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Already in Costa Rica? Your on-the-ground guide
Everything you might need during your trip: weather, transportation, last-minute tours, safety basics, what to do if something goes wrong, and helpful links to make travel easier.
Start here: your Costa Rica planning path
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Already here
Your on-the-ground guide
Last-minute bookings
Still need to book something?
Plans shift, weather changes, or you realize you forgot something. Here’s how to get it sorted fast.
Emergency contacts
If something goes wrong
Police, fire, and ambulance are all one number. English-speaking operators are available.
Embassies
US Embassy (emergencies)
Canadian Embassy
UK Embassy
Today’s weather
Check the forecast
Weather can be very different from one region to the next, so check the area you’re headed to. Pick a region to see the live forecast.
💬 Sarah & Thomas tip
Take forecasts with a grain of salt in rainy season. If it says rain all day, every day, we usually still get sunny mornings. Plan outdoor stuff early and you’ll be fine.
This week
This week in Costa Rica
Monday, November 2 to Sunday, November 8. Road closures, weather and what’s happening around the country, so you can plan your days.
Flights
Flying to or through the US? New form from November 3
Every passenger on a flight to or through the US has to sign a short CDC statement saying they haven’t been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the past 21 days, and yes, that includes US citizens. It starts with flights leaving at 10:59 pm Costa Rica time on Tuesday, November 3. Our tip: you don’t need to print anything, your airline handles it at check-in, at the gate or in its app.
Roads
Route 1 at Cambronero is open again
The Inter-American Highway between San Ramón and Esparza reopened on Sunday evening after nearly two months closed, but the repaired bridge at km 71 is one lane only. Our tip: leave extra time on that stretch and check Waze before you go.
National parks
Corcovado is back after its October break
Sirena, El Tigre and Los Patos were closed through October, and Sirena now takes up to 366 visitors a day. We’d confirm with your guide before you book, and remember Manuel Antonio is closed on Tuesdays as usual.
Volcanoes
Rincón de la Vieja is calming down
OVSICORI lowered the alert on October 30 to level 2 of 4, with seven small eruptions in the past week. The crater trail is still closed and the other Las Pailas trails need tickets bought online in advance, so check with the park before you drive out.
Events
Food history and film in San José
On Thursday, November 5 at 4 pm, the Biblioteca Nacional hosts the launch of “Sabores de Antaño” by Monthia Sancho, with an exhibition of the same name. More about the event here. Festival Histeria runs at the Centro de Cine from November 5 to 7. More about the festival here.
Travel news
SJO lounge closed, gas going up
The Mastercard lounge at Juan Santamaría (also the Copa Club) is closed until further notice, while the BAC and VIP Santamaría lounges were due back on normal hours on Monday. If you’re driving, the regulator just approved a big fuel increase, with regular going from ₡719 to ₡808 a liter, so budget a bit more for gas.
Weather
Rain for now, dry season knocking in Guanacaste
Tropical wave 52 keeps showers going through at least Tuesday, mostly afternoons and evenings on the central and southern Pacific and at night in the Caribbean and Northern Zone. The ground in the southern Pacific is very saturated, so take flood warnings seriously, and isolated gusts can reach 50 mph (80 km/h). The good news: IMN expects the dry season to start in the northern Pacific between November 3 and 15, with the Central Valley close behind.
This month
What’s on in November
November is a transition month here. The rain is fading, everything is still lush, and crowds are small. It’s also one of our most unpredictable months, so keep your plans a little flexible. Our full November guide has all the details.
💬 Heads up: closures
Some hotels and services close for maintenance before high season, so double-check before you go. Remote roads can be muddy, and river crossings near Nosara, Puerto Jiménez, Mal País and Montezuma may be impassable when the water is high.
Pacific side
Rain is tapering off
Expect about 80°F (27°C) with occasional afternoon showers. Guanacaste is the driest region and mostly sunny, and it’s a great time for Manuel Antonio before the dry-season crowds.
Caribbean side
Anyone’s guess
Showers can last all day, all night, or not show up at all. Puerto Viejo and Cahuita are harder to predict this month.
Low season
Better prices before the rush
Hotels, transport and activities cost much less than in December and January. Our favorite timing is the last two weeks of November.
Culture
Coffee harvest
It’s peak harvest, so a coffee farm tour is a great idea. There are no national holidays this month, so banks and government offices stay open.
Last-minute tours
Book tours by town
We book local tours through Viator for the cancellation policies, traveler reviews, and support if anything goes wrong.
Stay in the loop
Current news in English
💬 Follow along
We post updates on Instagram
If you want to stay up to date, follow us at @costaricavibe. We try to share current news and what’s going on, especially road closures and anything that could affect your trip.
Newspaper
The Tico Times
An online newspaper that’s great for staying up to date.
More help
These guides will also help
FAQ
Already in Costa Rica FAQ: your questions
What is the emergency number in Costa Rica?
Dial 911 for police, fire, and ambulance. English-speaking operators are available. The U.S. Embassy emergency number is (506) 2519-2000.
What is the weather like in Costa Rica in November?
November is a transition month. Rain tapers off on the Pacific side, Guanacaste is the driest region, and the Caribbean is unpredictable, with showers that can last all day or not show up at all.
How can I book tours last minute in Costa Rica?
We book local tours through Viator, which has good cancellation policies, traveler reviews, and support if something goes wrong.
Where can I find Costa Rica news in English?
The Tico Times is an English-language online newspaper. For alerts, follow CNE Costa Rica for emergencies, RSN for earthquakes, and the U.S. Embassy for safety updates.
We’d love to hear from you
Can we ask for your feedback?
If you’ve used our site or any of our tools, like our discounts, email list, Facebook group, or AI planner, we’d love your feedback. We’re always trying to make Costa Rica Vibes as helpful as possible.
