Once a hidden paradise known only to backpackers and biologists, today Costa Rica is one of the hottest destinations in Latin America. Thanks to the millions of tourists who book flights to Costa Rica every year tourism has become the primary source of income for this country, but that doesn’t mean the country has turned touristy.
Costa Rica is still the land of the undiscovered. There are miles of immaculate beaches, rivers for rafting and kayaking, and world-renowned rainforests. Despite the sudden rise in tourism, Costa Rica remains a destination full of ecosystems and natural world wonders. Travelers booking flights to Costa Rica will soon witness everything from monkeys swinging through the jungle to toucans perched atop trees, to mountainous volcanoes and mile-long beaches. Regardless of one’s reasons for visiting the “Rich Coast,” a vacation in Costa Rica is a memory that will last a lifetime.
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Being tropical, there is little difference in temperature throughout the year, but there is a lot of rainfall, particularly from May to November. Temperatures along the coast are hotter, averaging 89F, although they are tempered down by sea breezes. The highland areas are warm during the day and can be cool at night.
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Peak season:
The best time to book flights to Costa Rica is during dry season - from late November to late April when the weather’s perfect for laying out on a beach or exploring its rainforest. It’s also the peak of the tourist season when Costa Rica flights and hotel rates are much higher than usual.
Off season:
The rainy season runs from May to mid-November and is considered winter to Costa Ricans but unless you’re up in the mountains, temperatures are generally mild. If you’re looking for cheap flights to Costa Rica and discount accommodations then this is the best time to visit.Tip: Be careful about booking Costa Rica vacations during the rainiest months, September and October, when some hotels shut down.
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Since most Costa Ricans don’t own cars public transportation, apart from the railway, is very well developed
Buses are the cheapest option to get around but tend to be rather uncomfortable and chaotic.
Taxis are probably the best choice for longer journeys and can be hired by the hour or for the entire day.
Cars and motorcycles are readily available for rent.
Local Costa Rica flights are the easiest way to get around the country with a choice of two domestic airlines: Sansa and NatureAir.
The following chart gives approximate travel times from San José (in hours and minutes) to other major cities and towns.
| | Air | Road |
|---|
| Alajuela | - | 0.30 |
|---|
| Cartago | - | 0.30 |
|---|
| Puntarenas | - | 2.00 |
|---|
| Puerto Limón | 0.25 | 3.00 |
|---|
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- Spoil yourself with a day of pampering. Drive to the Tabacon Hot Springs & Resort in the La Fortuna/Arenal Volcano area and spend the afternoon soaking in a volcanically heated mineral bath or indulge in a spa treatment.
- Take a two-hour tour through the tropical gardens of the Butterfly Farm and watch as hundreds of colorful butterflies flutter around you. If you get there extra early for the morning tour you can watch a metamorphosis from caterpillar to butterfly.
- Visit the Monteverde Biological Cloud Forest Reserve that covers 25,688 acres of forest, home to thousands of species of plants and hundreds of birds and mammals. Then head to the quaint town of Santa Elena that’s renowned for its delicious cheese.
- If you only visit one park in Costa Rica, this is definitely the one: the Manuel Antonio National Park. Spend the day exploring the spectacular rain forest, home to the spider monkey, sloths and hundreds of bird species. After walking through the forest find a trail leading to the water and take a dip in the white-sand beach.
- One of the most remarkable museums in Costa Rica is the Museo de Jade Marco Fidel Tristan that boasts a large collection of pre-Columbian jade artifacts and polychrome terracotta pieces.
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Juan Santamaria (SJO) is 14 miles northwest of the city.
Depending on the departure city, it can take between 3 and 7 hours to fly to Costa Rica. Thankfully, more Costa Rica flights are available into San José's Juan Santamaría International Airport. In addition, major airlines (Delta, American, U.S. Airways, United, and Continental) all have regular nonstop commercial Costa Rica flights to to the international airport in Liberia. From Liberia, travelers can board commuter flights to Costa Rica regions or head straight to the beaches in the Guanacaste region and the Nicoya Peninsula.
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All visitors must hold a next destination or return ticket and sufficient funds. An exit visa must be obtained from the Immigration Department for all passengers staying in the country for longer than 30 days. No exit permit is required for those staying less than 30 days as long as a disembarkation card can be shown. Passports must be valid for at least 30 days after date of entry for visa exempt nationals and for six months for those requiring a visa. Admission to Costa Rica is refused to gypsies of any country and anyone with insufficient funds. Indecent clothing and long, unkempt beards and hair is prohibited.
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U.S. citizens do not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days. A passport valid for 30 days is required.
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