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    Travel Guide Costa Rica - Enjoy Central America.

    Located in Central America is one of the most visited countries in the Americas. Costa Rica, connects the North to South America and shares borders with Nicaragua in the North with Panama in the South. As a tropical destination, the landscapes are ever changing during the year with several micro-climates throughout the country. This has moulded the landscape, filling it with lush vegetation and a stunning display of flora and fauna. As the ultimate playground for adventures, Costa Rica offers you jungles, breath-taking beaches and a wide array of terrain, including rugged highlands and several active volcanoes.

    Ticos - as Costa Ricans are known locally, are a happy and welcoming people. Its culture reflects its racial diversity. Europeans are the predominant influence, from the language to the architecture of churches and historical buildings. The indigenous influence is less visible but can be found from the tortillas to handmade ceramics. This travel guide to Costa Rica will guide you through this small but amazing country.

    Auto Europe has partnered with many local, national and international car hire suppliers to provide its customers with the very busy car hire solutions. Located in convenient locations, customers are able to choose from a large variety of vehicles. Standard car hire, luxury car hire and motorhome can all be obtained at greatly reduced rental rates. Contact our reservation team to find out more. We also recommend you reading our car hire reviews in Costa Rica to see what other customers thought of our service in the country.

    Look over the Costa Rica travel guide topics listed below and take a look at each page for information on a specific aspect of traveling in Costa Rica.

    Road Trips Attractions Travel FAQs
     

    Road trips with my car hire in Costa Rica

    Costa Rica is a tiny country that offers you pristine clear blue water beaches, multi-coloured birds, amazing wildlife, hissing volcanoes and sprawling coffee farms. Here you can choose from a stress-free day at the beach or an adventurous one with zip-lines throughout the rainforest. Besides all the tours described above, there is a lot more to see and enjoy on a road trip.

    Costa Rica

    • Finca Rosa Blanco Coffee Plantation: Located a 30-minutes’ drive north of the capital city, on the slopes of the Poás and Barva Volcano, this luxurious accommodation and organic coffee plantation can give you an authentic local taste of Costa Rica. Visit the 30-acre large organic coffee farm, which is tended by the Jampol family. This plantation is dedicated to sustainable practices, organic agriculture and honours three centuries of Costa Rican coffee heritage. End the day with a coffee tasting session and practice the art of coffee slurping.

    • Volcan Poás National Park: This national park, together with the Poas Volcano, is a must visit during your road trip. This active volcano is one of a kind in the world - as it is open to the public. It has a highly acidic and turquoise crater lake that is over a mile across and 1050 feet deep, with two small lakes at the bottom. The water in each of these lakes interact differently with the geological properties of the volcano, giving one of the two lakes its distinctive bright blue colour. The roads in the Alajuela districts heading up to the national park are in good condition but be prepared for winding mountain terrain the closer you get to your destination. The park is open from 08h00 every day and also offers short 2-hour hikes around the top of the crater.

    • La Paz Waterfalls: As you head towards the city of Heredia, also known as the city of flowers. Tucked between two small mountainous towns, is the Parque Central. This central park is well worth a visit, as it is surrounded by beautiful and unique architecture and lined with splendid mango trees.

    • Northwest Guanacaste: One of the most popular provinces of the country and known as a tropical paradise thanks to its stunning pristine shorelines, beautiful mountain ranges and several volcanoes. Head to the Papagayo peninsula, for the most beautiful sunsets whilst you spend a lazy day at the beach. Here is also the ideal location to view and admire the little white-faced monkeys jumping around.

    What to do in Costa Rica

    When you decide to rent a car in Costa Rica there are numerous towns and cities, as well as places to explore like the rain forests, waterfalls and stunning volcanoes. Marvel at the rich wildlife in its national parks or within forest reserves. Alternatively, simply relax on one of the country's numerous beautiful beaches. Below we have picked our top choices when visiting this stunning country.

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    • Manuel Antonio National Park: Was established in 1972 to preserve one of the most beautiful and bio-diverse areas in the world. With 683 hectares it is one of the smallest national parks in Costa Rica but well-worth a visit due to its diverse wildlife. It contains a combination of rain forest, picturesque beaches and coral reefs perfect for snorkelling. The forest is home to iguanas, sloths, squirrel monkeys and many more interesting creatures. Whether you’re looking for a relaxed or an adventurous day, you’ll find what you’re looking for in this small but complete national park which can be reached from the south of the town of Quepos.

    • Arenal Volcano National Park: Home to the most active volcano in Costa Rica, Arenal Volcano is nowadays limited to puffs of steam and a few deep rumbles. It is strictly prohibited to reach the crater for security reasons; however, it is possible to admire its perfect cone shape from all around the park. There are almost a dozen hot water-based theme parks and the Balneario Tabacón Gran Thermae Spa. The Arenal is perfect for hiking, kayaking, trekking, cycling or a simple tour. It has a lake, several rivers, refreshing waterfalls offering natural pools and spectacular views with natural habitats for a diverse number of animals.

    • San Jose: Planning a trip to the capital is something you can’t miss. Located in the Central Valley with the Talamanca Mountains to the south and volcanoes to the north, here you can admire the Spanish colonial buildings, like the National Theatre of Costa Rica and the Plaza de la Cultura. Barrio Amón is well known among tourists for its century-old mansions and architecture. For a variety of restaurants, bars, coffee houses and bakeries head to Barrio Escaldante. The Central Market is filled with vendors and small restaurants called "sodas" serving local seafood. For a night out you should try the San Pedro and La California neighbourhoods, both near the University of Costa Rica.

    • Jacó: Is a lovely, energetic beach town full of shops, restaurants and beachfront hotels. Surfers usually venture to Hermosa and Esterillos Este beaches for the best waves, but if you’re looking for a quiet beach day the most popular with the locals is Mantas and Blanca beach. The Pura Vida Gardens and Waterfalls is perfect if you are looking to explore nature and its beloved residents – colourful birds and monkeys.

    • Monteverde: Monteverde or the Green Mountain is a town located in northwestCosta Rica. The town is famous for the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, where it shelters wild species including jaguars. The reserve's trails go through fields of ferns, orchids and across suspension bridges that allow you to walk above the canopy. All over the city, you'll find sites that bring the fauna and flora alive, from butterfly gardens and a serpentarium – home to hummingbirds – to an orchid garden with more than 400 species. Monteverde is dedicated to coffee and sugar plantations that are also open to the public for tours.

    Frequently Asked Questions about travelling in Costa Rica

    The following FAQ list will help answer some of the most commonly asked questions from customers who visit Costa Rica. Time zone, currency, electricity supply, visa requirements and many more travel tips have been included here. If after having read through this guide, you still have questions you need answered, please get in touch and we will provide the most accurate information available.

    What type of car hire is best for your trip to Costa Rica?

    Costa Rica has a rich and varied landscape. This means that you can easily be driving along mountainous roads, or coastal beach roads. For each terrain type, we have the right car hire category for your needs. Each car category comes with its specific advantages and disadvantages. Mini, Compact, Economy, Large, SUV, Vans and many more vehicle types are on offer for you to choose from. Choosing the right car is a personal choice, and you should base your decision on required engine power, legroom, overall comfort and luggage capacity.

     

    What is the currency in Costa Rica?

    The Costa Rica currency unit is the Costa Rica Colón (CRC). Colones come in paper denominations of 1000, 2000, 5000, 10.000, 20.000 and 50.000 colones. Coins come in the denominations of 5, 10, 25, 50, 100 and 500. Older coins are silver and larger than the newer versions. Most of the new ones are gold-coloured, except for the 5 and 10 colones coins, which are silver.

    Many banks will exchange British pounds, US dollars and Euros. ATMs are widely available in Costa Rica and known as Cajeros Automáticos. Some banks will charge a fee if using an ATM abroad, so check with our bank before travelling. Credit cards are accepted throughout the country, but there will be occasions when cash is the only possibility.

     

    What time zone is Costa Rica in?

    Costa Rica is located in the Central Standard Time zone (UTC-06:00), meaning it is 6 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time. It also does not have daylight saving time, as it keeps the same time for all days of the year.

     

    Electricity – Do I need a power adapter in Costa Rica?

    Electricity runs at 120V and 60Hz, much lower than the United Kingdom so make sure your electric devices are prepared for that. Plugs are typically the 2-pronged flat type so you will need a power adapter. In the UK the plug type is G whilst in Costa Rica the type is A and B.

     

    Do I need a Visa to travel to Costa Rica?

    British Citizens don’t need a visa to enter Costa Rica. A tourist visa waiver allows you to stay for up to 90-days. The exact period is at the prudence of the immigration officer upon arrival. If you plan to work or stay for a longer period you should check the requirements with the Costa Rican authorities. Also, your passport must have at least one day’s validity from the date you are leaving. Entry may be refused if you fail to provide proof of return or onward travel.

     

    Which are the most common phrases in Costa Rica?

    The official language is Spanish, but English is commonly spoken. Below are a few words and phrases that may be useful during your travels.

    Pura Vida - Pure Life. As mentioned above, it has many meanings but all are friendly: great, fantastic, hello, nice to meet you, thank you, you're welcome. It is common to answer: "How's it going?” with Pura Vida.

    Mae - Dude. You'll hear this word a lot, especially among men, usually friends and can refer to any person.

    Suave un toque - Hold on a second. This expression is a step toward learning how to relax.

    Vara - Things or stuff. Used in various ways as “Qué es la vara?” (What's the deal?) or “Tumba la vara” meaning to calm down or drop it.

    Hacer un MacGyver - To do a MacGyver. Referring to the 80’s TV show of the ingenious secret agent who solved problems using paper clips and chewing gum rather than guns. It means to improvise or fix something with whatever you have at hand.

    Buenos dias / tardes / noches - Good Morning / afternoon / evening.

    Hola - Hello

    Por favor - Please

    Gracias - Thank you)

    Habla inglés? - Do you speak English?

    Cuánto vale? - How much is it?

    Puedo pagar con tarjeta? - Can I pay by card?

    Useful Links

    Costa Rica Travel Information

    Costa Rica Airport Information

    Costa Rica Car Hire Fleet Guide

    Official Tourism Website of Costa Rica