Costa Rica Surprises Traveler with Ease of Access, Wildlife, and Authentic Experiences

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After a 16-day trip to Costa Rica, a Denver-based writer shares five surprising discoveries about the country, including how easy it is to travel there from the U.S., the abundance of wildlife, the prevalence of the U.S. dollar, the inefficient driving conditions, and the gem of the town Uvita.

Why it matters

Costa Rica has become an increasingly popular travel destination for Americans, and this firsthand account provides valuable insights that can help others plan their own trips to the country and set appropriate expectations around transportation, costs, and wildlife viewing.

The details

The writer was shocked by how easy it was to travel to Costa Rica from the U.S., with non-stop flights from Denver taking just 5 hours. He also marveled at the ubiquity of wildlife, spotting iguanas, macaws, toucans, and sloths throughout his travels. While the U.S. dollar is widely accepted, prices in tourist areas are still comparable to major U.S. metro areas. Driving proved to be inefficient, with narrow one-lane roads and slow-moving traffic. However, the writer found the town of Uvita to be a hidden gem, with fewer crowds, beautiful beaches, and easy access to outdoor activities like whale watching and waterfall hikes.

• The writer spent 16 days exploring Costa Rica in 2026.
• The best times for whale watching are December through March and July to October.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The writer recommends that future travelers to Costa Rica plan their trip to coincide with the best times for whale watching, from December through March and July to October.