Beyond Expectations: Unraveling Costa Ricas Best-Kept Secrets

Planning Your Costa Rica Trip

Visa and Entry Requirements

Planning a trip to Costa Rica? Let’s get the basics out of the way. If you’re a US citizen, good news—you don’t need a visa. Just pack your valid passport and a return ticket to show you’ll be leaving within 180 days. Your passport needs to be valid for at least one day from when you enter the country (Costa Rica Embassy).

Requirement	Details
Visa	Not needed for US citizens
Passport Validity	At least one day from entry
Return Ticket	Required for exit within 180 days

You can stay up to 180 days without a visa, but don’t overstay your welcome. Missing your departure date could mean fines, delays, deportation, or even being banned from coming back (Travel.State.Gov). Got kids? If they’re born in Costa Rica, they automatically get Costa Rican citizenship and need an exit permit from immigration to leave. Non-Costa Rican kids living in Costa Rica might need this permit too.

Want more tips? Check out our Costa Rica travel tips and best places to visit in Costa Rica.

Vaccinations for Travelers

Before you jet off, let’s talk shots. If you’re coming from certain countries in South America or sub-Saharan Africa, like Brazil or Angola, you need a Yellow Fever vaccine. Make sure you get it at least ten days before you arrive (Costa Rica Embassy).

Vaccination	Requirement
Yellow Fever	Required for travelers from certain countries in South America and sub-Saharan Africa

For more on staying healthy, check out our Costa Rica travel guide.

With these basics covered, you’re all set to enjoy Costa Rica’s best beaches and adrenaline-pumping activities like zip-lining. Happy travels!

Savoring Costa Rican Cuisine

Costa Rican food is a tasty trip through the country’s rich culture. From hearty breakfasts to mouth-watering dinners, there’s something for everyone. Let’s check out some must-try traditional dishes and the best times to enjoy them.

Must-Try Dishes

Gallo Pinto

Gallo Pinto is Costa Rica’s go-to breakfast. This dish mixes rice and beans with spices, peppers, onions, and cilantro. It’s usually served with fried or scrambled eggs, fried plantains, and avocado (Bodhi Surf + Yoga).

Ingredient	Description
Rice	Cooked with black beans, spices, and veggies
Beans	Black beans mixed with rice
Extras	Eggs, plantains, avocado, tortillas, sour cream

Casado

Casado is a classic Costa Rican meal with fish, chicken, or pork, plus sides like fried plantains, picadillo, salad, and sometimes corn tortillas. It’s a lunchtime favorite.

Component	Description
Protein	Fish, chicken, or pork
Sides	Fried plantains, picadillo, salad, corn tortillas

Chifrijo

Chifrijo is a tasty mix of rice, beans, fried pork, and a local pico de gallo, all in a bowl with tortilla chips and avocado. It’s often topped with Salsa Lizano for a spicy kick.

Component	Description
Base	Rice and beans
Protein	Fried pork
Toppings	Pico de gallo, tortilla chips, avocado, Salsa Lizano

Ceviche

Costa Rican ceviche is made with white sea bass, bell pepper, onion, lime juice, and cilantro. This zesty seafood salad is perfect for a light meal or appetizer.

Component	Description
Fish	White sea bass
Seasoning	Bell pepper, onion, lime juice, cilantro

When to Dig In

The best time to enjoy Costa Rican food depends on the dish and local events. Gallo Pinto is a breakfast staple, giving you a hearty start to your day. Lunchtime is great for a Casado, a balanced meal to keep you going.

If you’re in Costa Rica during food festivals or local celebrations, you’ll get to try a variety of traditional dishes. The dry season (December to April) is also a great time to explore open-air markets and street food vendors, where you can sample local treats.

For more tips on the best time to visit Costa Rica for food, check out our guide on the best time to visit Costa Rica. If you’re looking for luxurious places to stay while enjoying Costa Rican cuisine, explore our picks for all-inclusive resorts in Costa Rica and boutique hotels in Costa Rica.

Picking the Perfect Time to Visit Costa Rica

Planning a trip to Costa Rica? Nailing down the best time to go can make or break your adventure. Weather plays a big role in your experience, so let’s break it down.

Weather and Climate Breakdown

Costa Rica has two main seasons: dry and wet. The dry season, from December to late April, is all about sunshine and warm temps. This is the high season, thanks to the great weather. The wet season, from May to November, brings frequent rain and lush greenery. But heads up—the Caribbean coast flips the script, with its dry season during the country’s wet months (Much Better Adventures).

Season	Months	What’s It Like?
Dry Season	December – April	Sunny, warm, hardly any rain
Wet Season	May – November	Rainy, green, vibrant
Transitional Months	May, November	Some rain, fewer tourists

Best Months to Visit

If you’re chasing the best weather, aim for the high season. January through April are golden, with lots of sun and little rain. February and March are top picks—perfect for outdoor fun and exploring must-see spots (Costa Rica Travel Blog).

Want to dodge crowds and save some cash? Try the rainy season, especially September and October. Yes, there’s more rain, but the ocean’s still great for watersports, and it’s turtle hatching season on the Caribbean coast.

Month	Weather	Perks
January	Sunny, warm	High season, lively festivals
February	Sunny, warm	High season, humpback whales
March	Sunny, warm	High season, awesome beaches
April	Sunny, warm	End of high season, fewer people
September	Rainy	Low season, turtle hatching
October	Rainy	Low season, budget-friendly

Choosing the right time to visit Costa Rica boils down to what you want. Whether it’s sun and festivals or the peace of the rainy season, Costa Rica’s got something special all year. Check out our guides on getting around and must-visit spots to plan your dream trip.

Making the Most of Your Costa Rica Adventure

Planning a trip to Costa Rica? Let’s chat about the best ways to get around and the must-see spots that’ll make your trip unforgettable.

Getting Around

Costa Rica’s got plenty of ways to get you from point A to point B. Here’s the lowdown:

• Buses: Cheap and cover most of the country.
• Taxis: Easy to find in cities.
• Shuttles: Great for groups.
• Rideshare Services: Uber’s your friend in big cities.
• Car Rentals: Perfect for off-the-beaten-path adventures. In the rainy season, go for a high-clearance SUV with AWD.

Transportation Method	Cost	Availability
Buses	Low	Everywhere
Taxis	Medium	Cities
Shuttles	Medium	Tourist Spots
Uber	Medium	Big Cities
Car Rentals	High	Nationwide

Costa Rica’s got two main airports:

• Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San José: Handy for Manuel Antonio, Limón, Arenal, or the Osa Peninsula.
• Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) in Liberia: Best for Guanacaste and Alajuela.

For more details, check out our page on transportation in Costa Rica.

Must-See Spots

Costa Rica’s a goldmine of natural beauty and adventure. Here are some top picks:

• Arenal Volcano: Hike through rainforests and lava fields. Trails like Arenal 1968 (2.5km) and Bosque 1968 (4.5km) offer killer views and wildlife.
• Manuel Antonio National Park: Gorgeous beaches and tons of wildlife. Great for families.
• Monteverde Cloud Forest: A dream for nature lovers and bird-watchers.
• Tamarindo: Surf’s up! Perfect for beach bums and surfers.
• Osa Peninsula: Home to Corcovado National Park, one of the most biodiverse spots on the planet.
• Guanacaste: Think luxury resorts and stunning beaches.

Costa Rica boasts 28 National Parks, with a quarter of the country dedicated to conservation. You can explore diverse ecosystems all in one day.

For more destination ideas, check out our guide on best places to visit in Costa Rica.

By sorting out your transport and knowing the must-see spots, you’ll make the most of your Costa Rica adventure. For more travel tips, visit our Costa Rica travel tips page.