​Is Costa Rica safe to visit?Yes. Costa Rica is one of the safest destinations in Central America. Basic travel precautions apply, but using a local agency like Rain Forest Tours adds extra security with vetted accommodations, reliable transportation, and local support.
What is the best time to visit Costa Rica?The dry season (December–April) offers the best weather, while the green season (May–November) brings lush landscapes, fewer crowds, and better value. Rain Forest Tours helps you choose the ideal travel dates based on your destinations, activities, and budget
How many days do I need in Costa Rica to see the most beautiful places ?Most travelers spend 7–14 days. Short trips focus on one or two regions, while longer trips allow deeper exploration. Rain Forest Tours designs itineraries that balance travel time and experiences without rushing.
Do I need a visa to travel to Costa Rica?Visitors from the U.S., Canada, the UK, and most European countries do not need a visa. Passport validity and return travel requirements apply.
What are the best places to visit in Costa Rica?Visitors enjoy Arenal Volcano, Monteverde Cloud Forest, Corcovado National Park, Guanacaste, and Manuel Antonio National Park. Rain Forest Tours customizes itineraries to include these highlights while avoiding overcrowded routes.
Is Costa Rica expensive?Costa Rica is not a budget destination, but it offers excellent value for safety, nature, and quality services. Rain Forest Tours helps you maximize value by recommending accommodations and tours that fit your expectations and budget.
Should I book Costa Rica tours in advance?Yes. Popular hotels and guided tours often sell out months in advance, especially during high and peak season. Booking through Rain Forest Tours ensures availability, experienced guides, and smooth logistics.
Costa Rica Day ToursCan beginners participate in kayaking tours?
Yes, no extensive kayaking experience is required. We only ask that you are in good physical shape and bring an adventurous attitude. Your guide will evaluate your skills and program the tour to match your ability. What are the horseback riding trails like? Unlike restricted trail rides, we let you ride at your own pace (within reason). You can gallop across open spaces, and the rides are designed to take you to the spectacular, rugged views that make Costa Rica famous. What are some of the top reasons that people choose to visit Costa Rica? The majority of visitors come seeking the beaches and water related sports as demonstrated by the fact that 76.6% of exiting respondents have listed that as activities they participated in during their stay. 67.3% participated in the observation of the flora and fauna, of which we assume a majority visited one or several national parks or reserves. 49.2% went on hikes (guided or self-guided) 47.2% listed birdwatching 15.1% went rafting or kayaking 8.6% surfed and 7.0% listed special interests. What is the difference between a Cloud Forest and a Rain Forest? Actually what is commonly known as a "cloud forest" is an example of "lower mountain rain forest" which are found around the very tops of volcanoes. Here the forest has shrunk in stature, with the canopy at 35 to 30 meters tall, but with occasional oaks reaching upwards of 50 meters at the lower altitudes. Buttresses on trees are uncommon, and the understory is dense. The ground is covered with moss and herbaceous plants. The higher you go, the colder and mistier it gets, eventually stunting the plant growth enough to create "elfin forest". The tropical wet forest or "rain forest" is the most species-rich life zone in Costa Rica. The forest is tall and evergreen and has distinct layers to the vegetation. Canopy trees are 45 to 55 meters tall, with some emergents even larger. Trees tend to have high, well-developed buttresses. Subcanopy trees are 30 to 40 meters tall, and have narrow conical crowns and slender boles that are often twisted or crooked. Stilt-rooted palms are often abundant. There are lots or dwarf palms in the shrub layer. Costa Rica National ParksWhat are the differences between staying inside Corcovado National Park versus Drake Bay?
There are no modern facilities inside the park boundaries, so visitors usually stay in Drake Bay. Drake Bay is a pristine, remote paradise on the edge of the Osa Peninsula, serving as the ultimate gateway to the biologically diverse Corcovado National Park. How do you select which places to list or recommend on your site?
All the listings and recommendations come from our on site inspections conducted regularly to ensure that all of the places selected adhere to the highest standards possible. If you disagree with any of our assessments, please write to us. We welcome your input. What if I know about a great place you don't cover? We're always on the look-out for terrific new finds, and we also need to know if you've had an unpleasant experienced at a place that we list in our directory, so please write to us. Something on your site is incorrect -- how do I tell you? We really want our information to be as accurate as possible, so please do write to us about errors -- we make corrections on a continual basis. Email or call us and we’ll correct it right away. How can I get you to list my business on your directory? If you would like to be considered for evaluation, email or call us. We specialize in Costa Rica vacation packages, custom tours, eco-adventures, honeymoon trips, family vacations, and luxury travel planning. Our mission is to create seamless travel experiences backed by local expertise and personalized service.
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What is the climate like and when is the best time to visit?Costa Rica has almost ideal conditions year-round, the climate is a moderate 72 degrees in the highlands, while the lowlands and coastal areas range from the low 70's to the high 90's. Evenings in San Jose are free of humid heat, and beaches are cooled by ocean breezes. Rainy season occurs from the end of May to November, with the heaviest rainfall in October. The Atlantic or Caribbean side is driest from February thru April, with a short "summer" in June and July, and the wettest months from November thru January. However, you should be prepared for rain at any time during the year in this part of the country. The Pacific side and central parts of the country are driest from January through March.
Do I need a passport to travel to Costa Rica? Yes, a valid passport is required to enter and visas are needed for certain nationalities so check ahead before traveling. The citizens of the following nationalities can stay for 90 days without a visa.
Argentina - Germany / Deutschland - Panamá - Andorra Greece - Poland - Australia - Holland / Netherlands - Paraguay Austria - Hungary -Portugal - Bahamas - Ireland - Puerto Rico Barbados - Iceland - Romania - Belgium - Israel - San Marino Brazil - Italy - Serbia - Republic of Bulgaria - Japan - Singapore Canada - Liechtenstein - Spain - Croatia - South Africa Chile - Lithuania - South Korea - Cyprus - Luxembourg - Sweden Czech Republic - Malta - Switzerland - Denmark - Mexico - Trinidad & Tobago, Czech Republic - Monaco - United Kingdom - Slovenia - Montenegro, United States of America - Estonia - New Zealand - Uruguay Finland - North Ireland - Vatican - France - Norway Is the water safe to drink?Yes, you can drink the water! Pure and suitable for drinking throughout most of the country.
Whom and how much should I tip?Upon arriving at the airport, tip the standard porter rate of $1 per bag; more if your luggage is very heavy.
When you arrive at your hotel after a long flight, first things first: If you take a shuttle van, tip the driver $5 per person. The bellman, who will be more than happy to assist you with your bags and the door, should receive $5 to $10 per bag. Tip when he shows you to your room and again if he assists you upon checkout. Tip more if he provides any additional service. If you're taking a tour, tip a local guide $10 per person for a half-day tour, $20 for full-day tour. Tip a private guide more. If you are on a multi-day tour with someone who travels with you for several days and is essentially in charge - tip them anywhere from $10–$20 per person per day. All restaurants in Costa Rica include a 10% "service charge" on the bill but if the service is exemplary an additional 5 - 10% should be considered. This tipping etiquette will hopefully give you a general idea of the standard tipping rate for different stops along your journey. You are always welcome to tip more when the service is excellent, and when you do, you are sure to see the red carpet treatment all the way. Enjoy your vacation, and don't forget to tip! What is the food like in Costa Rica?A traditional Costa Rican breakfast consists of "gallo pinto" (black beans and rice), eggs, tortillas and sour cream, with coffee and fresh fruit juice. A typical Costa Rica lunch known as "casado", includes: rice and beans, one choice of meat (beef, chicken, pork, or fish), salad, fried plantains (a type of banana, very sweet and very tasty).
Dinner is pretty much whatever you like, and fish and seafood here is excellent, well priced, and fresh, as are the fruits and vegetables. The basic staples of the Costa Rican diet are: rice, beans, and tortillas, which consist primarily of corn. The ingredients used by Costa Rican cooks include simple native foods, such as chayotes, avocados, and the ever present corn. Costa Rican cuisine is also characterized by its' mildness and comes as a surprise to many North Americans who might have traveled through Mexico and expect to find the same love spicy chilies in Costa Rican foods. Chilies are used to some degree, however, they are most commonly used in hot sauces with accompany broiled meats and poultry. Tubers, such as sweet potatoes and cassava, commonly known as "yuca" frequently accompany lunch and dinner meals. In many dishes yuca is often substituted for potato, perhaps boiled and mashed, fried to exquisite crispness to accompany meat and sandwiches instead of fries, or simply boiled and served with butter and garlic. Plantains, a type of banana, are another Costa Rican favorite, and are most often boiled, mashed, stuffed with cheese, or fried to accompany meats or bean dishes. Unlike bananas, plantains are much larger and need to be cooked to be eaten. Due to its geographical location and climate, Costa Rica has a wealth of fruits and vegetables and calorie counters may prefer a tropical fruit plate of papaya, watermelon, pineapple, banana, and in season mango or cantaloupe. Costa Rica produces some of the finest coffee in the world so make sure to try some and take some home with you. What air carriers fly to Costa Rica
San José (SJO) and Liberia (LIR) airports in Costa Rica are well-connected to various international destinations. Key airlines serving these routes include: United Airlines: Offers flights from major U.S. hubs such as Houston (IAH), Newark (EWR), and Chicago (ORD) to both San José and Liberia airports. American Airlines: Provides services from cities like Miami (MIA), Dallas (DFW), and Charlotte (CLT) to Costa Rica. Delta Air Lines: Operates flights from Atlanta (ATL) and other U.S. cities to Costa Rica. JetBlue Airways: Offers routes from Orlando, Fl, New York (JFK) and Boston (BOS) to Costa Rica. Southwest Airlines: Provides flights from various U.S. cities to Costa Rica. European Carriers: Air France and Lufthansa offer seasonal flights from Paris and Frankfurt to Costa Rica. What should I pack and what kinds of clothes should I bring? Pack light: Baggage carts are scarce at airports, and luggage restrictions are tight. Bring comfortable, hand-washable clothing. T-shirts and shorts are acceptable in the cities during the day, but if you plan to go out in the evening, slacks are highly recommended as some restaurants won't admit you in shorts or sandals. Loose-fitting long-sleeve shirts and pants are recommended if you take any day trips out to smaller towns, where immodest attire is frowned upon. Bring a large hat to block the sun from your face and neck. Pack a light sweater or jacket for cool nights in the higher elevations and early mornings and for trips up volcanoes. Sturdy sneakers or hiking boots are essential if you plan to do a lot of sightseeing and hiking. Waterproof hiking sandals or other footwear that lets your feet breathe are good for strolling about town, and also for beach walking, fording streams, and navigating the myriad mudholes you'll find on rain and cloud forest trails. We have read in our guidebooks that driving in Costa Rica is normally not recommended. Don't be misled by the information in the guidebooks about driving here. Although there are certain hazards to consider - the potholes and aggressive drivers being the primary ones, you shouldn't have any problems if you stick to some good defensive habits and a healthy dose of patience. Also, our traffic police are not prone to harass tourists nor extort bribes. I can't find the information I need. Can I email you with my question? That's just what we do, provide you with one-on-one travel assistance based on our years of living and working in Costa Rica. How do I reserve a room at a hotel listed on your site? E-mail or call us and tell us what dates you're interested in reserving and what types of accommodations you require. One of our travel counselors will respond with availability and price information within 24 hours. |
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Hotels By Regions
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Tours By Regions
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Costa Rica Vacation Packages
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