Vacation rentals in Costa Rica.

The dry season runs roughly December to April and is the classic choice for beaches and clear skies, especially on the Pacific side. The green (rainy) season, about May to November, brings lush landscapes, thinner crowds and often lower rates, with rain usually falling in afternoon bursts. The Caribbean coast has its own rhythm and can be drier around September and October.

It depends on your trip. Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula — Tamarindo, Nosara, Santa Teresa — are the surf-and-sun heartland. La Fortuna suits volcano hikes and hot springs, Monteverde is for cloud forest and canopy walks, Manuel Antonio blends beaches with easy wildlife, and Puerto Viejo offers the laid-back Afro-Caribbean coast. Many travelers combine two or three.

"Pura vida" (pure life) is Costa Rica's unofficial motto and everyday phrase. Locals use it as a greeting, a thank-you, a goodbye and a general expression of a relaxed, grateful outlook on life. It captures the country's unhurried pace and is a good mindset to pack — things run on their own schedule here, and that is part of the appeal.

The official currency is the Costa Rican colón (CRC). US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas, and many hotels, tours and larger shops price in dollars. For small local businesses, markets, buses and everyday purchases, colones are handy and often give better value. Cards are common in towns; carry some cash for rural areas.

You can message the host before booking. For a booking request, Stripe first places a card hold for the full amount; the host has 48 hours to accept, and only then is the amount captured. Instant Book is charged immediately after Stripe confirms payment. Do not transfer the booking amount directly to the host. The displayed total already includes the 6.9% guest fee on the host price, covering payment processing, refund handling and payment risks.

You can message the host before booking. For a booking request, Stripe first places a card hold for the full amount; the host has 48 hours to accept, and only then is the amount captured. Instant Book is charged immediately after Stripe confirms payment. Do not transfer the booking amount directly to the host. The displayed total already includes the 6.9% guest fee on the host price, covering payment processing, refund handling and payment risks.