The best places to see sea turtle nesting in Costa Rica are Tortuguero on the Caribbean coast for green turtles …
How to Brew Costa Rican Coffee at Home: 10 Tips
To brew Costa Rican coffee at home, start with whole beans roasted in the last few weeks, grind them just …
Sloth Facts: Costa Rica’s Two Sloths and How to See Them
Costa Rica has two sloth species: the brown-throated three-toed sloth and Hoffmann’s two-toed sloth. Both spend almost their whole lives …
What Is Cacique Guaro? Costa Rica’s Sugarcane Liquor
Order a guaro in a Costa Rican bar and you will almost certainly get Cacique, poured from a bottle with …
Bringing a Dog to Costa Rica: Rules, Paperwork and Tips
To take your dog to Costa Rica, you need a health certificate from a vet exam within 14 days of …
La Romería: Costa Rica’s Pilgrimage and Road Closures
La Romería is Costa Rica’s biggest religious event: a pilgrimage on foot to the Basílica de Nuestra Señora de los …
How to Avoid Getting Sick in Costa Rica (and Central America)
Most travelers who get sick in Costa Rica have an upset stomach, sunburn or mosquito bites, not anything exotic. To …
Best Hotels in San José, Costa Rica: Where to Stay
The best hotel in San José, Costa Rica, depends on why you’re there. For a night or two in the …
Volcanoes in Costa Rica: The 7 Best to Visit
The best volcanoes in Costa Rica to visit are Arenal for its classic cone and hot springs, Poás and Irazú …
Monteverde Hotels: Best Places to Stay in the Cloud Forest
In Monteverde, where you sleep decides how much driving you do. The town, the cloud forest reserves and most restaurants …
Costa Rica Self-Drive: 9-Day Itinerary, Costs and Tips
A self-drive trip is the most flexible way to see Costa Rica. You set the pace, stop where you like …
Is Costa Rica Safe? Crime, Risks and Safety Tips for Visitors
Is Costa Rica safe? For most travelers, yes, with the same care you’d take in any busy destination. The U.S. …
Costa Rica on a Budget: 12 Ways to Save Money on Your Trip
Costa Rica isn’t cheap by Central American standards, but you can see it on a budget. Budget travelers who stay …
Costa Rica Electric Showers: Are ‘Suicide Showers’ Safe?
Turn on the shower in a Costa Rican guesthouse and you may find wires running into a plastic showerhead. That’s …
Lost Passport in Costa Rica: What to Do and How to Replace It
If you lose your passport in Costa Rica, do three things: file a police report (denuncia) with the OIJ, Costa …
Airbnb vs. Hotel in Costa Rica: Which Is Right for Your Trip?
Choosing between an Airbnb and a hotel in Costa Rica comes down to how long you’re staying and who’s with …
Costa Rica Ox Carts: History, Sarchí, and Where to See Them
The Costa Rican ox cart, or carreta, is a two-wheeled wooden cart pulled by a pair of oxen, famous for …
Costa Rica Onward Ticket Rules: Can You Fly One-Way?
Flying to Costa Rica on a one-way ticket is common, especially for backpackers continuing through Central America and long-stay visitors. …
Costa Rica Surf Forecast and Surf Season Guide by Region
Costa Rica has surf every month of the year. What changes is which coast works, how big the waves get …
Best Hotels in Arenal, Costa Rica: Where to Stay
Most Arenal trips revolve around two things: the volcano and the hot springs. Where you sleep decides how easily you …
Does Costa Rica Have an Army? Why It Abolished Its Military
No, Costa Rica does not have an army. The country abolished its military on Dec. 1, 1948, after a short …
Carara National Park: Macaws, Trails, Tickets and Tips
Carara National Park is a compact rainforest park on Costa Rica’s central Pacific coast, about 1.5 hours from San José …
14 Best Costa Rica Souvenirs (and Where to Buy Them)
The best Costa Rica souvenirs are the things Ticos actually use: the coffee they brew every morning, the sauce on …
Costa Rica Vaccinations: What Shots You Need Before You Go
Most travelers from the U.S., Canada and Europe can fly to Costa Rica without a single required shot. What you …