Costa Rica

Active volcanoes, palm-fringed surf beaches, pristine waterfalls and tropical rainforests filled with exotic wildlife - Costa Rica is a nature-lover's fantasy. With its fabulous weather, rich biodiversity and outrageous natural beauty, this is a destination that should be near the top of any active adventurer's wish list.

Here you can see biodiversity in living colour as you explore the mist-shrouded heights of the Monteverde Cloud Forest, and raft down the Pacuare, a spectacular river gorge flanked with steep jungle-clad cliffs.

Encounter abundant wildlife as you explore the lush canals and rainforests of Tortuguero National Park, marvel at the imposing symmetry of Volcano Arenal and explore the white sand beaches, rocky headlands and estuaries of Manuel Antonio National Park.

Explore Costa Rica's raw, majestic beauty in its many national parks and wilderness reserves, soak up culture, art and history in the vibrant capital of San Jose or simply kick back on one of the country's countless unspoiled beaches.

Or go all-in and challenge yourself with the thrilling Costa Rica Traverse, our award winning multi-activity adventure that will see you hike, bike, kayak and raft your way across the country.

Whichever of our Costa Rica adventures you choose; you won't regret a trip to this rugged paradise.

Action shot as we cycle Costa Rica wilderness | Mark Watson

About Costa Rica

FAQs

See the raw, majestic beauty of Costa Rica in its many national parks and wilderness reserves

Relax on the white sand beaches of the Pacific and Caribbean coasts

Witness biodiversity in living colour in mist-shrouded cloud forests

Soak up culture, art and history in the vibrant capital of San Jose

Get your heart racing with rock climbing, surfing, kayaking, rafting or ziplining

Hike or climb forest-clad slopes and active volcanoes along the country’s rugged mountain spine

Marvel at the hundreds of mysterious stone spheres of the Diquís Delta

Experience the culture of Ticos first hand at one of the country’s many colourful festivals

Drop in spot on the Paquare river, Costa Rica - <i>Photo: Sophie Panton</i>

There are several distinct climatic zones in Costa Rica and as it is a tropical country there is no winter or summer.

Most regions experience a rainy season from May to November and a dry season from December to April.

In the rainy season, short afternoon showers are common, although not daily.

Because of the severe changes in altitude throughout Costa Rica coastal temperatures can reach 28 – 32ºC (82 – 89ºF) while mountain regions can be considerably cooler with temperatures dropping to as low as 5ºC (40ºF).

Pristine beach in Manuel Antonio national park, Costa Rica - <i>Photo: Sophie Panton</i>

Costa Rica is -6 hours behind UTC/GMT

Spanish is the official and primary language, with Costa Ricans speaking a Central American variant known as Costa Rican Spanish

English is the most commonly spoken and taught foreign language, followed by French, German, Italian and Cantonese

Indigenous communities speak a variety of indigenous languages from the Chibchan language family, including Bribri

A unique dialect of Jamaican Creole English called Limonese Creole or Mekatelyu is spoken in the Limón Province on the Caribbean coast

Costa Rican colón

US dollars cash are the most easily convertible currency

Credit cards and ATM are available in most large cities and hotels, however it is not recommended to rely on these solely.

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Electricity in Costa Rica is 110 Volts, at 60 hertz. The most common pin type is A. (2 flat prong).

Your safety is our number one concern. Our safety track record is exemplary thanks to careful management and thorough consultation with local partners. Our industry leading risk management procedures have become a skill that we continue to refine. Our leaders in the field are highly trained and have safety as their number one priority. Expert leaders, risk assessments, quality inclusions and your financial security all come standard when you travel with us.

Please refer to our Travel Advisory page for updates on recent events, travel warnings and advice.

We strongly recommend that all clients take out travel insurance at the time of booking to cover against sickness, accident, loss of baggage, unexpected alterations to travel arrangements and travel disruption, emergency evacuation, cancellations, etc. Insurance information is enclosed with your pre-departure information. Please contact us if you would like to obtain a quote for your trip duration.

We suggest that you consult your doctor, local government inoculation centre or a travel medical specialist in order to get the most current advice regarding vaccination requirements.

Money and valuables should always be stored safely when travelling. Keep your passport with you at all times and do not leave it in your main luggage. You will need it to change money and check into hotels. Where safety deposit boxes are available, we recommend that you use them. Keep jewellery and valuables to a minimum.