Practical Travel

When traveling to a foreign country, one big question is always what is the currency and exchange rate? In this post, we’ll give background on Costa Rica’s exchange rate and …

A big part of visiting any destination is its food. In this post, we’ll give our top picks for restaurants in Samara, Costa Rica. This beach town may be small, …

If you are early in your trip planning and starting to wonder how to get around, this article is for you. Here, we’ll explain the different transportation options in Costa …

The small town of Uvita on Costa Rica’s southern Pacific coast is quickly turning into a culinary hotspot. Spread out among the thick rainforest are over 75 restaurants. You can …

Last Updated: August 22, 2024 Taking a ferry to cross Costa Rica’s wide Gulf of Nicoya is a fun way to break up a long drive. In this article, we’ll …

One of the most important things to know about visiting Tortuguero is that you’ll need to take a boat or small plane to get there. This village on Costa Rica’s …

Many people are unsure why they need travel insurance for their trip to Costa Rica. In this post, we’ll explain why travel insurance is a good idea both to protect …

One of the biggest questions people have when traveling to Costa Rica is how they will pay for things once they arrive. In this post, we’ll explain where and when …

If you’re interested in making your trip to Costa Rica more sustainable, you should know about Costa Rica’s sustainable tourism program. The Certification of Sustainable Tourism allows businesses in the …

Costa Rica is a small country, but it still takes a while to get from place to place. When designing an itinerary, choosing the right airport to fly in and …

Last Updated: October 21, 2024 If you’re just getting started with your trip planning, you may have some basic questions about Costa Rica. Where exactly is it located? What are …

Last Updated: June 5, 2024 We will never forget our first visit to Costa Rica. We were nervous, excited, and didn’t quite know what to expect. After a week of …

Most tourists traveling to Costa Rica can use their license from their home country to drive. But visitors from some countries will need an international driving permit. Likewise, people who …

Last Updated: June 15, 2022 With Covid spreading due to the omicron variant, many people are wondering what happens if you test positive for Covid in Costa Rica. In this …

If you’re like most people, your phone is an important extension of your daily life. And while you may be able to turn off work emails during your vacation, you …

Last Updated: May 20, 2024 If you are departing from Costa Rica’s Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) and wondering what the experience will be like, this post is for you. …

Last Updated: May 20, 2024 If you’re arriving at Costa Rica’s San Jose Airport (SJO) and are wondering what the experience will be like, this post is for you. Here, …

If you have read our post, Driving in Costa Rica: What to Know Before You Go, you have probably picked up some tips for your upcoming trip. But how about …

Last Updated: June 7, 2024 In Costa Rica, you can do hundreds of different tours. Of course, some activities require an expert guide, like waterfall rappelling, zip lining, or whitewater …

Manuel Antonio is known for its amazing ocean views and plentiful wildlife. Depending on where you stay, you can wake up to monkeys calling outside your room or see sunset …

You probably know that Costa Rica has two distinct seasons, dry season and rainy season. But what is rainy season really like? After living in Costa Rica for almost a …

Vacation rentals like Airbnbs can be a great option in Costa Rica. They fit big groups, give you more space, and let you cook in if you want. Since many …

Traveling to Costa Rica and exploring its many ecosystems can be an amazing experience. But we get a lot of questions from people who are uneasy about something pattering across …

Last Updated: November 6, 2024 In this new era of work from home, many people are interested in spending extended periods of time abroad. If you’re comfortable traveling, it’s a …

Last Updated: June 15, 2022 IMPORTANT UPDATE As of June 12, 2022, the United States no longer requires a negative Covid test to fly into the country. The CDC has eliminated …

Each year we get many questions about what it is like during Christmas and New Years in Costa Rica. People want to know about the weather, local traditions, and which …

Last Updated: June 15, 2022 Many people have been asking where you can get a Covid-19 test in Costa Rica, for purposes of onward travel. In this post, we will …

Traveling to Costa Rica with young kids takes a little extra planning. You have to think about what to pack, how best to get around, and other important logistics. One …

Last Updated: November 8, 2024 If you’re looking for peaceful seclusion and abundant nature, Costa Rica’s southern Pacific coast is the perfect place to find it. With lush rainforest, spectacular …

Last Updated: October 8, 2024 As any parent knows, taking a trip with the kids is always an adventure. Routines are disrupted and everything that is familiar changes. But that …

Home to almost three-quarters of the country’s population, the Central Valley is Costa Rica’s cultural and economic center. Long ago, farmers used oxcarts and horses to traverse the surrounding green …

While often overlooked, Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast has a lot to offer visitors. It has some of the country’s most scenic beaches, with turquoise water and a wild jungle backing. …

Last Updated: June 15, 2022 With the Covid-19 pandemic, travel as we know it has certainly changed. But what is traveling to Costa Rica like right now? With some key …

With miles of beach, lush rainforest, and abundant wildlife, Costa Rica’s central Pacific coast is a favorite among visitors. Some come for surfing, which is plentiful up and down the …

Last Updated: October 10, 2024 Guanacaste is a region in northwestern Costa Rica famous for its beaches and plentiful amenities. Often called the “Gold Coast,” this area has some of …

Last Updated: February 24, 2023 The novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) has continued to be a hot topic for travelers. We’ve had many readers and clients inquire about how Costa Rica is …

Last Updated: November 20, 2024 Jaco is a beach town with a lot going on. For first timers, the options for restaurants can be almost overwhelming. You’ll find everything from …

If you’ve been considering taking the kids overseas for the first time, you may have some reservations. We often hear from parents asking if Costa Rica is a good destination …

Last Updated: August 13, 2024 If you’ve looked into renting a car for your trip to Costa Rica, you may be uneasy about the details. Maybe you’re unsure about the …

Post Updated: May 21, 2019 Along with Costa Rica’s gorgeous tropical environment comes some unfortunate pests. Mosquitoes and other biting insects are found throughout the country and are particularly bothersome …

Last Updated: June 12, 2024 Transportation is one of the most stressful parts of a planning a trip to Costa Rica. There is so much conflicting information about road conditions, …

Last Updated: February 22, 2024 La Fortuna is a destination for almost every type of traveler. It offers a huge selection of lodging that ranges from budget-friendly hostels to mid-range …

Last Updated: October 17, 2022 There are several reasons why you may be planning to cross the border between Costa Rica and Panama. Many people do this just to explore …

Last Updated: April 19, 2023 Deciding where to eat in Manuel Antonio can be overwhelming. With over 75 restaurants tucked away in town and dozens more in nearby Quepos, knowing …

Whether you are hiking one of Costa Rica’s rugged jungle trails or planning a relaxing walk in a national park, having what you need readily available can make a good …

Last Updated: April 17, 2024 If you’ve read our article on Driving in Costa Rica, then you’ve already learned the basics of what to expect when out on the road. …

Updated: February 2, 2020 Monteverde is one of Costa Rica’s most unique destinations. This humble mountain town, best known for its cloud forests, is far removed from any other tourist …

Last Updated: March 8, 2024 Monteverde may be a remote destination, but once you arrive, you’ll find a long list of things to do and places to stay. In this …

Last Updated: September 28, 2020 Packing for your vacation can be stressful in itself but adding a baby to the picture takes it to a whole new level. Luckily, Costa …

Last Updated: September 28, 2020 Since having kids, we have learned a lot about family travel in Costa Rica. We have a series of articles on family travel on this …

Last Updated: September 11, 2024 With Costa Rica’s zigzagging roads and spread out destinations, getting from point A to point B can be either half the fun or the most …

Many people visiting Costa Rica are uneasy about safety. They have heard about violence in other areas of Central America and are unsure of what to expect. Rest assured that …

  One of the things that makes Costa Rica unique is the amount of protected land it holds. Beginning in the 1960s, Costa Rica started putting parcels of land aside …

Last Updated: May 21, 2019 Although Costa Rica has some amazing wildlife, not all creatures in its rainforests are postcard worthy. In fact, some, like the mosquito, are dreaded because …

Last Updated: May 7, 2020 For many, traveling means not only visiting somewhere new, but also diving into the culture. And food is one of those defining parts of a …

If you plan on traveling to Costa Rica’s neighboring countries by foot, bus, or car, you’ll want to know about its border crossings. Costa Rica has several borders or fronteras …

Last Updated: June 15, 2020 If you live somewhere that gets cold, you probably can’t wait to plan your getaway to Costa Rica. But when is a good time of …

If you are worried about not speaking Spanish for your upcoming trip to Costa Rica, you’re not alone. We remember those days too and hear from lots of others who …

Last Updated: April 5, 2024 If you’re a first-time visitor to Costa Rica, you probably have some questions related to money. Maybe you’re wondering about the best way to exchange …

Last Updated: March 22, 2024 With crazy flight schedules and lengthy drives between most destinations and the airport, sometimes an overnight near Costa Rica’s SJO (Juan Santamaria International) Airport is …

Last Updated: September 29, 2020 So your favorite weather app is telling you that in Costa Rica, it is pouring buckets and shooting lightning bolts every single day. Of course …

  One thing that continuously amazes us about Costa Rica is the amount of biodiversity packed into this small country. Even after living here for over two years, we still …

Last Updated: February 9, 2023 Driving in Costa Rica can be intimidating for a first- or even second- or third-time visitor. When we traveled to Costa Rica as tourists, we …

Last Updated: April 17, 2024 Traveling to Costa Rica may cost more than you think. A lot of people expect that because Costa Rica is in Central America, it will …

Last Updated: March 22, 2024 In our post Tortuguero Off the Resort, we share some amazing things to do in Tortuguero and also suggest where to stay and eat. But …

Last Updated: March 15, 2021 San Jose, the capital city of Costa Rica, is filled with rich history and culture. Not only that, but it has a hip urban vibe …

  Over the last 21 months, we’ve been fortunate to see some incredible waterfalls in Costa Rica. At times, it seems there’s one around every corner. Even just a simple …

Last Updated: April 2, 2024 If you’re reading this post, you’ve probably bought your tickets and are getting excited for your trip to Costa Rica! You likely have a good …

Last Updated: November 8, 2024 Wondering what gifts to buy for that special person in your life who is obsessed with Costa Rica? You know, the one who always insists …

Most people traveling to Costa Rica come during the dry season. When we visited as tourists, we did the exact same thing. All we wanted was sun and clear blue …

What would a travel website be without captivating photos? We wondered that ourselves recently when we found our go-to zoom lens suddenly out of commission. It all happened on a …

Anyone who has driven around Lake Arenal on their way from La Fortuna to Monteverde knows about all of the crazy signs. Every couple of miles, there’s a random, handmade …

Although Costa Rica is less expensive than many destinations in North America, Europe, and the South Pacific, it isn’t as budget friendly today as it once was. Like all great …