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Costa Rica (Caribbean)
The Caribbean side has a totally relaxed vibe where deep green jungles meet the warm ocean. You can bike down quiet dirt roads to find hidden beaches or listen to reggae music by the water.
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Summary
Did you know?
Chocolate Beach – Cahuita features coastal hiking trails where wild cocoa trees drop heavy pods directly onto the black sand beaches.
Overview
Months
February, March, September, October
Vacation type
Beach, Couple, Family, Mountains, Rainforest, Diving/Snorkeling, Surfing
Expenses
0-50€, <100€, <150€, <200€, Over 200€
Temperature
20-25°C, 25-30°C
Rainfall
150-200mm, >200mm
Safety
Safe
Continent
Central America
Currency
Costa Rican colón
Languages
Spanish, Mekatelyu, Bribri
Currency Converter
When to visit
The best months to visit are September and October, along with February and March. During these months, rainfall drops, the Caribbean Sea is calm enough for snorkeling around Cahuita’s coral reef, and roads are dry. September and October are also the main nesting and hatching period for green sea turtles in Tortuguero.
The wettest months run from November through January and again from May through July. During these periods, heavy rains fall across the coastal plains and jungle foothills. The rain keeps the Pacuare River at high water levels for rafting, but it ruins ocean visibility, creates deep mud on rainforest trails, and can cause landslides that temporarily shut down Route 32, the main highway connecting San José to the coast.
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Plan the whole vacation, including flights, transportation, hotels and tours with Expedia *
Climate Data
Peak Season: September to October & February to March (Dry Season)
Average Sunny Hours per Day: 7 to 9 hours.
Rain Frequency: 7 to 10 days per month.
Rainy Hours per Day: 1 to 2 hours.
Intensity: Short afternoon showers or rain overnight.
Duration: Most of the day is hot, humid, and clear. Ocean swells stay small, and sea water stays clear near the shore.
Off-Peak Season: November to January & May to July (Rainy Season)
Average Sunny Hours per Day: 4 to 5 hours.
Rain Frequency: 18 to 23 days per month.
Rainy Hours per Day: 3 to 6 hours.
Intensity: Heavy tropical downpours and storms.
Duration: Rain often starts in early afternoon and can last through the night. Rivers run high and fast, and low-lying coastal roads sometimes flood.
Climate Chart
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Data Source: Global Historical Climatology Network
ClimateCharts.net
Weather, Crowds and Costs
Per one person
Tourist Season: September-October & February-March
Budget Vacation ($35-60/day)
Accommodation: $15-25/night (dorm beds or basic private rooms in Puerto Viejo or Cahuita).
Food: $10-18/day (eating at local sodas, buying fruit at stands, Jamaican-style meat patties).
Activities: $5-10/day (entry donation at Cahuita National Park, renting a beach bike).
Transportation: $4-8/day (public MEPE buses running between coastal towns).
Other Costs: $3/day (bottled water, mosquito repellent).
Mid-Range Vacation ($90-190/day)
Accommodation: $50-110/night (air-conditioned hotel rooms, cabins with private decks in the jungle).
Food: $25-45/day (sit-down Caribbean restaurants, seafood dinners, beach cafes).
Activities: $25-55/day (guided night walks, chocolate farm visits, boat tours in Tortuguero).
Transportation: $15-30/day (shared tourist shuttles like Caribe Shuttle or Interbus, scooter rentals).
Other Costs: $5/day (tips, coffee, laundry).
Luxury Vacation ($280-600+/day)
Accommodation: $180-400+/night (high-end eco-lodges along the coast or private riverfront lodges on the Pacuare).
Food: $60-110/day (hotel restaurants, fresh seafood platters, cocktails).
Activities: $80-180/day (private boat charters through Tortuguero, guided whitewater rafting, private wildlife guides).
Transportation: $50-110/day (private van transfers from San José, domestic flights on Sansa).
Other Costs: $20+/day (massage treatments, artisanal chocolate shopping).
Off-Peak Season: November-January & May-July
Budget Vacation ($28-48/day)
Accommodation: $12-20/night (discounted hostel beds and budget guesthouse rooms).
Food: $8-15/day (cooking at hostels, neighborhood sodas).
Activities: $4-8/day (self-guided walks on public beaches, town exploration).
Transportation: $4-8/day (local buses).
Other Costs: $3/day (rain poncho, insect spray).
Mid-Range Vacation ($70-140/day)
Accommodation: $40-80/night (boutique rooms and cabins at low-season rates).
Food: $20-35/day (casual dining, local cafes).
Activities: $20-40/day (waterfall visits, indigenous reserve visits).
Transportation: $12-25/day (shared shuttles, car rentals with rainy season discounts).
Other Costs: $4/day (coffee, rain gear).
Luxury Vacation ($200-450+/day)
Accommodation: $130-280+/night (upscale lodges running green-season specials).
Food: $50-90/day (resort dining, local seafood).
Activities: $60-120/day (whitewater rafting on high water, private nature walks).
Transportation: $40-80/day (private transfers).
Other Costs: $15/day (local crafts).
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You can find accomendations that fit your trip and budget on Booking.com, Vrbo and Hotels.com
Best Regions to visit
Cities
1. Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
- The main tourist town in the south. It has an Afro-Caribbean culture, dirt and paved side streets, reggae music, surf shops, and easy beach access.
2. Tortuguero
- A small, car-free village located on a narrow spit of land between the Caribbean Sea and jungle rivers. It is only accessible by boat or plane.
3. Cahuita
- A quiet town north of Puerto Viejo. It has a slower pace, traditional wooden houses, and sits right at the entrance of Cahuita National Park.
4. Limón (Puerto Limón)
- The main commercial port city on the coast. It is mostly a shipping and cruise terminal, not a primary tourist hub.
5. Manzanillo
- A small fishing village at the very end of the coastal road, surrounded by the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge.
6. Siquirres
- An inland transport town along Route 32, used as the main meeting and launch point for river rafting trips on the Pacuare River.
Did you know?
Roaring Frogs – Red-eyed tree frogs and tiny poison dart frogs make loud, bubbling bird-like calls that fill the humid jungle night air.
Islands
1. Isla Uvita
- A small, uninhabited island located about a mile off the coast of Limón. Christopher Columbus anchored his ships here in 1502. It has rocky shores, coral formations, and can be visited by local fishing boats from Limón.
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Find the perfect place to stay in any of these top cities and islands with Booking.com, Hotels.com and Vrbo – offering entire homes and apartments for a comfortable and private experience.
Things to see
Natural Attractions
1. Tortuguero National Park
- A network of protected freshwater canals, coastal swamps, and rainforest. It is one of the most important nesting grounds in the world for green sea turtles.
2. Cahuita National Park
- A protected coastal park where the rainforest grows directly against white sand beaches and offshore coral reefs. Monkeys, sloths, and raccoons live along the main beach trail.
3. Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge
- A reserve at the southern end of the coast with protected coral reefs, white sand coves like Punta Uva, and coastal swamps.
4. Pacuare River
- A river that drops out of the central mountain range down toward the Caribbean lowlands. It runs through a steep rainforest canyon with Class III and IV whitewater rapids.
Historical and Cultural Sites
1. Bribri Indigenous Territories
- Communities living in the foothills of the Talamanca Mountains behind Puerto Viejo. They preserve traditional farming, the Bribri language, and long-standing traditions around cacao.
2. Cahuita Boardwalk and Marine Trail
- A wooden walking route and coastal path documenting local Creole history, traditional herbal medicine, and coastal ecosystem protection.
3. Liberty Hall (Black Star Line, Limón)
- A historic center for the local Afro-Costa Rican community and the Universal Negro Improvement Association, founded by Marcus Garvey.
Unique Experiences
1. Watching Green Sea Turtles Nest
- Taking an official night walk with certified park guides along the dark beaches of Tortuguero between July and October to watch giant turtles lay eggs in the sand.
2. Rafting the Pacuare River Gorge
- Running 18 miles of rapids between steep rainforest canyon walls covered in hanging vines, side waterfalls, and rainforest canopy.
3. Riding a Bicycle Down the Southern Coast
- Renting a single-speed beach cruiser bike in Puerto Viejo to ride the flat, tree-shaded 13-kilometer road south past Playa Cocles and Playa Chiquita to Punta Uva.
4. Drinking Hot Cacao in a Bribri Village
- Grinding roasted cacao beans on a flat river stone and mixing the paste with warm water and local spices during a visit with an indigenous family.
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The best way to explore major cities and must-see attractions is by booking guided tours.* They offer convenience, local insights, and often save time when visiting popular sights.
Unique Accomondations/Foodspots
Accommodations
Le Cameleon Boutique Hotel
Location: Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Limón, Costa Rica
A chic, eco-luxury boutique hideaway situated right on the golden sands of Cocles Beach, featuring minimalist white architecture, tropical gardens, and an open-air lounge celebrating the laid-back Caribbean vibe.
Restaurants / Bars
The Shack Restaurant
Location: Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Limón, Costa Rica
A vibrant, highly rated open-air dining destination celebrated for blending traditional Afro-Caribbean flavors with international techniques, serving fresh seafood, coconut rice, and spiced plantain dishes.
Tours to do
1. Pacuare River Class III-IV Whitewater Rafting Day Trip
- A full-day guided rafting trip down 18 miles of river through the Pacuare canyon. The tour includes safety gear, certified river guides, running dozens of rapids (such as "Double Drop" and "Huacas"), floating past waterfalls, and a stop on a river beach for a deli-style buffet lunch prepared by the guides.
Duration: Full day (approx. 8 hours total, with 3.5 to 4 hours on the water; picks up in San José, Puerto Viejo, or Siquirres).
Best Time: Year-round (water is faster and higher from June to December).
Average Cost: $90 – $140 per person (includes roundtrip transport, equipment, river guides, and lunch).
2. Tortuguero 2-Day / 1-Night Jungle Canal Tour
- A standard package tour from San José or Puerto Viejo. Travelers are driven to the La Pavona boat dock, board a motorized riverboat through the jungle channels, and stay at a riverside lodge. Includes guided boat trips through the national park canals to spot caimans, river otters, toucans, and monkeys, plus a village walking tour.
Duration: 2 Days / 1 Night (or 3 Days / 2 Nights).
Best Time: July to October (to see nesting sea turtles).
Average Cost: $170 – $260 per person (includes road and boat transfers, lodge room, all meals, and guided boat tours; park entry fee of $17 is paid separately).
3. Cahuita National Park Guided Hike and Reef Snorkeling
- A half-day tour starting from Cahuita or Puerto Viejo. A local guide leads a small boat ride out to Cahuita's offshore reef for two 45-minute snorkeling sessions over coral formations to spot nurse sharks, stingrays, and reef fish, followed by a guided hike along the park's coastal forest trail to find sloths, snakes, and howler monkeys.
Duration: Half-day (approx. 4 to 5 hours).
Best Time: September to October (best water clarity) and February to March.
Average Cost: $50 – $75 per person (includes boat ride, snorkel gear, fruit snack, and naturalist guide).
4. Bribri Indigenous Chocolate and Waterfall Tour
- A half-day cultural and nature trip in the Talamanca foothills. A local guide takes travelers into a Bribri community to learn how native cacao is grown, processed, and used for nutrition and medicine. The tour includes tasting fresh hot chocolate and a short walk to swim in a local rainforest waterfall pool.
Duration: Half-day (approx. 4 hours, departs Puerto Viejo).
Best Time: Year-round.
Average Cost: $40 – $65 per person (includes local guide, community entrance fee, tastings, and transport).
How to get around
1. Route 32
- The main highway connecting San José to Limón through Braulio Carrillo National Park. It is narrow, winding, and packed with cargo trucks heading to the container ports. Heavy rains often cause rockslides that close this road for hours or even days. Check transit status before leaving San José.
2. Getting to Tortuguero
- You cannot drive to Tortuguero. You must drive or take a bus to the river dock at La Pavona (north of Guápiles). There, you park your car in a secure gated lot and take a public water taxi (about $4 to $6 one way) or lodge boat down the river for 1 to 1.5 hours.
3. Public Buses (MEPE)
- The MEPE bus company runs daily direct buses between San José (Terminal Atlántico Norte) and Puerto Viejo/Cahuita. The trip takes 4.5 to 6 hours depending on traffic. Local MEPE buses also run hourly between Limón, Cahuita, Puerto Viejo, and Manzanillo.
4. Domestic Flights (Sansa)
- Small passenger propeller planes fly daily from San José (SJO) to both Tortuguero (TTQ) and Limón (LIO). The flight takes about 35 to 40 minutes and skips the long drive entirely.
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You can find great car rental deals for your vacation on Expedia *
Did you know?
Sunken Shipwrecks – The shallow coral reefs just offshore hide rusted pirate-era shipwrecks that snorkelers can easily explore in clear water.
What to eat
1. Gallo Pinto
- A traditional dish of rice and black beans mixed together, often served with eggs and tortillas for breakfast.
2. Rice and Beans (Caribbean Style)
- Unlike the standard Central Valley gallo pinto, Caribbean rice and beans is cooked in fresh coconut milk with red beans, thyme, garlic, onions, and whole Panamanian chili peppers (chile panameño). It is usually served at lunch or dinner alongside stewed chicken or beef with fried sweet plantains.
3. Rondón
- A slow-cooked Caribbean seafood stew. The name comes from "run down" (whatever the cook could find that day). It combines fish, crab, shrimp, or conch with coconut milk, cassava (yuca), plantains, sweet potatoes, and local peppers.
4. Patí
- A pastry turnover brought to the coast by Jamaican immigrant workers. The flaky, yellow pastry dough is filled with ground beef seasoned with hot Panamanian peppers, onions, and spices, baked fresh and sold from street coolers and bakeries.
Flights
Flight prices are approximate and vary by departure city, airline, and booking time. Check airlines or travel platforms for the latest details.
* Please note: All prices are rough estimates for orientation purposes only and may vary by region.
Main Airports: Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR)
Flight Prices and Seasons:
From Europe
- Average Round-Trip Cost: €500 to €900.
- Cheapest Months: April to June and September to November.
- Peak Prices: December to March (dry season).
From North America
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $300 to $700.
- Cheapest Months: April to June and September to November.
- Peak Prices: December holidays and summer months (June to August).
From Asia
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $800 to $1,500.
- Cheapest Months: February to March and September to November.
- Peak Prices: December holidays and summer months.
From Australia
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $1,100 to $1,800.
- Cheapest Months: February and November.
- Peak Prices: December holidays and summer.
From Africa
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $600 to $1,200.
- Cheapest Months: February to March and September.
- Peak Prices: Summer and December holidays.
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You can find the best flight deals with Skyscanner or plan the whole vacation, including flights, transportation, hotels and tours with Expedia *
Airport Location
Visa
1. Visa Requirement
- Most travelers do not need a visa to enter Costa Rica for short stays, including citizens of the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, and many EU countries.
2. Visa-Free Entry
- Citizens of several countries can enter visa-free for stays of up to 90 days.
3. Visa Application
- Travelers from countries that require a visa must apply at a Costa Rican embassy or consulate before traveling.
4. Types of Visa
- Commonly issued as tourist visas or business visas, typically valid for stays of up to 90 days.
5. Processing Time
- Visa processing can take from a few days to a few weeks, so it’s advisable to apply well in advance.
6. Duration of Stay
- Most visa-free visitors can stay for up to 90 days, while visa holders typically have the same duration.
7. Health Requirements
- No specific vaccinations are required for entry, but having travel insurance is recommended.
Important things to know
1. Payments
- The local currency is the Costa Rican Colón (CRC). Credit cards are widely accepted.
2. Tap Water
- Tap water is generally safe to drink in most urban areas.
3. Electricity
- The voltage is 120V, and plug types A and B (two flat pins) are used. No adapter is needed for devices from North America.
4. Tipping in Restaurants
- Tipping is customary, with 10-15% being standard for good service.
5. SIM Cards
- Local SIM cards are available from providers like Kolbi, Claro, and Movistar. They can be purchased at stores.
6. Driving Side
- In Costa Rica, people drive on the right side of the road.
Souveniers
1. Bags of Fresh Costa Rican Coffee
- Grown in the country’s high-altitude regions, Costa Rican coffee is known for its balanced acidity, fruity notes, and smooth taste.
2. Artisanal Bribri Chocolate
- Small round cakes and bars of pure, unsweetened dark chocolate processed by hand by Bribri women's cooperatives in the Talamanca mountains.
3. Polished Coconut Carvings
- Spoons, bowls, and jewelry carved by local craftsmen out of discarded dried coconut shells, polished smooth with natural oils.
4. Local Hot Sauces
- Small glass bottles of homemade yellow hot sauce made from Caribbean habanero peppers (chile panameño), mustard, vinegar, and garlic, sold in local grocery stores and town markets.
Coffee
Location
Reviews
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