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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

Top hotels & accommodations in Costa Rica

Selected hotels and holiday accommodations in Costa Rica — with images, reviews, and direct booking links with our partners.

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DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cariari San Jose - Costa Rica

San Jose, Costa Rica

Hotel Real Intercontinental Costa Rica

Santa Ana, Costa Rica

Studio Hotel Boutique

Santa Ana, Costa Rica

Barceló San José

San Jose, Costa Rica

Occidental Papagayo - Adults only

Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica

Wyndham San Jose Herradura Hotel & Convention Center

San Antonio de Belen, Costa Rica

Radisson Hotel San Jose COsta Rica

San Jose, Costa Rica

Sheraton Hotel San Jose

Santa Ana, Costa Rica

Top 5 highlights in Costa Rica

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

Vergleiche tausende Hotels, Apartments und Resorts auf Expedia – mit Bestpreis-Garantie, kostenloser Stornierung und Bonuspunkten.

Über 700.000 Hotels

Kostenlose Stornierung

Bestpreis-Garantie

Hotels in Costa Rica vergleichen

* Weiterleitung zu Expedia.de. Es gelten die dortigen Nutzungsbedingungen.

Reise-SIM für Costa Rica

Prepaid-SIM mit Datenvolumen für Costa Rica. Einfach einlegen und sofort lossurfen – keine Roaming-Gebühren.

Sofort einsatzbereit

200+ Länder

Kein Roaming

SIM-Karte für Costa Rica bestellen

* Weiterleitung zu travSIM.de. Es gelten die dortigen Nutzungsbedingungen.

Reiseversicherung abschließen

Rundum-Schutz ab 9,90 € auf TravelSecure.de

Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen

Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie

Best time to visit Costa Rica

Recommended travel time

December–April (dry season)

Summer

25–32°C

Winter

22–28°C

How much does a holiday in Costa Rica cost?

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

Calculate your budget accurately

5 travel tips 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

Food & drink in Costa Rica

These dishes you must try!

Gallo Pinto

Casado

Ceviche

Patacones

Chifrijo

Agua de Sapo

Discover Costa Rica

6 regions, cities and highlights in Costa Rica

Regions

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is the greenest country on Earth — a small Central American paradise between the Caribbean and the Pacific, dedicated to ecotourism like no other country, and home to five percent of the world's biodiversity on an area smaller than Lower Saxony. The motto Pura Vida (pure life) is not just a phrase, but a way of life that embraces visitors from the very first moment. The Monteverde Cloud Forest is one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth: At an altitude of 1,400 meters, moss-covered trees are shrouded in wisps of clouds, while the legendary Quetzal — sacred bird of the Maya and one of the most beautiful birds in the world — glides through the treetops with its meter-long, emerald-green tail. Suspension bridges lead through the canopy at treetop height. The Arenal Volcano rises as a nearly perfect cone 1,633 meters above the rainforest: Although it has been dormant since 2010, lava fields and hot springs testify to its power. The thermal baths at the foot of the volcano — naturally heated by volcanic activity — are among the most beautiful wellness experiences in Central America. Manuel Antonio National Park on the Pacific coast combines tropical rainforest with picture-perfect beaches: White-faced capuchin monkeys swing through the treetops directly above snow-white sandy beaches, iguanas sunbathe on rocks, and sloths hang in the trees — all in a compact space. The Osa Peninsula in the southwest is wilderness in its purest form: Corcovado National Park is described by National Geographic as the biologically most intense place on Earth. Tapirs, macaws, pumas, all four Costa Rican monkey species, and with luck, jaguars inhabit this untouched primary rainforest.

EcotourismRainforestVolcanoes

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 beaches, and an incredible density of wildlife into a complete package that is perfect for those who want to combine nature and beach vacation. The park is famous for its white-faced capuchin monkeys, which cheekily climb through the treetops and occasionally try to raid backpacks. Sloths hang motionless in the trees (a good guide will definitely find them), raccoons wander along the forest paths, and bright blue Morpho butterflies flutter through the underbrush. Occasionally, impressive-sized iguanas can be seen on the beaches. Playa Manuel Antonio, the main beach in the park, is a tropical dream: white sand, turquoise water, framed by dense rainforest. Monkeys play in the trees right by the beach while you swim in the warm Pacific. Playa Espadilla Sur is less crowded and offers pure tranquility. Cathedral Point, a peninsula between the beaches, features a short hiking trail with panoramic views of the offshore islands. Outside the park, the surroundings of Manuel Antonio offer numerous activities: zip-lining through the jungle, white water rafting on the Rio Savegre, kayaking tours through mangroves, horseback riding on the beach, and evening crocodile boat tours on the Rio Tárcoles. The sunsets from Espadilla Beach in front of the park are legendary — you sit in the sand with an Imperial beer and watch the sun sink into the Pacific. The infrastructure around the park is excellent: from budget hostels to luxury boutique hotels with infinity pools and jungle views, everything is available. The road from Quepos to the park is lined with restaurants serving fresh fish and typical Tico cuisine. Manuel Antonio is the perfect place for travelers who want to experience Costa Rica's "Pura Vida" philosophy in a relaxed atmosphere.

Costa RicaNational ParkBeach

A white sign with the number 45 on a tree

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 most important nesting sites for Green Sea Turtles worldwide. A labyrinth of canals, lagoons, and mangrove forests is home to caimans, sloths, toucans, and colorful poison dart frogs. The seclusion makes this place a paradise for nature lovers seeking real jungle without mass tourism.

TurtlesRainforestNational Park

Areas

A colorful toucan perched among green leaves.

Monteverde

Monteverde is Costa Rica's most famous cloud forest and one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth. The reserve in the mountainous forests of the Tilarán Cordillera is situated at an altitude of 1,400 meters and is constantly shrouded in mystical fog, giving the moss-covered trees and hanging bromeliads a fairy-tale appearance. The cloud forest is home to an incredible biodiversity: over 500 bird species, 100 mammal species, and 3,000 plant species live here. The Quetzal — the sacred bird of the Maya with its bright green plumage and meter-long tail — is the star among the inhabitants. The best time to observe it is from February to April when it feeds on wild avocado trees. The hanging bridges (Sky Walk) through the treetops offer a unique perspective of the forest from above. At heights of up to 50 meters, you walk on narrow bridges through the canopy and observe toucans, hummingbirds, and howler monkeys at eye level. For adrenaline junkies, the zip lines (Sky Trek) offer thrilling flights over the treetops. Night tours through the cloud forest are a special experience. Equipped with flashlights, you discover nocturnal animals: snakes, tarantulas, frogs with bright red eyes (red-eyed tree frogs), and olingos. The soundscape of the nighttime jungle — an orchestra of frog croaks, cricket songs, and distant howler monkey howls — is unforgettable. Monteverde is not a city in the traditional sense, but a network of small communities (Santa Elena, Monteverde, Cerro Plano) along a dusty mountain road. The atmosphere is relaxed and environmentally conscious — many accommodations operate sustainably, the restaurants serve farm-to-table cuisine, and ecotourism is not just a marketing slogan but a lived philosophy.

Costa RicaCloud ForestEcotourism

Cities

man in black backpack standing on brown rocky mountain during daytime

San José

San José, the capital of Costa Rica, is often used by most travelers merely as a transit point — unjustly so. The city, located at an altitude of 1,170 meters, offers a pleasant climate, a surprising array of museums, and is the perfect starting point for Costa Rica's natural wonders. The Museo del Oro Precolombino (Gold Museum) under the Plaza de la Cultura houses over 1,600 gold artifacts from the pre-Columbian era — one of the largest collections in the Americas. The Museo Nacional in the former Bellavista barracks showcases the history of the country, which abolished its army in 1948. The Teatro Nacional (1897), inspired by the Paris Opera, is San José's architectural pride. The Mercado Central, an indoor market since 1880, offers the most authentic culinary experience: Casado (the national dish), fresh juices, coffee straight from the farmer, and the hustle and bustle of a vibrant market culture. San José's true strength lies in its location: the Irazú Volcano (3,432 m, active, with an emerald green crater lake) and the Poás Volcano are day trips away. The Monteverde Cloud Forest, Manuel Antonio National Park, and Tortuguero (turtles) are each just a few hours away — Pura Vida begins in San José.

Pura VidaVolcanoesCoffee

Beaches

a group of people standing on top of a sandy beach

Tamarindo

Tamarindo on the Pacific coast of Guanacaste is Costa Rica's most popular surf and beach destination. The golden sandy beach stretches for miles and offers perfect waves for beginners and advanced surfers. In the evenings, the lively village with its beach bars, restaurants, and boutiques transforms into a relaxed meeting point. The nearby sea turtle refuge Playa Grande and the Rincon de la Vieja volcano provide variety beyond beach life.

SurfingBeachCosta Rica

Package holiday to Costa Rica

Compare flight & hotel at the best price.

Package holidays

Holiday apartment in Costa Rica

Holiday homes with more space and privacy.

Holiday flats

All accommodations

Map, package holidays & holiday homes at a glance.

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Complete guide for Costa Rica

Regions, attractions, food, routes, costs & practical tips — all in one digital guide.

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Suitable for:NatureAdventureAnimalsBeachEcotourism

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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.

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