Costa Rica Travel Planning Articles

Planning a trip to Costa Rica? How exciting! Here you’ll find all our Costa Rica travel planning articles that will help you with your research.

But before you dive in below, read our Costa Rica travel guide if you are a first time visitor!

COVID-19

Costa Rica coronavirus
Costa Rica COVID-19 Travel

Language

Introductory guide to basic Spanish words and phrases (plus free downloadable pocket guide)

Health

Best mosquito repellent
Shots/vaccinations required for Costa Rica
Seeing a dentist in Costa Rica
Seeing a doctor as a foreigner in Costa Rica
Best sunscreen
Drinking tap water in Costa Rica

What to Know Before You Go

Costa Rica for first timers
Costa Rica Safety Tips
Things to know about Costa Rica before you go
Costa Rica survival guide
Costa Rica tourist scams
Immigration and customs in SJO and LIR Airport
Costa Rica international airports
Costa Rica Weather
Common questions about Costa Rica
Costa Rica travel insurance
Costa Rica entry requirements
Taking your pet to Costa Rica
10 mistakes to avoid in Costa Rica
When is the best time to visit Costa Rica?
Costa Rica prepaid sim cards
Best Costa Rica souvenirs
Costa Rica Grocery stores
Do’s and Don’ts in Costa Rica

Pre-trip Planning

Costa Rica maps
Finding cheap flights to Costa Rica
Why you should visit in rainy season
Best destinations for first timers
Why visit the Central Valley
Useful and free apps
Booking guided tours
Costa Rica trip planning guideline
Christmas in Costa Rica
How to avoid crowds in Costa Rica

Costa Rica By Month

January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November

Itineraries

13 days itinerary (no car): San Jose, Puerto Viejo, La Fortuna, Monteverde
2 week itinerary: Arenal, Monteverde, Santa Teresa, Playas del Coco
1 week pre-planned itinerary
11 day pre-planned itinerary
1 week itinerary: Jaco, Manuel Antonio and Uvita
10 day itinerary: San Jose, Puerto Viejo and Manuel Antonio
5 day Guanacaste itinerary
Costa Rica honeymoon itinerary
1 month Costa Rica road trip
5 day San Jose itinerary
14 day itinerary: Tortuguero, Arenal, Monteverde, Guanacaste
14 days: Tamarindo Monteverde, Bijagua, Rincon de la Vieja
5 days Arenal & Monteverde
Costa Rica itineraries for families
10 days waterfall itinerary: Rincon de la Vieja, Bijagua, Grecia and Manuel Antonio
2 week itinerary: Arenal, Monteverde, Santa Teresa, Playas del Coco
1 week pre-planned itinerary
11 day pre-planned itinerary
1 week itinerary: Jaco, Manuel Antonio and Uvita
10 day itinerary: San Jose, Puerto Viejo and Manuel Antonio
5 day Guanacaste itinerary
Costa Rica honeymoon itinerary
1 month Costa Rica road trip
5 day San Jose itinerary
14 day itinerary: Tortuguero, Arenal, Monteverde, Guanacaste
14 days: Tamarindo Monteverde, Bijagua, Rincon de la Vieja
5 days Arenal & Monteverde
Costa Rica itineraries for families
10 days waterfall itinerary: Rincon de la Vieja, Bijagua, Grecia and Manuel Antonio

What to Pack

Costa Rica packing list
Best footwear in Costa Rica
Packing for rainy season in Costa Rica

Money and Travel Expenses Planning

Handling money (Costa Rican currency)
Tipping in Costa Rica
The complete cost of traveling in Costa Rica
Tips to save money in Costa Rica
Cost of traveling for 1 week in Costa Rica

Hotels in Costa Rica

Airbnb in Costa Rica
All our hotel reviews
Glamping
Best luxury hotels in Arenal
Best all inclusive hotels in Costa Rica
Where to stay in Osa Peninsula
Guide to finding accommodation
Best hotels near Guanacaste Airport
Best hotels near Juan Santamaria International Airport

Flying to Costa Rica

Liberia International Airport
San Jose International Airport
Flying options from Seattle to Costa Rica
Costa Rica domestic flights

Getting Around

The complete guide to getting around Costa Rica
How to get to Tortuguero
How to get to Rio Celeste
Crossing the border from Costa Rica and Nicaragua – Penas Blancas
How to get to Manuel Antonio
Getting to Tamarindo
How to get to Playas del Coco/Papagayo from Liberia Airport

Driving/Renting a Car

Costa Rica road conditions
Costa Rica gas stations
Driving in Costa Rica
Tips for renting a car in Costa Rica
Costa Rica shuttles
Costa Rica car seats for kids
Driving around Costa Rica videos
Costa Rica car rental insurance
Driving from Guanacaste to Arenal
How to drive from San Jose to La Fortuna
Driving to Drake Bay
Drive from San Jose to Tamarindo
Types of cars to rent in Costa Rica

Transportation

Tips for taking public transportation
Taking the bus from San Jose to Playas del Coco
How to take the bus from San Jose to Playa Jaco
Taking the bus from Jaco to Manuel Antonio National Park
Puntarenas Paquera ferry
How to take the boat from Sierpe to Drake Bay
Tips on taking a taxi
Uber

Discounts

Costa Rica car rental discount
Diamante Eco Adventure Park discount
Pacuare River white water rafting discount
Guanacaste day tours discount
La Fortuna and Arenal Tours discount
San Jose day tours discount
La Paz waterfall gardens discount
Tortuguero tour packages discount
The Springs 2 day hot springs pass discount
Tortuga Island cruise disount
Hacienda El Viejo wetlands discount
Manuel Antonio/Quepos tours discount
Vandara Explore Costa Rica tours discount
Vista Los Suenos tours discount
Rainforest Adventures Braulio Carrillo Discount

Extras

6 great gifts for the Costa Rica travelers
6 things more expensive in Costa Rica
7 things cheaper in Costa Rica than the US