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Latin America, Costa Rica |
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Overview | Mention Costa Rica and people think paradise. The country's Disney-like cast of creatures — ranging from howler monkeys to toucans — are prolific and relatively easy to spot. The waves are prime, the beauty is staggering and the sluggish pace seductive. | When To Go | The early months of the rainy season May to July are a wonderful time to travel to Costa Rica with some towns experiencing a mini-high season. During this time, rivers start to swell and dirt roads get muddy, making travel more challenging. Remote roads may not be accessible to public transport, so always ask locally before setting out. Bring your umbrella and a little patience.For surfers, the Pacific coast sees increased swells and bigger, faster waves during the rainy season, peaking in the worst rainy months of September and October. The Caribbean side has better waves from November through May.Wildlife enthusiasts may wish to plan their trip around high visibility seasons. The best time to spot the resplendent quetzal is between November and April. The peak season for leatherback turtles from April to May; for green turtles it's during August and September.Fishing is good year-round, but you might choose your season if you have your heart set on a specific fish. Anglers head to t | Visas | Visa requirements for Costa Rica change rapidly so check with your consulate before leaving. Currently, citizens of the US, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Israel, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Panama, Paraguay, South Africa, South Korea, Uruguay, the UK, France and most other western European countries do not need a visa for a 90-day stay. Citizens of India, Singapore, Russia and most of Eastern Europe and Latin America can stay 30 days without a visa. All nationalities are required to have an airline ticket to exit Costa Rica or proof of financial resources. If you do need a visa, it will cost around 20.00 from a Costa Rican consulate. | Weather | Costa Rica is a tropical country and experiences only two seasons: wet and dry. The dry season is generally between late December and April; the wet season lasts the rest of the year. The highlands are cold: San José and the Central Valley get an 'eternal spring' with lows averaging 15°C 60°F and highs averaging 26°C 79°F. Both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts are pretty much sweltering year-round - get ready for some bad-hair days. Temperatures vary little between seasons; the main influence on temperature is altitude. The humidity at low altitudes can be oppressive. | Getting There | International flights arrive at Aeropuerto Internacional Juan Santamaría, 17km 10.5mi northwest of San José in the town of Alajuela. In recent years, Daniel Oduber airport in Liberia has started receiving international flights from the US. It's expected that many international airlines will start to offer flights inout of this airport, including some flights direct from Europe eliminating the lay-over in Miami or Dallas. This airport is convenient for travelers visiting the Península de Nicoya. |
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 |  | Coasts To Coasts | Leaving the bustle of San Jose you find yourself peering into the smoking crater of Irazu Volcano. The opportunity to raft optional down the Pacuare River into the rainforest provides great enjoyment before journeying through extensive banana plantations to reach one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful palm-fringed beaches. You’ll learn about the flora and fauna as you take a series of walking trails through the rainforest. |
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|  | | | | Coasts, Quetzals & Volcanoes | Heading east past dramatic waterfalls and high peaks you’ll reach jungle which becomes dense and lush as you descend to Sarapiqui where you can raft or go horse riding. Tortuguero is a haven for breeding Atlantic green turtles and amongst the mangroves there is prolific bird life. Following an exciting flight by small plane, you take in Poas Volcano before staying at the foot of the famous Arenal which frequently punctuates the night with pyrotechnic displays. |
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| | | | | Costa Rican Adventure | From San Jose you make for the summit of Irazu Volcano to peer into its smoking crater. Rafting down the Pacuare River and into the rainforest provides great excitement before you head through vast banana plantations to one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica - complete with a fringe of palm trees. A series of walking trails through the rainforest provides an opportunity to spot and learn about the flora and fauna. |
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| | | | | Natural Magic Family Holiday | After a quick tour of San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, you’ll head to the coastal Caribbean lowlands. A boat trip along the narrow waterways of Tortuguero NP leads to a hidden riverbank lodge in the rainforest. You can spot toucan and many other brightly coloured birds in the trees and perhaps crocodile in the water, as you explore the unique system of natural and man-made canals famous throughout Costa Rica. Travelling back through banana plantations and past volcanoes you can also enjoy the option to get wet with some great white water rafting. |
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