Costa Rica Travel Guide

• Pacific Coast: surfing and lessons, wildlife at Manuel Antonio, sunset beaches in Tamarindo, sport fishing and boat trips.
• Central Valley: city museums and markets in San José, coffee finca tours, crater views at Poás and short volcano hikes.
• Northern Highlands: hiking and hot springs around La Fortuna, canopy zip-lines, birdwatching and cloud-forest walks.
• Nicoya Peninsula & Guanacaste: surf and yoga retreats, beach hopping near Nicoya, sunset photography and sport diving.
• Caribbean coast & Osa Peninsula: Afro-Caribbean food and culture in Limón, rainforest wildlife in remote reserves, and boat access to wild Osa beaches.

International arrivals typically land at San José Juan Santamaría (SJO) or Liberia Daniel Oduber (LIR) for Pacific/Nicoya Peninsula access. Overland entry is possible from Nicaragua and Panama, and domestic travel mixes short-haul flights, private shuttles and public buses.

Typical travellers spend $50-150/day, with the Central Valley and northwest beach resorts the priciest and rural/Caribbean inland areas cheaper.

• Hostel dorm bed: 6,000-12,000 CRC
• Basic private room: 14,000-30,000 CRC
• Mid-range hotel: 33,000-66,000 CRC
• Upscale hotel: 66,000-137,500 CRC
• Market or street-stall meal: 1,500-3,000 CRC
• Bottle of local beer: 1,500-2,800 CRC
• Organised tour or activity: 5,000-20,000 CRC
• Local bus ride: 300-1,200 CRC

For current prices on hundreds of everyday items, see Numbeo’s Costa Rica cost of living, a crowd-sourced database that is updated often.

Ways to save

• Eat like a local: Choose sodas and roadside comedores for filling meals at a fraction of restaurant prices.
• Use public buses: Long-distance buses are reliable and much cheaper than private shuttles or taxis for single travellers.
• Travel off-peak: Visit in shoulder or green season for lower accommodation rates and fewer crowds, but check road access after heavy rains.

Full trip budgets are in Costa Rica Itineraries.

Costa Rica uses the Costa Rican colón (CRC), though US dollars are sometimes accepted in tourist areas. Cards are commonly used in hotels, restaurants and tourist businesses; ATMs are plentiful in towns and tourist centers but limited in remote areas.

• Tipping: sit-down restaurants are required by law to add a 10% service charge on top of 13% VAT, so look for “servicio” on the bill and don’t tip twice; a few coins extra for very good service is plenty. Tip nature guides, drivers and hotel housekeeping, especially on tours.
• Cards & Cash: Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted; American Express is accepted at many hotels and larger establishments. Carry some local cash for small vendors, taxis outside major towns and rural areas. Tourist businesses usually price in US dollars, but local sodas, buses and markets expect colones, and change from a dollar payment comes in colones. Shops refuse US notes with even a small tear, so bring clean bills.
• ATMs & Mobile Payments: ATMs are common in cities and tourist spots; expect operator or issuing-bank fees on international withdrawals. The national instant-payment system (SINPE) and local bank apps are used for domestic transfers, but they require a local bank account.

Pura vida is both a greeting and an attitude: relaxed, friendly and eco-conscious; a small amount of Spanish and polite greetings go a long way. Locals are forgiving of minor mistakes, but showing respect for nature, personal space and local customs is expected.

Costa Rica has generally good connectivity in urban and tourist areas with reliable 4G mobile service; average mobile speeds are moderate and sufficient for conferencing and streaming in cities. Broadband quality varies more outside population centres.

• Electricity: 120V, 60 Hz; plug types A, B.

Yes - for most visitors; violent crime is limited but petty theft, road crashes and strong coastal currents are the main risks.

Staying healthy is straightforward in cities and tourist areas, but insect‑borne diseases, sun/heat exposure and limited care in remote areas are the main concerns.

Known for its political stability, strong environmental policies and laid-back ‘pura vida’ culture, Costa Rica mixes rural agricultural traditions with an international ecotourism scene. Visitors will notice a civic emphasis on conservation and a friendly, relaxed social tone.

The cheapest and most local meals are at a soda, a small family-run diner. Lunch is the main meal: order the casado, a plate of rice, black beans, salad, fried plantain and a choice of meat, chicken or fish, usually with a fresh fruit drink (fresco). Breakfast is gallo pinto, rice and beans fried together, often with eggs and sour cream.

• Prices: a casado at a soda costs roughly a third of a main course in a tourist restaurant. Menus in beach towns are often in US dollars; check whether the 10% service charge and 13% VAT are already in the price or added at the end.
• Times: Ticos eat early. Sodas open for breakfast around 06:00, lunch runs from about 11:30 to 14:00, and many rural kitchens close by 21:00.
• Flavour: food is mild rather than spicy. Salsa Lizano, a slightly sweet brown sauce, is on every table. Ask for “sin culantro” if you dislike coriander.
• Water: tap water is safe in San José and most towns; use bottled or filtered water in remote areas.
• Vegetarians: easy with rice, beans, eggs and plantain, but say “sin carne ni pollo”, since chicken is often not counted as meat.
• Regional food: on the Caribbean coast around Limón look for rice and beans cooked in coconut milk and rondón seafood stew; in Guanacaste, corn dishes such as tanelas and rosquillas.

Costa Rica’s economy and ecosystems depend on nature-based tourism; visitors should choose certified operators, protect nesting and reef sites, and channel spending to local communities.

• Choose Certified Ecotourism: Look for lodges and tour operators with the Costa Rica Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST) or strong sustainability practices when visiting Monteverde, Corcovado or Tortuguero to minimize environmental impact.
• Protect Marine Life & Turtle Nesting: During sea turtle nesting seasons in Tortuguero or the Nicoya Peninsula keep noise low, follow guide instructions, avoid flash photography and choose operators that support local hatcheries.
• Support Local Communities: Buy produce, crafts and guiding services from small towns (Puerto Viejo, La Fortuna) and ask about community-run initiatives-this spreads tourism income beyond resort enclaves.
• Minimize Footprint in Fragile Habitats: Stay on marked trails in cloud forests and wetlands, pack out waste, and use reef-safe sunscreen to protect coral reefs and freshwater ecosystems managed by SINAC.

Costa Rica draws retirees, nature lovers and lifestyle migrants with stable democracy, strong conservation ethos and accessible healthcare. Expats are often US and Canadian, seeking outdoor life, surf, and a slower pace.

Long-Term Visas: Pensionado, Rentista and Inversionista residency categories available, plus a national Digital Nomad Visa since 2021.

Working There: Foreigners can work remotely on the nomad visa or set up local businesses; formal employment requires appropriate residency.

Cost of Living: Monthly cost for comfortable living typically US$1,200-2,500 depending on location and lifestyle choices.

Health & Wellness: Public healthcare (Caja) covers residents; private medical care in San José is of high quality and widely used.

Banking & Finance: Banks require ID and residency paperwork for full services; ATMs and international banking widely available in cities.

Taxes: Tax residents taxed on worldwide income; consult a tax advisor for residency rules and filing obligations.

Popular Places to Live in Costa Rica

Decide between the Central Valley for services and the Pacific coast for surf and wellness. San José offers hospitals and connectivity, while beach towns trade convenience for lifestyle and higher seasonal prices.

• San José - Best access to services, hospitals and reliable internet, suits those prioritizing convenience over beach lifestyle.
• Tamarindo - Lively surf town with strong expat amenities and coworkings, busier and pricier during high season.
• Santa Teresa - Surf-and-yoga hotspot, close-knit nomad scene, infrastructure can be inconsistent and costs are higher.
• Nosara - Wellness-oriented community with plentiful yoga and surf options, quieter and more upscale than other beach towns.
• Puerto Viejo - Caribbean flavor, more affordable than Pacific hubs, relaxed pace with strong local cultural scene.

Costa Rica is a popular remote-work destination combining reliable Central Valley infrastructure with surf-and-wellness beach hubs. Expect strong nomad communities, outdoor lifestyle options, and a formal nomad visa for longer stays.

Nomad Visa: Costa Rica offers a Digital Nomad Visa allowing remote workers to stay up to 1 year, renewable for a second year.

Long Term Rentals: Long-term rentals vary: 1BR in San José US$600-1,200/month; beach towns generally cost more, especially high season.

Internet: Internet reliable in Central Valley with fiber options; coastal and remote areas see more variability and outages.

Monthly Cost: Monthly cost for a comfortable nomad lifestyle roughly US$1,200-2,500 depending on town, season and preferences.

Coworking: Plenty of coworking options in San José and beach towns; coworking-hostel and coliving models popular with nomads.

Fitness & Wellness: Yoga, surf and outdoor activities abundant, strong wellness culture especially in Nicoya Peninsula and Pacific towns.

Community: Robust expat and nomad communities in Tamarindo, Nosara and Santa Teresa, plenty of social and professional events.

Time Zone: Costa Rica is on Central Standard Time (CST), UTC−6, and does not observe daylight saving time.

Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa (DNV)

• Stay Duration: Up to 1 year initially, renewable for one additional year (total up to 24 months).
• Validity: Initial stay up to 1 year, renewable for an additional year (total up to 2 years).
• Eligibility: Remote workers or contractors with foreign employer/clients, minimum monthly income typically US$3,000 (US$4,000 with dependents).
• Application: Apply through Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería with passport, proof of income, background check and health insurance.

Popular Nomad Hubs in Costa Rica

Nomads choose between the Central Valley for services and the Pacific coast for surf-and-wellness living. Tradeoffs include better connectivity and hospitals in San José versus laid-back, pricier beach towns.

• San José - Best services and hospitals, reliable internet, central for travel, less beach lifestyle and higher urban pace.
• Tamarindo - Busy surf town with strong expat community, good coworking options, more expensive during high season.
• Santa Teresa - Surf and yoga hub, tight-knit nomad scene, infrastructure and internet can be inconsistent, higher costs.
• Nosara - Wellness-oriented, popular with yoga and surf nomads, quieter than Tamarindo, pricier and more remote.
• Puerto Viejo - Caribbean vibe, reggae and surf culture, more affordable than popular Pacific towns, slower pace.