Costa Rica

Sights

• Arenal Volcano – A perfect volcanic cone with hot springs and hanging bridges near La Fortuna.
• Monteverde Cloud Forest – Moss, orchids, hummingbirds and, with luck, a quetzal.
• Manuel Antonio – A national park with sloths, monkeys and dream beaches.
• Tortuguero – Rainforest canals; sea turtles nest from July to October.
• Río Celeste – A sky-blue river and waterfall in Tenorio National Park.
• Corcovado – Remote rainforest on the Osa Peninsula, only with a guide.

Food & nightlife

• Gallo Pinto – Rice with black beans for breakfast, often with eggs.
• Casado at a soda – A set plate of rice, beans, salad and meat at simple eateries.
• Coffee – A tour of a coffee farm in the highlands.
• Ceviche – Fresh fish in lime, typical on the Pacific coast.

Day trips

• Rafting the Pacuare – White water through rainforest gorges.
• Nicoya Peninsula – Surf villages such as Santa Teresa and Nosara.
• Caribbean coast – Cahuita and Puerto Viejo with Afro-Caribbean culture.

Good to know

When to go

December–April

Getting around

Shuttle buses between regions, though a 4x4 hire car is often more practical; some roads are rough. The rainy «green season» runs roughly May to November.

Tipping

Service is usually included – rounding up is a nice gesture.

Power

Plug type A/B, 120 V – pack an adapter for Swiss plugs.

Currency

Costa Rican Colón (CRC)

Plan your trip to Costa Rica together

Create a trip plan and the Travel Guide comes with it – with a map, ideas to suggest and saved for offline use.

Plan with Pickeed