For most destinations throughout Costa Rica, flying into San Jose (SJO) is going to be quicker and more affordable than other airports.
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For some destinations, the airports are about equidistant, making them equally good choices. In general, if you're planning to visit Guanacaste, Liberia Airport is closest.If you're planning to go to the central or southern Pacific coast, San Jose Airport is best.
The best time to visit Costa Rica is between December and April, when the weather is at its driest and brightest. We'd also recommend traveling in the country's green season, from May to June or in November.
The popularity of Costa Rica has increased immensely and more airlines are competing with many more flights. Important Pricing Note: As of mid 2019 most airlines are including the $29 departure tax but some still do not. This can make a cheaper fare look more expensive.
How Much Does Costa Rica Cost? A week of vacation in Costa Rica costs between $850 and $1,450 for an average traveler in mid-priced hotels, lodges or rental houses and doing standard tours (assuming double occupancy).
The overall affordability of Costa Rica is due to a combination of economic factors, competition among tourism providers, government initiatives, and the local currency exchange rate.
We recommend spending 10 days to two weeks in Costa Rica, as this timeframe will give you enough time to cover all the major highlights while also including time for traveling from one destination to another.
You can have a great time on either side of Costa Rica but here are some reasons why you should visit one over the other. Two of the main reasons why you should visit the Pacific side of Costa Rica over the Caribbean are that there are more choices and a closer proximity to the international airport and attractions.
San José is the most popular destination in Costa Rica — More people are taking advantage of the international airport in Liberia and most people that arrive in San José don't stick around too long but it still gets more visitors than any other place in Costa Rica.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Costa Rica. Book at least 2 weeks before departure in order to get a below-average price. High season is considered to be January, November and December. The cheapest month to fly from the United States is May.
We spent 2 weeks in CR last month and spent about $1,000 US. We used credit cards for hotel and rental car, but paid cash for everything else. We averaged about $100 in cash per day for food and incidentals, including tips, gas (for rental car), entrance to parks (but not organized tours).
Costa Rica Travel Costs: FoodFood costs vary in the country. Touristic areas are no doubt more expensive than local or rural areas. The average price for a typical Costa Rican lunch in a soda (typical local restaurant) located in a touristic beach town can be around $10 USD including taxes and a drink.
For most of the country, the hottest months in Costa Rica are March and April. January and February are also very hot and may only differ by a one or two degrees (Celsius). The rainiest months are generally September and October (except for the Caribbean) so you will find that this depends on the region.
September and October are Costa Rica's rainiest months, with rainfall lasting nearly all day. If you happen to book a trip during these months, not to worry: These are the most beautiful months along Costa Rica's Caribbean coast. Plan to head to Cahuita, Puerto Viejo, or Tortuguero.