Costa Rica travel planning · from a couple who calls it home
Plan your Costa Rica trip one step at a time
Free, step-by-step trip planning from Sarah & Thomas, who have called Costa Rica home since 2016.
Hey, we’re Sarah & Thomas
We help you plan Costa Rica the way we’d plan it for a friend who’s never been
You’re not looking for another listicle. You want to know which towns are worth it, how long the drives really take, and where you’ll actually want to stay.
We’ve lived here since 2016. We personally vet every hotel, tour and town before it goes on this site, and we update our guides from here on the ground.
Start your journey
Step 01
Dreaming
Is Costa Rica right for you? Costs, seasons and what a trip really looks like.
Step 02
Early planning
How many days, which airport, and which towns fit your travel style.
Step 03
Ready to book
Flights, hotels, car rental, insurance and tours, in the right order.
Step 04
In Costa Rica
Emergency numbers, this month’s weather and last-minute tours.
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First time in Costa Rica?
The one-week Best of Costa Rica itinerary
The exact trip plan we recommend to every first-time visitor. One week through Costa Rica’s top highlights, done for you.
This week’s travel deals
Costa Rica shuttles (Bookaway)
Shared & private shuttles · 5% off with code SARAHMC5
Compare routes & book
El Mangroove Hotel
Hotels · 20% off stays of 5+ nights (select dates)
Subject to availability
GetYourGuide
Tours & activities · 10% off your first booking
New users, code sent by email
G Adventures: Costa Rica Adventure
16-day guided trip · Up to 25% off · Rated 4.7/5
Small groups of 10–16
Our car rental pick
Adobe Rent a Car
The local company we rent from ourselves. Readers get:
One small country. So many vibes.
Why we’re called Costa Rica Vibes
Costa Rica vibes
/ˌkō-stə ˈrē-kə ˈvībz/ · noun
1. The feeling that every corner of Costa Rica has its own personality. A surf town, a misty cloud forest village and a laid-back Caribbean beach can all be just a few hours apart.
2. What you get when you pack 12 life zones and countless microclimates into a country smaller than West Virginia.
“We left the chilly cloud forest after breakfast and were watching the sunset in a surf town by dinner. Totally different vibes.”
Find your vibe
Where to go
Seven regions, 44 town guides, all written from here.
Fresh from the blog
