Costa Rica All-Inclusive Travel Guide
Guanacaste is Costa Rica's easy entry point to pura vida: dry-forest hills meeting Pacific surf, howler monkeys at breakfast, and a string of all-inclusives strung along golden-sand bays. You fly into Liberia, not San José, so the beach is close. It pairs barefoot resort days with genuinely world-class nature on the doorstep.
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- Language
- Spanish (English common in tourist areas)
- Currency
- Costa Rican colón – USD widely accepted
- Power
- 120V, Type A/B plugs (same as the US)
- Driving
- On the right
- Main airport
- Liberia – Daniel Oduber (LIR)
- Flight time
- ~3.5–5.5h from the US (nonstops to Liberia)
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Do you need a passport or visa for Costa Rica?
U.S. citizens need a valid passport but no visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days. Airlines generally expect at least six months of passport validity, so plan accordingly.
Costa Rica requires proof of onward or return travel – a booked flight, bus, or cruise out of the country – and you may be asked to show it. Confirm the current rules on travel.state.gov before you fly.
Is Costa Rica safe?
Costa Rica is among the safer Central American destinations, but it carries an active U.S. travel advisory, mainly due to crime (the current level is shown at the top of this guide). Petty theft – especially from cars and on beaches – is the most common issue, so don't leave valuables unattended.
Rip currents cause drownings every year, so heed flags and local advice in the water. Check travel.state.gov before you travel.
Currency and tipping
The local currency is the Costa Rican colón, but U.S. dollars are accepted widely, particularly in tourist areas; cards are common too. You'll often pay in dollars and get change in colones, so carry small bills.
Restaurants usually add a 10% service charge plus tax; extra is optional. For guides and drivers, a few dollars for good service is customary and appreciated.
When to visit
Guanacaste has a pronounced dry season from roughly December to April – the sunniest, most reliable stretch and the peak for prices and crowds. The green season (May to November) brings afternoon showers, lush landscapes, and better value.
September and October are the wettest in much of the country, though Guanacaste stays drier than the Caribbean side.
Getting there & around
Fly into Liberia's Daniel Oduber International (LIR), with nonstops from several U.S. cities and a short drive to the Guanacaste resorts – much closer than flying into San José. Resorts typically arrange transfers.
Costa Rica drives on the right. A 4x4 rental is handy for exploring the region's beaches and parks, though roads can be rough and unlit at night; prebooked transfers are the low-stress option.
What to do beyond the resort
Guanacaste is a launchpad for nature: zip-line and soak in hot springs near Rincón de la Vieja volcano, spot wildlife in dry-forest reserves, and surf or learn at beaches like Tamarindo and Playa Grande.
Boat trips and snorkeling run from the Papagayo and Flamingo areas, and turtle-nesting tours are a seasonal highlight along this coast.
Good to know
Power & plugs: 120V with Type A/B sockets, identical to the U.S., so no adapter needed. Driving is on the right.
Water: tap water is generally safe in most tourist areas, though some prefer bottled in remote spots. Sun and surf: strong sun and rip currents – pack reef-safe sunscreen and respect beach flags.
When to go to Costa Rica
Beach-comfort at a glance: warmth against rainfall, month by month. Greener is better.
Typical daytime highs (°F) and rainfall for Guanacaste / Papagayo: approximate climate normals, planning guidance, not a forecast.
Storm risk. The Pacific resort coast sits outside the Atlantic hurricane belt; fall systems in the Caribbean can still push rain across the country.
Sweet spot. December–April, bone-dry in Guanacaste; rainy season runs May–November ('green season'), with September–October seriously wet.
Getting to Costa Rica
Indicative round-trip fares into Liberia (LIR) from the major US gateways, cheapest first. Tap through for live prices and dates.
Where the Costa Rica resorts are
7 resorts mapped gold stars are five-star properties select a pin for details
The best all-inclusive resorts in Costa Rica
The Costa Rica properties we'd actually book. Tap through for photos, real guest ratings, and what's included.
Resort chains in Costa Rica
The brands operating here. Tap any chain for its full ranking and what its all-inclusive plan really covers.
RIU Hotels & Resorts (2) · JW Marriott · Margaritaville · Planet Hollywood Hotels & Resorts · Secrets Resorts & Spas · Westin
Costa Rica, head-to-head
Torn between two beaches? We put Costa Rica side by side: price, flights, sand, food, and safety, compared honestly.
Costa Rica vs Jamaica · Mexico · Dominican Republic · Maldives · Greece · Spain · Turks & Caicos · Aruba · Barbados · St. Lucia · Italy · Portugal · Turkey · Antigua · Curaçao · Brazil · Philippines · French Polynesia · Morocco · Egypt · South Africa · Mauritius · Kenya · Tanzania · Mozambique · Thailand · Indonesia · Malaysia · Punta Cana · Cancún · Riviera Maya · Los Cabos · Puerto Vallarta · Montego Bay · Negril · Ocho Rios · Crete · Bahia · Bora Bora · Malé Atolls · Rodney Bay · Barbados South Coast · Barbados West Coast · Viti Levu · Vanua Levu · Fiji · Croatia · U.S. Virgin Islands · Sri Lanka · Seychelles · Bahamas · Chile · Argentina · United States
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a passport or visa for Costa Rica?
U.S. citizens need a valid passport but no visa for stays up to 90 days. You must also show proof of onward or return travel out of the country.
Do I really need an onward or return ticket for Costa Rica?
Yes – immigration and airlines can ask for proof you'll leave before your stay expires, such as a booked flight, bus, or cruise ticket. Have it ready to avoid boarding issues.
Is Costa Rica safe?
It's one of the safer countries in Central America but carries an active U.S. travel advisory, mainly for petty crime and rip currents. Check the current level at travel.state.gov before you go.
Can I use U.S. dollars in Costa Rica?
Yes. The colón is the local currency, but U.S. dollars are accepted widely in tourist areas and cards are common. You'll often get change back in colones, so carry small bills.
Do you tip in Costa Rica?
Restaurants usually add a 10% service charge plus tax, so extra is optional. Tipping guides and drivers a few dollars for good service is customary and appreciated.
When is the best time to visit Guanacaste?
December through April is the dry, sunny high season with peak prices. The green season (May to November) is lusher and better value, with afternoon showers.
Not sure which Costa Rica resort is right for you?
Take our two-minute quiz and we'll match you, or browse the whole collection.