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 RicaShuttles 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
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