Costa Rica

Costa Rica packs volcanoes, cloud forests, and two coastlines into a small space, but distances and mountain roads mean you won’t want to rush. For a 7–10 day trip, focus on 2–3 regions rather than trying to see everything: for example, San José → La Fortuna (Arenal Volcano) → Monteverde → a Pacific beach like Manuel Antonio or Santa Teresa. Ten to fourteen days lets you add the Osa Peninsula (Corcovado) for serious wildlife.

Dry season (December–April) is popular for beaches and easier driving, while the greener months (May–June, September–October) bring fewer crowds and lower prices, plus excellent wildlife like turtle nesting and whale watching. Pack for mixed conditions: light clothing for humidity, a proper rain jacket, and sturdy walking shoes.

Use Hello’s trip planning to map out your route, pin must-see spots (like La Fortuna Waterfall or Monteverde cloud forest walks), and keep bus schedules, rental car details, and tour confirmations in one place. Costa Rica’s pace is all about pura vida — build in slow days by the sea or hot springs so your itinerary feels relaxed, not like a race across the country.

Getting around Costa Rica is part of the adventure. Renting a car offers the most freedom, especially for regions like Nosara, Santa Teresa, or the Osa Peninsula where roads can be narrow, steep, and sometimes unpaved. A 4x4 is strongly recommended in the rainy season. Expect daily rates to jump in high season, so book early and check what’s included (insurance, mileage, one-way drop fees).

If you’re on a tighter budget, long-distance public buses link major towns like San José, La Fortuna, Monteverde, and the Pacific and Caribbean coasts for a fraction of the cost. Shared shuttles are a comfortable middle ground for popular routes, and short domestic flights can save a full day when heading to remote areas like Drake Bay.

Download offline maps before you go and stay connected with a Hello eSIM so you can follow live navigation, check traffic, and adjust routes if landslides or heavy rain close a road. Many travelers ask locals for current road advice — having data on your phone makes it easier to confirm bus times, message your accommodation if you’re delayed, and keep all your tickets and transfers organized inside Hello’s trip planning tools.

Costa Rican food is simple, fresh, and comforting, with rice and beans at the heart of many meals. For authentic, affordable eats, look for sodas — family-run restaurants clearly marked as “soda” on their signs. A classic casado plate (rice, black beans, salad, plantains, and a choice of meat or fish) typically costs around ₡4,000–₡6,000 (about $8–$12 USD) and will keep you full for hours. Start your day with gallo pinto, the beloved rice-and-beans breakfast often served with eggs and tortillas.

On the coasts, you’ll find ceviche made with fresh fish and lime, Caribbean-style dishes with coconut milk, and excellent local fruit — try guanábana, maracuyá (passionfruit), and mangos. Many places also cater well to vegetarians and vegans.

Hello’s budget tracking lets you log what you spend on sodas, coffee, and beachside cocktails in colones, so you can quickly see how your daily food costs compare with your overall trip budget. If you’re traveling with friends, use Hello’s expense splitting after a long dinner in San José or Tamarindo to divide the bill fairly without the awkward calculator session.

Costa Rica uses the colón (CRC), and while many tourist businesses accept card and sometimes USD, it’s smart to keep colones on hand for sodas, market stalls, and rural areas. ATMs are common in towns and cities; let your bank know your travel dates to avoid card issues.

Costs can be higher than in some neighboring countries, especially for lodging, tours, and private transport. A mid-range traveler might spend around CRC 114,000 per day (roughly $200 USD) covering accommodation, meals, transport, and activities, with budget travelers spending less and those seeking luxury significantly more. National park entry fees, guided wildlife tours, ziplining, and hot springs can add up quickly, so decide in advance which experiences are essential.

Use Hello’s budget tracking to set a daily limit in colones and categorize expenses (transport, food, tours), so you can see if those extra cocktails by the beach or last-minute whale-watching trip are pushing you over. When traveling with companions, Hello’s expense splitting makes it easy to share costs for rental cars, park entry, or shared villas without keeping a complicated spreadsheet — just log payments and let the app do the math.