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Introducing Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a nature lover's dream travel destination. Hike to hidden waterfalls, fly through the rainforest on a zip line, raft amazing white-water, or catch a wave on one of the many epic surf breaks.

When is the best time to visit?
Due to Costa Rica's location in Central America, near to the equator, it enjoys just two seasons annually as opposed to four. The dry season lasts from mid-November through April, and the rainy season lasts from May to mid-November. The latter is also referred to as the "green" season due to the brilliant vegetation that thrives during this period.  

Travelers often opt to visit during the dry season. Peak crowds hit in December, with folks continuing to come during January and February and (for many North Americans) during spring break. However, there are advantages to visiting Costa Rica in the "green" season, from less crowds to lower prices.  Read our travel guide for visiting Costa Rica in the "green" season to find out more.

Still not sure when to go, read our guide on the best times to visit Costa Rica.

Where to go in Costa Rica?
The people of Costa Rica are happy to welcome travelers and teach them about adventure and the pure life, or 'Pura Vida'. This country relies on the eco and adventure tourism that put it on the map, read about the main regions of the country to decide where you want to visit. Visit a baby sloth rescue, get to know Manuel Antonio National Park, see Arenal Volcano, and explore the Osa Peninsula Rainforest.

How many days do I need?
Costa Rica is a small country (size of West Virginia), with many sights situated fairly close together.  With great roads (mostly), throughout the country, makes it easy to get around. In one week, you can explore a number of sights and get a great sense of the country if you are ready to be on the go. With 2 weeks, you have a bit more time to relax in each destination or explore more of the country.  Still not sure how many days you need, read our guide to help you decide.

Getting around Costa Rica
Shuttles or private transfers are great options to get around in Costa Rica. Driving is not always straightforward, but still a great choice if you feel comfortable driving on curvy or unpaved roads.  For longer transfers, Costa Rica has a network of domestic airports that connect the main locations in the country. Read more

Looking for inspiration? See our top Costa Rica itineraries

Explore trips by duration: 5 days · 6 days · 7 days · 8 days · 9 days · 10 days · 11 days · 12 days · 13 days · 14 days · 15 days · 16 days

Costa Rica Tours & Itineraries

Get inspired by Costa Rica trips other travelers loved
Storm clouds over Arenal volcano
Map of Best of Costa Rica in 7 Days: Explore Jungles, Volcanoes and Beaches
Best of Costa Rica in 7 Days: Explore Jungles, Volcanoes and Beaches

With a mix of rugged jungles, active volcanoes and world-class beaches, Costa Rica offers some of the best natural sights and experiences in the world, all conveniently packed into one country. Almost a quarter of the land is preserved within national parks, allowing a wide range of animals and plants to flourish, making Costa Rica an ideal destination for ecotourism. With this itinerary, you'll discover the best attractions Costa Rica has to offer in just a week.

Beautiful Rio Celeste in Tenorio National Park
Map of Best of Costa Rica - 14 Days
Best of Costa Rica - 14 Days

This two-week itinerary includes many of Costa Rica's greatest hits. You'll venture into the country's most beautiful national parks and enjoy zip-lining adventures, nature hikes, beach excursions, and more. All the while you'll spot exotic animals as you traverse some of the most virgin rainforest landscapes in Central America.

Monteverde Cloud Forest
Map of Classic Costa Rica: 7-Day Self-Drive Tour
Classic Costa Rica: 7-Day Self-Drive Tour

Taking a road trip through Costa Rica gives you the freedom and flexibility to explore where you want. You'll pass through stunning natural scenery — from lush cloud forests to picturesque beaches — in seven days of scenic driving. This tour can be extended or shortened depending on how much time you have.

Whitewater rafting down the Pacuare river
Map of Costa Rica Adventure: Whitewater, Beaches & Volcanos - 8 Days
Costa Rica Adventure: Whitewater, Beaches & Volcanos - 8 Days

Explore Costa Rica's amazing natural scenery through a thrilling series of activities including whitewater rafting, kayaking, zip-lining, and more. This tour will take you to a wide range of coasts, jungles, and rivers, all while keeping your adrenaline pumping.

Arenal Volcano
Map of Family-Friendly Arenal and Manuel Antonio National Park- 9 Days
Family-Friendly Arenal and Manuel Antonio National Park- 9 Days

Fun for the whole family, this itinerary covers two of Costa Rica's most famous areas. Arenal and Manuel Antonio are some of the best representations of Costa Rica; Arenal area features one of the most famous volcanos in the country, surrounded by lush tropical rainforest, while Manuel Antonio National Park is renown for its white sandy beaches and vast diversity of tropical plants and wildlife.

Arenal Volcano
Map of Arenal Expedition Self Drive Tour - 4 Days
Arenal Expedition Self Drive Tour - 4 Days

This itinerary is one of the shortest, yet most action-packed options for travelers looking for a compact Costa Rica experience. Zip-line, rappel, and horseback ride your way throughout the Arenal region and enjoy some of the best volcano views the country has to offer.

Make the Most of Your Time in Costa Rica

Planning a trip to Costa Rica? Read this first to maximize the things to see and do during your visit
Relax on your Costa Rica Vacation
How Many Days to Spend in Costa Rica

You can have a great adventure in Costa Rica in as short as a long weekend. With only a few days to spare you will have enough time to hike through a rainforest, see an active...

Costa Rica Travel Essentials

All you need to know to get started planning the perfect trip
Best Time of Year to Visit Costa Rica
Best Time of Year to Visit Costa Rica

For access to all the country has to offer, visit during the dry season that runs from December through April—winter is the most popular time, with great weather and sizable...

Manzanillo
Essential Costa Rica: 4 Regions to Visit

Costa Rica is proof that big things can come in small packages. Although this Central American gem is barely the size of West Virginia, it’s the most biodiverse country on the...

Visit Costa Rica on your next kimkim trip
How kimkim Trips Work in Costa Rica

Planning a trip to Costa Rica? Here's a quick introduction to kimkim, how our trips work, and what makes us unique. We'll go over how our itineraries are customized to your...

A road to Arenal Volcano
Driving in Costa Rica: Road Trip FAQ

Costa Rica has a way of igniting the adventurous spirit within. This is, after all, one of the world's most biodiverse countries loaded with rainforests, wildlife species,...

Costa Rica Travel Advice

Read our detailed insights to make sure you have the best trip
Explore Monteverde
Where to Eat in Monteverde, Costa Rica

Monteverde is known for its stunning cloud forest, but there's also plenty of incredible dining options to fill you up after those long sky walks and zip-line adventures . The...

A colorful toucan perches on a tree branch in a Costa Rican forest
7 Best Places for Birding in Costa Rica

More than a quarter of Costa Rica is protected jungle, home to a wide variety of native wildlife—including 850 colorful species of birds. Learn about the country's best areas to...

Costa Rica Travel Guides

Detailed travel guides for the main regions of the country
Manzanillo
Essential Costa Rica: 4 Regions to Visit

Costa Rica is proof that big things can come in small packages. Although this Central American gem is barely the size of West Virginia, it’s the most biodiverse country on the...

Costa Rica Hotel Advice

Unique places to stay, curated by kimkim specialists

Best Experiences in Costa Rica

Unique things to do, curated by kimkim specialists
Rio Celeste Waterfall
Map of Best Waterfall Hikes in Costa Rica
Best Waterfall Hikes in Costa Rica

With ample mountains and rainforests, Costa Rica’s fortunate topography is a breeding ground for rivers and streams that turn into rushing waterfalls. Climbing these picturesque...

Best Hot Springs in Costa Rica
Map of Best Hot Springs in Costa Rica
Best Hot Springs in Costa Rica

As a result of Costa Rica’s volcanoes and their geothermal activity, the country has a plethora of natural hot springs. These healing pools are a relaxing place to soak after a...

Costa Rica's beautiful scenery
Top Nature Experiences in Costa Rica

With 28 national parks, nearly 800 miles of coastline, over 300 beaches, and more than half of its land covered in forests, Costa Rica's nature excursions are its biggest draw....

Our Latest Costa Rica Content

 A young howler monkey inspects a flower in Tamarindo, Costa Rica
Arenal/La Fortuna, Monteverde & Tamarindo: Best Itinerary Ideas

Travelers to Costa Rica typically plan a trip for nine to 10 days when combining Arenal/La Fortuna, Monteverde, and Tamarindo with San José. For travelers wanting to visit Arenal/La Fortuna, Monteverde, and Tamarindo exclusively, plan seven to nine days for a well-paced trip. Even travelers with limited time can see the highlights in as few as five or six days. Check out the below favored Arenal/La Fortuna, Monteverde, and Tamarindo itinerary options.

Immerse in nature together in Costa Rica on a honeymoon
Map of 5 Days in Costa Rica - 5 Honeymoon Itinerary Ideas
5 Days in Costa Rica - 5 Honeymoon Itinerary Ideas

With five days in Costa Rica, honeymooners should focus on one region. Beach lovers can choose from a leisurely visit to Manuel Antonio or an active itinerary in Guanacaste that includes daily snorkeling. Wellness-focused newlyweds can retreat to Bajos del Toro for jungle hikes and couples spa treatments. Those keen on a hiking and beach honeymoon can do both in the Northwest, and lovebirds passionate about wildlife will find opportunities to see and learn about unique species in Tortuguero.

 Discover Costa Rica's Playa Sámara
San José, Arenal/La Fortuna, Monteverde & Sámara: Best Itinerary Ideas

Nine to 10 days is a great length for a Costa Rica trip with stops in San José, Arenal/La Fortuna, Monteverde, and Sámara. If you don't mind a fast-paced journey, you can see the highlights of this route in less time—as few as a week or eight days. Travelers with more time can enjoy extra sights and activities at each stop or explore more of the country—some favorite itinerary extensions include Tamarindo or Manuel Antonio.

Costa Rica Travel Maps

Get the lay of land, and understand distances between the places you want to visit
Costa Rica map: 10 Days in Costa Rica - 6 Unique Itinerary Ideas
10 Days in Costa Rica - 6 Unique Itinerary Ideas
View article
Costa Rica map: 2 Weeks in Costa Rica: 5 Unique Itineraries
2 Weeks in Costa Rica: 5 Unique Itineraries
View article
Costa Rica map: 5-Days in Costa Rica : 5 Unique Trip Itineraries
5-Days in Costa Rica : 5 Unique Trip Itineraries
View article

Meet our Local Travel Specialists

Experienced travel agents with a passion for Costa Rica
Travel specialist Randall Jiménez
active 7 hours ago

Randall Jiménez

Phrases like “The trip was wonderful beyond my dreams”, “I came back home being a different person…I have grown physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually”, “A job well done my friend”,...

read more...
Travel specialist Olman Romero
active 3 hours ago

Olman Romero

I was born in Turrialba, it is a region famous for hosting the Guayabo Archeological Monument, which is the oldest and most important pre-hispanic archeological site in the country. Turrialba is...

read more...
Travel specialist Bryan Leon
active 18 hours ago

Bryan Leon

Growing up in a coffee plantation area near San Jose, Costa Rica's vibrant capital, I was fortunate to have parents who instilled in me a deep love and appreciation for nature. As a certified...

read more...
Travel specialist Sergio Bolaños
active 3 days ago

Sergio Bolaños

I am originally from San Jose, Costa Rica, where I was born and raised. However, I have been living on the Caribbean coast of the country for the past 13 years. As an adventure enthusiast, history...

read more...

Related Destinations

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Trip Reviews for Costa Rica

The latest reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim

Terrific trip: Lake Arenal, Monteverde, Manue...
Costa Rica | May 22 - May 30, 2023

Erica
Erica Z.
Hybla Valley, VA | Reviewed on Jun 02, 2023

Terrific trip: Lake Arenal, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio
Olman planned the perfect trip for us. We had a wonderful time and visited La Fortuna/Lake Arenal, Monteverde, and Manuel Antonio. We got to see rainforest, jungle, the beaches, and everything in between. I was nervous about all of the driving, but we approached it as part of the adventure. Our trip was heavy on nature and animals, some adventure, and a little bit of relaxing, which is exactly what I asked for when reaching out to... read more

Terrific trip: Lake Arenal, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio
Olman planned the perfect trip for us. We had a wonderful time and visited La Fortuna/Lake Arenal, Monteverde, and Manuel Antonio. We got to see rainforest, jungle, the beaches, and everything in between. I was nervous about all of the driving, but we approached it as part of the adventure. Our trip was heavy on nature and animals, some adventure, and a little bit of relaxing, which is exactly what I asked for when reaching out to KimKim.
I was especially impressed with the Tabacon Resort and thermal springs and the Los Altos Resort. We also really enjoyed the bike ride around Lake Arenal and the ziplining/hanging bridges in Monteverde.

Thanks for a terrific trip!
Erica Z

Local specialist: Olman Romero

Nuria went way beyond in helping me plan trip...
Costa Rica | May 16 - May 22, 2023

Wanda
Wanda H.
Lake Elsinore, CA | Reviewed on May 28, 2023

Nuria went way beyond in helping me plan trip. She even made several suggestions that were definitely much needed. read more

Nuria went way beyond in helping me plan trip. She even made several suggestions that were definitely much needed.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Kokoro Mineral Hot Springs
La Fortuna

The location and setting were amazing with views of Arenal Volcano. I stayed in a stand-alone bungalow that was very comfortable. The staff were simply wonderful. The only negative was that the jacuzzi was drained but the natural hot mineral pools were excellent.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Views of Arenal Volcano nestled in the jungle.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Wyndham Tamarindo
Tamarindo

The hotel is on a hill over looking the ocean. They offer an hourly shuttle but only to two different inconvenient locations. Also because it faces west for the incredible view there is no shade around the pool. The bed was very comfortable but the only covering was a very thick comforter so I asked for a lighter cover and they brought another heavy comforter.

Authenticity & Character
A very upscale hotel but not a lot of authenticity.
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Horseback Riding at the Base of Arenal Volcano
Arenal/La Fortuna

So so ride mostly through a flat open field.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sky Adventures Zip Lines & Hanging Bridges Guided Walk
Arenal/La Fortuna

This was by far the best zipline experience I've had!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Safari Float on the Peñas Blancas River
Arenal/La Fortuna

I was pleasantly surprised to be the only one on the raft with the guide. He was extremely knowledgeable and friendly, pointing out things along the way I never would've seen. He also went into detail about these sights. At the end of the very relaxing float he took me to an eco farm for snacks made entirely from ingredients from the farm.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Snorkeling at the Catalina Islands
Costa Rica

This was billed as snorkling but really was a scuba trip that catered mostly to the scuba divers. The snorklers felt unimportant. There was no instruction on using the equipment.

Quality of Experience
This is the fault of the tour but the water was extremely choppy and not clear at all. I sat out the 2nd snorkle due to the water choppiness.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
More attention to the snorklers. My tube was faulty and the guy in the water with us didnt understand and kept trying to adjust the mask.
Transport
Palo Verde Jungle Boat Tour & Guaitil Pottery
Costa Rica

The boat engine was so loud and the guide sat at the front talking with a group of photographers. I had to ask many times what he was talking about. Also it was billed as visiting an authentic Guantil Village to observe the generations old pottery making. There was no visit but a single guy who set up a table in the cafe where we lunched. He made a small clay pot and showed us photographs of the painting process. Very lame.

Quality of Experience
Food
The authentic meal at the end of the boat ride was very tasty (chicken, rice, beans) but by the time the chicken dish came to me there was only a skimpy leg. I asked for a bigger piece that all the others had but there was none.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The driver informed us there would be 1 maybe 2 stops. The 1st stop was a quick restroom break where he announced 10 minutes. The 2nd was at a souvenir shop/cafeteria. I thought it would be another 10 minute restroom stop but after a long time I couldn't find him so I asked another tourist and she said she didn't know how long the break was but the driver was in the cafeteria having lunch!!!
Transport
Local specialist: Nuria Oliveira
Nuria
Nuria Oliveira
Local specialist in Costa Rica | Replied on May 29, 2023

Hello Wanda,

Thanks for visiting Costa Rica with us, and for taking the time to leave us this your feedback. It is great to know you had a great time here. I appreciate all your comments about the activities you did in Tamarindo, all of them will be helpful to continue creating the best experiences for our travelers.

I hope you could visit Costa Rica again in the future to explore different destinations!

Pura vida,
Nuria

Jean Carlo really made sure our honeymoon was...
Costa Rica | May 15 - May 26, 2023

H
Hanna K.
Mooresville, NC | Reviewed on May 28, 2023

Jean Carlo really made sure our honeymoon was planned perfectly! Everything went very well and we had the best time in Costa Rica! Can't believe it's over already :( read more

Jean Carlo really made sure our honeymoon was planned perfectly! Everything went very well and we had the best time in Costa Rica! Can't believe it's over already :(

Hotel Reviews
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, San Jose Aeropuerto, Costa Rica
San José
Authenticity & Character
Location
Close to the airport but not very close to the city
Staff
Staff was very friendly and helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Pachira Lodge
Tortuguero

The lodge itself was really nice, but not as much privacy as we would have liked. You can hear your neighbors extremely clearly and the wall dividing the rooms don't go up all the way. Other than that, the pool was really nice to relax at and we were able to see plenty of wildlife at the lodge itself. We were greeted by some monkeys right outside of our room which was a pleasant surprise!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Los Lagos Spa & Resort
Fortuna

The resort was so nice! We had issues with the key card when we first checked in, but the hotel staff resolved the issue right away and had someone come up to the room to give us our new key cards. The room itself is a bit away from the restaurant, pools and main lobby but they had shuttle come around and pick us up and we didn't mind walking a couple times to get a nice workout in. The food was amazing and the hot springs at the resort was so much fun to relax and visit.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
El Establo Mountain Hotel
Monteverde

This hotel was so nice! It was extremely clean and the staff were all so nice and helpful. We loved feeling like we were out in nature but also was just a few minutes walk from restaurants and souvenir shops. The wifi was spotty at our room, but the staff told us in advance that they were having some wifi issues due to the high winds the area had been impacted by. It wasn't too much of a problem and was nice to disconnect from the outside world for a few days while we stayed here.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Zip Line (Canopy) Monteverde
Monteverde

I love heights and getting an adrenaline rush so this activity was right up my alley. I had done zip lining before but this was really a great experience. The longer zip lines was truly amazing and really felt like you were flying across the forest. They also have different options for those who are more adventurous called the Superman where you zip line on your stomach and the Tarzan Swing which is like a mini bungee jump almost.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guided Visit to the Tortuguero Village
Tortuguero

The visit to the village was nice. I think we were just exhausted from the travel that we would have liked to be able to get settled in a bit more before we had to go on the guided visit. Also because it is not the busy tourist season, it was a bit sparse and we probably would have been ok if we stayed for only an hour instead of the full two hours.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guided Exploration of Tortuguero National Park
Tortuguero

The Tortuguero national park was a fun tour to check out. We saw a lot of different animals and birds. We weren't prepared with binoculars so we didn't get the best views of the animals. It was very impressive that the guide was able to spot animals from so far away. Being on a boat for the tour was a nice little touch.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hanging Bridges, La Fortuna Waterfall & Arenal Volcano Hike
Arenal/La Fortuna

This was probably our most favorite tour during our entire Costa Rica trip! Our guide, Alfredo, was the best! He was able to give us so much information and spot all kinds of snakes and animals. He was also very friendly and would joke around a lot which made the whole experience very enjoyable. He also recommended we eat at the end of the day which we greatly appreciated because the food was very heavy and we probably wouldn't have been as comfortable with the Waterfall if we had eaten before. The food was very delicious! Alfredo also made sure to pack some fruits and drinks for us as well as towels which we weren't expecting, so that was such a nice little touch!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Guided Hike
Monteverde

We had such a good time on this tour. We told our guide Carlos that we wanted a more active hike so he was able to find the best route for us. At the beginning of our hike we saw two rare birds, the Quetzal. They were so beautiful and Carlos told us that about 10% of folks who come to the forest ever get a chance to see them so we were pleasantly surprised! It was also great seeing how excited he got when he spotted the birds! I told Carlos I also wanted to see the clouds and he said it might be tough but was able to find a good place for us to see the clouds which was really nice. We ended the hike at the cafe which also has hummingbird feeders and there were hummingbirds everywhere which was really cool to see up close!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Jean Carlo Ilama
Jean Carlo
Jean Carlo Ilama
Local specialist in Cartago, Costa Rica | Replied on May 29, 2023

Hi dear Hanna and Kevin,

Thank you so much for your amazing review and the details you mentioned about the different inclusion, It was amazing helping you create this amazing honeymoon trip, and hope you can come back later in the future and explore even more about this beautiful piece of land,

All the best to both of you and Pura Vida from a friend in Costa Rica!
JC.