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Costa Rica country guide

4 questions, each answered from published authorities with the sources listed.

The cone of Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica, photographed on 20 September 2004 with its upper slopes bare of forest — Photo: Shmuel Spiegelman, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA Author Shmuel Spiegelman (file page caption: "Taken by Shmuel Spiegelman") · CC BY-SA 1.0 File source

When to visit 1

When is the best time to visit Costa Rica for Arenal?Mid-January to mid-April — the heart of the December-to-April dry season that the Costa Rica Tourism Board publishes for the country, and the stretch most likely to…

Food and drink 1

What local dishes should I try in Costa Rica, and where should I look for them?Gallo pinto for breakfast — rice and black beans fried together, with egg, tortilla and sour cream — and then eat regionally, because the Caribbean province of Limón…

Places and experiences 1

What should a first-time traveler see in Costa Rica beyond the obvious highlights?The four UNESCO World Heritage properties — none of which is Arenal, Monteverde or a beach — plus the private reserves that carry much of the country's conservation and…

Trip planning 1

How can I plan a memorable first trip to Costa Rica without rushing?Two weeks, three bases, and no drive longer than half a day — which fits inside the 180 days US citizens may stay without a visa with room to spare, and keeps you out…

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