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About

Located in Central America, Costa Rica borders in the north on Nicaragua, and on Panama in the south. To the west of it is the Pacific Ocean, and the Caribbean sea to the east.

Regions

Caribbean Costa Rica

Despite of being not so much visited, due to its isolation and mosquitoes, this region is great for sea turtle spotting, and whitewater rafting.

Central Valley

This is the populated center of the country.

Central Pacific

This is the home to the lion's share of all Costa Rica's beaches.

Guanacaste

Known for its dryness, it has a few rains any time of year, but also outstanding beaches and surfing, and dry forest parks and some large volcanic areas in the North by the Nicaraguan border

Plains of the North

Just sparsely populated, this region is very beautiful and mountainous, quite famous because of its active volcano, Arenal, and all of the surrounding hot springs and its volcanic lakes.

South Costa Rica

Costa Rica is recognized by being the most biodiverse environment on the planet, and its best example is the Costa Rican rainforest. Full of exotic flora and fauna like any other place you will see, it has some of the most beautiful tropical beaches in the world.

Cities

San José - This is the country's capital.
Alajuela - You can find the Juan Santamaría International Airport here
Cartago - This was Costa Rica's first capital
Dominical - With incredible biodiversity and very beautiful landscapes, this city is the South Pacific coast's largest.
Heredia - The most important coffee plantations of Costa Rica could be found here.
Liberia - Danuel Oduber International Airport is located here. You can also find the corridor to the Guanacaste's beaches.
Puerto Limón - The Caribbean side main city.
Puntarenas - Nicoya Peninsula can be accesed here via ferry.
Quesada - In the country's North this is the largest city, where you can see hot springs popular with Costa Rican vacationers.

Other Destinations

Cahuita National Park
Chirripo National Park
Cocos Island National Park
Corcovado National Park
Arenal Volcano - active volcano
Manuel Antonio National Park
Monteverde and Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserves
Pacuare River and Protected Zone
Rincón de la Vieja Volcano National Park

Get in

By plane

Located close to the cities Alajuela, Heredia and San José (the capital) is the Juan Santamaría Airport (SJO).

This airporti is being remodelled. An otherwise nice airport features the common assortment of duty-free shops, interesting souvenir and libraries, but also a collection of overpriced restaurants (Church's Chicken, Burger King and a fast-food pizza joint). To SJO fly daily by Air Caraibes, Frontier Airlines, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Thomas Cook, US Airways, Delta Airlines, Iberia, LTU, Mexicana Airlines, Spirit Airlines, United Airlines, Air Canada as well as Taca and Copa Airlines. You can connect with cities such as: Los Angeles, New York, Houston, Dallas, Miami, Philadelphia, Charlotte, Atlanta, Phoenix, Orlando, Chicago, Newark, Toronto, Montreal, Madrid, Frankfurt, Mexico City, Bogota, Caracas, Lima, Guayaquil, Quito, and all Central America. Frontier Airlines begun flying non-stop from Denver on November 30th, 2007 and flies 5 days a week to SJO.

You will have to pay the US $26 exit fee at the Juan Santamaría Airport. This has to be be paid in cash, or by Visa (processed as a cash advance). You can pay this fee in advance at some hotels or banks (Banco Credito Agricola de Cartago and Banco de Costa Rica).

Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) is located close to Liberia in the Guanacaste province. This airport is near the Pacific Northwest coast. Liberia receives services from Delta, American, United, Continental, Air Canada, Sky Service (charter), and First Choice (charter). You can connect the airport with cities like: Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, Houston, Dallas, Newark, Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, London, etc.

By car

The Panamerican Highway runs through Costa Rica and is the best way to get in by car. The post in the north border (to Nicaragua) is Peñas Blancas and in the south (to Panamá) Paso Canoas. Most travel out of San Jose (except to the Caribbean side) involves traveling through this road. You will find many speed traps along this major road, and some police checking for seat belts and, mostly near the borders, for valid travel documents. The highway speed is 80km/h, but since the Interamericana (a.k.a. Highway #1) runs through lots of small towns, the speed ofently falls to 50 or even 30 km/h as you could find yourself in a school area. Most of this road is not split. A normal indicator that a police checkpoint is coming is that incoming cars blink their lights at you. Drivers will as well flick their lights often when someone overtakes them. A ticket for speeding is up to 20,000 Colones (US $40), and although the police are mostly friendly, foreign drivers are sometimes offered illegal an "on the spot" fines that is about half that or less.

Many Costa Rican roads are in very bad shape, and even short trips can take quite a long time. Even the only road in and out of major tourist spots are riddled with large potholes. To avoid holes, drivers will often sinuate through the left and right lanes, usually coming back to the right when incoming traffic gets near. While this may seem unpredictable to North American drivers, one becomes quickly used to it. Driving at night is very not recommended because to the unpredictable road conditions and unsafe features such as guard rails on the often sharp turns in the mountains.

Many roads are not paved, and even the paved roads have lots of not paved sections and washed out or uncompleted bridges. Bridges are most of the times wide enough for one vehicle; and one directoin regularly has priority. Do not expect to get somewhere fast, as 3 hour journeys can become 5 or more hours probably: there are generally slow buses, cars, trucks on the way. This causes lots of wild driving, which you begin to copy if you are in the country for more than a day. Government does not seem to fix the roads well (or at all!) 50km/hr is fine for unpaved roads; you hit a resonance frequency where the damping factor of the suspension is the same as the undulations of the road and you have an easy go. Many hotels, in the hills, require a four wheel drive to get there. Call them before you go. This is more for the soil clearance then the quality of the pavement. 4x4 drive vehicles are common at the car rentals near the airport, but may need reservations.

Navigation can prove challenging. There aren't many road signs, and the ones that you could find can be inaccurate. It is recommended that at least you carry a good road map with the small towns listed. Road signs will probably show only the next town, and not the direction of the next big city. You will probably find town-limit signs; it is better to look at the names on the roadside food stores and restaurants to determine the place you are passing. Stopping and asking is a good way to practice your Spanish. The town center is usually a public park with a Catholic Church across from it.

In Costa Rica, there are no formal street addresses, but two informal systems coexist. The first one (often used in tourist information) indicates the road on which the establishment is located (e.g. "6th Avenue") together with the crossroad interval (e.g. "between 21st and 23rd Streets"). In practice, street signs are virtually non-existent, and locals do not even know the name of the street they are on. The second system, which is much more reliable and understood by locals, is known as the "Tico address", usually involving an oriented distance (e.g. "100 meters south, 50 meters east") from a landmark (e.g. "the cathedral").

It is worth noting the particular road naming system in San Jose. Avenues run east-west and streets run north-south. The numbering is less straighforward. Starting at Central Avenue going South are 2nd, 4th, 6th Avenue, etc. while going North are 1st, 3rd, 5th, etc. Streets use even numbers going west, and odd numbers going east. This means that if you are at 7th Avenue and 4th Street, and looking for 6th Avenue and 5th Street, you are on the wrong side of town.

Gas stations are full service and the guys there are very cool about taking dollars or Colón(es). The interesting thing is that Costa Rica is small so you do not burn a lot of gas getting places even though it seems like forever. Costa Rica is also land of the traffic circles so people from Europe should have no problem but North Americans should make sure they know how they work. The gas stations really are full service, without asking I have had my oil checked, and water in my raditor filled, and tire pressure topped off. The state owns a gasoline company and the private companies raise their prices to the level of the state set price. It is recommendable to always use super gas and not regular, the regular is soiled. If not you will have to change the gas filter and clean the injectors after 5000 miles.

By bus

There are bus services from the neighboring countries of Panamá, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Mexico and Guatemala.

There is an extensive network of bus routes within the country with reasonable fares. Departures are very punctual, though routes often take longer than expected. Stop by the Tourist Office downtown (underneath the Gold Museum in the Plaza--ask anyone and they'll be able to help you out). The bus system is a safe and even fun way to see a lot of the country cheaply and not have to worry about car rentals. Getting around without Spanish is no problem.

By boat

There is twice daily boat service from Los Chiles (in NE Costa Rica), former home of the Contras, to San Carlos, Nicaragua. The cost is about $5, plus a $1 fee. The boats usually only run in the mornings.

Small ship cruises carrying less than 100 passengers begin in Panama and end in Costa Rica or reverse. These cruises visit popular National Parks such as Manuel Antonio but also visit remote beaches and coastline not accessible by road. Prices range from $2000-$6000 per person for 7-10 day tours.

Get Around

Keep in mind the pet peeve most tourists have with costa rican kindness: often times when a costa rican has no idea where a certain destination you may have had in mind is, he or she will simply direct you to a random location. Often simply incomprehensible, these directions are a reflection on the cultural approach to kindness many Costa Ricans adopt. Ask for directions from several different people if you aren't convinced by the first answer you get.

Public bus

Most major tourist locations in Costa Rica are provided by at least two daily buses from and to San Jose. The advantages of public transportation in Costa Rica are that tickets are cheap (rarely more than $7 US per person) and they cover most towns around Costa Rica.

Car Rental

One great advantage of renting a car is that you can visit many of the secluded beaches and mountain areas. And with the power of the Internet, you can now rent just about any car online and have it waiting for you when you arrive.

For 350-700 USD a week you can rent a econocar/mid size 4WD. Insurance is mostly of this cost and it is not optional. 4 wheel drive is good for extensive traveling outside the Central Valley, especially in the wet season. In the dry season going from La Fortuna to Monteverde via a direct route was over a boulder strewn 15-30 MPH road. 4WD was also useful on the Nicoya shore.(above based on 2001 roads). Driving in Costa Rica is, by American standards, dangerous. Costa Rica has one of the highest deaths by car accidents in the world. And the roads are usualy not in very good conditions.

Due to the condition of most roads outside San Jose, car insurance, even with a zero-deductible option, generally does not cover tires and rims. Car rental companies requires a guaranty deposit from 750 USD during the rental period and a credit card is necessary for this process. Using an insurance program provided by some types of gold or platinum credit cards is a good advantage since these credit cards would cover small scratches, small dents as well as the entire rented car in case of collision or theft. Reliable companies are Dollar [3], Wild Rider[4] with competitive rates and the cheapest one is Explorer Car Rental[5], great cars and good service.

You have to be careful when renting a car in Costa Rica, where it is not uncommon for rental companies to claim for "damage" they insist you inflicted on the car. It is by far the best policy to rent a car through a Costa Rican travel agent. If you are traveling on a package, your agent will sort this out. Otherwise, go into an ICT-accredited travel agent in San Jose and ask them to arrange rental for you. This should be no more expensive than renting on your own and will help guard against false claims of damage and other accusations; rental companies will be less willing to make trouble with an agent who regularly sends them clients than with individual customers who they may not see again.

Make sure to check the car carefully before you sign off the damage sheet. Check the oil, brake fluid, fuel gauge (to make sure it's full) and that there is a spare tire with a good air pressure and a jack. Look up the Spanish for "scratches" (rayas) and other relevant terminology first, so you can at least scrutinize the rental company's assessment. Keep a copy of this document on you.

Take the maximum insurance (around $15-20 per day); because of Costa Rica's high accident rate, you need to be covered for damage to the car, yourself, any third party and public property.

    * Costa Rica Executive Transportation [6] Chauffeur Driven Luxury Transportation and Security Service. Providing Transportation to anywhere in Costa Rica, air charters, meet and greet services, airport transfers for all travelers to Costa Rica.

Rental motorbike

For 300-900 USD a week you can rent a dual sport bike or a chopper. A motorbike rental company requires a guaranty deposit from 600 USD during the rental period. Reliable companies are Wild Rider (www.wild-rider.com) and Maria Alexander (www.mariaalexandra.com) with competitive rates, great bikes and good service.

Taxi

Another easy way to get around Costa Rica is to use the services of mini-vans. At most of the hotels, the receptionist is able to assist travelers who want to travel across Costa Rica by arranging for the services of a driver. Rates are reasonable (US$29 per person, for example, to get from San Jose to Tamarindo in April 2007) The drivers know the roads well; the vans are clean and comfortable; and they take you from door to door.

Taxis are available in most bigger cities. They are usually inexpensive, charging only a few dollars to get most anywhere within the city. The meter is called "la maria"; ask the driver to turn it on immediately upon getting in the car, or he may leave it off and make up his own, more expensive, price when you get to your destination. Official taxis are red with a yellow triangle on the side. If you are alone, especially if you are female, ride in the back seat as riding in the front with the driver can be seen as suggestive.
[edit] Hitching

Although illegal, hitchhiking is far more common in rural areas than in cities. If you choose to hitchhike, Costa Ricans are generally very friendly and helpful, particularly in more rural areas where traffic on the dirt roads can be light. As always, be gracious and offer a bit of money, which will probably be declined.

By Plane

There is an internal airline that connects the major tourist towns. You are limited to 25–30 pounds of carry on person, depending on the airline, and you are put on a scale before you board the twin engine turbo prop plane. The main airlines are NatureAir and Sansa.

What to see

Wildlife - Costa Rica is world famous for having an amazing high level of biodiversity throughout its tropical forests (this covers what you may hear referred to as rain forests, cloud forests, and dry forests). There are tropical mammals such as monkeys, sloths, tapirs, and wild cats as well as an incredible assortment of insects and other animals. There are many many birds (both migratory and resident) - more on that below. With 25% of the country being national parks and protected zones, there are still many places you can go to see the abundant wildlife and lush vegetation of the country. Just like anywhere, the farther you get off the beaten path, the more likely you are to see a wide variety of flora and fauna.

There is such biodiversity in Costa Rica not only because it's a land bridge between North and South America, but also because the terrain is so varied and there are weather patterns moving in from both the Pacific and Atlantic/Caribbean. There are impressive volcanoes, mountain zones, rivers, lakes, and beaches all throughout the country. There are many beautiful beaches - most of the popular ones are are on the Pacific side but the Caribbean has many excellent beaches as well.

Bird Watching - One of the most wonderful activities for people who love nature is bird watching. You can enjoy bird watching in many zones of Costa Rica. Due to the great diversity of climates, temperatures and forest types in Costa Rica, there is a wonderful variety of birds, with over 800 species. Some helpful books available on bird watching are Birds of Costa Rica by F. Gary Stiles and Alexander Skutch (Cornell University Press) or An Illustrated Field Guide to Birds of Costa Rica, illustrated by Victor Esquivel Soto. These books can be found at certain bookstores in San José or before coming to Costa Rica. They are both heavy books; many people tear out the plates of the Stiles & Skutch book to carry into the field and leave the rest of the book in their car or room. Plastic cards with the most common birds are available for many zones and are sold at gift shops.

Most hotels, as well as tourist information centers, will provide bird watching guides, maps and other essentials for bird watching. Unless you are an experienced neotropical birder, it can be a lot more productive to go out with an experienced birding guide. Do not forget to bring a hat, rain gear, boots, binoculars and camera. In hot zones, an umbrella can be more useful than a poncho or jacket. Southern Costa Rica is generally considered the better option for bird watching.

Volcanoes -Costa Rica is one of the most seismologicly active countries in the western hemisphere, and as a result several volcanoes have sprouted over the years- most notably volcanoes Poas, Irazu, and Arenal.

What to do in Costa Rica

Beaches

The country is full with things to do, but no matter what your travel interests are, you need to spend some time on the best beaches the country has to offer. The lion's share of beachs is located all aover the Pacific coast, in the Central Pacific region near the capital. Also, in the Nicoya Peninsula, and in the dry tropical forests of Guanacaste, you will find extraorindary quality beaches. Less visited, but no less beautiful are the ones near near Corcovado National Park, in the tropical rainforest, or on the exotic, Caribbean side, which is considered a great eco toursim area.

While some of the best beach locations will be found off the beaten path, or even at expensive resorts, here's a brief list of the country's best and most beautiful beaches:

Corcovado — the main beach on Osa Peninsula, with black sand beaches fronted by the thick tropical rainforest

Dominical — probably the biggest surfing destination in the country, very enjoyable by night as well.

Jacó — a party beach city nearby San José, it’s a surfer's paradise full of nightlife and casinos

Montezuma — it’s the bohemian option in Costa Rica, on the Nicoya Peninsula, full of dreadlocks and surfers.

Playa Grande — this calm white sand beach is the homeplace to the largest nesting site for the leatherback sea turtle on the Pacific side of the country, and one of the best surfing waves in Guanacaste

Tamarindo — it has with beautiful beaches complemented by boutique shopping and high class dining, it could be quite expensive.

Tortuguero — the most popular beach on the Caribbean side. Full of eco-tourists looking for adventure in the rainforest and spot some manatees

Fishing

Costa Rica has some of the best Sport Fishing in the world and it claims to be the first country to do catch and release fishing. The west coast has an amazing fishing for Sailfish, Marlin, Dorado, Wahoo, Tuna, Roosterfish, Snapper, etc. The east coast and Northern regions of the country are well known by the big Tarpon and big Snook

Surf

On the West coast, mainly in central Puntarenas and Guanacaste, you will find some of the best surfing in Central America. The beach of Tamarindo is a great place for surf learners, and Playa del Coco is the perfect place for advanced surfers. You will find Witches Rock and Ollie´s Point, with outstanding breaks. On the East side there are beautiful beaches, but none of them will ofer great waves..

On the south of Costa Rica you will find two very good surfing spots: Dominical and Pavones Beach. Pavones Beach has a bolder, heavier waves which barrel and can get really large. Definitely not for the light hearted.

Biking

In the country, you will be able to find great places to mountain biking, specially the routes near Irazu, Turrialba and Arenal Volcanoes. There is a popular dirt road that gathers Irazu Volcano and the hills of Turrialba Volcano which is a perfect place for biking adventures, as it passes through the mountains and has great views of the Cartago Valley.
 
Around Lake Arenal is also a great place to ride your bike. You can go around the lake in one day, (be sure to carry enough water) or split the ride in two, by sleeping in Tilarán or Nuevo Arenal. If you’re looking for some excitement, you can’t miss this journey.

You can also find a good riding in the Nicoya Peninsula, specially between Sámara, Puerto Coyote and Malpais. There is a road that runs by the shore, that joins these three towns. This is a perfect plan for a cool afternoon.