Cast your Cares Away in Costa Rica
- LaShai H
- Jun 27, 2023
- 5 min read
Updated: Dec 2, 2023
Everything You Need to Plan a Great Trip to Costa Rica
Let’s get A-W-A-Y to Costa Rica!!! My first trip to Costa Rica was for a friend’s 40th birthday trip. It was also my first semi-solo trip. While I was going for a friend’s birthday, the trip itself was pretty expensive so I used my points to book my flight. Having never traveled without my husband or kids, I stayed only 4 of the 7 days the rest of the group was there. I had a great time and a few years later I took my husband back to do even more exploring together.
My next trip will be with the kiddos because there are so many great things you can do in Costa Rica with them. For more of those activities check out Costa Rica— Kids Activities. I’ve outlined everything below you need to know to plan a great trip to Costa Rica with your friends or family.
This post may have affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if you choose to purchase through them. I independently evaluate all recommended products and services.
ACTIVITIES
Don’t miss these activities on your trip to Costa Rica!
Costa Rica is best known for its tropical beaches, colorful wildlife, volcanoes, and cloud forests. The dry season usually starts mid-November through May. The most popular month to visit is in April. No matter when you decide to visit, there’s plenty to see and do. I’ve listed my favorite activities below:
As a hiking fan, Costa Rica is one of my favorite locations to hike because many of the trails have absolutely beautiful views at every turn. The Mistico hanging bridges will take about 3 hours to complete. The views are stunning, and they have great guides who will point out wildlife along the way.
2. Hot Springs
Natural hot springs can reportedly detox your skin and help boost your blood circulation. Hot spring water is flowing with calcium and sodium bicarbonate, which can boost overall oxygen flow and circulation once absorbed into the body. You can find hot spring pools in several different places in Costa Rica and the most popular are the volcanic hot springs found around Arenal Volcano and La Fortuna.
3. Experience an Award Winning Spa
Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa has been recognized as having the Best Luxury Mineral Spring Spa in Central America. I’ve had the pleasure of visiting twice and both experiences were magical. If you do visit with a special someone, I strongly recommend trying out their couples massage.
Quick tip; Tabacon Thermal Resort and Spa offers Day Passes. So if you're on a budget and want to experience the luxury of their springs without being a hotel guest, the day pass is a great option.
WHERE
Planning a Trip to Costa Rica? Here’s where you should stay…
There are so many beautiful things to see and do in Costa Rica. Where to stay really depends on what you want to experience. There are tons of airport options in Costa Rica, keep in mind that domestic airports primarily utilize planes that only seat 9-20 passengers. My first time in Costa Rica I took a flight that size, and on my 2nd trip I opted for a tour-driven van instead. There are lots of resorts and really nice hostel options for those looking to save (more on that later) this is the list of my favorite accommodations in Costa Rica:
As a Bonvoy Member, I’ve stayed at my fair share of Marriott Hotels. This location is on my top ten of all time list! The resort has great amenities; the pool is stunning; the restaurants are excellent, and the decor is true to the Spirit of Costa Rica while maintaining a luxurious feel.
Tabacon Resort and Spa -$$$$
Tabacon is the epitome of a 5-star resort. The spa experience lives up to all of its awards and accolades. The grounds are utterly gorgeous, and this is the only resort to date where I've enjoyed being awakened by birds. The natural springs are world-famous and worth the trip alone.
This beachside, adult-only, all-inclusive resort offers its guests first-class service and amenities. My husband and I used our World of Hyatt Membership to upgrade to the Unlimited Luxury Experience and the service alone made it totally worth the additional cost. I felt like royalty at this resort and can’t wait to go back.
Affordable
Ways to Save Money on your trip to Costa Rica!
Overall, Costa Rica is a pretty affordable travel destination. I’d suggest setting flight alerts because the flight can be as low as $250 round trip and as high as $1,700 round trip. Of course, when you go matters, so keep those wet and dry seasons in mind. In addition to the time of year, these are some other ways I recommend saving some money on your trip to Costa Rica:
1. Eat Out Locally
Food in Costa Rica isn’t expensive. Food on resorts in Costa Rica, like all resorts—- is. It’s not always convenient but eating offsite from the resorts and hotels is such a huge cost savings, it’s absolutely worth doing for at least a few meals.
2. Uber - I was pleasantly surprised by how easy and inexpensive it was to use Uber in Costa Rica. Now, you have to keep in mind that you’ll need wifi to order the rides and not all locations in Costa Rica have an address in the way we’re used to in the States.
3. Book Tours through Trip Advisor - I’m always a big fan of booking tours through Tripadvisor instead of the concierge desk. In addition to the cost savings, you can read the reviews from others who have taken the tour and get a solid idea of what to expect.
Your Packing List
Headlining to Costa Rica? Make sure these items are on your packing list:
Last but not least, here is everything I recommend you buy and with you for your trip to Costa Rica:
Sea-Band Anti-Nausea Acupressure Wristband - There are tons of fun water and boating activities in Costa Rica. If you suffer from motion sickness, these bands are a huge help.
Monster Hiking Daypack - The first trip we brought an expandable backpack, I thought it was overkill, until our first full day outing where we needed it and then it became a mandatory item for all trips.
Hiitave Water Shoes- I've tried a few different water shoes, and these are my favorites. The protection is great, and the feel is lightweight.
Furtalk Sun Visor- I am obsessed with this sunhat. I own it in multiple colors and take it everywhere. It's perfect for the pool and hiking.
Saucony Trail Shoes - These are slightly smaller and lighter than your traditional hiking boots, but I take them with me on all hikes and they're perfect for on the go.
Cliganic Mosquito Repellent Bracelets - Whenever you're heading somewhere with high humidity, you can count on mosquitos showing up to the party too. Not only will these keep the bugs away, but they also last for days so you don't have to worry about reapplying.
Neutrogena Sunscreen Stick - With all the outdoor activities in Costa Rica, sunscreen is a must. This stick is super convenient and doesn't count as a liquid at the airport.
Nefeeko Collapsible Water Bottle- Even without hiking on your to do list, this travel water bottle is super convenient and can clip onto any bag. I use it at the airport to save on those overpriced water bottles.
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Remember no matter where the road takes you, stay curious, kind, and compassionate.
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