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Written by Nikki Solano

Nikki is the CEO of Pura Vida! eh? Inc. (Costa Rica Discounts), and the author of the guidebooks Moon Costa Rica (2019, 2021, 2023, and 2025 editions) and Moon Best of Costa Rica (2022 edition) from Moon Travel Guides. Together with her Costa Rican husband, Ricky, she operates the Costa Rica Travel Blog, created the online community DIY Costa Rica, built the Costa Rica Destination Tool, oversees the brand-new (summer 2023) Costa Rica Travel Shop, and designed the Costa Rica Trip Planning 101 E-Course. Also, Nikki wrote the Costa Rica cover feature for Wanderlust Magazine's sustainability-focused Travel Green List issue, showcased Costa Rica destinations and experiences on Rick Steves' Monday Night Travel show and podcast/radio show, and served as the Costa Rica Destination Editor for Essentialist, a luxury travel brand. Want to show your appreciation for her free article below? Thank Nikki here. ❤️️

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We love answering your questions!

If you’re familiar with our blog, you’ve heard us say it time and time again: we write to answer your questions and to address your concerns, plain and simple. Without your inquiries, we’d have nothing to respond to, let alone a reason to earn your trust and your visit.

Having taught travelers about Costa Rica since the mid-2000s, we know what information you want and need to plan and execute your own dream trip. How do we know this with such confidence? Because you’ve told us—well, Costa Rica travelers just like you have told us—over and over. So, we listened, and listened some more, then put together the following list of the top questions we commonly receive about Costa Rica. Provided with each question is a link to the article(s) on our website where we answer the question in great detail.

A quick trip down memory lane

We’ve worked with travelers since the mid-2000s, and we’ve enjoyed answering their questions about Costa Rica ever since. ❤️

Top questions about Costa Rica trip planning

How do / should I plan a trip to Costa Rica?

See our related blog post: How To Plan A Trip To Costa Rica For Free Step By Step

How should I approach planning a vacation to Costa Rica?

See our related blog post: Planning A Vacation To Costa Rica? READ THIS FIRST!

Is Costa Rica safe?

See our related blog post: Is Costa Rica Safe? Yes, If You Do This.

How much does it cost to visit Costa Rica?

See our related blog post: How Much Does It Cost To Go To Costa Rica? Costs Of Activities, Hotels, Food, Transportation Services, And More!

When is the best time of year to visit Costa Rica?

See our related blog post: When To Go To Costa Rica According To Cost, Weather, Wildlife, And More!

How soon in advance do I need to make reservations for hotels, transfers, or car rentals?

See our related blog post: Costa Rica Trip Reservations: Booking In Advance, How Much Time Is Needed?

How soon in advance do I need to reserve Costa Rica day tours?

See our related blog post: Costa Rica Tours And Activities: Should You Book Ahead Of Time Or Wait?

How do I pay for my Costa Rica vacation?

See our related blog post: Paying For Your Costa Rica Trip: What Is Normal, Common, And To Be Expected?

How can I save money on Costa Rica day tours?

See our related blog post: How To Save Money On Costa Rica Day Tours

Does Costa Rica accept USD or do I need to convert my money into Costa Rican colones?

See our related blog post: Spending Money In Costa Rica: What To Know About USD, Colones, Credit Cards, And More!

Should I tip in Costa Rica?

See our related blog post: What To Know About Tipping In Costa Rica

Is tax charged in Costa Rica?

See our related blog post: What You Need To Know About The 13% VAT Tax In Costa Rica

What’s the difference between the SJO Airport and the LIR Airport?

See our related blog post: Comparing Costa Rica’s San Jose (SJO) and Liberia (LIR) Airports

What should I pack for Costa Rica?

See our related blog post: What To Pack For Costa Rica (And What Not To Pack)

Is Costa Rica a good destination for a luxury vacation?

See our related blog posts: Costa Rica Luxury Travel: 7 Types Of High-End Accommodations For Luxe-Loving Travelers and Costa Rica Luxury Travel: All-Inclusive Resorts And Non-All-Inclusive Resorts In Costa Rica

Top questions about destinations in Costa Rica

Where should I go in Costa Rica?

See our related blog posts: Where To Go In Costa Rica: Determining the Best Places To Visit During Your Trip and Where To Go In Costa Rica: 70+ Costa Rica Destinations (In Photos)

Which area is better to visit, La Fortuna or Monteverde?

See our related blog post: How To Decide Between La Fortuna / Arenal Or Monteverde (Or Why You Should Visit Both)

How do I make a day trip to Monteverde from La Fortuna / Arenal or vice versa?

See our related blog post: How To Make A Day Trip To Monteverde From La Fortuna (Arenal) Or Vice Versa?

Which beaches are the best to visit?

See our related blog posts: 80+ Costa Rica Beaches (In Photos) And Where To Find Them, Northern Pacific / Guanacaste Beaches In Costa Rica, Central Pacific Beaches In Costa Rica, Nicoya Peninsula Beaches In Costa Rica, Caribbean Beaches In Costa Rica, and Osa Peninsula Beaches In Costa Rica

Should I visit Tortuguero? What if I’m going when there aren’t any turtles?

See our related blog post: Is Costa Rica’s Tortuguero Worth Visiting?

Top questions about activities in Costa Rica

Do I need a tour guide to explore Costa Rica?

See our related blog post: Guided Tours In Costa Rica: Are They Necessary, Valuable, And/Or Worthwhile?

Which activities can I experience without a tour guide in Costa Rica?

See our related blog post: Self-Guided Adventures: 20 Things To Do In Costa Rica Without A Guide

Which Costa Rica activities are the most popular?

See our related blog post: 30 Popular Things To Do In Costa Rica And Where To Do Them

Which Costa Rica activities are off the beaten path?

See our related blog post: Costa Rica Off The Beaten Path: Where To Go And What To Do

How much does it cost to enter national parks, biological reserves, and wildlife refuges?

See our related blog post: A List Of 50+ Costa Rica Entrance Fees: How Much It Costs To Enter National Parks, Reserves, And Refuges

Where can I obtain trail maps?

See our related blog post: Photos Of Costa Rica Trail Maps

Which is the best canopy zip-lining tour in Costa Rica?

See our related blog post: Best Ziplines In Costa Rica: Comparing 6 In Arenal and Monteverde

Which hot springs are the best?

See our related blog post: Best Hot Springs In Arenal: We Compare All 12 La Fortuna Hot Springs

Which hanging bridges are the best to visit in Costa Rica?

See our related blog post: Best Hanging Bridges In Costa Rica: Comparing 4 In Arenal And Monteverde

Which volcanoes are the best to visit in Costa Rica?

See our related blog post: How To Experience The Best Costa Rica Volcanoes: Arenal, Poas, Rincon De La Vieja, Irazu, And Turrialba

Which river is the best for rafting in Costa Rica?

See our related blog post: Pacuare River Rafting Tour: Must-Know Info From A Former Rafting Guide

Which hanging bridges park is better, the Mistico Park or the Sky Adventures Park?

See our related blog post: Mistico Park Or Sky Walk/Adventures: Which Arenal Hanging Bridges Are The Best?

What is the difference between the Monteverde Cloud Forest and the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve?

See our related blog post: Monteverde Cloud Forest Or Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve: What’s The Difference?

What is there to do in San Jose, Costa Rica?

See our related blog post: 15 Things To Do In San Jose Costa Rica (And 3 Things To Skip Doing)

How do I make reservations for Costa Rica’s Poas Volcano National Park?

See our related blog post: How To Reserve The Poas Volcano National Park (Screenshots)

Top questions about getting around in Costa Rica

How do I get from place to place in Costa Rica?

See our related blog post: Costa Rica Transportation: 12 Ways To Get Around Costa Rica

How can I use tours/activities as a way to travel around Costa Rica?

See our related blog post: Costa Rica Tour Transportation: How To Use Tours To Travel Between Destinations

Do Costa Rica tours and activities include transportation to/from hotels?

See our related blog post: Costa Rica Tour Transportation: Hotel Pick-Ups And Drop-Offs

What are the roads like in Costa Rica?

See our related blog post: Costa Rica Highway Conditions By Route

How long does it take to get from “X” to “Y”?

See our related blog post: Driving In Costa Rica: Distance And Duration Of Popular Routes

Should I rent a car in Costa Rica?

See our related blog post: Renting A Car In Costa Rica: Should You Do It?

What should I know to avoid rental scams in Costa Rica?

See our related blog post: How Not To Fall For Costa Rica Car Rental Scams

What rental car insurance is mandatory in Costa Rica? What if I have rental car insurance from a provider at home?

See our related blog post: Costa Rica Car Rental Insurance

Miscellaneous questions about Costa Rica travel

I have anxiety. How can I travel comfortably and avoid my triggers in Costa Rica?

See our related blog post: Costa Rica Travel Anxiety: How I Help My Mental Health While Traveling Around Costa Rica

How can I travel sustainably in Costa Rica?

See our related blog post: Sustainable Tourism In Costa Rica: 15 Ways To Travel Responsibly

What is there for vegetarians/vegans to eat in Costa Rica?

See our related blog post: Vegetarian and Vegan Dining in Costa Rica

What is there for gluten-free diners to eat in Costa Rica?

See our related blog post: Gluten-Free Dining in Costa Rica

Which souvenirs should I buy in Costa Rica?

See our related blog post: Costa Rica Souvenirs: Buying Tips And Photo Galleries

I want to propose to my partner in Costa Rica; where / how should I get engaged?

See our related blog post: Costa Rica Proposal Ideas: Great Ways To Get Engaged In Costa Rica

What does “pura vida” mean?

See our related blog post: What Does Pura Vida Mean In Costa Rica?

What species of wildlife can I see in Costa Rica?

See our related blog post: Costa Rica Wildlife Photography

QUESTION TO COMMENT ON: What other questions related to Costa Rica travel do you think we should answer?

Pura vida!

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Hey, Costa Rica Travel Blog reader, thank you for visiting and reading our blog! We're truly grateful for your time and preference.

Do you know that your spam-free reading experience is most important to us? Unlike some other Costa Rica blogs, we do not to sell your personal information, and we choose not to display ads, sponsored content, or affiliate marketing on our blog so we can keep your visit as distraction- and junk-free as possible. Because we prioritize your privacy, we don't earn money when you visit us, when you sign up for our e-course, or when you click on our links, which means the time and work we put into this blog—including its 300+ articles—is entirely voluntary! If you find our content valuable, and you'd like to thank us for making the trip-planning process easier and your Costa Rica vacation more enjoyable, please consider making a small donation ($1, $2, $3, or an amount of your choosing) to our blog. Doing so is a great way to pat us on the back if you feel we deserve it. 😊 Pura vida, amigos!

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