Costa Rica is located just north of the equator and boasts moderate temperatures year-round. Instead of four seasons, Costa Rica has just two: a dry summer from January through April and a rainy winter from May to December. Some areas can even get over 260 inches of rain every year. That’s 21 feet! 

Costa Rica’s summer months are drier, which makes it a popular time for visitors. This is the season for spotting sea turtles in the sand or exploring the rainforest. That’s why we recommend choosing the summer for our Costa Rica trips.

Costa Rica has over 500,000 different species of plants and animals. While visiting Costa Rica, you’ll have the chance to see birds, monkeys, iguanas, crocodiles, frogs, coatis, and two- and three-toed sloths. Costa Rica is known for its birds, which include toucans, parrots, herons, macaws, hummingbirds, and resplendent quetzals—which are considered to be the most beautiful bird in the world. It’s also home to over 10,000 plants and trees, including more than 1,200 species of orchids.

You’ll want to make sure you bring a variety of items when you travel on one of our group tours to Costa Rica, because the weather can vary widely between the rainforests and beaches. Here are a few Costa Rica trip “musts”:

• Rain boots and raincoats. You’re visiting the rainforest, after all.
• Lots of layers. Temperatures rise and fall with the different elevations, so this will help you keep comfortable.
• Binoculars. That way you can see all the incredible wildlife and make the most of your Costa Rica tour.

You may want to stock up on cash before departing on any of our Costa Rica trips. Many local vendors do not accept credit cards, and it can be hard to find an ATM. American dollars are widely accepted throughout the country, so you don’t have to stress if you run out of Costa Rican cólones!

Check out our Costa Rica Travel Guide to learn more.

Apart from us planning everything for you, one of the biggest reasons to go on Costa Rica guided tours is the local guides. They know every site from top to bottom, and they’re so passionate about everything they share. Nothing compares to seeing everything from a local’s perspective on our Costa Rica tours! Learn more about one traveler’s memories from Costa Rica.