Costa Rica FAQs

When is the best time to visit Costa Rica?

Despite its small size, Costa Rica has a number of distinct microclimates. The best time for wildlife lovers to visit Costa Rica's Caribbean coast may be from July-Aug to watch nesting turtles. However, the direst months are September to October. The rest of the country experiences a dry season from Dec-Apr, when there is plenty of sun and temperatures are high, and a rainy season from May-Nov. However, this is not a hard-and-fast rule for all regions: for example, the rainy season starts a month earlier in the south Pacific, while the northern areas, including the Guanacaste coast, are not as affected by the seasons and are generally much drier. The highlands and cloud forests have warm temperatures during the day but the high altitude means evenings are much cooler.

For more detailed information on the best time to visit Costa Rica, go to our When To Go section.

What is the official language of Costa Rica?

Spanish.

What is the national currency of Costa Rica?

Colón is the national currency of Costa Rica. Notes can be withdrawn from the many ATMs using a UK credit or debit card. There’s at least one in most main towns. You may have to authorise your bank first, and withdrawals may be limited to amounts lower than in the UK. US dollars cash can be exchanged in banks too. US dollars themselves are widely accepted.

What is the time difference between Costa Rica and the UK?

GMT -5 hours.  

What places combine well with Costa Rica?

A visit to neighbouring Nicaragua or Panama pairs well with Costa Rica holidays. There are land crossings to both, as well as international flights.

How do I get to Costa Rica?

To get to Costa Rica there are flights from London to San José via US and European hubs.

What are the cultural and sport events in Costa Rica?

The cultural events that take place in Costa Rica are:

International Arts Festival: San José, March. Music, dance, film art exhibitions.
Monteverde Music Festival: Monteverde, Jan - Feb.