Tours & Shore Excursions on Costa Rica's Pacific Coast

Costa Rica has two seasons: dry (December to April) and green or rainy (May to November). The dry season brings clear skies and calm seas — best for beaches and Puntarenas cruise calls — but it is also the busiest and priciest. In green season rain usually falls in the afternoon, with fewer crowds, better prices and lush scenery. The Central Pacific gets less rain than the Caribbean.

Citizens of the United States, Canada, the UK, the European Union and most countries in the Americas enter without a visa for up to 180 days; the immigration officer sets the exact number of days on arrival. You need an undamaged passport (many airlines require 6 months of validity), proof of onward or return travel before your stamp expires, and proof of funds (about US$100 per month of stay). Always check the official requirements before flying.

Costa Rica is one of the safest destinations in Latin America, but petty theft is the real risk for visitors: bags on the beach, phones in crowded spots and break-ins at parked cars. Never leave anything visible inside a vehicle, not even an empty bag. Use the hotel safe, carry a copy of your passport and avoid driving long distances after dark. On guided tours your belongings stay with the group.

The official currency is the Costa Rican colón (CRC), but US dollars are widely accepted at hotels, tours and tourist areas. Visa and Mastercard work almost everywhere and ATMs are available in cities and tourist towns. Bring small US bills: breaking a $100 note is hard and change is usually given in colones. Sales tax (IVA) is 13% and is already included in published prices.

No vaccinations are required for most travelers. A yellow fever certificate is required if you arrive from certain countries in Africa and South America (including Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia and Venezuela). Routine vaccines such as tetanus and hepatitis A and B are recommended. Check with your doctor or a Costa Rican consulate based on your home country and travel route.

Yes. Cell coverage is good in cities, along the coast and on tourist routes, and weaker in mountain and deep-jungle areas. You can use your plan’s roaming, buy an eSIM before flying, or pick up a local prepaid SIM from Kölbi, Claro or Movistar at the airport and in supermarkets. Wi-Fi is common in hotels, cafés and restaurants. Download offline maps before heading into national parks.

Light, quick-dry clothing, swimwear, comfortable closed shoes for trails, sandals, a hat and sunglasses. Add sunscreen and insect repellent, a light rain jacket (essential from May to November) and a light layer if you head to highland areas like Monteverde. Bring binoculars or a zoom camera for wildlife, a reusable water bottle and cash in small bills.

Costa Rica runs on 120 volts at 60 Hz with type A and B outlets — the same as the United States, Canada and Mexico, so those travelers need no adapter. Visitors from Europe, the UK, Australia or Asia do need a plug adapter and should check that their devices are dual-voltage (100–240V). Older hotels may only have ungrounded two-prong sockets.

Yes, in most of the country. In cities and tourist areas such as San José, Puntarenas, Jacó and Manuel Antonio, tap water is drinkable and meets national standards. In some rural or remote areas, bottled or filtered water is the safer choice. Bring a reusable bottle and fill it before you set out — refill points are rare on trails. Our tours include bottled water during the trip.

Yes. Several parks sell tickets only online and in advance through the SINAC portal (serviciosenlinea.sinac.go.cr). This applies to Carara, Manuel Antonio, Poás, Rincón de la Vieja and others, each with a daily visitor cap and an assigned entry slot; without a reservation you will not be allowed in. Manuel Antonio is closed on Tuesdays. When a tour includes the entrance fee, we handle the booking and only need each visitor’s passport details.

On the Central Pacific you can see American crocodiles on the Tárcoles River, scarlet macaws in Carara National Park, white-faced, howler and squirrel monkeys, two- and three-toed sloths, iguanas, basilisks, toucans, hummingbirds and over 400 bird species. In Manuel Antonio, monkeys and sloths are commonly spotted right from the trails. Wildlife is wild: no sighting is ever guaranteed, though the odds are high with a guide.

Yes. English is widely spoken in tourist areas, hotels and tour operators. At Pacific Sun Travel you are guided by Jimmy Murillo Picado (guide) and Jamie Murillo (co-guide), both bilingual — no language barrier for cruise passengers and international visitors. Learning a few Spanish phrases is always appreciated by locals.

Tipping is not mandatory but is appreciated. On tours, US$5–10 per person for the guide and US$3–5 for the driver is the usual guideline. Restaurant bills already include a 10% service charge; an extra 5–10% for good service is optional. Carry small bills in dollars or colones for the day’s tips.

It is not mandatory, but it is strongly recommended. Private healthcare is good and affordable, yet an evacuation from a remote area or an air transfer can cost thousands of dollars. Look for a policy covering medical expenses, evacuation, trip cancellation and adventure activities such as ziplining, rafting or horseback riding, which some insurers exclude by default.

Yes, there is a US$29 per person departure tax on international flights. Almost all airlines already include it in the ticket price, so most travelers pay nothing extra at the airport. Check your ticket: if it is not included, you can pay in dollars, colones or by card before checking in.

For a full first trip, 10 to 14 days let you combine beach, rainforest and volcano without rushing; 7 days works but feels tight. If you arrive by cruise or have a single free day, the Central Pacific packs a lot into a small area: a Tárcoles crocodile safari, macaws in Carara, ziplining and beach time, all within two hours of Puntarenas.

Our tours run on the Central Pacific and include transportation within our service area: Puntarenas, Esparza, Puerto Caldera, Tárcoles, Orotina, Jacó and Quepos. The exact pickup point and time are confirmed when you book. If your hotel is outside that area, message us on WhatsApp and we will confirm whether it is possible and at what extra cost.

They are tours designed for cruise passengers docking at Puerto Caldera, the terminal serving Puntarenas. Pacific Sun Travel offers half-day and full-day options — Tárcoles river safari, Carara National Park, a Puntarenas city tour and adventure combos — planned around your ship’s docking and sailing times. We operate from Esparza, the same canton as the terminal.