How to Plan a Vacation to Costa Rica

Amiee Maxwell

Costa Rica is any adventure traveler's dream destination. The main eco-tourism destination in Central America, Costa Rica is a land of incredible beauty and varied landscape. Travelers can swim, surf and snorkel at secluded beaches, explore the cloud forests and their remarkable biodiversity, and then head to the highlands to view active volcanoes and relax in natural hot springs. When planning a trip to Costa Rica it is important to consider which outdoor activities you would like to do and when you would like to travel.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Costa Rica Guidebook Map of Costa Rica Notebook Timetables of Bus Schedules Computer for Online Lodging Reservations
Costa Rica Guidebook
Map of Costa Rica
Notebook
Timetables of Bus Schedules
Computer for Online Lodging Reservations

Step 1

Get a good, up-to-date guidebook for Costa Rica. The Let's Go series is great for budget travelers and Lonely Planet is an excellent standby for independent travelers.

Step 2

Decide when you would like to travel. In general, the best time to visit Costa Rica is during the dry season, which runs from December to April. If you are visiting Costa Rica for the surf, you may want to travel during the rainy months of September and October.

Step 3

Book a flight. Round-trip fares to Costa Rica from North America typically run from $500 to $1000. Most international flights arrive in San Jose, although some may arrive in Liberia.

Step 4

La Fortuna Waterfall

Decide which outdoor activities you would to do while visiting Costa Rica. Costa Rica is a great destination for surfers and is known for its consistent year-round waves. Costa Rica also has endless hiking trails in its numerous national parks. Rappel down a waterfall, ride a zipline through the cloud forests, or participate in a multi-day biking adventure tour. Costa Rica also has some of the best whitewater rafting and kayaking in all of Central America.

Step 5

Decide which areas of Costa Rica you would like to visit. Choose the areas that you would like to visit based on what activities you would like to enjoy. Keep a list of all the sights you would like to see.

Step 6

Decide how you would like to travel around the country. The bus system in Costa Rica is cheap, easy and reliable. If you choose to rent a car know that four-wheel-drive is highly recommended in some areas.

Step 7

Hotel Lys in Montezuma, Costa Rica

If traveling during the dry season, book hostels or hotels before you travel. It is a good idea to make reservations online when traveling during the dry season. Rooms are cheaper and easier to find during the rainy season.

Tips & Warnings

Most of the activities mentioned are safe, but it is best to choose adventure tour guides that are highly recommended and have good safety practices.

Resources

Nicoya Peninsula

Article Written By Wren Mcilroy

Based out of Salt Lake City, Wren Mcilroy has been writing outdoor recreation and travel-related articles for 3 years. She holds a Bachelor of Science in psychology and biology from Winona State University in Minnesota.

Editor's Pick

5 Top North American Wildflower Hikes

Springtime brings a sense of new beginnings and new life as flowers begin to bloom and fill the air with their sweet and pleasant fragrance. Luckily we can see wildflowers all summer long, since spring hits at different times throughout North America. See flowering cactu...
More National Parks...
Popular Article

National Park Substitutes: Great Spots Without the Crowds

Coping with crowds at national parks can get tiresome, especially during the peak tourist season. If you want to escape from the herd, or just take a breather from the bustle of bigger attractions, the United States has plenty of less-visited but still worthwhile spots t...
More National Parks...
Featured Destination

Prevent Yourself from Getting Lost While Hiking

When you're hiking you're going to want to make sure you stay found. What I mean by that is that you've put an itinerary in the car, you know the area that you're hiking to, you know the route and the trail you plan on being on, you know what the trail markers are going ...
More Camping Basics...