Must know: Costa Rica travel essentials
Everything to know before you go
Short, honest answers on weather, money, safety, and getting around, from two people who’ve lived in Costa Rica since 2016 and explored every corner of it.
Sarah & Thomas, Costa Rica Vibes
Start here: where are you in planning?
Book with confidence
What we use and recommend
Our number one pick
Adobe Rent a Car
The local company we use ourselves. 10% off and a free extra driver through us.
Travel insurance
Heymondo
5% off through our link (not available for U.S. travelers).
Quick facts
Costa Rica at a glance
Currency
Colón (₡, CRC). U.S. dollars widely accepted
Language
Spanish, with English common in tourist areas
Plugs
Type A and B, 120V (same as the U.S.)
Time zone
UTC-6, no daylight saving time
Main airports
San José (SJO) and Liberia (LIR)
Emergencies
Dial 911
Dry season
December to April
Green season
May to November
Pick your topic
Every guide, in one place
Every guide is written by us, from here, based on how we actually travel the country.
Plan your trip
Weather, timing, and routes
Money and safety
Pay smart, stay safe
Getting around
Cars, shuttles, and roads
Nature and things to do
Parks, beaches, and waterfalls
Culture and daily life
Food, customs, and life here
Big life moments
Weddings and moving here
Why trust us
Written by people who live here
We’re Sarah and Thomas. We moved to Costa Rica in 2016, got married in Tamarindo, and live in San José. Since then we’ve explored just about every corner of the country and helped thousands of people plan their trips.
Everything here is based on our own experience: the places we love, the mistakes we’ve made, and what we’d tell a friend. No generic lists, just our honest take.
💬 Our number one piece of advice
Don’t try to see everything. Traffic here can be nuts, and the best trips are the ones that slow down. For a week, two main stops is plenty.
Want it all done for you?
The Best of Costa Rica itinerary
Everything on this page, turned into one day-by-day route with the hotels and tours we’d book ourselves.
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FAQ
Costa Rica travel FAQ: your questions
Do I need a visa to visit Costa Rica?
No visa is needed for U.S., Canadian, UK, or EU travelers. You can usually stay up to 180 days as a tourist (immigration decides the exact length when you arrive). Your passport must be valid for your whole stay, and you’ll need proof of onward travel. More in our entry requirements guide.
Is the water safe to drink in Costa Rica?
Yes, in most of the country. Some rural beach towns use well water or private systems, so ask your hotel if you’re unsure. See can you drink the water?
Do I need a 4×4 in Costa Rica?
Main highways are fine in a regular car, but we always suggest an SUV with decent clearance. Many rural roads are steep, bumpy, or unpaved, so a 4×4 is recommended outside the main towns. We rent from Adobe, with 10% off through us.
What vaccines do I need for Costa Rica?
No vaccines are required if you’re coming directly from the U.S., Canada, the UK, or Europe. Yellow fever proof is required if you’re arriving from certain South American or African countries. Check the CDC’s Costa Rica page for current advice.
Can I use my phone in Costa Rica?
Yes. You can pay for roaming, buy a local Kolbi or Claro SIM at the airport, or use an eSIM. We think an eSIM like Airalo is easiest (code NEWTOAIRALO15). More in our phone guide.
Hi,
This website has been fantastic. My family is hoping to come to CR in Feb. After two weeks of site seeing my husband will have to return to the USA for work. I am thinking of staying another week with our 4 young children. Do you think this is a safe idea? I would have to navigate on my own to get groceries, drive to parks and get us to the airport..
Hi Jessica. I’m so happy to hear our site has been helpful for you! I think you will be completely fine. Which area are you thinking of staying for the last week alone with the kids? I’m happy to give you tips for activities that you can do with them and easy grocery stores and stuff.
Hello! Thanks for all the information! I have a question about alcohol…if we bring up to the 5 liters, does it really save us money? For example, are the vodka prices in the US cheaper than CR?
Alcohol is definitely cheaper in the US because of the high import tax here, but they actually just opened a duty free shop after you go through Customs to enter at the San Jose airport. I didnt pay too much attention to the prices last time I went through there but if you dont want to lug stuff with you the prices at the duty free shop are probably pretty good. Hope that helps! Let me know if you have more questions as you plan your trip. 🙂
Hello!!!!!!!!!!!
My name is Aubrey and I will be moving to Playa Samara in Costa Rica in May. I am a type 1 diabetic and I am worried about the insulin and the shipping of supplies. I love this blog and I have learned a lot to help myself prepare. Do you have any insights on meds?
Thank you!
Aubrey
Hi Aubrey!
You’ll love living in Samara!
I think you might have a difficult time shipping things in. First off, it’s hard to know if things will actually come on a normal schedule. For example, we have had my family ship us things from the US and sometimes it takes two weeks, sometimes two months, sometimes it never comes at all. Plus, with medicine, even if you have a prescription, you never know if it will get stopped because sending medicine is technically not legal.
Your best bet is probably to find a pharmacy here that can supply you. Pharmacies here are great and carry most medicine you would have in the states. Often you dont even need a prescription.
If you rather get things from your home country because of insurance purposes, I’d say your best bet is to see if you can get an extended supply.
Sorry I can’t be more helpful on this topic. I dont know a lot about it, but I will say avoid trying to ship anything into Costa Rica. It’ll just be way too much of a headache.
Let me know if you have more questions as you plan your move!