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🌿 Good to Know Before Traveling to Costa Rica

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🛂 Entry Requirements & Documents

  • Passport: Must be valid for the duration of your stay in Costa Rica
    👉 Best practice: have 6 months validity to avoid airline issues

  • Visa: U.S. travelers do not need a visa for stays up to 90 days

  • Return/Onward Ticket: Required upon entry

  • Proof of Funds: Occasionally requested (rare, but possible)

🐾 Traveling with Pets (Dogs & Cats)

  • Health Certificate required

    • Issued by a licensed vet within 10 days of travel

  • Rabies vaccination required

    • Must be current (usually given at least 30 days prior)

  • USDA endorsement required for U.S. travelers

  • Advance notification to Costa Rica authorities may be required

  • Pets are inspected on arrival; no quarantine if requirements are met

👉 Always check airline rules—they can be stricter than the country.

💵 Money & Payments

  • Currency: Costa Rican Colón (CRC)

  • U.S. dollars widely accepted in tourist areas

  • Credit cards accepted almost everywhere

  • Carry small bills for tips, taxis, and local spots

⚡ Electricity

  • Same as the U.S. (110V, standard plugs)
    👉 No adapter needed

🚗 Transportation

  • Roads can be narrow, winding, or unpaved in rural areas

  • A 4x4 vehicle is recommended for places like

    • Monteverde

    • La Fortuna

  • Private transfers and guided tours are popular and stress-free

🌧️ Weather & Seasons

  • Dry season: December–April (most popular)

  • Green season: May–November

    • More rain, but lush landscapes + fewer crowds

  • Weather varies by region (rainforest vs coast)

🏝️ Health & Safety Tips

  • Tap water is safe in most areas (ask locally if unsure)

  • Use reef-safe sunscreen

  • Bug spray recommended (especially rainforest areas)

  • Travel insurance strongly recommended

📶 Connectivity

  • WiFi widely available in hotels and cafes

  • Cell service is good in most populated areas

  • Consider an international plan or eSIM for convenience

🎯 Cultural & Practical Tips

  • Language: Spanish (English widely spoken in tourism areas)

  • Currency rounding: prices may be quoted in USD or CRC

  • Tipping:

    • 10% service charge often included

    • Additional tipping appreciated for great service

  • Costa Rica runs on “Pura Vida” time
    👉 Things are relaxed—embrace it

  • 🌎 ~5% of the world’s biodiversity found in one small country

  • 🌿 Nearly 25–30% protected land (national parks & reserves)

  • 🏞️ 30+ national parks and wildlife refuges

  • 🌋 60+ volcanoes, including several active ones like Arenal Volcano

  • 🎣 World-class sportfishing on both Pacific & Caribbean coasts

  • ⚓ 15+ marinas and fishing hubs along the coastline

  • ⛳ 15–20 golf courses, many with ocean or jungle views

  • 🌊 Access to 2 coastlines (Pacific + Caribbean)

  • 🐒 Home to 500,000+ species of wildlife

  • 🌉 Hundreds of waterfalls, hanging bridges, and rainforest trails​

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Costa Rica isn’t just a destination, it’s an experience in nature, adventure, and slowing down just enough to enjoy it all. 🌿

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 🎣 FISHING

 

🏆 Major Costa Rica Fishing Tournaments

From January through April, the Pacific coast transforms into a global tournament hotspot, drawing elite crews, luxury sportfish yachts, and anglers from around the world.

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*All anglers must have a CR fishing license 

Some Charter Captains will provide them - Click on the chat below to message me for more information. 

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Los Sueños Signature Triple Crown

Hosted out of Los Sueños Resort and Marina, this is one of the most prestigious billfish tournament series in the world.

  • Three-leg championship series

  • Runs January–March annually

  • Known for elite crews and world-class fishing

  • Sailfish and marlin are the primary targets

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Pelagic Rockstar Offshore Tournament

One of the largest and most exciting offshore tournaments in Costa Rica, based in Marina Pez Vela.

  • 100+ participating boats in some years

  • Massive billfish release numbers

  • International competition and large prize payouts

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Pescadora Billfish Championship

An internationally recognized women’s billfishing tournament held in Quepos- Marina Pez Vela.

  • Female angler-focused competition

  • February 18-20, 2027

  • Catch-and-release format

  • Combines sportfishing with conservation and philanthropy

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IGFA Open

Hosted in Quepos at Marina Pez Vela, the IGFA Open attracts serious offshore anglers and teams.

  • International Game Fish Association affiliated

  • March 11-13, 2027

  • Competitive offshore format

  • Popular among experienced sportfishing crews

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Bisbee's Costa Rica Offshore,Marina Pez Vela, Quepos.

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​For the first time in its legendary 44+ year history, Bisbee's Offshore is expanding beyond Cabo San Lucas and bringing its world-famous tournament series to Marina Pez Vela in Quepos in April

  • First-ever all-release billfish format in Bisbee’s history

  • Multi-million-dollar prize potential

  •  International teams and elite offshore crews expected

  • Categories include:

    • Blue marlin

    • Sailfish

    • Yellowfin tuna

    • Dorado (mahi-mahi)

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International Masters Angling Tournament

Held at Los Sueños Resort and Marina, the International Masters Angling Tournament is one of Costa Rica’s respected offshore competitions.

  • Elite-level angling event

  • Strong international participation

  • Known for luxury marina atmosphere

  • Combines competitive fishing with upscale resort experiences

Los Sueños remains one of the Caribbean-Pacific region’s most iconic destinations for offshore anglers.

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Offshore World Championship (OWC)

  • Invitation-only championship

  • Teams qualify through tournaments worldwide

  • International competition representing dozens of countries

  • Targets sailfish and marlin in a catch-and-release format

  • Held in the legendary fishing waters off Quepos

The event combines elite competition with conservation-focused sportfishing.

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🌊 Offshore Species & Peak Seasons

🐟 Sailfish

  • ⭐ Best Time: December–April

  • Peak season for Pacific sailfish

  • Costa Rica is famous for high-release numbers during this period

Blue Marlin

  • ⭐ Best Time: September–December

  • Trophy-sized fish common offshore

  • Excellent around Quepos and Los Sueños

 Black Marlin

  • ⭐ Best Time: June–October

  • Less common than blue marlin, but highly prized

Yellowfin Tuna

  • ⭐ Best Time: Year-round

  • Strongest action:

    • June–September

  • Large tuna often found near dolphin schools and offshore structures

 Dorado (Mahi-Mahi)

  • ⭐ Best Time: May–October

  • Especially productive during rainy/green season

Snapper

  • ⭐ Best Time: Year-round

  • Excellent during:

  • Rainy season (May–November)

  • Great for inshore and reef fishing

Wahoo

  • ⭐ Best Time: November–March

  • Fast, aggressive offshore species

  • Often caught while trolling offshore

​Grouper

  • ⭐ Best Time: Year-round

  • Productive around reefs and rocky structures

  • Floating debris lines attract mahi schools

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GOLF​

A sample of some of the best courses in C.R.

 

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Ocean Course at Peninsula Papagayo

Location: Peninsula Papagayo / near Liberia
Designed by Arnold Palmer, this is widely considered Costa Rica’s signature golf experience. Expect dramatic Pacific Ocean cliffside holes, elevation changes, and resort-level luxury. Several holes have ocean views that are genuinely spectacular. Many golfers consider it one of the best courses in Latin America. (this is a private course)

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Reserva Conchal Beach Resort, Golf & Spa

Location: Playa Conchal / Brasilito
Reserva Conchal Beach Resort, Golf & Spa is a luxury beachfront destination. A beautiful Robert Trent Jones Jr. design surrounded by tropical forest and Pacific coastline. Known for immaculate conditioning and eco-friendly design, it’s a favorite for golfers who want a resort atmosphere plus challenging golf. Wildlife sightings during rounds are common.

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Hacienda Pinilla Golf Club

Location: Near Tamarindo

18-hole, par-72 championship golf course within the luxury Hacienda Pinilla resort. Designed by Mike Young, this course offers a more rugged, authentic Costa Rica feel with oceanfront holes, tropical dry forest, and frequent monkey sightings.

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Tres Volcanes Golf Course

Location: Guanacaste Province
A Pete Dye 18 hole course with a par of 72. A newer-style boutique golf experience with panoramic volcano and mountain views instead of ocean scenery. Less crowded than the major resort courses and often praised for excellent conditions and peaceful play.​
 

La Iguana Golf Course

Location: Playa Herradura / Los Sueños Resort near Jacó
18-hole, Par 72 championship golf course designed by noted architect Ted Robinson. It s located within Los Suenos Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort. One of the best-known golf resorts in Costa Rica and a favorite for travelers who want a mix of golf, rainforest scenery, marina life, and easy access from San José. It winds through jungle terrain filled with macaws, monkeys, and iguanas. Great mix of resort golf and challenging holes. Easily combined with a beach vacation in Jacó.

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