Costa Rica volcano alert levels come from two different systems. OVSICORI, the national volcano observatory, rates each volcano’s activity on …
Costa Rica Wildlife: Month-by-Month Spotting Calendar
This Costa Rica wildlife calendar shows what you can see each month and where. Sloths, monkeys, toucans and scarlet macaws …
Lomas Barbudal Biological Reserve: Trails, Fees and Tips
Lomas Barbudal Biological Reserve is a small, quiet tropical dry forest reserve in Guanacaste, between Liberia and Bagaces, best known …
Do You Need Cash in Costa Rica? Cards, ATMs and Colones
Yes, you need some cash in Costa Rica, but less than many travelers expect. Cards, including contactless payments, work at …
Parking in Costa Rica: Guachimanes, Tips and Rules
Parking in Costa Rica usually means one of three things: a private lot with a set fee, paid street parking …
Best Time to Visit Costa Rica by Region: Month-by-Month Guide
The best time to visit Costa Rica depends on the region. For most of the country, including Guanacaste, the Central …
Retire in Costa Rica: Residency, Healthcare and Costs
To retire in Costa Rica legally, most people apply for temporary residency. The pensionado category needs a lifetime pension of …
Costa Rica Blue Zone: A Visitor’s Guide to Nicoya
Costa Rica’s Blue Zone is the Nicoya Peninsula in Guanacaste, one of a handful of places worldwide studied for unusually …
Costa Rica Bus Guide: Terminals, Fares, Routes and Tips
Costa Rica’s public buses reach almost every town in the country and cost a fraction of a shuttle or rental …
Costa Rica News in English: Where to Get Reliable News
For Costa Rica news in English, start with The Tico Times, which has covered the country since 1956 and is …
Costa Rica Drinking Water: Is the Tap Water Safe?
Costa Rica’s drinking water is treated and generally safe to drink in the Central Valley and many towns, so most …
Costa Rica Museums: The Best in San José and Beyond
The best Costa Rica museums are in downtown San José, within walking distance of each other: the National Museum, the …
Crocodiles in Costa Rica: Beaches, Surf Spots and Safety
Yes, there are crocodiles in Costa Rica’s ocean, but only in certain places. American crocodiles live in the country’s rivers, …
Hunting in Costa Rica: What the 2012 Ban Means for Visitors
Sport hunting in Costa Rica has been illegal since 2012, and visitors can’t get a hunting permit. The ban covers …
Costa Rica Emergency Numbers: Who to Call and What to Do
The main emergency number in Costa Rica is 911. It’s free from any phone, works nationwide and dispatches police, fire, …
Costa Rica National Park Tickets: How to Book on SINAC
To buy Costa Rica national park tickets, use SINAC’s official site, serviciosenlinea.sinac.go.cr. SINAC (Sistema Nacional de Áreas de Conservación) is …
Marchamo Costa Rica: 2027 Dates, Costs and How to Pay
The marchamo is Costa Rica’s annual vehicle circulation fee. One yearly payment covers the vehicle property tax, the mandatory SOA …
Costa Rica SIM Card vs eSIM: What Tourists Should Buy
You’ll want data in Costa Rica for Waze, WhatsApp and ride apps from day one. The real choice is between …
Tipping in Costa Rica: How Much to Tip and When
Tipping in Costa Rica is lighter than in the U.S. Sit-down restaurants and bars already add a 10% service charge …
8 Costa Rica Coffee Culture Mistakes Every Tourist Should Avoid
The most common Costa Rica coffee culture mistakes are simple ones. Visitors buy beans at the airport instead of from …
Fiestas de Zapote, Costa Rica: Dates, Bulls and Tips
Fiestas de Zapote is San José’s big year-end fair, held at the Campo Ferial in Zapote, a district just east …
Costa Rica Ecotourism: Best Places and How to Do It Right
Costa Rica ecotourism means seeing wildlife and wild places in a way that pays for their protection and supports the …
Christmas in Costa Rica: What to Expect as a Tourist
Christmas in Costa Rica means tamales instead of turkey, fireworks instead of snow and half the country heading to the …
Costa Rica Family Itinerary: 7- and 10-Day Plans
The easiest Costa Rica family itinerary for a first trip covers two or three bases: La Fortuna for the volcano, …