Practical Travel

Most tourists traveling to Costa Rica can use their license from their home country to drive. But visitors from some countries will need an international driving permit. Likewise, people who …

Last Updated: June 15, 2022 With Covid spreading due to the omicron variant, many people are wondering what happens if you test positive for Covid in Costa Rica. In this …

If you’re like most people, your phone is an important extension of your daily life. And while you may be able to turn off work emails during your vacation, you …

If you are departing from Costa Rica’s Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) and wondering what the experience will be like, this post is for you. Here, we will cover how …

If you’re arriving at Costa Rica’s San Jose Airport (SJO) and are wondering what the experience will be like, this post is for you. Here, we will describe the arrival …

If you have read our post, Driving in Costa Rica: What to Know Before You Go, you have probably picked up some tips for your upcoming trip. But how about …

In Costa Rica, you can do hundreds of different tours. Of course, some activities require an expert guide, like waterfall rappelling, zip lining, or whitewater rafting. But what about things …

Manuel Antonio is known for its amazing ocean views and plentiful wildlife. Depending on where you stay, you can wake up to monkeys calling outside your room or see sunset …

You probably know that Costa Rica has two distinct seasons, dry season and rainy season. But what is rainy season really like? After living in Costa Rica for almost a …

Vacation rentals like Airbnbs can be a great option in Costa Rica. They fit big groups, give you more space, and let you cook in if you want. Since many …

Traveling to Costa Rica and exploring its many ecosystems can be an amazing experience. But we get a lot of questions from people who are uneasy about something pattering across …

In this new era of work from home, many people are interested in spending extended periods of time abroad. If you’re comfortable traveling, it’s certainly a great time to get …

Last Updated: June 15, 2022 IMPORTANT UPDATE As of June 12, 2022, the United States no longer requires a negative Covid test to fly into the country. The CDC has eliminated …

Each year we get many questions about what it is like during Christmas and New Years in Costa Rica. People want to know about the weather, local traditions, and which …

Last Updated: June 15, 2022 Many people have been asking where you can get a Covid-19 test in Costa Rica, for purposes of onward travel. In this post, we will …

Traveling to Costa Rica with young kids takes a little extra planning. You have to think about what to pack, how best to get around, and other important logistics. One …

If you’re looking for peaceful seclusion and abundant nature, Costa Rica’s southern Pacific coast is the perfect place to find it. With lush rainforest, spectacular biodiversity, and generally little development, …

Last Updated: September 28, 2020 As any parent knows, taking a trip with the kids is always an adventure. Routines are inevitably disrupted and everything that is familiar changes. But …

Home to almost three-quarters of the country’s population, the Central Valley is Costa Rica’s cultural and economic center. Long ago, farmers used oxcarts and horses to traverse the surrounding green …

While often overlooked, Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast has a lot to offer visitors. It has some of the country’s most scenic beaches, with turquoise water and a wild jungle backing. …

Last Updated: June 15, 2022 With the Covid-19 pandemic, travel as we know it has certainly changed. But what is traveling to Costa Rica like right now? With some key …

With miles of beach, lush rainforest, and abundant wildlife, Costa Rica’s central Pacific coast is a favorite among visitors. Some come for surfing, which is plentiful up and down the …

Guanacaste is a region in northwestern Costa Rica famous for its beaches and plentiful amenities. Sometimes called the “Gold Coast,” this area has some of the country’s most beautiful beaches. …

Last Updated: June 8, 2022 The novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) has continued to be a hot topic these days for travelers. We’ve had many readers and clients inquire about how Costa …

Last Updated: September 3, 2020 Jaco is a beach town with a lot going on. For first timers, the options for restaurants can be almost overwhelming. You’ll find everything from …

If you’ve been considering taking the kids overseas for the first time, you may have some reservations. We often hear from parents asking if Costa Rica is a good destination …

If you’ve looked into renting a car for your trip to Costa Rica, you may be uneasy about the details. Maybe you’re unsure about the process of renting. Maybe you’re …

Post Updated: May 21, 2019 Along with Costa Rica’s gorgeous tropical environment comes some unfortunate pests. Mosquitoes and other biting insects are found throughout the country and are particularly bothersome …

Updated February 21, 2020 Transportation is usually one of the most stressful parts of a planning a trip to Costa Rica. There is so much conflicting information about road conditions, …

La Fortuna is a destination for almost every type of traveler. It offers a huge selection of lodging that ranges from budget-friendly hostels to mid-range hotels with volcano views all …

There are several reasons why you might be planning to cross the border between Costa Rica and Panama. Many people do this just to explore another part of Central America, …

Last Updated: September 30, 2019 Deciding where to eat in Manuel Antonio can be overwhelming. With over 75 restaurants tucked away in town and dozens more in nearby Quepos, knowing …

Whether you are hiking one of Costa Rica’s rugged jungle trails or planning a relaxing walk in a national park, having what you need readily available can make a good …

Last Updated: May 2, 2022 If you’ve read our article on Driving in Costa Rica, then you’ve already learned the basics of what to expect when out on the road. …

Updated: February 2, 2020 Monteverde is one of Costa Rica’s most unique destinations. This humble mountain town, best known for its cloud forests, is far removed from any other tourist …

Monteverde may be a remote destination in Costa Rica, but once you arrive, you’ll find a long list of things to do and places to stay. In this post, we’ll …

Last Updated: September 28, 2020 Packing for your vacation can be stressful in itself but adding a baby to the picture takes it to a whole new level. Luckily, Costa …

Last Updated: September 28, 2020 Since having kids, we have learned a lot about family travel in Costa Rica. We have a series of articles on family travel on this …

Last Updated: March 10, 2021 With Costa Rica’s zigzagging roads and spread out destinations, getting from point A to point B can be either half the fun or the most …

Many people visiting Costa Rica are uneasy about safety. They have heard about violence in other areas of Central America and are unsure of what to expect. Rest assured that …

  One of the things that makes Costa Rica unique is the amount of protected land it holds. Beginning in the 1960s, Costa Rica started putting parcels of land aside …

Last Updated: May 21, 2019 Although Costa Rica has some amazing wildlife, not all creatures in its rainforests are postcard worthy. In fact, some, like the mosquito, are dreaded because …

Last Updated: May 7, 2020 For many, traveling means not only visiting somewhere new, but also diving into the culture. And food is one of those defining parts of a …

If you plan on traveling to Costa Rica’s neighboring countries by foot, bus, or car, you’ll want to know about its border crossings. Costa Rica has several borders or fronteras …

Last Updated: June 15, 2020 If you live somewhere that gets cold, you probably can’t wait to plan your getaway to Costa Rica. But when is a good time of …

If you are worried about not speaking Spanish for your upcoming trip to Costa Rica, you’re not alone. We remember those days too and hear from lots of others who …

Last Updated: March 5, 2020 If you’re a first time visitor to Costa Rica, you probably have some questions related to money. Maybe you’re wondering about the best way to …

Last Updated: December 10, 2020 With crazy flight schedules and lengthy drive times between most destinations and the airport, sometimes an overnight near Costa Rica’s SJO (Juan Santamaria International) Airport …

Last Updated: September 29, 2020 So your favorite weather app is telling you that in Costa Rica, it is pouring buckets and shooting lightning bolts every single day. Of course …

  One thing that continuously amazes us about Costa Rica is the amount of biodiversity packed into this small country. Even after living here for over two years, we still …

Last Updated: May 10, 2021 Driving in Costa Rica can be intimidating for a first- or even second- or third-time visitor. When we traveled to Costa Rica as tourists, we …

Traveling to Costa Rica might cost more than you think. A lot of people expect that because Costa Rica is in Central America, it will be extremely inexpensive. While the …

Last Updated: February 21, 2020 In our last post, Tortuguero Off the Resort, we shared some amazing things to do in Tortuguero and also suggested where to stay and eat. …

Last Updated: March 15, 2021 San Jose, the capital city of Costa Rica, is filled with rich history and culture. Not only that, but it has a hip urban vibe …

  Over the last 21 months, we’ve been fortunate to see some incredible waterfalls in Costa Rica. At times, it seems there’s one around every corner. Even just a simple …

Last Updated: May 30, 2022 If you’re reading this post, you’ve probably bought your tickets and are getting excited for your trip to Costa Rica! You likely have a good …

Last Updated: December 3, 2021 Wondering what gifts to buy for that special person in your life who is obsessed with Costa Rica? You know, the one who always insists …

Most people traveling to Costa Rica come during the dry season. When we visited as tourists, we did the exact same thing. All we wanted was sun and clear blue …

What would a travel website be without captivating photos? We wondered that ourselves recently when we found our go-to zoom lens suddenly out of commission. It all happened on a …

Anyone who has driven around Lake Arenal on their way from La Fortuna to Monteverde knows about all of the crazy signs. Every couple of miles, there’s a random, handmade …

Although Costa Rica is less expensive than many destinations in North America, Europe, and the South Pacific, it isn’t as budget friendly today as it once was. Like all great …