Costa Rica Travel Guide
Fly Like a Super Pig to Any One of the below page Sections:
Top Attractions
Cheap Flying Tips
Where to Stay
Things to Do
Your Guide to Costa Rica
Costa Rica is one of the most recognizable vacation spots in the world. With the warm weather, the white-sand beaches, and plenty of tropical vibes, the Caribbean country is perfect for any beachgoer looking for a spot to lose themselves in paradise.
This guide is perfect for anyone looking to travel to Costa Rica and needs travel tips before heading out, such as finding inexpensive flights, where to stay in Costa Rica, and what to do while there. There are several attractions outside of the beaches, with many great adventures that can be had by single people, couples, and families.
Top Attractions in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is known for its beaches and wildlife. Beyond these two things, though, Costa Rica does offer some cultural attractions that most tourists visit whenever they travel to the country.
Tamarindo
Tamarindo, located on the Nicoya Peninsula, is the top destination for surfers and beachgoers in Costa Rica.
Known for the large waves that break in different ranges going out to the ocean, Tamarindo Beach becomes quite the destination for surfers in the later months of the year when the waves are the biggest.
Besides the surfing opportunities, there are plenty of other water-based activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, and kite surfing that are all found here. If you are not a water person, this beach also offers zip lining, and horseback riding—and in the nearby Playa Grande, turtle watching.
The National Theatre in San Jose
San Jose is the busiest and most populous city in Costa Rica, and the National Theatre is a well-known landmark here.
The building was completed in 1897, with European artisans brought in to design it. The building was constructed to feature a classical Renaissance columned façade topped by statues symbolizing dance, music, and fame.
Inside the National Theatre, there are plenty of paintings and murals depicting life in the Caribbean. These are found throughout the building, with marbled floors and high ceilings. Throughout the year, there are performances put on by the National Symphonic Orchestra, who are led by Costa Rican and other foreign conductors.
Irazu Volcano National Park
This is one of the most unique national parks worldwide, with its volcano and craters surrounding the area being the top attractions here. The Irazu Volcano is the highest active volcano in Costa Rica, towering over the surrounding land at over 3300 meters.
The Principal Crater in the park is over 1000 meters in diameter and almost 300 meters deep. The other famous crater in the park is the Diego de la Haya Crater, which is considerably smaller than the Principal Crater, but it has a small lime-green lake that turns red that is worth taking a look at.
The Experience Flying into Costa Rica Airports
Flying into any foreign country can be a tricky situation. With passports and different languages and customs, a lot can go wrong for anyone.
Flying to Costa Rica is relatively easy, though, with San Jose Airport (SJO) and Liberia Airport (LIR) being the only two options to fly in and out of the country.
For those staying in the Nicoya Peninsula, Arenal Volcano, or Monteverde areas, SJO is the best airport. For those staying in the Guanacaste region, LIR is the best airport.
Top 3 Tips to Fly Cheap to Costa Rica
Anyone who flies is looking for the best deals to find. However, Costa Rica has fewer options to find the best deals because there are a limited number of airports to fly into and out of.
However, there are a few tips to keep in mind if you want to increase your chances of securing the best deals for flights:
1. Try to travel in the green season.
The green season is the time of year that it rains the most in Costa Rica; therefore, fewer travelers will be booking flights, making tickets inexpensive compared to other periods. This season usually lasts from May to December.
2. Plan out plane ticket purchases in advance.
You are more likely to find low-cost tickets two to three months before your scheduled travel dates.
3. Be flexible with the airport you choose.
Even if it means a longer travel time to your hotel or Airbnb, being flexible with the airport you fly to can also help you save a significant amount on airfare.
Popular Areas in the Country to Stay
Costa Rica offers such a wide variety of places to stay that there is no shortage of unique hotels or destinations to choose from. Whether you are close to an airport or further in the jungles, there is bound to be a place for lodging for just about every type of traveler.
city of San Jose
One of the most popular places to stay in Costa Rica is the city of San Jose. This is the main attraction hub for most tourists, with shops, dining, and entertainment enclosed in the city limits. It also has the most options as far as hotels or places to spend the night.
Nicoya Peninsula
Another popular place to stay is the Nicoya Peninsula. This destination spot is for those looking to find a more laid-back kind of vibe for their visit. With plenty of white-sand beaches and water activities, you can travel from your hotel or Airbnb to the beach and never go anywhere else.
Gulf of Papagayo
The final popular spot to stay is the Gulf of Papagayo. This location is where most of the country’s all-inclusive resorts are located. It is excellent for those looking to get all of their adventure in one place without having to travel much. This spot is a little on the expensive side, but it can be well worth it with all the beaches and breathtaking views available.
Popular Hotels in these Areas
Each of the above locations has a few hotels you can choose from for lodging.
San Jose
In the San Jose area, there is a Hilton Garden Inn on the outskirts of the city that is highly rated by several websites.
For those wanting to stay in a more historical site, the Gran Hotel Costa Rica was declared a historical and architectural monument. And finally, the Sheraton San Jose is a casino and hotel in one building for those who wish to gamble a little while in paradise.
Nicoya Peninsula
For the Nicoya Peninsula, Hotel Nicoya is one of the top booked hotels in the area. It is located within ten miles of the Barra Honda National Park.
The Hotel Calle de Alcala is another excellent hotel to stay at, mostly because it offers a private terrace and has multiple swimming pools for their guests. Los Pochotes is the final hotel to look for, with a private pool, a relaxing garden, and a restaurant all available.
Gulf of Papagayo
In the Gulf of Papagayo, the Hotel Bosque del Mar Playa Hermosa is a cozy little hotel right on the beach. A gourmet restaurant, private pool, and beach access mean the time to go from bed to beach is significantly shortened.
Nacazcol is another excellent hotel located on the main road less than a mile from Costa Rica’s main airport. Finally, the Hotel El Velero is another beachfront hotel that can offer much more than just sand outside your door.
Popular Airbnb Places in these Areas
In San Jose, there are many Airbnbs to choose from. The most popular one, though, is a studio apartment located in the city’s downtown area. It is perfect for couples and single travelers with limited space, but it has great accommodations like a full kitchen and views of the city.
In the Nicoya Peninsula, the best Airbnb is the Casa Marina, near the Playa Grande. This spot offers a double bedroom and a private kitchen so that you can gather all your supplies and never have to see anyone else until you leave the country. There is a beach just a five-minute walk away where you can do any number of activities.
Casa Vistas Del Pacifico
In the Gulf of Papagayo, there are several Airbnbs, but the Casa Vistas Del Pacifico is the number one option. This Airbnb was featured on HGTV and offers the most scenic views of the island. With a private pool overlooking the gulf, there is nothing more calming than this site.
Top Things to Do in Costa Rica
One can do several things in Costa Rica, but with it being such a tropical destination, every tourist ends up doing one of two things: heading to the beach or the jungle. However, the great part about Costa Rica is that you can do both of these things without having to travel too far from either.
Surfing and other beach activities are plenty in Costa Rica. Surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, kite surfing, and fishing are all available pretty much in every beach spot in the country.
For those wishing to immerse themselves in the wildlife, you do not have to go too far; you can go pretty much anywhere and see wild animals living within the Costa Rican community. Monkeys live in the city of San Jose, macaws fly overhead on the beaches, and plenty of other animals can be seen everywhere you look.
Coolest Airbnb Experiences in Costa Rica
If you are in Costa Rica, there are endless activities you can do. However, Airbnb has a cool feature that allows people to seek out guides that can take them on adventures you might not see otherwise.
The first adventure you need to go on is the bioluminescent kayak experience. Here, as the sun begins to set, you slip your kayak into the waters near Paquera, where the more you splash around, the more the waters become illuminated.
Another great adventure is the night walking tour and special dinner. In San Jose, the local market scene is unlike anything else, and Erick is leading the way on this adventure. You will experience the local markets, with Erick explaining how Costa Ricans use the local produce to make certain foods. The tour ends at a private restaurant, where the food is locally sourced.
A final experience to take on is a bird watching tour. While this may not appeal to everyone, it has a great adventure feel to it. You will see around 60-70 different types of birds on this trip, but these are not your typical NYC pigeons; there are such a variety of birds in the jungles and on the beaches, you are bound to spot a bird that you will never see anywhere else in the world.
In Summary
Costa Rica offers a wide variety of adventures to partake in that just about everyone on the trip can have a great time. While the country is known for the beaches and tropical forests, there are plenty of other activities to do in the downtime as well.
Be sure to check out the hotels and airfare tickets well in advance to see if you can find them at their cheapest. The green season is the best time to travel because that is when most travelers will stay away, which drives the tourist prices down in the country. Also, find adventures with Airbnb near where you visit to capture some of the experiences you cannot get without a local guiding you along the way.
