Go Costa Rica

Not everywhere.

• No 4×4 needed: San José ↔ La Fortuna, Tamarindo, Manuel Antonio
• 4×4 recommended: Monteverde (steep gravel), Santa Teresa (potholes with personalities), Nosara, remote beaches

Rainy season (May–Nov) makes some roads muddy — a 4×4 saves your sanity.

Yes — one of the safest countries in Central America.
But keep the basics in mind:

• Don’t leave phones on restaurant tables.
• Avoid walking beaches at night.
• Use official shuttle services or reputable taxis after dark.

Tourist towns are friendly and easygoing.

Some are calm, others have strong rip currents.
Pacific-side beaches (Jaco, Dominical, Santa Teresa) can be powerful, especially during swell seasons.
Caribbean side is calmer in Sept–Oct.
Always check the flags and ask locals.

• Buses: cheapest but slow, great for backpackers
• Shared shuttles: comfy, door-to-door, mid-price
• Car rental: most flexible, especially for surf towns & waterfalls

A lot of travellers mix shuttles + car rentals.

Yes — but in a good way.
Parks like Manuel Antonio, Arenal, Tortuguero have strict rules to protect wildlife.
Some require timed entry slots.
No drones, no feeding animals, stay on marked paths.
You’ll thank them when you spot a sloth five minutes in.

Prepare for a friendly but persistent army.
Bring:

• bug spray,
• long sleeves for jungle nights,
• anti-itch cream.

They’re worst in the Caribbean, rainforests, and river areas.
In the mountains (Monteverde), it’s surprisingly bug-light.