Travel guide · Costa Rica
Costa Rica: what to see and when to go
Costa Rica packs volcanoes, cloud forest, rainforest and two coastlines into a small country with some of the richest biodiversity on earth. It pioneered ecotourism, and sloths, toucans and sea turtles are easy to see.
What to see and do in Costa Rica
Arenal
A volcano with hot springs, hanging bridges and waterfalls.
Monteverde
Cloud forest crossed by suspension bridges, home of the resplendent quetzal.
Manuel Antonio
Beaches and a small national park full of monkeys and sloths.
Tortuguero
Jungle canals and nesting sea turtles on the Caribbean coast.
Guanacaste and Nicoya
Dry-season surf and beaches like Santa Teresa and Nosara.
Best time to go
The most pleasant months: Feb – May.
Getting there
| From | Flight time | Return flight |
|---|---|---|
| London | 11 hr, 45 min | ≈ €570 · See flights |
| New York | 5 hr | ≈ €300 · See flights |
| Los Angeles | 6 hr | ≈ €360 · See flights |
| Dubai | 18 hr, 45 min | ≈ €730 · See flights |
| Singapore | 24 hr, 15 min | ≈ €860 · See flights |
| Sydney | 18 hr, 15 min | ≈ €720 · See flights |
3 nights from London: ≈ €810 per person, flight and stay included.
Per person. Estimates from distance and local prices; real fares depend on your dates.
Essentials
- Country
- Costa Rica
- Currency
- Costa Rican Colón
- Good for
- nature · wild · sea · mountains
- How long to stay
- 8–12 days
- Where to stay
- Combine two or three bases: Arenal, Monteverde and one of the coasts.Find a place to stay in Costa Rica
Plan your trip
Flights, a place to stay and what else you need for Costa Rica, one tap each.
- FlightsFrom London · about €570 (opens in a new tab)
- StayHotels and apartments in Costa Rica (opens in a new tab)
- Things to doTours, tickets and experiences (opens in a new tab)
- CarPick it up at the airport (opens in a new tab)
- Travel insuranceMedical, luggage and cancellation (opens in a new tab)
- Internet on arrivalData eSIM, no roaming bills (opens in a new tab)
Links open a sample search (Fri, Feb 5 – Sat, Feb 13, 2 people): change it on each site. If you book through these links we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. It helps us keep improving diceando. Legal notice
Frequently asked questions
What's the weather like in Costa Rica and when should you go?
The most pleasant months: Feb – May. Average highs range from 26° in January to 29° in April.
How many days do you need in Costa Rica?
8 to 12 days is enough to see the essentials without rushing.
What does a few days in Costa Rica cost?
Accommodation runs at around €80 per person per night. 3 nights from London: ≈ €810 per person, flight and stay included. The flight from London takes about 11 hr, 45 min.
Where should you stay in Costa Rica?
Combine two or three bases: Arenal, Monteverde and one of the coasts.
