Last updated on June 15th, 2022 at 01:35 pm EST

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 provide you with answers, plain and simple. Without your questions, we’d have nothing to respond to, let alone a reason to earn your visit.

Having taught travelers about Costa Rica for nearly 15 years, 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, potential Costa Rica travelers just like you have told us, time and time again. So we listened and listened some more, then put together the following list of the top questions we commonly receive about Costa Rica. Alongside each question listed below is a link to the specific post(s) on our website where we answer the question in significant detail. 

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? Costa 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 Is The Best Time Of Year To Travel To Costa Rica?

How soon in advance do I need to make reservations?

See our related blog post: Reserving Costa Rica Trip Items 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 Day Tours: 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 in Costa Rica – Trip Currencies

Am I supposed to tip in Costa Rica?

See our related blog post: To Tip or Not To Tip (While On Vacation In Costa Rica) – That Is The Question!

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 good for all-inclusive vacations?

See our related blog post: Costa Rica All-Inclusive Resort Series – PART 1: Why Costa Rica Is NOT An All-Inclusive Resort Destination

See our related blog post: Costa Rica All-Inclusive Resort Series – PART 2: How To Have An All-Inclusive Vacation In Costa Rica WITHOUT The All-Inclusive Resort

Top questions about destinations in Costa Rica

Where should I go in Costa Rica?

See our related blog post: Where To Go In Costa Rica: Determining the Best Places To Visit During Your Trip

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?

I’m confused… what’s the difference between Monteverde and Santa Elena?

See our related blog post: I’m going to Monteverde, not Santa Elena, so why do both towns keep popping up during my research?

Which beaches are the best to visit?

See our related blog post: Northern Pacific / Guanacaste Beaches In Costa Rica

See our related blog post: Central Pacific Beaches In Costa Rica

See our related blog post: Nicoya Peninsula Beaches In Costa Rica

See our related blog post: Caribbean Beaches In Costa Rica

See our related blog post: 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 guide to tour Costa Rica?

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

How much are the entrance fees to Costa Rica attractions?

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: Costa Rica Trail Maps

Which is the best ziplining (canopy tour) in Costa Rica?

See our related blog post: Which Costa Rica Zipline Is The Best? Comparing 6 Popular Canopy Tours in Arenal and Monteverde

What’s the difference between a canopy tour and a ziplining tour?

See our related blog post: Ziplining & Canopy Tours in Costa Rica: The Difference Between The Two

Which hot springs are the best?

See our related blog post: The Best Hot Springs In La Fortuna / Arenal, Costa Rica: Baldi, Ecotermales, Tabacon, Or The Springs Resort?

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

See our related blog post: Which Costa Rica Hanging Bridges Are The Best? Comparing 4 Popular Hanging Bridge Sites in Arenal and Monteverde

Which volcanoes are the best to visit in Costa Rica?

See our related blog post: The Best Volcano To Visit In Costa Rica: Arenal, Irazu, Poas, Rincon De La Vieja, Or Turrialba?

Which rivers are the best for rafting in Costa Rica?

See our related blog post: The Best River For Rafting In Costa Rica

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

See our related blog post: What To Do And See In San Jose, Costa Rica

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

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: Are We There Yet? Driving Durations for Popular Costa Rica 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 home?

See our related blog post: Costa Rica Car Rental Insurance

Miscellaneous questions about Costa Rica travel

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 is Pura Vida and why is it all over Costa Rica?

What kinds of wildlife will 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!