Costa Rica

About Costa Rica

Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse countries on Earth, with over 500,000 species packed into a land area smaller than West Virginia. This Central American nation protects approximately 25% of its territory in national parks and reserves, making it a global model for conservation-based ecotourism. The country's remarkable variety of habitats, from cloud forests and rainforests to mangroves and coral reefs, supports an extraordinary array of wildlife. Sloths, howler monkeys, spider monkeys, toucans, scarlet macaws, and poison dart frogs are commonly encountered on guided nature walks. Both Pacific and Caribbean coasts serve as important nesting sites for sea turtles, including green, hawksbill, and leatherback species. Costa Rica's compact size means visitors can explore multiple ecosystems in a single trip. Manuel Antonio National Park offers reliable sloth and monkey sightings along coastal rainforest trails. Tortuguero on the Caribbean coast is one of the Western Hemisphere's most important sea turtle nesting beaches. Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula has been described as the most biologically intense place on Earth.

Highlights

• Sloth and monkey sightings in Manuel Antonio National Park
• Sea turtle nesting at Tortuguero (Jul-Oct)
• Cloud forest birdwatching in Monteverde
• Poison dart frog photography on rainforest trails

Getting There

Fly into San Jose (SJO) or Liberia (LIR) for the Pacific coast. Domestic flights connect to remote areas like Drake Bay.

Nearest airport: Juan Santamaria International (SJO)

Travel Essentials

Vaccinations

• Yellow Fever (if arriving from endemic country)
• Hepatitis A & B
• Typhoid
• Rabies

Budget Guide

Weather & Climate

Dry season: Dec-Apr: Dry season on Pacific side. Best for wildlife and beach. Peak season.

Wet season: May-Nov: Green season. Afternoon rains. Lower prices. Turtles nesting Jul-Oct.

Temperature: 20°C-35°C (68°F-95°F) at coast. Highland cloud forests 12°C-22°C.

Sample 5-Day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrive SJO. Transfer to Monteverde cloud forest. Night walk for red-eyed tree frogs.
2. Day 2: Hanging bridges and zip-line canopy tour. Hummingbird gardens. Monteverde Reserve trail.
3. Day 3: Drive to Arenal. Hot springs. La Fortuna waterfall hike. Sloth spotting.
4. Day 4: Transfer to Manuel Antonio. Afternoon park visit for monkeys, sloths, toucans.
5. Day 5: Morning Manuel Antonio NP visit. Beach. Depart from SJO.

Safety & Tips

Don't leave valuables in parked cars. Rip currents on Pacific beaches. Watch for snakes on forest trails. Tap water safe in most areas.

Tipping: 10% service charge included in restaurants. Extra 5-10% optional. Tour guides: $10-20/day.

Local transport: Rental car recommended (4x4 for gravel roads). Domestic flights via Sansa. Public buses between towns.