r/CostaRicaTravel

Hi, we are 7 adult kids (50s) and one fit mom (82) and going to CR for a week in early July. Group is diverse. Some prefer to mostly relax at a house/resort/beach, others more active into culture, nature, hiking, locals, and one likes to golf. The group prefers to go to one location for a week rather than split it up with a few days inland and the rest beachside. Would love if the group could get some exposure to locals and local life!

Have been considering large villas in Guanacaste (AI was really pushing Papagayo Peninsula but I’m off that now) and Manuel Antonio, but am really interested in your recommendations. Also, if you have villa sites other than Airbnb or the like, that’s appreciated. Either of those would be fine for my group but I also appreciate someplace that “has it all” but is far less known/touristed.

I’m a very experienced independent international traveler (so this is not my usual sort of trip) but am tasked with the assignment for the family.

Thank you!

I am currently at Playa del Coco with a teenager, a child, and two other adults. Everything is extremely expensive. I expected costs to be similar to Quebec, but I find it exaggerated, even when trying to buy local products. I would like to see the volcano, but I don't have a car (car rental is too expensive) and the transportation + activity would cost about 700$..Doesn’t make sens. Otherwise, there doesn't seem to be much of a vibe. Frankly, it is my worst trip so far. Yes, it is magnificent, but nothing more. I feel stuck in Coco because I have to spend too much money or everything is far away.

Hi everyone,

We are planning a 3-week trip to Costa Rica in January 2027 and would really appreciate some feedback.

We will be travelling as a family of four: two adults, our daughter Wiktoria, who will be 3 years old, and Aurelia, who will be 14 months old.

When our older daughter was about 1 year old, we spent a month travelling around Chile, including the Atacama Desert and Patagonia. We hiked in Torres del Paine with her in a backpack carrier, including the full hike to Mirador Las Torres. So we are not particularly worried about hiking distances themselves, as long as the terrain and logistics are reasonable with children in proper hiking carriers.

Our current idea for Costa Rica is roughly:

• Jan 1: Alajuela after arrival
• Jan 2–5: Arenal / La Fortuna: El Bosque de Tío Victor, Místico Hanging Bridges, Mirador El Silencio, Arenal Observatory trails,
• Jan 5–10: Monteverde area: Monteverde Cloud Forest + potentially 1 night at San Gerardo Field Station (if its safe for our daughters)
• Jan 10–15: Uvita / Ojochal Nauyaca, beach days + potentially whale tour (if its safe for our daughters)
• Jan 15–19: Osa Conservation Campus
• Jan 19–22: Cloudbridge Nature Reserve
• Jan 22: Alajuela
• Jan 23: Poás in the morning and flight at 18:40

The places we are most interested in hearing opinions about are:

San Gerardo Field Station
This is probably the one we are least certain about because of the 3.5 km hike to reach the station. We would send our main luggage by ATV and carry the children in hiking carriers. We are currently waiting for the station itself to tell us whether they host families with babies/toddlers and how emergency transport works.

Osa Conservation Campus
We like the idea of staying in one place for several nights, exploring different trails in shorter morning/afternoon blocks and being able to return to the accommodation whenever the children need a break.

Cloudbridge Nature Reserve
We are thinking about staying for three nights so we have two full hiking days and can choose the trails according to conditions and how the children are doing.

One thing that reassures us somewhat is that these places actually publish accommodation/rate categories for very young children, including ages 0–2 and 3–5 in some cases. Osa Conservation also explicitly says they welcome families with children of all ages. That makes us think that travelling there with babies/toddlers is not something completely unusual.

Still, we would really like to hear from people who have actually visited these places.

Do you think this itinerary is realistic with children of this age in backpack carriers?

Would you personally be comfortable staying at San Gerardo Field Station with a 14-month-old and a 3-year-old?

Are there any particular trails or activities in these places that you would definitely recommend — or avoid — with young children?

And more generally, do you think the itinerary has a good balance between wildlife, hiking and a couple of slower beach days, or would you change something?

Thanks a lot for any advice.

Hey so Im planning to go to Costa Rica in October however and from the tips I've gotten it was recommended to get a rental. However, most of the rental companies I've seen like vamos and Alamo require a credit card only deposit and I don't have a credit card and to put 1000+ on a deposit is really insane to me but still. I want to explore and not have to spend a fortune on taxis and Uber. Also I'm only 21 so can someone give me some advice on getting a reliable rental company. I've also heard I have to take detailed photos of the rental when I get it cause they can scam me and make me lose my deposit which I'm not looking forward to I just want to relax and chill so any recommendations would be appreciated.

Hello everyone, I (40 M) am planning a 7 days solo trip in Costa Rica in September last week. Planning to visit Manuel Antonio national park, La Fortuna - hot springs (Tabacon), Arenal lake and volcano, waterfalls and San jose- Poas and La Paz. Have few questions-

1. Since it will be my first trip to CR, I am little worried about safety. Routes I am taking are a. San Jose to Manuel Antonio b. Manuel Antonio to La Fortuna c. La Fortuna to San Jose.
2. I know it will be the starting of the rainy season, will I have some luck to cover all these attractions.
3. I will be driving myself and renting cars from Adobe, heard some good reviews. I have been driving in US from last 15 years. Any opinion will be helpful.
4. Should I add or remove some spots from plan?
5. Any thing else which can help me with the trip.

I know this is probably a weird question on this sub but I'm an entomology student and really want to visit Costa Rica for the cool bugs!! My friend found an undescribed beetle species when she visited several years ago and I'm so jealous. But it looks like I'm only going to be free this January and I'm worried the dry season won't have as many cool bugs as I'm hoping for. Everywhere I'm seeing online is saying January is great to visit because there'll be no bugs and I'm sad :( Could I still find lots in the rainforests?

What are some good places in general to visit for biodiversity in January? Should I stick with tour groups or are they generally too "curated"? (I don't care about zoo/sanctuary type places as much because I can't post the animals on iNaturalist lol)

I have a work trip to Costa Rica in November. I am very excited to visit but we are staying at planet Hollywood which would probably be my last choice. I would really like to get out of the resort and visit some places to try local food or shop in local markets or visit some bars and see sights. Does anyone have any recommendations? Will have maybe two days where I can escape the resort and adventure away.

Normally when traveling I go to local farmers markets and restaurants and just try to experience whatever local life is like.

What is better? We are staying in Puerto Viejo and will be flying into San Jose, so we are trying to decide if we should do a rental car for the full time or do a transfer to/from airbnb and then just Uber.

Okay so, never have i done a solo trip in my life so I’m thinking Costa Rica would be my first. I live in Canada & im a 31 yo man. I love nature & hikes but also love the beach & the sun. I honestly prefer not to stay in a hostel & can afford a proper hotel.

Planning to travel between Nov 20-29, 9 nights (i know thats towards the end of the dry season with possibility of showers in the afternoon)

My trip is probably gonna be la Fortuna (3-4 nights) & Guanacaste (5 nights)

1- do you think 3-4 nights would be enough in la Fortuna?
2- which hotels would you recommend for a solo traveller in la Fortuna?
3- what activities in la Fortuna are actually worth it?
4- where to stay in Guanacaste (Tamarindo? Conchal)? Is 5 nights too much?
5- would i need to rent a car or should i stick to ubers & tours transportation?
6- anything else (tips & tricks) that i would need to know?
7- which airport to target? Should I do La Fortuna first or Guanacaste?

Honestly anything that you can give me in terms of info that could help with my research & planning for the trip. Thankss

Hi! My boyfriend and I are traveling to Costa Rica in September and would love recommendations/tips for our itinerary:
🌿 Sept 6–9 — Tortuguero
Night walk, canoe, Jaguar Trail, Cerro Tortuguero, kayaking & turtle nesting tour.
🌴 Sept 9–13 — Puerto Viejo / Cahuita
Jaguar Rescue Center, Punta Uva, Cahuita NP, snorkling, beaches & surf lesson.
🌋 Sept 13–15 — La Fortuna / Arenal
Ziplining, waterfall, hot springs & Arenal.
🐋 Sept 15–17 — Uvita
Whale-watching + beaches/relaxing.
Would love your recommendations for:
🍽️** Best restaurants/local food at each stop
🌴 Must-sees, beaches & hidden gems
🚙 Rental car/road tips — is a 4x4 necessary?
🌧️ What to wear/pack for September (rain gear, shoes, quick-dry clothes, etc.)
🦟 Mosquito/sun protection
🔐 Safety, car break-ins & things to avoid
💡 Anything you wish you knew before your first trip!

Live music ????

*** We already have our places to sleep.

Thank youuuuu 😁

Given El Nino this year, what could I expect weather wise in Costa Rica in December? Is this a bad time to go given the weather?

We’re going through Liberia airport to Playa Hermosa and La Fortuna for a week this Saturday and I’m starting to worry about the weather. We’re traveling with our 2 year old. Anyone been there this week??

I’m seeing weather reports of continuous rains. I’ll be visiting Sep 5-14. I just wanted to know if it is usual rain or is it different this time? Can I still drive around, do activities and hikes? I’m coming from Seattle, so rain is nothing new for me, just wanted to understand how bad it is