First Time in Costa Rica?
Tourists enjoying the view from the aerial tram at Veragua Rainforest
Some Things To Know Before You Land
Costa Rica looks straightforward on paper. It isn't. Here's what actually matters before you arrive.
1. Rent a Car. Seriously.
Public transport exists. It will not get you where you want to go, when you want to go there. A rental car — ideally a 4WD — is the single best investment you'll make for this trip. Book in advance through an international company. Many of the large international brands operate in Costa Rica; you can make your pick in advance or figure things out at the airport.
2. Mandatory Insurance Is Real
Costa Rica requires third-party liability insurance on every rental. Budget $15–20/day on top of your base rate. It's non-negotiable and often surprises first-timers at the counter.
You could also buy travel insurance from a large local insurance company.
3. Roads Are Better Than You've Heard — and Worse
Highways between major destinations are paved and, for the most part, fine. The roads to the best places are often not. A 4WD with decent clearance is worth the upgrade, especially May through November, when rainy season hits most areas of the country hard.
4. "Tico Time" Is a Real Phenomenon
Things run slower here. Embrace it or fight it — your choice, but only one of those options makes for a good trip.
5. The Soda Is Your Best Friend
A soda is a local family-run diner. Rice, beans, protein, salad, drink — a full meal for $6–8. Eating at sodas instead of tourist restaurants will cut your food budget in half and feed you better.
6. Buy a Local SIM at the Airport
Kolbi and Claro both work. Download your Google Maps offline regions before you drive anywhere remote. Cell coverage is good across most of the country, but data matters when you're navigating an unmarked road.
7. National Parks Require Advance Booking
Manuel Antonio, Corcovado, and several others now require reservations. Don't show up and hope for the best — especially in dry season (December–April). However, visiting the National Parks is a must, whether it´s Volcán Irazú, the closest volcano to San José, or Parque Nacional Corcovado, one of the most biodiverse spots on the planet. Don´t miss out on visiting as many as you can.
8. The Best Experiences Don't Have Booking Pages
This is the one most first-timers miss entirely. The family-run coffee farm, the off-trail waterfall, the community boat tour — these experiences exist, they're extraordinary, and they're completely invisible online. The Costa Rica Travel Pass was built specifically for this gap: a curated platform of local experiences across Costa Rica, organized by region, with everything you need to actually get there.
9. Wildlife Is Everywhere — If You're Quiet
Sloths, monkeys, toucans, scarlet macaws. They're not in a zoo. They're in the trees along the road, in the park before the crowds arrive, at your hotel garden at dawn. Slow down and look up. Most places will have a friendly guide or local to help you spot amazing wildlife. Don’t miss the opportunity of exploring amazing places such as Místico Park, where a walk among the treetops can lead to encounters with many wildlife.
10. Afternoon Rain Is Predictable (and Fine)
In green season, rain typically arrives between 2–4 pm and clears by evening. Plan outdoor activities in the morning. Afternoons are for driving, eating, or sitting on a covered porch — not a hardship. If you’re visiting San José, perhaps plan for a trip to the Gold Museum, with an amazing collection of pre-Columbian gold figurines.
11. Tipping Is Customary, Not Mandatory
Restaurants include a 10% service charge by law. An additional tip is appreciated but not expected. For guides and drivers who deliver a great experience, $5–10 is appropriate.
12. "Pura Vida" Is Not Just a Slogan
It's a genuine operating philosophy. It means something close to "good life" or "pure life" — and it shows up in how people interact, how problems get solved, and how the country operates overall. Learn to use it. It opens doors.
Your First Smart Decision
Before you land, before you book your first tour, before you show up somewhere and hope for the best — get the Costa Rica Travel Pass.
It's how independent travelers access the Costa Rica that doesn't show up in a Google search: local experiences, vetted, organized by region, ready when you are.