Costa Rica is a small country which packs a big punch. Costa Rica is one of the most diverse places on the planet, where you spend your morning on the beach and be deep in the mountains by evening. There are over 100 beaches to explore in Costa Rica on both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean sides, each offering beachgoers a unique experience. Surfers will want to head to the Pacific Ocean side where you can find world-famous wave breaks, while those seeking calmer waters will want to find lodgings on the Caribbean sea side. The capital, San Jose, makes a great base from which to explore Costa Rica, particularly if you’re visiting for the first time. Believe us when we say you won’t want it to be your last!

Do yourself a favour and make sure you spend at least two weeks discovering Costa Rica. There is so much to discover here – from untouched beaches, to volcanoes and cloud forests, wildlife spotting, hiking and adventure sports – you name it, Costa Rica has it.

Generally, December to April is generally the best time to visit Costa Rica, during the high and dry season.

Costa Rica is a paradise for nature lovers. Spend your days relaxing on Costa Rica’s pristine beaches, explore the cloud forests, spot macaws and sloths in the jungle, scale volcanoes and take a dip in natural hot springs. If you’re feeling adventurous, strap on your hiking boots and go for a walk or get the adrenaline going with ziplining or rafting. There really is something for everyone to enjoy in Costa Rica.

San Jose provides a ‘soft’ introduction to Costa Rica. The capital of Costa Rica, San Jose has all the conveniences of a modern city, while also being close to some of the sights that entice you here. Beautiful beaches, cloud forests, volcanoes and hot springs are all within easy distance of San Jose, making it the perfect base from which to explore Costa Rica.

Think four seasons in one day! Bring all the gear you need to enjoy some downtime at the beach (swimwear, sunnies, hat and sunscreen), smart casual clothes and comfortable shoes for wandering around towns, long sleeved clothing and hiking shoes for visits to the cloud forest, and a light jacket for when temperatures drop in the mountains or in the evenings. You also want to make sure you have some decent insect repellent handy, particularly when visiting the mountains.

It really depends on what brings you to Costa Rica. San Jose is a great place to get your bearings before venturing further afield. Surfers will want to head to the Pacific Coast, while families and those seeking more calmer waters will want to hit the beaches on the Caribbean sea side. You’re definitely going to want to visit the Monteverde Cloud Forest, as well as Manuel Antonio National Park.

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