What I Wish I Knew Before Our Costa Rica Trip (With Teens)

Costa Rica is an incredible place to travel with teens. It’s beautiful, welcoming, adventurous, and far more doable than I expected. That said, there are a few things I really wish I had known before our first trip, things that would have saved money, stress, and a lot of unnecessary overthinking.

This isn’t an itinerary. It’s the lived experience stuff people usually ask about afterward.

Phone Plans Matter More Than You Think

We didn’t have a great international plan through our regular carrier, so we used a JetPac eSIM both times we traveled. It was very affordable, didn’t always download perfectly on the first try, but customer service was responsive and helpful. WhatsApp made everything easier and honestly made the low-cost setup worth the effort. Once connected, it worked well while we were there. You WILL NEED WHATS APP when you are there. 

The key takeaway: don’t assume your U.S. phone plan will be fine. Figure this out before you land.

Renting a Car Is Worth It

There is mandatory insurance in Costa Rica and yes, it adds cost. Even so, renting a car was still far cheaper than hiring drivers, especially for a family of four with a flexible itinerary. We rented from Alamo both times and had positive experiences.

Driving takes longer than distances suggest, road conditions vary, and night driving isn’t ideal in mountainous or unfamiliar areas. Still, the freedom to stop, pivot, and explore on our own terms was absolutely worth it. When you take your trip will have a huge impact on your rental cost. 

You Don’t Need to Book Every Night in Advance

You do need to know where you’re sleeping, but you don’t need to lock down every night months ahead. Booking the first few nights helped us settle in, and leaving flexibility later in the trip worked well. We even booked a side hotel for a single night during high season and it was completely fine.

Planning matters, but over-planning isn’t necessary.

Airbnb vs Hotel: Mix It Up

On our first Costa Rica trip, we stayed only in hotels. On our second, we stayed almost entirely in Airbnbs, with one hotel night. Having done both, I’m convinced that a mix of Airbnb and hotels works best, especially when traveling with teens.

Airbnbs in Costa Rica gave us more space, multiple bathrooms (a big plus with teens), and the ability to cook. They also felt more like a tico experience, which mattered to us. Food in Costa Rica is expensive, and cooking some meals at home saved a lot. When shopping, buy local products when possible. If there are American staples you know you’ll want, it’s worth packing them - sunscreen in particular is very expensive to buy locally.

Hotels in Costa Rica were all about ease. Having staff available to answer questions was especially helpful on our first trip. Breakfast included was another major benefit and made mornings simpler.

If you need an airport hotel near San José, I highly recommend the Pura Vida Hotel. The host, Bernie, is wonderful, the breakfast is excellent, and it feels far more personal than a typical airport hotel.

If you’re staying in La Fortuna, a hotel with hot springs is worth it. We stayed at Los Lagos and loved it.

For future trips, we’ll continue to mix Airbnbs and hotels. That combination gave us the best balance of space, cost savings, and convenience.

Wildlife Is Everywhere

I assumed seeing wildlife would mean long drives to national parks and structured excursions. In reality, some of the best animal sightings happened casually - crossing the road, hanging in trees along the beach, wandering through towns, or even sifting through trash cans at an adventure park.

National parks are incredible, but you don’t need to organize your entire trip around them to see animals.

ATV Rides Are A Yes

Gettting Comfy in ATVs at the Congo Trail

We did ATV riding both trips and would absolutely do it again. It was fun for teens, a great way to see terrain we wouldn’t have otherwise reached, and adventurous without feeling extreme. If you’re debating whether it’s worth it, this was one of our highlights. 

 Expect to Be Sold Things on the Beach 

People will try to sell you things on the beach - massages, bracelets, tours, food—and they will do it frequently (word of warning: I have heard that many of these vendors also try to sell you drugs - I have not experienced this personally but it is talked about). It’s not aggressive, but it is constant. Cash is king and they will change prices on you if you pull out a credit card. A polite no thank you works just fine. Knowing to expect it makes it much easier to enjoy your time without feeling annoyed. That said, if you need to rent some beach chairs, or want a very expensive yet delicious pineapple drink, you will likely have that option! 

You Will Pay to Park, and You Should

At many tourist spots, locals will ask for payment to “watch your car.” This is normal and expected. The cost is usually small ($4-8) , it supports locals, and it genuinely reduces stress. Just pay it and move on. Trying to outsmart the system isn’t worth it.

Tipping in Costa Rica: What to Know

Batido (CR Smootie)

 Tipping in Costa Rica works differently than in the U.S. Most restaurants include a   10% service charge, so tipping isn’t expected in the same way. We tended to add a   little extra for great service. I felt in tourist areas it's becoming more of an   expectation (and feels appropriate). 

 We often asked whether the service charge was already included, and the answers   weren’t always consistent. That didn’t feel like a scam so much as uneven   communication. You can usually double-check the bill itself as the 10% service   charge is often listed there.

 For guides, drivers, and hotel staff, tips are appreciated but not required. Having   small bills on hand helps, and when in doubt, a modest tip or simply moving on both felt fine. We tried to pay cash tips in colones (the national currency) but most places (including the car watchers) took dollars. 

Final Thought

Costa Rica offers more than any one trip can hold. You won’t be able to do it all, and that’s part of what makes it special. Whatever you choose will likely be great. It was a rare trip that worked for our entire family, adults and teens, without constant negotiation. It’s not the cheapest destination, but it’s incredibly rich in experience.