About Costa Rica
Costa Rica is in Central America. Its capital is San José, the main language is Spanish and the currency is the Costa Rican colón (CRC). Our guides cover 2 destinations across Costa Rica, including San Jose and Central Pacific Coast. The most comfortable time to visit is generally all year round.
Must-see sights in Costa Rica
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National Theatre of Costa Rica
Landmark · San JoseAn ornate nineteenth-century theater with marble staircases and painted ceilings, the city's most elegant building. Take a guided tour or attend a performance, and stop at the cafe inside for coffee.
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Manuel Antonio National Park
Park · Central Pacific CoastA small park of rainforest trails and white-sand coves where monkeys, sloths and iguanas are common. Buy tickets online ahead of time, and hire a guide with a spotting scope to see far more wildlife.
Things to do in Costa Rica
70 tours, tickets and experiences you can book across Costa Rica. Pick a type and city to see what is available for your dates.
- Outdoor activities & Adventure23 experiences
- Zoo, Aquarium & Nature18 experiences
- Gastronomy & nightlife4 experiences
- City tours4 experiences
- San Jose 4
- Day Trips & Excursions3 experiences
- Art & culture3 experiences
- San Jose 3
- Tickets & Attraction Passes2 experiences
- San Jose 2
- Cruise & Water Tours1 experiences
Best time to visit Costa Rica
Based on recent weather records across 2 destinations, the most comfortable months for sightseeing in Costa Rica are all year round. Conditions vary by region, so open a city guide for monthly temperatures, rainfall and a 7-day forecast.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Know before you go
- Currency
- Costa Rican colón (CRC)1 US dollar ≈ ₡454
- Language
- Spanish
- Capital
- San José
- Calling code
- +506
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- America/Costa_RicaUTC−6
Upcoming public holidays in Costa Rica
- Army Abolition DayDía de la Abolición del Ejército
- Christmas DayNavidad
- New Year's DayAño Nuevo
- Maundy ThursdayJueves Santo
- Good FridayViernes Santo
- Juan Santamaría DayDía de Juan Santamaría
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Check visa requirementsGetting to Costa Rica
The closest airports to the most popular destinations in Costa Rica.
- SYQ Tobías Bolaños International Airport4 mi from San Jose
- TMU Tambor Airport29 mi from Central Pacific Coast
Costa Rica travel FAQ
What are the best places to visit in Costa Rica?
Popular destinations in Costa Rica include San Jose and Central Pacific Coast. Our Costa Rica travel guides cover 2 cities and regions, with places to visit, things to do, where to stay and the best time to go.
When is the best time to visit Costa Rica?
Across our Costa Rica destinations, the most comfortable months to visit are all year round. Weather varies by region, so check each city guide for local temperatures and rainfall.
Which airports should I fly into for Costa Rica?
Main airports for popular Costa Rica destinations include Tobías Bolaños International Airport (SYQ) for San Jose and Tambor Airport (TMU) for Central Pacific Coast.
What are the top things to do in Costa Rica?
Destina Holidays offers 70 tours and activities across Costa Rica. The most popular types are outdoor activities & adventure (23), zoo, aquarium & nature (18), gastronomy & nightlife (4) and city tours (4).
What are the must-see sights in Costa Rica?
Highlights include National Theatre of Costa Rica in San Jose and Manuel Antonio National Park in Central Pacific Coast.
What currency is used in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica uses the Costa Rican colón (CRC). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ ₡454.
What language is spoken in Costa Rica?
The official language of Costa Rica is Spanish.
What is the capital of Costa Rica?
The capital of Costa Rica is San José.
What time zone is Costa Rica in?
Costa Rica uses the America/Costa_Rica (UTC−6) time zone.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Costa Rica?
Traffic in Costa Rica drives on the right. The international calling code is +506.
What are the upcoming public holidays in Costa Rica?
Upcoming public holidays include Army Abolition Day on 1 December 2026, Christmas Day on 25 December 2026 and New Year's Day on 1 January 2027. Flights and hotels often fill up early around holidays.
Do I need a visa to visit Costa Rica?
Visa rules for Costa Rica depend on your nationality, passport and the length and purpose of your trip. Check our visa requirements page or contact our travel experts before you book.