Costa Rica

• Arenal National Park
• Guanacaste beaches
• Monteverde Cloud Forest
• Tortuguero National Park
• Fuel your inner adrenaline junkie just about anywhere in Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s dry season runs from late November to late April. If you want time on a tropical beach and a little less rain during your rainforest experience, his is the time to come. Locals often call the tropical rainy season (May through to mid November) the “green season”, at this time of year even brown and barren Guanacaste province becomes lush and verdant.

Currency Costa Rican Colon (CRC)

Language Spanish is the official language. English is commonly spoken in tourist areas.

Why we love it Costa Rica is the adventure-travel destination in Latin America, a place rich in natural wonders and biodiversity. The country boasts a wealth of perfect beaches that stretch for miles, small lodgings that haven’t attracted hordes of tourists, jungle rivers for rafting and kayaking, and spectacular cloud forests and rainforests with ample opportunities for bird-watching and hiking.

When to go Costa Rica’s dry season runs from late November to late April. If you want time on a tropical beach and a little less rain during your rainforest experience, his is the time to come. Locals often call the tropical rainy season (May through to mid November) the “green season”, at this time of year even brown and barren Guanacaste province becomes lush and verdant.

Social customs & quirks The majority of Costa Rica really does function without street names and ample signage. Instead, landmarks are key in giving directions. In towns throughout the country, you’ll see security guards stationed outside clothing and goods stores armed with shotguns or rifles.  Some fast foods such as Burger King and McDonald’s have incorporated Tico cuisine into their menus. You can order gallo pinto (rice and beans) for breakfast, or try a cheese pie instead of an apple pie at McDonald’s.  Costa Rican women are proud of their figures, whatever their size or shape. You’ll often see ladies dressed in tight, provocative clothing complete with stilettos! Finally, family dominates Costa Rican life. It’s not rare to see homes full of multi generations.

Festivals and events The International Arts Festival for two-weeks in March has been running since 1992. The event is based mainly in San Jose’s La Sabana metropolitan park, but takes place in several locations across the nation and features plays, street theatre, pop and folk music, modern dance, and plenty of live entertainment.

Health* Currently, there are no compulsory health requirements for visitors to Costa Rica. You must seek advice from your Travel Health specialist or GP prior to departure.