llano Brenes. Known for its spectacular views and bird watching. This route travels down a mountain ridge through several eco-zones.
Places in Costa Rica on the World Heritage List.
Stone spheres of Costa Rica
Area de Conservación Guanacaste World Heritage Site
Listed 1999
Cocos Island National Park
Listed 1997
Talamanca Range-La Amistad Reserves
Listed 1983
Precolumbian Chiefdom Settlements with Stone Spheres of the Diquís
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
The mostly urban center of Costa Rica, holding the most populated cities, including the capital, San José, many museums and several volcanoes.
Home to well-known beaches and national parks, and one of the most tourist-oriented parts of Costa Rica, along with Guanacaste.
The "dry region" of Costa Rica, with little rain any time of year, fabulous beaches and surfing, and large volcanic and dry forest parks in the north by the Nicaraguan border.
The least visited, more isolated region, with great whitewater rafting, sea turtle spotting and many beautiful beaches. It's an outpost of Jamaican culture, with many residents of Jamaican and African descent.
A beautiful, sparsely populated, and mountainous region, most famous for its active volcano, Arenal, and the surrounding hot springs, volcanic lakes, and cloud forests.
One of the most bio-diverse environments on the planet, full of exotic endemic flora and fauna, and some of the planet's most beautiful and remote tropical beaches.
Public transport and paid services in Costa Rica.
By bus
Most major tourist destinations in Costa Rica are served by at least two daily buses from and to San José.
By train
While the train service was closed in 1995, the Incofer (Costa Rican Railway Institute) remained operational and is putting the abandoned rails to use again in the San José metropolitan area.
By rental car
One advantage of renting a car is that you can visit many of the secluded beaches and mountain areas. For US$350-700 a week you can rent an econocar/mid size four-wheel drive.
By rental motorcycle
For about US$420 a week, depending on the bike and the season, you can rent a dual sport bike or a chopper.
By taxi
Another easy way to get around Costa Rica is to use the services of mini-vans.
By plane
There are three main internal airlines that connect the major tourist towns: Aerobell Airlines, Sansa and Skyway Airlines.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Costa Rica.
Finding apps for Costa Rica…
Other ways to travel:By thumb
Operators checked against their official websites in October 2026; services that have stopped running are not listed. Logos and Wikipedia links: Wikidata (CC0)
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
San José (Alajuela) · International · SJO
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Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in San José
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 24° | 25° | 26° | 26° | 25° | 24° | 24° | 24° | 24° | 23° | 23° | 24° |
| Avg. low | 18° | 17° | 17° | 18° | 19° | 19° | 19° | 19° | 19° | 19° | 18° | 18° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 101 | 60 | 73 | 125 | 253 | 240 | 266 | 226 | 233 | 277 | 254 | 150 |
| Humidity | 81% | 77% | 74% | 78% | 87% | 89% | 88% | 88% | 90% | 92% | 90% | 85% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$65
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$170
Per person, per day
Luxury
$445
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $30 | $95 | $260 |
| Food and drink | $15 | $35 | $85 |
| Local transport | $10 | $15 | $40 |
| Activities | $10 | $25 | $60 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2025). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 2 of 4Exercise increased caution
Exercise increased cautionin Costa Rica due to crime. Petty crime is common throughout Costa Rica. Violent crime also affects tourists. This includes armed robbery, homicide, and sexual assault.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
No advice against travel. Read the full advice before you go.
Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: see general advice for women travellers read our guide on disability and travel abroad see general advice for LGBT+ travellers read about safety for solo and independent travel see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad Travel insurance If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. About FCDO travel advice The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. Get travel advice updates Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. Follow FCDO: travel advice on X travel advice on Facebook Travel Aware on Instagram
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Costa Rica.
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Nature & adventureOne of the most wonderful activities in Costa Rica is birdwatching. You can enjoy birdwatching throughout Costa Rica.
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ItinerariesCamino de Costa Rica is a 280-km backcountry hiking trail that crosses Costa Rica, passing through or near several national parks and spanning 5 ecosystems, including tropical rainforests, mountain highlands, and…
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Nature & adventureCosta Rica has some of the world's most spectacular national parks, protecting a range of different ecosystems including rain forests and cloud forests, remote beaches where sea turtles nest, dense jungles, and active…
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