4 Tips for Planning Your Dream Trip to Costa Rica

When I first came to Costa Rica in 2019, I had a no plans, spoke no spanish, or knowledge of the country and on a wing and a prayer I ended up in Santa Teresa.

This laissez-faire attitude served me pretty well, especially in my early 20's, but now believe a bit of preperation makes your vacation more enjoyable and safer.

Here's some things I've learned over the last 6 years living here, to help you plan your dream vacation, with the right balance of adventure and preperation.

1. Know your travel style.

Do you want to be busy everyday? Would you rather relax in one spot? If you're traveling with another person are you on the same page?

Personally, when traveling, I'd rather stay in one town and relax. If you have the ambitions to see as much of the country as possible, Costa Rica is small and you can see a different eco-system everyday if you like. I do recommend leaving your schedule somewhat flexible in case you do find yourself wanting to stay in a certain place, Santa Teresa is famous for travelers changing there plans to enjoy more time on the beach.

2. Learn Some Spanish/Try new things

Although it's absolutely possible to navigate through Costa Rica with zero spanish skills, and I know many expats that have lived here for years and do just that. It's really great to push your comforts and challenge yourself to learn something new. As adults we often don't want to embarrass ourselves, and therefore robb ourselves of the oppportunity to gain a new skill alltogether. All though you won't be fluent after a couple spanish lessons and a few weeks in Costa Rica, you can certainly learn how to order breakfast, ask a local how was their day, and try to understand some of what is said to you in reply. Learning a language is a lifelong process, but every journey starts with one step.

In the same vain, allow your whole trip to be journey into new experiences. Take a dance class, a surf lesson, or just start up a conversation with a stranger. You never know where these things will take you, and opening yourself up to opportunities only allows more to come your way.

3. Email your hotel/airbnb before you arrive.

Most all hosts are happy to answer questions, give suggestions, and help with logistics of arrival. I know that I am always happy to receive an email from a guest and want them to feel comfortable and prepared for their trip.

If your host isn't very responsive, maybe it's a good sign to look for a different place. Might I suggest Pura Vida Surfers in Santa Teresa ;)

4. Plan your transporation

If you're planning to see many different cities a rental car is a must, book ahead of time online for a better price and get a 4x4.

If you're planning to just stay in one town, maybe a rental car isn't needed the whole time but is good for at least a couple days to see some other beaches and nearby areas. In Santa Teresa you can rent a atv or side-by-side, but it's best to make your reservation ahead of time.

Hope this list inspired you in someway, if you're looking for help to plan your trip;

where to go

what to do

how to get there

Please send me an email, and I'd be more than happy to help you :)

Thanks,

Elena