What is the cheapest time to go to Costa Rica?

The cheapest time to visit Costa Rica is during the green season or rainy season, May to November. As the largest influx of tourists visit Costa Rica during the dry season (December through April), that is the most expensive time to visit. Read more about Costa Rica weather to know what to expect.



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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.

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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.

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If you're wondering “Is Costa Rica expensive?”, the answer is yes and no. Compared to other Central American countries like Nicaragua or El Salvador, Costa Rica is generally more on the expensive side. It's pretty well-developed and has a thriving tourism industry, so things do cost more.

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Costa Rica is cheaper than Hawaii. There is more to do and it will cost you less. You can spring for more luxurious accommodations once in a while in Costa Rica and you won't break the bank, but a standard hotel in Hawaii will already be pretty expensive.

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Cheapest flights to Costa Rica
  • Fort Lauderdale to San José flightsfrom $92 pp.
  • Orlando to San José flightsfrom $108 pp.
  • Los Angeles to Liberia flightsfrom $140 pp.
  • John F Kennedy Intl to San José flightsfrom $158 pp.
  • Los Angeles to San José flightsfrom $178 pp.
  • Atlanta to San José flightsfrom $199 pp.


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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.

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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).

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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.

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US nationals do not require an entry visa to Costa Rica. However, they must have a current valid passport and a return ticket to exit Costa Rica within 90 days. (Either to return to your country or to go to another country). US passport must be valid for a minimum of one day from the day you enter Costa Rica.

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The months of September through November are generally the coldest months that the country sees, however this does vary region to region. Costa Rica's harshest regions are in the mountains, where overnight temperatures routinely drop below 50° Fahrenheit (10° Celsius).

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Direct, Nonstop Routes to Costa Rica
  • Atlanta.
  • Boston.
  • Charlotte.
  • Chicago.
  • Dallas.
  • Denver.
  • Fort Lauderdale.
  • Houston.


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A single person can live on between $1,600 and $2,000 a month. Some single people scrape by on considerably less, and others spend hundreds of dollars more, depending on their lifestyle. Some retired couples live well on $2,000 per month and even better on $2,500 to $3,000.

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Off-season in Costa Rica runs from May to mid-December – a period officially known as the green season – when Costa Rica gets lots of precipitation and fewer tourists.

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A seven-day road trip provides an excellent opportunity for an introduction to the highlights of Costa Rica. A week should give you enough time to do a bit of everything, including a mandatory visit to San José, some time to explore the mountains; volcanos; and cloud forests, and a relaxing few days on the beach.

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FAQ on Mexico vs Costa Rica Mexico is generally cheaper than Costa Rica in terms of travel costs, accommodation, and food. Although some places in Mexico are getting more expensive (Cancun and Tulum), generally speaking, it is much easier to travel Mexico on a budget.

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What is the best airline to fly to Costa Rica?
  • Avianca: Based in Colombia, Avianca offers numerous connections between Costa Rica and other Latin American countries.
  • Copa Airlines: Based in Panama, it's a major airline in Central America and offers good connections to and from Costa Rica.


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The Costa Rica Colon is preferred, but US dollars are widely accepted. We recommend traveling with small denominations of US dollars for tipping purposes. Generally, bills larger than $20 are not accepted. Even if you use the USD, you will likely receive your change in colones.

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Of the two, Panama is around 10-20% cheaper than Costa Rica, but with the range of luxury goods on offer, you might find yourself spending more! Costa Rica, being a popular tourist destination, can be relatively more expensive compared to Panama. However, both countries offer options for budget-conscious travellers.

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