Costa Rica holiday
Travel tips, best time to visit & highlights for your Costa Rica holiday in North America
Costa Rica is the greenest country on Earth: Over 25% of the land area is protected. Volcanoes, cloud forests, Caribbean beaches, Pacific coast, and an incredible biodiversity make this small country a paradise for nature lovers. The motto "Pura Vida" (pure life) is more than just a saying – it is a way of life.
Capital
San José
Language
Spanish
Currency
Colón (CRC) / US Dollar
Time zone
UTC-6
Flight time from DE
approx. 11–12 hours
Entry requirements
Passport, 90 days visa-free
Deals for Costa Rica:
Which hotels in Costa Rica are recommended?
Selected hotels and holiday accommodations in Costa Rica — with images, reviews, and direct booking links with our partners.
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cariari San Jose - Costa Rica
San Jose, Costa Rica
Hotel Punta Islita
Nandayure, Costa Rica
Park Inn Hotel by Radisson San Jose
San Jose, Costa Rica
Sheraton Hotel San Jose
Santa Ana, Costa Rica
Hotel Riu Palace Costa Rica
Coco, Costa Rica
Hotel Real Intercontinental Costa Rica
Santa Ana, Costa Rica
Wyndham San Jose Herradura Hotel & Convention Center
San Antonio de Belen, Costa Rica
Barceló San José
San Jose, Costa Rica
What are the highlights of Costa Rica?
The best-known highlights of Costa Rica include Monteverde Cloud Forest, Arenal Volcano, Manuel Antonio, Tortuguero, Corcovado.
The places you absolutely must not miss.
Monteverde Cloud Forest
Hanging bridges over the treetops, Quetzal birds, and a mystical atmosphere.
Arenal Volcano
Perfect volcanic cone with hot springs, hiking trails, and adventure activities.
Manuel Antonio
The smallest and most visited national park: monkeys, sloths, and dream beaches.
Tortuguero
Rainforest canal accessible by boat with sea turtle nests.
Corcovado
One of the most biodiverse places on Earth: tapirs, macaws, jaguars, and untouched rainforest.
Hotels in Costa Rica
Compare thousands of hotels, apartments and resorts on Expedia – with price guarantee, free cancellation and reward points.
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Reise-SIM für Costa Rica
Prepaid-SIM mit Datenvolumen für Costa Rica. Einfach einlegen und sofort lossurfen – keine Roaming-Gebühren.
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Reiseversicherung abschließen
Rundum-Schutz ab 9,90 € auf TravelSecure.de
Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen
Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie
When is the best time to visit Costa Rica?
The best time to visit Costa Rica is December–April (dry season). In summer: 25–32°C. In winter: 22–28°C.
Recommended travel time
December–April (dry season)
Summer
25–32°C
Winter
22–28°C
How much does a holiday in Costa Rica cost?
A holiday in Costa Rica costs roughly 40–60€ per person per day (excluding flights) on a budget, 60–120€ mid-range and 120–300€ for luxury travel.
Average cost per person per day (excluding flight)
Budget
40–60€
Hostel, street food, public transport
Mid-range
60–120€
Hotel, restaurant, excursions
Luxury
120–300€
Boutique hotel, fine dining
How long is the flight from Germany to Costa Rica?
From Germany you reach Costa Rica in approx. 11–12 hours.
What travel tips are there for Costa Rica?
Insider knowledge to make your holiday better.
4x4 rental car is almost mandatory for remote beaches and national parks
Rainy season (May–Nov) is cheaper and greener – often sunny in the mornings
Best to find sloths in Manuel Antonio with a guide
Withdraw cash in colones from local ATMs
Pura Vida is a greeting, farewell, and life motto at the same time
What do people eat in Costa Rica?
Typical dishes in Costa Rica are Gallo Pinto, Casado, Ceviche, Patacones, Chifrijo, Agua de Sapo.
These dishes you must try!
Which regions and places in Costa Rica are worth visiting?
6 regions, cities and highlights in Costa Rica
National parks
Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio is Costa Rica's smallest and most visited national park — and for good reason. In just 16 square kilometers, it combines tropical rainforest, dreamlike white sandy …
Tortuguero
Tortuguero on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica is known as "Little Amazon" and is only accessible by boat or small plane. The national park of the same name protects one of the …
Complete guide for Costa Rica
Regions, attractions, food, routes, costs & practical tips — all in one digital guide.
Open guideReady for Costa Rica?
Plan your Costa Rica holiday now with our free tools.
How do I plan a holiday in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica is one of the most popular travel destinations in North America, offering Nature, Adventure, Animals and much more. The best time to visit Costa Rica is December–April (dry season), when the weather is ideal for exploration and relaxation. With a daily budget starting from 40–60€ (Budget) to 120–300€ (Luxury), Costa Rica is suitable for various travel budgets.
From the capital San José, Costa Rica can be excellently explored. The official language is Spanish, and the currency is Colón (CRC) / US Dollar. From Germany, you can reach Costa Rica in approx. 11–12 hours. Whether you want to try culinary highlights like Gallo Pinto, Casado, Ceviche, visit top attractions, or simply enjoy the atmosphere: Costa Rica has something for every type of traveller.
Use our free travel tools to prepare your Costa Rica holiday perfectly. With the holiday finder, you can discover if Costa Rica is the right destination for you. The budget calculator helps you plan costs realistically, and with the packing list, you won't forget anything.
Suitable holiday types for Costa Rica:
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