What I Wish I Knew Before Traveling to Costa Rica
When to Go
Costa Rica experiences a wet and dry season. The dry season runs from December to April, and the wet season runs from May to November. For clear skies, you’ll want to plan your try for the dry season, but keep in mind the landscape will not be as green. The shoulder season – May and November – can be a nice time to avoid the heaviest rains while still enjoying a greener landscape.
Plan Enough Time To Visit
Take a good look at your dream itinerary and make sure you have budgeted enough time to see everything. You will spend more time driving around than you think. For example, if you plan to visit two locations within a 3 to 5-hour drive, plan to spend about a week so you can spend at least 3 to 4 nights in each area. Even if you are an experienced road tripper, remember that driving in a different country with a unique landscape will be different than driving at home.
Choosing an Airport
Many tourists visit Costa Rica to see the beaches of Guanacaste and La Fortuna. If this is your plan, I’d recommend flying into Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) in Liberia. Depending on where you stay, this will be a much closer drive to the beach resorts and about 2 to 3 hours to La Fortuna. If you prefer to see the city, you can fly into Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in San Jose, but the drive to the beach resorts will be longer.
Driving
Renting a car will give you the most flexibility if you plan to explore a few locations during your trip to Costa Rica. Be mindful of the required car insurance when renting a car. Many popular car rental companies may appear cheaper because they do not quote the insurance upfront. I have used Adobe Car Rental, a local company for car rentals in Costa Rica. They have transparent pricing and can help you understand all of the country’s car rental requirements.
Stay safe on the roads! It gets dark early in Costa Rica, so try to avoid driving long distances at night. If you travel during the rainy season, watch out for flooding and landslides. Usually, your hotel can advise on which roads are prone to dangerous conditions.
Start Early
Start your days early in Costa Rica! The sun sets between 5:30 and 6:00 pm year-round, so make the most of the sunlight early in the day. Plus, the sun will be less harsh earlier in the day if you plan to hike or do other land activities.
Language
English is widely spoken in Costa Rica but it’s helpful to know a few greetings and basic phrases in Spanish. Not all locals or folks at smaller shops and restaurants speak English. In my experience, locals speak clearly and are patient with beginner Spanish speakers so if you want to practice, this is a good place for it!
Hire a Guide to See the Wildlife
The wildlife in Costa Rica is everywhere! From sloths to colorful frogs, there is a lot to see. However, these critters know how to blend into the environment. In particular, sloths are often high in the trees and blend in very well. Whether you visit a sloth park or go on a tour, having a guide to help point out the animals is worth it. In my experience, guides are enthuastics and will likely tell you things about the wildlife that you would not think to ask.
