Costa Rica

Why Costa Rica

There are countries that we visit, and countries that are changing the way we look at the world. Costa Rica is part of the second category. Imagine: a red-eyed frog resting on a banana leaf in the early morning, a volcano peeking out through the canopy, a black sand beach where 200-kilogram green turtles have been laying their eggs in the moonlight for millions of years. This country the size of Auvergne is home to 5% of the world's biodiversity. The statistics are known, but they do not prepare you for the visual shock of the first morning in the rainforest.

The national motto is "Pura Vida": pure life, simple life. It's not a recycled tourist slogan, it's a philosophy rooted in a society that abolished its army in 1948 to invest in education and the environment. More than 30% of the territory is protected by national reserves and parks. The Ticos (Costa Ricans) are proud of this, and this pride can be felt in every interaction, from the ranger who greets you at the entrance of the park to the shuttle driver who knows the trails by heart.

The ideal tour in Costa Rica is not an accumulation of monuments, it is a crossing of ecosystems: cloud forest, tropical rainforest, active volcano, Pacific coast, Caribbean mangrove. Each region has its own micro-climate, its own fauna, its own rhythm. It is this permanent change of scenery, this passage from the cold clouds of Monteverde to the warmth of the Arenal Hot Springs in a few hours of driving, that makes the trip so memorable.

When to go

The dry season runs from December to April on the Pacific coast and in the Central Valley: pristine blue skies, passable roads, Guanacaste beaches at their best. This is the high tourist season, with prices and crowds to match, especially in December-January and during Holy Week.

From May to November, the green season transforms the country: the rains arrive in the afternoon, often intense but rarely all day. The vegetation explodes with green, the waterfalls grow, and prices drop by 20 to 30%. September remains the month to be seriously avoided (record rainfall, flooded roads). July offers the best compromise of the green season thanks to the "veranillo de San Juan", a dry break of about two weeks. The Caribbean coast (Puerto Viejo, Tortuguero) follows a reverse schedule: it is often drier from October to January, when the Pacific is rainy.

How much does it cost

Costa Rica is the most expensive destination in Central America, but it remains reasonable compared to Europe. For an organized trip, a 9-day tour with flights from France starts at around 1,467 euros per person. For an independent trip, count between 60 and 130 euros per day depending on your comfort: a decent ecolodge with meals costs between 80 and 150 euros per night for two, a tourist shuttle between destinations 15 to 35 euros per person, park entrances between 12 and 20 US dollars.

Activities are a notable budget: ziplining in Monteverde (60 to 80 USD), Arenal Hot Springs (40 to 80 USD), night tour for turtles in Tortuguero (20 to 35 USD). The US dollar is accepted everywhere in tourist areas and makes it easy to calculate. On a budget, sodas (local restaurants) serve the traditional casado (rice, black beans, meat, salad) for 6 to 10 USD.

Where to go

Costa Rica is naturally divided into several regions, each with its own personality. The Arenal and La Fortuna region in the northwest is the adventurous heart of the country: the volcano, hot springs and waterfall make it the must-see stop on any first trip. Monteverde, clinging to the clouds at 1,500 m above sea level, is the temple of ecotourism, with its private reserves and suspension bridges over the canopy. Manuel Antonio, on the central Pacific coast, is the perfect combination of beach and wildlife: the smallest park in the country, but the densest in visible animals.

To the north, the province of Guanacaste is home to sun and surf: dozens of golden sand beaches, waves for all levels, and an almost guaranteed drought from December to April. On the Caribbean coast, Puerto Viejo beats to the rhythm of reggae and a unique Afro-Caribbean cuisine. Tortuguero, inaccessible by road, can be reached by boat through a network of canals that you cross as if in a waking dream, looking for the snout of a caiman or the head of a manatee.

Our itineraries

In pictures

Practical advice

Formalities

French nationals enter Costa Rica without a visa for a stay of up to 90 days, upon presentation of a valid passport. A return ticket and proof of accommodation are required upon entry. The entry stamp is affixed at the airport or at land border crossings. For stays of more than 90 days, a residence permit must be requested from the Costa Rican immigration services.

Recommended vaccinations: up-to-date DTP, hepatitis A and B, typhoid depending on exposure. Rabies is recommended for isolated hikers. There is no risk of malaria in the main tourist areas, but mosquito protection is still useful in the tropical forest.

Getting around

Car rental is the freest way to travel around the country, but a 4x4 is highly recommended for secondary roads and access to forest lodges (roads that are passable in the dry season become torrents in the green season). Shared tourist shuttles (Interbus, Gray Line) are a comfortable and safe alternative between key destinations. Public intercity buses are reliable and very cheap, but take two to three times as long. For Tortuguero, only by boat from Caño Blanco or by light plane from San José.

Culture and uses

The Ticos are known for their kindness and non-confrontation: "Pura Vida" serves as much as a hello as a thank you, as a "no problem" as "see you soon". Avoid showing signs of impatience. Tipping is not mandatory but appreciated: 10% in restaurants if not included. Noise and horns are rare, respect for nature displayed everywhere. In national parks, staying on marked trails is a strict rule, not a recommendation.

Frequently asked questions