Expert Article

                                             Welcome to Costa Rica!

Comprehensive Guide for you to travel to Costa Rica for an incredible rainforest experience.

Three weeks ago, I was in Costa Rica for my graduation trip. I haven't been traveled since COVID started last March. When I was researching Costa Rica, I was intrigued by Costa Rica's mysterious rainforest, variabilities of species, and delicious food. I enjoyed my trip to Costa Rica so much that I would love to share this comprehensive guideline with all of you. 

1. Pay Attention to COVID Precautions!

The COVID situation has been better these days and people started to plan for their trips to Costa Rica. Costa Rica doesn't require tourists to take the COVID test with negative results when entering the border. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic situation, Costa Rica now establishes some requirements upon entry:

    - Tourists who come to Costa Rica must complete the HEALTH PASS online before boarding 

    - Tourists must purchase mandatory travel medical insurance that covers medical expenses and lodging expenses due to COVID-19

Even if tourists have already been vaccinated, this still does not exempt them from purchasing medical insurances. 

When coming back to the United States, all passengers should take the COVID-19 test before their departing within 72 hours. 

Personally, I would recommend taking the test at the airport. It would be very convenient and won't impact your travel schedule at all. I took the test 3 hours earlier at the airport and the result came out within 45 minutes. 

2. Traveling at the Right Time or Right Price?

There are mainly two seasons in Costa Rica (dry season and rain season). The dry season is from mid-December to April. The rain season is from May to November. Usually, tourists would prefer to travel during the dry season since there would be plenty of sunshine all day making rainforest exploring easier. 

However, I traveled in late May which is during the rain season. I experienced plenty of short rain during my visit and I turned out to be enjoyed a lot by the unexpected rain. So, if you don't mind getting a little wet, come visit Costa Rica from May to July would be a good choice. Plus, you could also enjoy the lower hotel prices at the non-travel season and could. 

3. Places for Fun

Of course, one of the biggest incentive to explore Costa Rica is its attractions. 

Here is the map of Costa Rica. 

Best tourist attractions in Costa Rica (Top Three Selected)

La Fortuna: Arenal Volcano

Arenal Volcano is one of the active volcanoes in Costa Rica and is one of the most well-known volcanoes in Costa Rica. 

There are many things tourists can do around the volcano in La Fortuna. I highly recommend Hiking to the hanging bridges, swimming in the waterfall, and exploring landscapes at forest ziplines or Horseback riding in the waterfall. These outdoor activities could really excite you and make sure you get enough view of the volcano and natural forest. 

Other than that, a Volcano Spring and massage is also necessary for you to experience a natural vibe and to relax your body and mind.

Monteverde: National Cloud Forests

At the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, there are more than 100 species of mammals, 400 species of birds, and 1200 species of amphibians. Tourists can have a local guide to help recognize all kinds of different species. We had a local guide for the bird-watching tour. It was so fun since we got to get up early to hear various birds singing. We saw Tucan, parrots, and other colorful birds.

Manuel Antonio National Park

Manuel Antonio Park and the surrounding area are known for the beautiful beaches and diverse wildlife that live in the area. 

When you arrive the beach, you would find yourself be in the world of wild animals including butterflies, monkeys, slothes and more animals. 

Staying in the hotels and walking around the beach, you can enjoy the beauty of nature on a slow base. Besides causal activities, you could also go surfing with your friends. 

Overall, there are many places to explore in Costa Rica and so many outdoor activities that tourists can try.