First-Time Visitors: Get the Most Out of Your Costa Rica Trip With These Insider Tips

Are you planning a trip to Costa Rica? Great idea! Let’s explore some of the essential information you should know before visiting this diverse and exotic country, from transportation to cuisine to accommodation to must-see destinations. Keep reading for various daily itineraries to optimize your specific travel budget and the top activities worth doing with your family and friends.

Let’s begin with some basics about the beautiful country of Costa Rica. Costa Rica is a Central American country bordered by Nicaragua, the Caribbean Sea, Panama, the Pacific Ocean, and the maritime border with Ecuador to the south of Cocos Island. It is renowned for its lush rainforests, beautiful beaches, and diverse wildlife.

The republic has a population of 5.1 million people, the official language is Spanish, and the currency is the Costa Rican colón. The climate is warm and humid all year round, with occasional rain during the winter months (May through November). On average, temperatures range from 72 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit (22 to 27 degrees Celsius). The weather can vary depending on the month and the area (the mountains, the coast, or the center).

Transportation and accommodation 🚚 🛏

Getting around Costa Rica is easy with the variety of transportation options available. The bus system is an excellent way to get around the entire country, with comfortable coaches and frequent service along many different routes. The only drawback of this option is that it can take longer than navigating by car.

You can also opt for a rental car, an easily accessible choice across Costa Rica. You can secure a rental car at the airport, in the capital city of San José, or at other popular tourist destinations throughout the country. You can also book offroad vehicles for more rural adventures. While rental cars are an efficient option, note that drivers in Costa Rica can be relatively aggressive, and navigating the roads can be difficult for those who do not speak the language.

Private transportation is the safest and most convenient way to get around Costa Rica. It is the most flexible option since it can accommodate your specific schedule and offers a good value per person, especially when you are traveling in a larger group. Contact us to learn more about our private transportation offerings!

Accommodations in Costa Rica can be as cheap or expensive as you want them to be. If you're looking for a more rustic, budget-friendly experience, there are plenty of hostels and camping opportunities throughout the country. If you're looking for something more luxurious or secluded, Adventure Tours Costa Rica is the place to look. Here you will get the best options and the lowest rates on sought-after private residences, condominiums, and hotels!

Destinations and activities ✈ 🏄

The list of places and activities to explore throughout Costa Rica is endless. Here are some of our top recommendations for adventures to embark upon during your visit:

• Manuel Antonio National Park: Known for its white-sand beaches and lush rainforest, Manuel Antonio National Park lies on the Central Pacific Coast near San Jose City. Things to do include hiking, canyoning, rappelling, rafting, wildlife, and nature tours.

• Osa Península: Here, you can find the Corcovado National Park, an excellent place to see exotic wildlife and lush rainforest. You can also take a boat ride through mangroves (found here on large stretches of land that stretch down into coastal regions), go birdwatching and catch up-close glimpses of wildlife such as tigers, monkeys, jaguars, sloths, and more.

• Carara National Park: Located in the middle of Costa Rica's biodiversity hotspot, Carara National Park protects plants and animals from humid forests to dry ones. Around 52 km in length, and Carara Natinoal Park houses over 100 types of trees. No other wilderness area within the country holds such rich plant life.

• Jaco: Jaco is hands down the best choice for an adventurous and sunny vacation in paradise. Vacationers to Costa Rica choose to stay here as it is an easy drive from San Jose International Airport (SJO) and is on the beautiful Pacific Coast. Learn more about this paradisiac spot here!

• Los Sueños: Located on Costa Rica's Central Pacific coast, Los Sueños Resort and Marina is just an hour outside the capital city. This 1,100-acre luxury resort houses a private 600-acre rainforest reserve. Los Suenos is also an angler’s paradise, boasting the finest collection of world-class sportfishing charters anywhere in Costa Rica. From ATV tours to zipline tours, there is no shortage of exciting activities to experience here.

• Monteverde: Hidden in the mountains of the Puntarenas province at an elevation of over 4,600 feet above sea level, Monteverde is surrounded by picturesque farms, quaint villages, and vibrant green rainforests that twist through the slopes and spread across the dense tropical landscape. Enjoy a delicious coffee and chocolate tour, check out the sloth sanctuary, fly through the canopy, and more!

Cuisine 🍲

Costa Rican cuisine combines Spanish, African, and Native American flavors and cooking techniques. Gallo pinto (rice and beans) is the national dish, but there are also many tasty options for meat-eaters and vegetarians alike.

One of the most popular dishes in Costa Rica is casado, which is a plate of rice, beans, plantains, eggs, chicken or beef, and salad. Another favorite is tamales, similar to Mexican tamales, but wrapped in banana leaves instead of corn husks. And if you're looking for something sweet after your meal, try a tres leches cake or some dulce de leche ice cream. Here are some recommendations for our favorite restaurants in Costa Rica!

As you can see, this magnificent country has everything you need to have the vacation of a lifetime, from nature to local delicacies to rich culture to stunning destinations. There are no excuses – it’s time to visit Costa Rica and experience unforgettable moments. Contact us today!