Costa Rica is the perfect destination for a solo trip! So whether you’re a new or experienced solo traveler, this guide will help you plan an epic solo trip to Costa Rica.

The Ultimate Costa Rica Travel Guide

To plan the rest of your Costa Rica trip, check out the best hotels in Costa Rica, my suggested itineraries, Costa Rica budget tips, and the top vacation homes in Costa Rica.

Here’s how to plan an awesome solo trip to Costa Rica!

Where To Stay

The best places to visit in Costa Rica are:

-Arenal Volcano in the central rain forest known for its hot springs.

-The Papagayo Peninsula on the Pacific coast. Check out the best hotels on the Papagayo Peninsula and my stay at the Andaz Papagayo!

-Monteverde in the highlands, home to the famous “Cloud Forest.”

-Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean coast.

I recommend spending at least two or three nights in each destination. So if you spend a long weekend in Costa Rica, I’d choose one of these places. And if you stay a week, you should pick two – one beach and one rainforest destination.

Best Accommodations in Costa Rica

What To Do

I’ve rounded up the best activities to do on a solo trip to Costa Rica! Some of these activities are specific to the rainforest or coast. But because Costa Rica’s beaches are so close to the rainforest, most of these activities can be done no matter where you stay in the country.

River tubing

Hike a volcano

Have a beach day

Soak in a natural hot spring

Hike a skywalk trail that includes suspension bridges

Go ATVing

Zip lining

Go on a catamaran cruise

Whitewater rafting

Chase some waterfalls

Go horseback riding

Do on a guided sloth hike. Sloths are extremely difficult to spot, and even when you find one, you usually need binoculars to see it. So I recommend a guided sloth hike where sloths’ locations are pre-scouted, and your guide will have a scope to observe these incredible creatures.

Because of sloths’ popularity, they are often forcibly removed from their natural habitats and relocated to “sloth sanctuaries,” where they’re unethically kept to guarantee sightings for tourists. So it’s imperative that you do your research to ensure you do a guided hike in a place where sloths are naturally found.

When To Go

December-April is Costa Rica’s dry season. This is when the weather is at its best, so it’s also when tourist numbers and prices peak. The coasts will be warm and sunny, with daytime highs in the 80 and 90s. The rainforest interior will be slightly cooler but more humid. There’s always a chance of rain in the rainforest (even in the dry season), so always have a rain jacket with you.

The shoulder season in Costa Rica is May-August. These months are HOT and HUMID, but the weather should still be mostly dry and sunny on both coasts. In the rainforest, afternoon showers are common but don’t usually last long. Tourist prices and numbers are slightly less than in the peak months, with May and August being your best bets for saving the most money.

The rainy season in Costa Rica from September to November usually has daily afternoon downpours, a high risk of landslides, muddy hiking conditions, and flooding on roads. But if you’re willing to risk the weather, you can score great accommodation and tour rates during these months. The Caribbean side (which is already the more budget-friendly coast) is usually much drier than the rest of the country, so it’s a great choice in the off-season.

What To Wear

Choose comfortable, casual, and quick-drying clothes when packing for Costa Rica. On the coats, you’ll want shorts, tank tops, swimsuits, and cover-ups. In the rainforest, you’ll want shorts, leggings, swimwear, and t-shirts.

No matter what time of year you visit, bring your most comfortable shoes! You’ll want sturdy closed-toe shoes for activities like hikes and ziplining and water shoes that fully attach to your feet for tubing, rafting, boating, chasing waterfalls, and wading in hot springs.

What To Pack

Costa Rica is a tropical country with a generally pleasant climate. But temperatures vary depending on elevation. And you’ll always want a rain jacket with you.

The coastal areas tend to be warmer throughout the year, while the mountainous interior can get cool at night and in the early mornings, even during the summer months.

So, if you’re visiting during the rainy season, bring warm clothes and layers everywhere you go, even to the coasts. If you’re visiting during the dry season or summer, still bring a couple of layers for the evenings and mornings in the higher elevations.

If you’re doing any treks or hikes in either season, make sure you have any specialized clothing or equipment you might need.

Electrical outlets in Costa Rica are Types A and F. So, if you’re from the U.S., you won’t need an outlet adaptor. But British, European, and other travelers will need an adaptor.

I applied bug spray every day and still got some bites, so I recommend always having a can with you.

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This article about planning a solo trip to Costa Rica is not a sponsored post, and the thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own. Some of the links in this post about planning a solo trip to Costa Rica are affiliate links, and, at no cost to you, I may earn a small commission from this post about planning a solo trip to Costa Rica.