official costa rica tourism information centers
The Costa Rica Tourism Board’s tourist offices are dedicated to providing assistance and information for travelers. Knowledgeable staff share their detailed knowledge of activities and resources; they can also provide helpful maps, brochures and safety tips.
Central Offices
La Uruca, east side of the Juan Pablo II bridge
(506) 2299-5800
info@visitcostarica.com
Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Daniel Oduber International Airport
Liberia, Guanacaste
(506) 2668-0095
Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
exchange rate in costa rica
The exchange rate of the United States dollar in Costa Rica is issued by the Central Bank of Costa Rica. It should be noted that other banking and financial entities in Costa Rica manage their own exchange rates.
Daily Exchange Rate: Check the daily exchange rate from the Central Bank of Costa Rica; Spanish only
Interbank Exchange Rate: Check exchange rates from foreign exchange intermediaries; Spanish only
air service
Costa Rica has robust air service – both domestic and international. Juan Santamaría International Airport, located in Alajuela Province about 20 miles from downtown, is the primary airport serving San José.
In Guanacaste, Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR) – also known as Liberia Guanacaste Airport – primarily serves travelers between Guanacaste, Monteverde and La Fortuna.
A mandatory departure tax is included in most airline tickets; if not, the fee is $29 per person, payable in U.S. dollars, colones or by credit or debit card.
For more information on itineraries, visit each airline's website.
bus services
Taking the bus is an affordable way to get to nearly every popular destination in Costa Rica. Note that buses are owned and operated by several private companies, and there is no official government service. While there is no central terminal in San José or other major cities, individual bus lines have their own terminals. Purchasing tickets may vary between bus lines; some have their own websites to purchase online while others may require tickets at the station (bring cash). Prices, conditions and schedules each vary by bus line. A tip for getting around: “la parada” is Spanish for “bus station” – and many bus names are preceded by the word “Empresa,” which means “company.”
