After spending 16 days exploring Costa Rica, it has quickly risen to the top of my travel pyramid. From the kindness of the people to the natural landscapes of waterfalls, volcanoes, and beaches, to the lively wildlife, I felt transported to another world.

I can’t say this for many trips, but this one went off without a hitch, aside from some unseasonal gloom and rain. Still, even with a multitude of research and reading Reddit threads, there were still aspects of Costa Rica you have to actually experience before you understand it.

Here are five things that surprised me during my visit and that I believe will help you better understand the country as you plan your future trip.

How easy it is to travel there

I was shocked to realize how easy it was to travel from the United States to Costa Rica. For most of the country, you can reach this darling of Central America in under six hours. From Denver, my home base, we had an easy 5-hour, non-stop flight. (We flew into Liberia in the country's northwest region and departed from San Jose, the country’s capital.)

To reach Maui, for instance, it’s almost 50% longer, and those living on the East Coast are looking at a full day of travel, if not more, and hardly any non-stop options.

The main reason Costa Rica is easy to reach is that it lies farther east than we realize. Our slightly warped minds believe that Central and South America are just “south.” But in reality, they veer far east.

Travelers from Chicago, Toronto, or Nashville will likely be surprised to learn that Costa Rica is due south of them and in the same time zone, which is another reason why it’s a perfect vacation destination. As opposed to losing a full day going to Europe and being sleep deprived, you’ll never have to reset your clocks in Costa Rica.

Want to be notified when there are cheap flights to Costa Rica and beyond? Sign up for Thrifty Traveler and save $20!​

There’s wildlife everywhere

It’s like nature’s zoo in Costa Rica. No matter where we were, Manuel Antonio, La Fortuna, Uvita, or Guanacaste, we had wildlife around us at all times.

As a wildlife photographer, I loved it!

From massive iguanas in palm trees, to macaws hanging out in Marino Bellena National Park, to toucans in Arenal, and sloths quite literally all around us, I was in heaven.

If you want a destination to not only relax but also enjoy the world around you, Costa Rica is your place to be.

USD reigns supreme

While Costa Rica has its own currency, the Colon, almost the entire country runs on the US Dollar. And, unfortunately for Americans, our strong dollar doesn’t automatically translate into increased spending power here.

Why? Everything in the touristy areas is priced in USD and then converted to Colones, not the other way around. So, if you live in a major metro area, expect prices to be similar to what you spend at home for meals or activities.

I would recommend carrying some local currency for remote areas or for tips. But generally, make sure you have a travel credit card with no foreign transaction fees. I think we put 95% of our spending on a credit card.

Lastly, in places that list only colones, a simple conversion is to double the colones and remove the zeros; that’s the price in dollars.(Example: 3,500 Colon = $7 USD)

Driving is, unfortunately, inefficient

I don’t tend to want to Americanize other countries. Their culture is their culture. But in Costa Rica, I really wanted them to have some highways to increase driving efficiency. Almost every road in the country is one lane each way, without any turn lanes or exit ramps.

Because of this, you can get stuck behind a semi truck and end up going 35 mph, or experience bumper-to-bumper traffic through a town thanks to people waiting to turn left or right. After a few days of this, you get used to it.

My biggest suggestion is to enjoy the slowness and understand that even though you’re only going 60 miles, it’s probably going to take two hours or longer, versus the 50 minutes it might take in the US.

Uvita is a GEM

My wife’s aunt recommended Uvita as a less touristy, more authentic feel for Costa Rica. She nailed it! It’s 75 minutes south of Manuel Antonio, but worlds apart.

It never felt busy; the beaches were incredible; the wildlife was all over the place; and the food was delicious without exorbitant costs. We stayed at a cute Airbnb, a five-minute bike ride from the national park entrance. With tons of restaurants and drink spots nearby, my wife and I had a blast. We can’t wait to go back.

Here are four things I recommend doing:

• Go whale watching (best times are December through March and July to October)
• Look up when low tide is and walk out onto the Whale's Tail
• Take a trip to Nauyaca Waterfall
• Go snorkeling out at Cano Island

You May Have Missed These

New on YouTube: Fjallraven Annual Classic Recap - Sign up here get notified for early access to tickets to the 2026 event​

New on YouTube: Black and White Colobus Monkey Trek in Rwanda​

​This is the best summer road trip in the USA and Canada​

​The 15 Best Places to Watch Whales Across the Globe​

​Several Major National Parks Dropping Timed Entry Permits for 2026​

​The 16 Best Things to Do in Banff and the Canadian Rockies​

​Winter in Cody, WY: First Time Ice Climbing, Wildlife, and Scenic Drives​