🇨🇷vs🇺🇸

Costa Rica vs United States

Compare travel essentials, budgets, and connectivity between Costa Rica and United States.

Category🇨🇷 Costa Rica🇺🇸 United States
Daily Budget (Budget)CRC 42,000$120
Daily Budget (Mid-Range)CRC 102,000$260
Daily Budget (Luxury)CRC 265,000$600
VisaMany nationalities, including most short-stay tourists from North America, Europe, and several other markets, can enter visa-free for tourism for a limited stay; visa-on-arrival is not broadly used, and some travelers need a visa or entry authorization in advance depending on nationality. Entry rules can change, so check current requirements before travel.Many nationalities (including most of Europe, parts of Asia-Pacific, and some Latin American countries) can enter visa-free for short stays under programs such as the Visa Waiver Program with approved electronic authorization; others must obtain a B1/B2 visitor visa in advance. Transit and land-border rules can differ, so travelers should always check the latest entry requirements from official U.S. government sources before travel.
LanguageSpanish; English is widely spoken in major tourist areasEnglish (de facto national language), with Spanish widely spoken and many communities using Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, French, and other languages.
Best MonthsDecember to April; May and November are good shoulder monthsApril to June, September to early November (varies by region)
TimezoneCST (UTC-6)Multiple time zones: Eastern (UTC−5, UTC−4 DST), Central (UTC−6, UTC−5 DST), Mountain (UTC−7, UTC−6 DST), Pacific (UTC−8, UTC−7 DST), plus Alaska and Hawaii-Aleutian.
Connectivity Rating4/5 (5G)5/5 (5G)
eSIM Starting Price$26.50$11.50
Power PlugType A/B, 120VType A/B, 120V, 60Hz
Emergency Number911911 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)