Arenal & La Fortuna
A cone-shaped volcano with hot springs resorts, hanging bridges and waterfalls all around it.
Best for Families, adventure
Why Costa Rica
Costa Rica packs cloud forest, volcanoes, wildlife-rich rainforest and beaches on two oceans into a country smaller than West Virginia. It is one of the easiest places for a first family adventure.
Highlights
- Arenal Volcano
- Monteverde cloud forest
- Manuel Antonio's wildlife
- Guanacaste beaches
Where to go in Costa Rica
The places our travelers love most, and what each one does best.
Getting around
- San José to ArenalAbout 3 hours by car
- Arenal to MonteverdeAbout 3.5 hours, or jeep, boat and jeep across Lake Arenal
- Monteverde to GuanacasteAbout 3 hours
- San José to Manuel AntonioAbout 3 hours
- San José to the Osa PeninsulaAbout 1 hour by small plane
- San José to TortugueroAbout 4 hours by road and boat, or a short flight
Monteverde
A cloud forest high in the mountains, with suspension bridges, zip lines and guided night walks.
Best for Nature, birding
Guanacaste
Dry, sunny Pacific beaches and the Papagayo Peninsula’s luxury resorts, close to Liberia airport.
Best for Beach time, resorts
Nosara & Nicoya
Surf breaks, yoga retreats and a famously long-lived local community.
Best for Wellness, surf
Manuel Antonio
A small national park where rainforest meets the beach, with monkeys and sloths close to the trail.
Best for Wildlife, families
Osa Peninsula
Corcovado National Park, among the most biodiverse places on earth, reached by small plane.
Best for Serious nature lovers
Tortuguero
Canals, rainforest and nesting sea turtles on the Caribbean coast, reached by boat or small plane.
Best for Wildlife, turtles
San José & the Central Valley
Coffee farms, the Poás volcano and a good first or last night near the airport.
Best for Coffee, short stays
When to go
December to April is the dry season. May to November is greener and quieter.
The best months, the busy weeks and the quieter windows, so you can choose the trip that fits.
- JanDry and sunny
- FebDriest weeks
- MarHot and dry
- AprEaster, dry season ends
- MayGreen season begins
- JunAfternoon showers
- JulShort dry spell, turtles
- AugWhales on the Pacific
- SepWettest on the Pacific
- OctRainy, Caribbean side drier
- NovGreen and lush
- DecHoliday weeks
Peak season Shoulder season Low season
Average temperatures and rainfall
Jan0.6″
Feb0.2″
Mar0.5″
Apr1.8″
May9.0″
Jun9.5″
Jul7.8″
Aug9.5″
Sep12.0″
Oct11.8″
Nov5.7″
Dec1.6″
Jan0.1″
Feb0.1″
Mar0.2″
Apr0.7″
May8.0″
Jun9.0″
Jul6.0″
Aug8.0″
Sep13.0″
Oct12.0″
Nov4.0″
Dec0.6″
Approximate average daily high and low in °F, with average monthly rainfall in inches.
Spring
March and April are hot and dry, especially in Guanacaste. Easter week is a big local holiday, so beaches and hotels fill up.
Summer
May through November is the green season, with sunny mornings and afternoon showers in most places. Many families travel in July, when a short dry spell often arrives.
Fall
September and October are the rainiest months on the Pacific side, while the Caribbean coast is often at its driest. It’s also sea turtle season in Tortuguero.
Winter
December through April is the dry season and peak time, with sunny days and clear volcano views. Holiday weeks book far in advance.
Ideas by month:
Trip ideas
Starting points only. Every Costa Rica trip we plan is built around you.
Volcano, Forest and Beach
Arenal, Monteverde and the Guanacaste coast.
Family Wildlife Adventure
Ziplines, hanging bridges and sloth spotting at an easy pace.
Where you'll stay
Eco-lodges, hot-spring resorts and beachfront hotels. We choose every hotel ourselves and know which rooms have the view.
Good to know
The small things that make a big difference once you arrive.
Slower roads
Mountain roads are winding and slower than maps suggest. We keep drives to about three hours a day so you see more and sit less.
Driver or self-drive
Private transfers make the mountain roads easy. Self-drive works well if you’re comfortable on gravel and hills.
Two airports
Fly into Liberia for Guanacaste, San José for everything else, or into one and out of the other.
Pack for sun and rain
Quick-dry clothes, a light rain jacket, closed-toe shoes for trails and reef-safe sunscreen.
Hire a naturalist
A good guide spots sloths, frogs and birds you’d walk right past. It’s worth it in every park.
Small bills help
U.S. dollars are accepted almost everywhere, but small bills are handy for tips and roadside stops.
Costa Rica questions
When is the best time to visit Costa Rica?
December to April is the dry season. May to November is greener and quieter.
How long should I spend in Costa Rica?
Most of our travelers spend 8 to 12 days in Costa Rica. We'll shape the length around what you want to see and how you like to travel.
Can Global Escapes plan a private trip to Costa Rica?
Yes. Every trip we plan to Costa Rica is designed around you, with hand-picked hotels, private guides where they make a difference and support while you travel. Call 706.549.1164 or tell us about your trip below.
Tell us about your Costa Rica dream.
Share as much or as little as you like. A member of our team will reach out personally to start shaping your trip.
Rather talk it through? Call 706.549.1164