Costa Rica

Costa Rica is Central America's premier eco-tourism destination, known for its biodiversity, rainforests, beaches, and progressive environmental policies. The country abolished its military in 1948 and has invested heavily in conservation, with roughly 25% of its land protected as national parks and reserves.

For air travelers, Costa Rica is served by two main international airports: Juan Santamaria International (SJO) near San Jose, handling the majority of international traffic, and Daniel Oduber Quiros International (LIR) in Liberia, serving the popular Guanacaste beach region. The country has no flag carrier since LACSA merged with other Central American airlines to form Avianca.

Costa Rica's compact size (about the size of West Virginia) makes it easy to explore multiple regions in a single trip. Most visitors arrive via SJO for access to the Central Valley, cloud forests, and Caribbean coast, while LIR is the gateway to Pacific beach destinations.

International Gateways

Airport	City	Role	Major Airlines
SJO	San Jose	Primary international hub	United, American, Delta, Southwest
LIR	Liberia	Guanacaste beach gateway	United, American, Delta, JetBlue

Primary Airports

Juan Santamaria International (SJO) — Costa Rica's main airport, located in Alajuela, about 20 km from downtown San Jose. Handles approximately 5 million passengers annually with direct flights from major US, Canadian, and European cities. Two terminals serve international and domestic flights. The airport offers easy access to the Central Valley, Arenal Volcano, and Caribbean coast destinations.

Daniel Oduber Quiros International (LIR) — Located in Liberia, serving the Guanacaste region on the Pacific coast. Popular with travelers heading to beaches like Tamarindo, Papagayo, and Nosara. Significant growth in recent years with expanded service from US carriers, particularly during winter months.

Regional Airports

Costa Rica has several small domestic airports serving eco-tourism destinations:

• Quepos (XQP) — Gateway to Manuel Antonio National Park
• Tambor (TMU) — Nicoya Peninsula access
• Tortuguero (TTQ) — Caribbean jungle lodges
• Drake Bay (DRK) — Osa Peninsula wilderness
• Palmar Sur (PMZ) — Southern Pacific region

Note: Most regional airports have grass or short runways served only by small aircraft (Sansa and local charter operators).

No Flag Carrier

Costa Rica currently has no flag carrier. LACSA (Lineas Aereas Costarricenses) was the national airline until 2013 when it was absorbed into Avianca as part of the TACA group merger. Avianca continues to operate routes from San Jose.

Domestic Airlines

• Sansa Airlines — Costa Rica's primary domestic carrier. Operates small turboprop aircraft connecting SJO to beach destinations and eco-lodges. Essential for reaching remote areas quickly.
• Green Airways — Newer domestic option with similar regional routes

International Carriers

Major foreign airlines serving Costa Rica:

• US carriers: United, American, Delta, Southwest, JetBlue, Spirit, Frontier, Alaska
• Canadian: Air Canada, WestJet
• European: Iberia, Condor, Edelweiss, British Airways
• Latin American: Avianca, Copa, LATAM, Volaris

Hub connections: Copa (Panama City), Avianca (Bogota, San Salvador), and American (Miami, Dallas) offer extensive connectivity to South America and beyond.

Visa-Free Entry

Citizens of approximately 90 countries can enter Costa Rica visa-free for up to 90 days, including:

• United States, Canada
• European Union countries, United Kingdom
• Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea
• Most Latin American countries

Entry Requirements

All visitors must show:

• Valid passport — Must be valid for at least one day beyond your stay (6 months recommended)
• Proof of onward travel — Return ticket or ticket to a third country
• Proof of funds — May be requested (approximately $100 per month of stay)

Exit Tax

An exit tax of approximately $29 USD applies when departing Costa Rica. This is typically included in your airline ticket but verify before travel.

Extended Stays

• 90-day limit is firm; extensions are difficult to obtain
• Common practice is a "visa run" to Panama or Nicaragua
• Overstaying can result in fines and entry bans

Official information: Direccion General de Migracion y Extranjeria

Domestic Flights

For reaching remote destinations, domestic flights save significant travel time on mountainous roads:

Route	Duration	Notes
SJO → Quepos	25 min	vs. 3+ hours driving
SJO → Liberia	45 min	vs. 4+ hours driving
SJO → Tambor	30 min	vs. 5+ hours with ferry
SJO → Drake Bay	45 min	No road access

Booking tips:

• Sansa operates most domestic routes
• Weight limits are strict (often 14-16 kg per person)
• Book early during high season (December-April)
• Flights often depart early morning from SJO domestic terminal

Car Rental

Popular option for exploring Costa Rica independently:

• 4WD recommended for most destinations outside San Jose
• International license accepted for up to 90 days
• Full insurance coverage strongly recommended
• Drive on the right
• Many roads are unpaved or in poor condition
• Some river crossings may be required in remote areas

Major rental companies: National, Alamo, Budget, and local companies like Adobe Rent a Car.

Shuttles

Shared shuttles are a popular middle ground:

• Interbus and Grayline — Tourist shuttles connecting major destinations
• Door-to-door service between hotels
• More comfortable than public buses, cheaper than private transfers
• Book 24-48 hours in advance

Buses

Extensive public bus network:

• Affordable option for budget travelers
• Terminal 7-10 in San Jose serves most long-distance routes
• Journey times can be long due to winding mountain roads
• First-class buses (directos) recommended for longer trips

Taxis and Ride-Hailing

• Official taxis are red with yellow triangles (airport taxis are orange)
• Uber operates in San Jose and surrounding areas
• Negotiate fares for longer trips outside the city

Dry Season (December-April)

High season with the best weather:

• Little to no rain across most of the country
• Peak tourist season with highest prices
• Christmas, New Year, and Semana Santa (Easter week) are busiest
• Caribbean coast may still see rain (no true dry season)

Green Season (May-November)

Rainy season offers advantages:

• Afternoon showers (mornings often clear)
• Lower prices and fewer crowds
• Lush, green landscapes
• Best whale watching (August-October)
• September-October wettest months

Regional Variations

Region	Best Time	Notes
Pacific Coast	Dec-Apr	Clear, sunny weather
Caribbean Coast	Feb-Mar, Sep-Oct	Less rain than rest of year
Central Valley	Dec-Apr	Mild temperatures year-round
Cloud Forests	Dec-Apr	Misty regardless of season

Booking Considerations

• Book 2-3 months ahead for high season travel
• Domestic flights fill quickly December-April
• Rental cars may be scarce during peak weeks
• Some eco-lodges close briefly in October

Cities and Towns

Destination	Nearest Airport	Known For
San Jose	SJO	Museums, markets, urban culture
La Fortuna	SJO (3hr)	Arenal Volcano, hot springs
Monteverde	SJO (4hr)	Cloud forest, wildlife
Puerto Viejo	SJO (4hr)	Caribbean beaches, surf
Tamarindo	LIR (1hr)	Pacific beaches, surf, nightlife

Beach Destinations

Beach	Nearest Airport	Known For
Manuel Antonio	SJO (Quepos)	Wildlife, beaches, national park
Guanacaste beaches	LIR	Dry climate, resorts, surf
Santa Teresa/Mal Pais	SJO (Tambor)	Surf, yoga retreats
Osa Peninsula	SJO (Drake Bay)	Wilderness, Corcovado NP

Nature and Wildlife

• Arenal Volcano — Active volcano, hot springs, adventure activities (SJO, 3hr drive)
• Monteverde — Cloud forest reserves, hanging bridges, wildlife (SJO, 4hr drive)
• Corcovado National Park — Pristine rainforest, diverse wildlife (Drake Bay)
• Tortuguero — Sea turtle nesting, jungle canals (boat/flight from SJO)
• Manuel Antonio — Beaches and wildlife in compact park (fly to Quepos or 3hr drive from SJO)

Money

• Currency: Costa Rican Colon (CRC), symbol ₡
• USD widely accepted: Especially in tourist areas, hotels, and tours
• Cards: Visa/Mastercard widely accepted; Amex less common
• ATMs: Widely available in towns (BAC, Banco Nacional, Scotiabank)
• Tipping: 10% service charge often included; additional 5-10% appreciated
• Prices often quoted in USD in tourist areas

Electrical

• Voltage: 120V, 60Hz
• Plug type: Type A/B (same as US/Canada)
• Adapters: Travelers from US/Canada need no adapter; Europeans/UK/Australians need adapter

Connectivity

• Mobile carriers: Kolbi (ICE), Movistar, Claro
• eSIM: Supported — Airalo, Holafly work well
• SIM cards: Available at airport and phone shops; prepaid data affordable
• WiFi: Available at most hotels and restaurants; can be slow in remote areas

Safety

Costa Rica is one of Central America's safest countries:

• Petty theft is the main concern — keep valuables secure
• Avoid isolated beaches at night
• Use hotel safes for passports and valuables
• Rip currents on Pacific beaches are a serious hazard
• Emergency: 911

Health

• Tap water is generally safe in major towns
• No required vaccinations for most travelers
• Hepatitis A and Typhoid recommended
• Dengue and Zika present — use insect repellent
• Quality private healthcare available in San Jose

Language

Spanish is the official language. English is widely spoken in:

• Tourist areas
• Hotels and tour operators
• San Jose business district

Basic Spanish phrases helpful in rural areas.

What to Pack

• Rain jacket (even in dry season)
• Insect repellent
• Reef-safe sunscreen
• Quick-dry clothing
• Sturdy walking shoes for trails
• Binoculars for wildlife viewing

• Tourism: Visit Costa Rica
• Immigration: Migracion Costa Rica
• US Travel Advisory: travel.state.gov/costarica
• UK Travel Advice: gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/costa-rica
• National Parks: SINAC