Costa Rica — find the right stay, from deciding to booking
“Arenal Volcano, the Monteverde cloud forest, wildlife, and pura vida”
Costa Rica is a land of pristine nature and pura vida (the good life) — the still-active Arenal Volcano with the hot springs of La Fortuna, the Monteverde cloud forest with ziplines above the canopy, Manuel Antonio National Park with its monkey-and-sloth beaches, beaches on two oceans (Atlantic and Pacific), and Tortuguero National Park where sea turtles lay their eggs. A small country packed with natural wonders.
Costa Rica at a glance
Choose a city in Costa Rica
Each city has its own things-to-do and food guides plus in-depth ranked hotel reviews with real photos and price comparison — start with the city that fits your trip.
Decide — is Costa Rica right for you?
Why people love Costa Rica, how it compares to its neighbors, and which travel style suits you
Arenal Volcano
A perfect cone volcano ringed by hot springs and waterfalls — great for both adventure and relaxation.
Monteverde cloud forest
A mysterious cloud forest with ziplines over the canopy, orchids, quetzals, and rare wildlife.
Easy-to-spot wildlife
Sloths, white-faced monkeys, iguanas, and poison dart frogs — seen even in the easy parks.
Tortuguero turtles
A Caribbean coastal park where sea turtles lay eggs at night, reachable only by boat.
Two-ocean beaches
Pacific surf waves and clear Caribbean sandy shores — all in one country.
Pura vida
The easygoing Costa Rican way of life — quick to smile, unhurried, living well.
Costa Rica vs its neighbors
| Costa Rica | Panama | Nicaragua | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily budget (per person) | $63–129 | $51–109 | $34–71 |
| Visa for Thais | Check with embassy | Check with embassy | Check with embassy |
| Known for | Volcanoes · forests · wildlife | The canal · old town · diving | Lakes · volcanoes · cheap prices |
| Currency | Colon (CRC) | Balboa/USD | Cordoba (NIO) |
| Nature highlight | Cloud forest-volcanoes-beaches | Rainforest-Panama Canal | Lakes-volcanoes |
Figures are rough per-person, per-day estimates — your real budget depends on your travel style.
How do you travel?
Nature & wildlife
Base in La Fortuna-Monteverde-Manuel Antonio for wildlife watching and hiking — 7–10 days.
See this plan → 🏄Beach & surf
The southern Pacific beaches (Santa Teresa-Tamarindo) with beautiful surf and seaside relaxation.
See this plan → 🎒Adventurer
Monteverde ziplines, whitewater rafting, Arenal hot springs, and Caribbean coast diving.
See this plan →Plan — stay, eat, see
Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then add food and sights, and gauge your daily budget.
Find the stay you want
1 ranked reviewsNo reviews match these filters — try removing some.
- 1🍚
Gallo Pinto
Seasoned rice fried with black beans, eaten every morning, fragrant with cilantro.
📍 National dish - 2🥘
Casado
A plate of rice with beans, salad, vegetables, and meat or fish — an affordable lunch.
📍 Lunch - 3🥩
Chifrijo
Rice and beans topped with crispy pork, salsa, tomato, and avocado — a popular snack.
📍 Street food - 4🥗
Ceviche
Fish or shrimp cured in lime with cilantro — fresh and tangy.
📍 Seafood - 5🫔
Tamale
Ground corn filled with meat, wrapped in banana leaves and steamed or baked, eaten at Christmas.
📍 Festive - 6🍹
Tarrazu Coffee
Arabica coffee grown high in the mountains with a rich, refined flavor, famous worldwide.
📍 Drink
- 1🌋
Arenal Volcano
Central America's most perfect cone volcano, atop hot springs and hiking trails.
📍 La Fortuna - 2🌿
Monteverde Cloud Forest
A reserve cloaked in mist year-round, with ziplines, canopy suspension bridges, and quetzals.
📍 Monteverde - 3🏖️
Manuel Antonio
The smallest yet most beautiful beach park, with white-faced monkeys roaming the sand.
📍 Manuel Antonio - 4🐢
Tortuguero
Caribbean canal forests where sea turtles nest in summer, reached by boat or small plane.
📍 Caribbean coast - 5💧
La Fortuna Waterfall
A 70-meter waterfall cascading into a clear green pool — descend 500 steps and swim.
📍 La Fortuna - 6🌺
Corcovado
Costa Rica's largest tropical rainforest, with tapirs, wildcats, and scarlet macaws.
📍 Osa Peninsula
🚆 Getting around Costa Rica
Intercity buses
Cheap and comprehensive, slower than a rental car — great for budget travelers.
Self-drive rental
The most flexible way to visit multiple places; some roads need a 4WD in the rainy season.
Domestic flights
Small Sansa/Nature Air planes to Tortuguero and the Osa Peninsula save lots of time.
Passenger boats
Reach Tortuguero by boat, and cross the Gulf of Nicoya to Santa Teresa.
Tourist shuttles
Shuttle vans connect the main attractions — mid-priced and more convenient than public buses.
🛂 Etiquette & culture in Costa Rica
Pura vida
A greeting, a thank-you, and the laid-back Costa Rican way of life, used all day long.
Environmental pride
Costa Rica protects over 25 percent of its land as forest, and locals are very proud of it.
Tipping
Some restaurants already add a 10 percent service charge; tip extra as you see fit.
Guard against insects
Apply insect repellent whenever you enter the forest, especially on the Caribbean coast.
The rainy season is still good
Rain usually falls in the afternoon; mornings and evenings stay clear, and hikes and waterfalls are more beautiful than in the dry season.
💸 Daily budget — a rough guide
Budget
🛏️ Hostel / guesthouse $20–43
Eat at sodas (local diners), ride public buses, and hike the affordable parks.
Comfortable
🛏️ Hotel / boutique lodge $51–114
Ziplines, wildlife tours, hot springs, and convenient shuttles.
Premium
🛏️ Eco-lodge / luxury resort $143+
Forest-view eco-lodges, private guides, and helicopter tours over the volcano.
🗓️ When to visit Costa Rica
Dry season (best)
Dec – AprClear skies almost every day, easy hiking, beautiful Pacific beaches — the main tourist season.
Early rainy season
May – JunFresh green forests, powerful waterfalls, fewer tourists, lower lodging prices, with afternoon rain.
Turtle nesting season
Jul – OctSea turtles nest at Tortuguero; lots of rain on the Pacific coast, but the Caribbean is still good.
Surf season
Jun – AugPacific waves on the northern coast (Tamarindo) are high and strong — great for surfers.
Book — hotels our team picked
Hand-picked from the highest guest-rated hotels we've reviewed in Costa Rica — compare prices across 3 sites.
★ 9.6👑 Great for your trip
★ 9.4💑 Great for your trip
★ 9.3💑 Great for your tripWant to see every option in Costa Rica?
Browse all our ranked stay reviews — every budget and area, with real photos and price comparison.
View the top city guide →FAQ — visiting Costa Rica
How many days should I spend in Costa Rica?+
7–10 days — 1 day San Jose + 2–3 days La Fortuna + 2 days Monteverde + 2–3 days Manuel Antonio, or continue to Tortuguero if you have time.
Do Thai travelers need a visa?+
Check the latest visa conditions with the embassy before you travel, as policies can change.
Is Costa Rica safe?+
Safer than many Central American countries, but watch your bags in markets and crowded areas of San Jose. The main tourist areas are quite safe.
What's the best time for wildlife watching?+
The dry season Dec–Apr makes hiking easy and animals easier to spot, while the rainy season Jul–Oct brings fresh green forests and turtle nesting at Tortuguero.
Tips before you go to Costa Rica
- Rent a 4WD if you plan to visit several places in the rainy season — some roads ford water.
- Book forest lodges and ziplines in advance, especially in the dry season.
- Apply insect repellent and sunscreen daily — the parks are hot and humid.
- Try eating at sodas (local diners) — cheaper and tastier than tourist restaurants.
- Costa Rican coffee is excellent — buy some to take home; it's great value.
- US dollars are accepted in most places, but you get better change in colones.