Costa Rica holidays

Surfing, reggae, nature and fascinating history: holidays in Costa Rica are packed with the charms of Central America - and the swinging beats of the Caribbean.

TravelSupermarket compares prices on a range of holidays to Costa Rica. Check out the deals and find your dream break in this charming land...

From the soft blues of the Caribbean Sea you can hop across the country via the enchanting capital of San José and wake up the next day with the Pacific Ocean crashing against the shore in surf paradise Montezuma.

Sitting between Mexico and South America on the string of land called the Central American isthmus, Costa Rica might not look like much on a map. However, this colourful country is packed with tourist-pleasing treasures, including national parks, Spanish colonial architecture, eye-popping flora and fauna, coffee plantations and a host of other charming places.

Rainforest eco-lodges in the lush interior are among the most unforgettable spots. But it's the two slices of coastline and the warm waters off them that attract most people to Costa Rica holidays. Images of the country's beaches do the talking on promotional literature, with strips of white and golden sands sandwiched between emerald-green trees and aquamarine waters.

On the Pacific side of the country especially, you'll find a huge number of great beach resorts vying for your attention. Those in the region of Guanacaste, including Tamarindo on the Nicoya Peninsula, enjoy long hot summer days and excellent surfing conditions. And Jaco, Playa Hermosa and Quepos in the central part of the country offer easy access to the buzzing capital of San José.

The shorter Caribbean stretch of coastline has fewer and less-developed beach resorts, but their beauty makes them well worth a visit during holidays in Costa Rica.

Check prices today using the search tool on TravelSupermarket. We'll find you the best deals on Costa Rica breaks, whether you are looking for Arenal holidays to check out the mighty volcano; holidays in Monteverde - a major ecotourism hotspot; Tortuguero holidays on the east coast; or breaks at any of the country's famed beach resorts.

The tropical climate of Costa Rica varies according to your exact holiday location, so check in more detail before you book...

Generally, “summer” is dry season and runs between December and April (expect daytime highs of up to 30C), while “winter” encompasses the months of May to November. Rainfall is much more likely at this time of year, although temperatures still linger above 25C away from the nation's mountains.

Due to the fluctuations in weather around the country, package holidays to Costa Rica are popular throughout the year. The best way to find cheap Costa Rica holidays is to book as far in advance as possible.

There's always something happening somewhere in Costa Rica and you'll be warmly welcomed at any of the nation's annual events...

Fiesta Palmares; January: The locals don't gives the post-Christmas and New Year January blues a chance with this huge party, which take place in the city of Palmares, just a little way north of San José, at the end of the month. Costa Rican bull fighting and horse parades are the highlights.

Limon Carnaval (Carnival); October: Latin and Caribbean flavours collide to make this joyful carnival, where the dancing goes on for days, one of the best in Costa Rica.

Festival de la Luz; December: This showy spectacular takes place on the streets of San José and attracts more than a million spectators. At night, you can see floats lit by thousands of light bulbs in a version of a Disney parade. It is truly magical to behold, but expect some chaos as streets shut down and public transport comes under pressure.

Beach lovers, eco-tourists and those with an appetite for culture and history can't go wrong with holidays to Costa Rica...

Active types: Fast becoming one of the world's finest surf spots, you can learn how to ride the waves at Playa Grande in Montezuma, a laidback paradise for beach bums.

Relaxing: Drink in the typically Caribbean scene on the beach at Puerto Viejo de Talamanca near Limon. Find your hammock, order a drink and let the sound of the sea soothe you.

Grown-up families: Bring history lessons to life in San José. The city's Pre-Columbian Gold Museum has hundreds of gold objects dating back more than 1,500 years.