Things to Do in Costa Rica

About Costa Rica

The first thing you notice isn't the view – it’s the sound. The constant, layered hum of the jungle: cicadas sawing away in the canopy, the distant crash of Pacific waves on volcanic sand, and the deep, guttural whoops of howler monkeys declaring their territory at dawn. Costa Rica is a country built on this sensory overload. You’ll feel it in the warm, mineral-heavy spray of the La Fortuna waterfall soaking your shirt, in the crunch of freshly fallen leaves underfoot on a trail in Monteverde’s cloud forest, and in the way the humid Caribbean air in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca smells of rain, salt, and frying plantains. This is a place that prioritizes vida over everything else – a national ethos of ‘pura vida’ that translates to a slower pace, even when navigating the notorious potholes on the road to Manuel Antonio. The catch: this isn't a cheap backpacker haven anymore. A casado (the classic plate of rice, beans, protein, and salad) at a soda in San José's Barrio Escalante will run you ₡5,000-₡7,000 ($9-$12), and a guided night walk in a private reserve can cost ₡25,000 ($45). But the payoff is visceral: watching a three-toed sloth inch its way across a power line in Quepos, or seeing the Milky Way blaze across the sky from a hammock on the Osa Peninsula with zero light pollution – experiences that feel earned, not just purchased.

Travel Tips

Transportation: Renting a 4x4 is non-negotiable if you plan to explore beyond San José. The roads, especially in the Nicoya Peninsula or around the Arenal Volcano, are a mix of potholed pavement and rutted gravel that will swallow a sedan. Expect to pay ₡45,000-₡65,000 ($80-$115) per day for a reputable company like Adobe or Vamos. Domestic flights on Sansa or Aerobell are a brilliant time-saver for crossing the country – a 45-minute hop from San José to Tambor costs around ₡65,000 ($115) and saves you a brutal 5-hour drive. The one pitfall? ‘Waze time’ is a lie. Add at least 30-50% to any estimated journey for construction, weather, and the inevitable slow-moving truck.

Money: The colón is the local currency, but US dollars are accepted almost everywhere – often at a slightly unfavorable rate. Withdraw colones from ATMs (avoid the Euronet machines; they charge exorbitant fees) for better deals at local sodas and markets. Credit cards are widely accepted, but smaller vendors might add a 3-8% surcharge. The insider move: always ask ‘¿A cómo el dólar?’ to get the day’s rate before paying in dollars. A solid budget meal at a roadside soda runs ₡4,000-₡6,000 ($7-$11), while a nice dinner in tourist-heavy Tamarindo can easily hit ₡25,000 ($45) per person. Tipping around 10% is appreciated but not mandatory; a service charge is often included.

Cultural Respect: ‘Pura vida’ is more than a greeting; it’s a cultural speed limit. Rushing service staff or getting visibly frustrated in a queue marks you as the foreigner. Meals are social affairs, not fuel stops. A simple ‘buenos días’ or ‘buenas tardes’ before any transaction is expected. Dress is surprisingly conservative in towns outside the beach resorts – shorts and tank tops are fine for the coast, but pack something more covered for visiting churches or nicer restaurants in the Central Valley. The one rule that’s non-negotiable: respect the wildlife. That means no feeding monkeys (it alters their diet and makes them aggressive), no touching sea turtles, and keeping a respectful distance on guided tours. The guides, for whatever reason, tend to be incredibly passionate biologists; ask questions, and you’ll get a masterclass.

Food Safety: The golden rule: eat where the locals eat, especially at midday. Look for the open-air restaurants called ‘sodas’ with a steady flow of Tico workers – the high turnover means the food hasn’t been sitting. A casado (the set lunch plate) from a busy soda is almost always safe and incredibly fresh. Avoid lukewarm buffets and pre-cut fruit from vendors with low traffic. The water is generally safe to drink in cities and most tourist areas, but in very rural locations, bottled water is your friend. To experience real local cuisine without risk, head to the Mercado Central in San José. Upstairs, the comedores serve massive plates of olla de carne (beef stew) or fresh ceviche for around ₡4,500 ($8). It’s loud, chaotic, and the best food education you’ll get.

When to Visit

Costa Rica has two seasons: dry (‘verano,’ Dec-April) and wet (‘invierno,’ May-Nov). The dry season (Dec-April) is peak for a reason: relentless sunshine, dusty roads, and guaranteed wildlife sightings around dwindling water sources. Temperatures on the Pacific coast (Manuel Antonio, Tamarindo) hover around 32-35°C (90-95°F), while the Central Valley (San José, Arenal) is a more pleasant 24-27°C (75-80°F). This is when prices and crowds peak – expect to pay 40-60% more for hotels and rental cars, and book guided tours at least a month ahead. The ‘shoulder’ months of November and May are a decent bet; you’ll catch the tail ends of seasons with fewer people, though afternoon downpours become likely. The true green season (June-Oct) transforms the country. The Pacific coast gets heavy afternoon rains, turning landscapes an impossible emerald, but mornings are often clear. The Caribbean side (Puerto Viejo, Tortuguero) conversely experiences its driest, sunniest weather from Sept-Oct. This is the budget window: flights and hotels can be 30-50% cheaper, and you’ll have waterfalls and rainforests largely to yourself. The trade-off is accessibility – some dirt roads become impassable, and boat tours might be cancelled due to swell. For surfers, the Pacific swell is best May-Nov; for turtle nesting (a genuinely moving spectacle), head to Tortuguero July-Oct. If you hate rain and crowds, late April is likely your best bet; if you want the country at its most lush and affordable, September is surprisingly perfect, provided you don’t mind planning your adventures for the morning.