Costa Rica / Republic of Costa Rica / República de Costa Rica – Let’s explore here

Costa Rica is a country in central America, about half the size of the Iceland. Throughout the centre lies the Cordillera de Talamanca mountains and hills. There are fourteen known volcanoes in Costa Rica, and six of them have been active in the last 75 years. The highest point is Cerro Chirripó, at 12,530 ft (3,819 m) above sea level.

Costa Rica’s population is around 5 million (2023) and its capital, San José is home to almost 2 million.

What currency do they use in Costa Rica?

In Costa Rica they use the Colon. Cash is widely used. The use of credit / debit cards is widely accepted in cities, although not in rural areas. Traveller’s cheques are not generally accepted. There are many ATMs in cities, although not all accept foreign issued cards.

You should make yourself aware of the amount that your bank charges you for using credit and debit cards abroad. Often credit cards are cheaper for purchasing items directly, and for withdrawing cash from ATMs.

What language do they speak in Costa Rica?

They speak Spanish in Costa Rica. English is also spoken in major cities.

What time zone is Costa Rica in?

Remember, when you’re planning your next trip to take a look at what time zone it’s in.

Do I need a visa to visit Costa Rica?

We’ve created a dedicated, more comprehensive page on visas, which you should find helpful. Check it out!

What’s it like to drive in Costa Rica?

We’ve also created a dedicated page to driving abroad, which you might find helpful 🙂

Is wild camping legal in Costa Rica?

Yes, wild camping is fine in Costa Rica, although make sure the land is not private.

If you’ve got some awesome pictures, or some useful info that you’d like to share, let us know! 

And don’t forget to check out all the other pictures!