Cloud forests, volcanoes and two coasts packed with wildlife.
Costa Rica is small but astonishingly biodiverse, with around a quarter of its land protected. The cone of Arenal Volcano rises over hot springs, the Monteverde cloud forest is strung with hanging bridges, and Manuel Antonio pairs beaches with monkeys and sloths. Tortuguero's canals host nesting turtles, and the remote Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula is wilder still.
The mood is outdoorsy and friendly, summed up in the national phrase pura vida. Meals are simple and filling: gallo pinto at breakfast and a casado at lunch. Shuttles, buses and hire cars link the main areas. December to April is the dry season; the green season from May brings lush forest and afternoon rain, heaviest in September and October.
Best time to visit Costa Rica
January, February, March, April, December.
Places to visit in Costa Rica
Arenal: The area around La Fortuna and Arenal Volcano, with thermal springs, hanging bridges, waterfalls and rainforest adventure.
Monteverde: A high cloud forest reserve where mist drifts through moss-covered trees, home to resplendent quetzals and hanging bridges.
Manuel Antonio: A small national park on the Pacific where monkeys and sloths live in the trees just above white-sand coves.
San José: The country's capital and transport hub, with gold and jade museums, a grand national theatre and a lively central market.
Tamarindo: A surf town in Costa Rica's sunny northwest, with gentle breaks for beginners and nearby nesting beaches for turtles.
Tortuguero: A roadless village and national park on the Caribbean, reached by boat, where green turtles nest on the beach in summer.
Corcovado: The remote national park on the Osa Peninsula, with tapirs, scarlet macaws and all four of Costa Rica's monkey species.
Essentials
Currency: Costa Rican Colón (CRC)
Language: Spanish; English common in tourist areas
Plugs: Type A / B, 120 V
Driving: Right side
Time zone: UTC−6
Tipping: A 10% service charge is included by law; extra is optional
Getting around: Tourist shuttles or a hire car (4x4 for rougher areas); domestic flights save time
Entry: Check the official rules for your passport before booking