HOW LONG SHOULD I SPEND IN COSTA RICA?
This depends a little on your motivation for visiting. A week’s relaxing retreat or mountain-to-surf adventure is thoroughly enjoyable, but it doesn’t encompass the pura vida lifestyle and all Costa Rica has to offer. For that, taking in the volcanoes and waterfalls, the jungles and rainforests, the ocean, the cowboys and the wonderful wildlife, we recommend about two weeks or perhaps a little more.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT COSTA RICA?
Though temperature changes very little throughout the year, precipitation certainly does. November to April are the drier months and the best time to take a luxury Costa Rica vacation, but it is also worth considering peak travel times around the holiday period. By avoiding December and January, you will also reduce the crowds with whom you may be sharing some of the more popular destinations with.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM ACCOMMODATION IN COSTA RICA?
Sometimes quaint, perhaps a little rustic, frequently intimate, but always breathtaking. Large hotels are rare, some forested venues may be a little too in touch with nature for some, but you will invariably find high standards of accommodation wherever you stay. There is occasionally the chance of waking to find nature quite literally on your doorstep or balcony so, while accommodations ar always safe and secure, it is worthwhile expecting Costa Rica’s predominantly harmless natives to be sharing venues with you – always in a completely safe and non-intrusive way.
OTHER DETAILS:
Flights to Santiago are reasonable and regular, direct flights taking a little over 10 hours from either coast. Connecting flights can then take you to Chile’s specific regions, while overland transportation is available and highly advised for shorter trips to take in even more of the country’s wonderful scenery.
Direct flights are easily arranged into San José or Liberia from 9 different US gateways including New York, Washington, D.C., Fort Lauderdale and Los Angeles. Flight times to San José average six hours from across the United States.
Spanish is the national language of Costa Rica and some basic Spanish will definitely be useful, particularly in the more remote areas. That said, English is widely spoken, particularly in the hospitality and tourism industries, your accommodation staff, guides and so on will likely be fluent in English. All staff are trained to excellent standards, and whether seated in a restaurant or trekking distant jungles, you can be assured that you will always be in good hands.