Costa Rica is beginning to be old hat. It seems like almost everybody's already been, or knows someone who's been. As Costa Rica matures as a tourist destination, things are getting easier and easier for international travelers. There are more and more hotels and rental car agencies to choose from, and services are expanding and improving across the board. That said, most travelers -- even experienced travelers and repeat visitors -- will want to do some serious pretrip planning.
Some basic questions need to be addressed right from the get-go. When is the best time to go to Costa Rica? Should you rent a car (or will you need 4WD), and what will it cost? What are the hotels like? How much should you budget for your trip? How can you save money? How does the local currency work, and should you use cash or credit cards? These are just a few of the important questions that this guide answers so that you can be prepared when you arrive in Costa Rica.
