If you’re planning a trip to Costa Rica, take a deep breath. You don’t need to plan everything to have an incredible experience – but there are a few things that really do make life easier once you land.
This post is for anyone who likes to feel prepared without turning vacation planning into a full-time job. Here’s what actually mattered for us… and what truly didn’t. Learn how to build YOUR perfect itinerary here.
What Actually Needs to Get Done
1. Flights + Arrival Plan
Book your flights early, especially during peak travel seasons. That said, both of our trips were planned last minute. We did October, green/rainy season and got 4 tickets for $1200. The second trip was high season and decided to leave a bit earlier (Dec 18) and take crazy flights (3 on the way home) but we did it for $1500 for 4 people. We flew into San José once and Liberia once, and both worked well depending on where we were headed next.
The key is simply knowing how you’re getting from the airport to your first stop – rental car, shuttle, or driver. That’s enough to get you grounded and moving forward. See below about why we go rental car!
2. Phone Plans (This One Matters More Than You Think)
Check your international phone plan before you leave. Ours… did not hold up.
We ended up using JetPac eSIM both trips and it worked really well once we got it set up. The download wasn’t totally seamless, but their support team was responsive and helpful. Having reliable data made a huge difference — for WhatsApp, navigation, restaurants, maps, and general peace of mind. Since we are a four cell phone family, we also wanted it cheap! That said, you will not get imessages while you are there, which was fine by me. Totally worth the small effort.
3. To Rent a Car or Not? (We Did — Twice)
We rented with Alamo both trips, and it was smooth and straightforward. You can pre-fill the paperwork ahead of time, which helps a lot. There are a lot of sketchy rental car companies in Costa Rica so the up-charge of going with one that wasn’t going to scam us made it worth the extra $. There was a HUGE difference in cost between green season (Oct) and high season (Dec).
A few things we learned:
- Hiring drivers can get very expensive
- Mandatory insurance is real — and worth it
- Roads can be rough, narrow, and unpredictable
- A 4×4 with good clearance is absolutely worth it
Between potholes, steep roads, and the occasional surprise obstacle, we were very glad to have good coverage and a sturdy car.
4. Where You Sleep (Yes, You Do Need a Plan — Just Not Every Detail)
You do need to know where you’re sleeping, especially in high season. That said, you don’t need to lock in every single night months in advance. We’ve even booked a last-minute one-night stay mid-trip and it worked out just fine.
Having your first few nights set helps you settle in, get your bearings, and shake off travel fatigue before making decisions on the fly.
We loved mixing Airbnbs and hotels, each for very different reasons.
Airbnbs gave us space, flexibility, a washer, and the ability to have some meals at home – which mattered more than we expected. Food in Costa Rica can be very expensive, and with two teens, being able to make an easy dinner saved both money and sanity. We also found that a two-bedroom, two-bath Airbnb often cost less than a hotel, and gave us room to actually relax.
Hotels, on the other hand, were wonderful for their ease: breakfast included, amenities, and helpful staff. Some days, that’s exactly what you want.
Both had their place, and we loved the balance. I’ll share more about choosing between Airbnbs and hotels in a future post.
5. A Few Anchor Experiences Go a Long Way
Pick one or two must-do activities per location – a guided night hike, a wildlife experience, sunset catamaran - and let the rest unfold. Some parks, like Manuel Antonio, will fill up in high season so book that ahead. If it’s a must do, book in advance. If you want to wait and see how you feel, you can mostly book while you are there. $$ saving tip — check out the tours on Viator or Trip Advisor but book directly with the company.
Some of our favorite moments weren’t planned at all: pulling over for a beach, stumbling onto wildlife, or deciding to stay somewhere longer just because it felt right.
What Can Absolutely Wait
Restaurant planning: You’ll eat well almost everywhere. Curiosity works just fine.
Perfect itineraries: Wildlife does not run on a schedule.
Over-packing: You will need a raincoat, swimsuit, good shoes, and casual clothes. Leave the fancy stuff at home. (including the jewelry)
The Magic You Can’t Plan For
Monkeys in the trees at the beach.
A beach you stop at “just for a minute.”
A sunset that makes you forget what time it is.
Those are the moments that stay with you.
.jpeg "Magical Playa Samara at Night") |
Magical Playa Samara at Night |
Costa Rica rewards flexibility, curiosity, and a willingness to slow down. Plan enough to feel grounded and then let go a little. Some of the best parts of a trip are the ones you never planned at all.
What’s on your MUST DO list for Costa Rica?
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