Costa Rica

Costa Rica packs rainforests, volcanoes, and two coastlines into a small, easy-to-explore country, but a bit of planning makes a big difference. Most travellers focus on a few hubs: La Fortuna/Arenal for hot springs and volcano views, Monteverde for cloud forests, and beach towns like Manuel Antonio, Santa Teresa, or Tamarindo for sand and surf. For a 7–10 day trip, pick two or three regions and avoid squeezing in too many long drives.

Use Hello’s trip planning tools to map out routes between destinations, adding time buffers for slow, winding roads and sudden tropical downpours. Aim to arrive in each new place by late afternoon; it gets dark around 6 p.m., and driving mountain roads at night isn’t ideal. Book popular activities like zip-lining, wildlife night walks, and national park entries in advance during dry season (December–April). In rainy season (May–November), you’ll often have more flexibility and lower prices.

Pack for a tropical climate: light, quick-dry clothing, a good rain jacket, sturdy sandals or hiking shoes, and strong mosquito repellent. A reusable water bottle is handy—tap water is safe to drink in many areas. With a loose, well-organized itinerary in Hello, you can track bookings, keep confirmations in one place, and still leave space for those spontaneous jungle hikes and sunset beach stops.

Moving around Costa Rica can be part of the adventure. Many visitors rent an SUV to reach spots like Monteverde or the Nicoya Peninsula, where roads may be steep, narrow, or unpaved. If you drive, keep distances reasonable—what looks like a three-hour trip on the map can stretch easily with traffic, roadworks, or cattle on the road. Avoid long drives after dark, and top up on fuel when you can; rural stations can be far apart.

Buses are affordable and connect most towns, though they can be slow and require changes in San José. Shared shuttles are a good middle ground, offering hotel-to-hotel transfers between major destinations. For certain routes, domestic flights can save time, particularly to the Osa Peninsula or remote Caribbean areas.

Hello eSIM connectivity helps a lot on the road: buy and activate an eSIM from Hello before landing, then use reliable data for navigation, checking bus timetables, and messaging hotels if you’re delayed. Download offline maps as a backup, and always ask locals for the latest road advice—conditions change quickly in rainy season.

If you’re travelling with friends, Hello’s expense splitting feature makes it easy to divide costs for rental cars, shuttles, and fuel without awkward conversations at every gas stop.

Costa Rica’s currency is the colón (CRC), and you’ll often see prices in both colones and USD, especially in tourist areas. ATMs are common in cities and larger towns; in smaller beach or mountain villages, withdraw cash in advance. Many hotels and restaurants accept cards, but local sodas (small eateries), markets, and rural tours may prefer cash.

Costs vary: a basic meal at a soda can be around 3,500–5,000 CRC (roughly 7–10 USD), while dinner at a mid-range restaurant in a busy beach town can be 10,000–18,000 CRC (20–35 USD). National park entrances typically range from 6,000–10,000 CRC (12–20 USD). Guided activities—zip-lining, rafting, wildlife tours—add up, so it’s worth setting a daily budget.

Hello’s budget tracking lets you log spending in colones and see a clear overview of where your money goes: transport, food, tours, and accommodation. You can tag expenses by destination (La Fortuna, Manuel Antonio, Puerto Viejo) to understand which places are pricier. When sharing costs with others, use Hello’s expense splitting so everyone can keep track of who paid for park tickets, rental car deposits, or petrol.

To save, mix paid tours with free or low-cost experiences: beach days, waterfall swims, self-guided hikes where permitted, and exploring local markets for fresh fruit and coffee.

Costa Rica’s food and culture are a big part of the experience. Start your day with gallo pinto, a traditional mix of rice and beans usually served with eggs, plantains, and fresh tortillas. At lunchtime, look for sodas, small family-run restaurants offering casado—a generous plate of rice, beans, salad, plantains, and a choice of meat or fish—for great value. On the coasts, try fresh ceviche, Caribbean-style dishes in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, and locally roasted coffee almost everywhere.

Costa Ricans, or Ticos, are known for their friendly “pura vida” attitude. Basic Spanish phrases go a long way, but many people in tourist areas speak some English. Respect local customs: dispose of trash properly, stay on marked trails, and follow wildlife viewing rules—especially in places like Manuel Antonio or Corcovado.

Staying connected helps you discover hidden gems, message guides, and translate menus. Activate a Hello eSIM before you fly to avoid roaming fees and immediately access data when you land in San José or Liberia. Use it to check restaurant reviews, confirm tour pickups on WhatsApp, and keep copies of reservations handy in Hello’s trip planning section.

For group dinners and bar nights, log shared bills in Hello’s expense splitting so everyone can enjoy that extra round of guaro or fresh fruit smoothies without worrying about who owes what.