Costa Rica packs into 51,100 km² (10% of France) a density of biodiversity that defies imagination: 6% of the world's biodiversity on 0.03% of Earth's surface, 25% of the territory in national parks (a world record), 850 bird species and 12,000 plants. A small country of 5 million inhabitants, 12-13 h from Paris via Madrid, Miami or Mexico, it is also Latin America's most democratic nation, having abolished its army in 1948 to invest in education and health. Its national motto, Pura Vida, sums up a philosophy of simple happiness, ecology and community. A ten- to fourteen-day itinerary combines its flagship sites: Arenal volcano (1,670 m) and its Tabacón thermal springs; Manuel Antonio, a coastal park renowned for its four monkey species and sloths; Tortuguero, the Caribbean 'Costa Rican Amazon' where four marine turtle species nest July through October; Monteverde, a cloud forest at 1,440-1,860 m, kingdom of the quetzal; Corcovado, on the Osa Peninsula, described by National Geographic as one of Central America's most intact ecosystems; and Guanacaste, on the North Pacific, with its exclusive Papagayo beaches. A fundamental destination for lovers of preserved nature, ecotourism and tropical good cheer.
Duration : 10 days
Route : San José (1 night) → Arenal (3 nights, volcano + thermal springs) → Monteverde (2 nights, cloud forest) → Manuel Antonio (3 nights, beach + national park) → return San José (1)
Duration : 12 days
Route : San José (1) → Tortuguero (3 nights, Caribbean, turtles) → Arenal (2) → Monteverde (2) → Drake Bay-Corcovado flight (3 nights, jaguars, tapirs) → return San José (1)
Duration : 14 days
Route : San José (1) → Tortuguero (3) → Arenal (2) → Monteverde (2) → Manuel Antonio (3) → Guanacaste Pacific North (3 nights, Four Seasons Papagayo) → return
December-April is the best period (dry season, pleasant temperatures 22-30 °C, clear sky). TOURIST PEAK December-February (Christmas, New Year, February). TORTUGUERO TURTLE NESTING: July-October (peak August-September, 30,000 green females). CARIBBEAN (Tortuguero, Limón): December-May (Caribbean dry season, different from Pacific coast). Avoid September-October for central Pacific (Manuel Antonio) — it's end of green season with heavy rains; but it's Tortuguero peak — so specific turtle itinerary recommended.
Very safe (one of LATIN AMERICA'S SAFEST COUNTRIES, no army since 1948 — money invested in education and health). Vigilance downtown San José (pickpockets, some districts at night). No visa for French citizens (90-day stay, passport valid 6 months). No mandatory vaccine. Antimalarial NOT necessary (malaria rare in Costa Rica). Tap water POTABLE in most of country (except rural areas). Cards accepted everywhere. Spanish omnipresent, ENGLISH WIDELY SPOKEN (dominant tourism industry since 1970). Tipping: 10% in restaurants (often included '10% servicio'), $5-$10/day for guides and drivers. PURA VIDA — national expression ('pure life') used as hello, goodbye, thank you, OK; don't hesitate to use it.
December-April (dry season). Tortuguero turtle nesting: July-October. Monteverde quetzal: March-June.
10 days for essential Costa Rica (Arenal + Monteverde + Manuel Antonio). 12 days with Tortuguero or Corcovado. 14 days for complete version.
€3,800-€5,000 per person for 10 days in comfort, excluding flights. Premium: €6,800-€9,500. Flights: €800-€1,200.
No visa for French citizens (90-day stay, passport valid 6 months).
One of Latin America's safest countries (no army since 1948). Vigilance downtown San José.
EXCELLENT family destination (widely spoken English, accessible biodiversity, safe beaches, tropical climate, top tourist infrastructure).
4×4 Spanish-English-speaking driver. Sansa domestic flights for Tortuguero and Corcovado.
Tortuguero for TURTLES (July-October, easy accessibility). Corcovado for LAND WILDLIFE (jaguars, tapirs, adventurous level).
Yes: Costa Rica + Panama (canal, San Blas), Costa Rica + Nicaragua, Costa Rica + Belize or Guatemala (Maya).
10% in restaurants (often included '10% servicio'). $5-$10/day for guides and drivers.