Ready to Book Your Costa Rica Trip?
You’ve planned your route. Now it’s time to make it real.
This page is your Costa Rica Booking Dashboard. It has everything you need to confirm before you go.
Check off each step, and you’ll be 100 % ready for pura vida vibes in no time.
Start Booking
Step One: Book Flights
Pick the airport that fits your route:
- San José (SJO) for central + southern routes
- Liberia (LIR) for Guanacaste beaches.
Booking Quick Links
Step Two: Book Your Accommodations
To keep the booking process easy, here’s what we recommend:
- Booking.com: Our top recommendation for hotels across all budgets. Has great cancellation policies, filters that actually help, and tons of recent reviews
- VRBO: Best for villas, houses, apartments, and unique stays.
- Expedia: Useful for comparing prices and room types.
Need Help Choosing a Hotel? We’ve curated the best hotels across Costa Rica by location.
⤷ Costa Rica Best Hotels by Town
To avoid surprises, confirm these details before you reserve:
- Air conditioning (not all hotels have AC)
- Road access (some require a 4×4)
- Location (many jungle lodges aren’t walkable to town)
- Cancellation policy (we recommend flexible bookings)
Step Three: Book Your Costa Rica Transportation
If you’re unsure which option to pick, here’s the simple breakdown:
- Luxury/honeymoon and want stress-free travel? → Travel Planner package
- Want flexibility and adventures? → Rent a car
- Not comfortable driving abroad? → Shuttles
- Want to get to your destination quickly? → Domestic Flight
Car Rental
Enjoy the freedom to explore Costa Rica at your own pace and discover off-the-beaten-path gems whenever you like.
Book through our link to get 10% off, free extra driver, and transparent insurance
Shuttle Transfer
Relax in air-conditioned comfort from airport to destination with a bilingual, professional driver. Door-to-door service, no waiting in lines, and the flexibility to stop as needed.
Domestic Flight
Maximize your time and see the country from above: hop a quick regional flight to cross mountain ranges or jump coasts in under an hour, all while enjoying spectacular aerial views.
Custom Trip Plans
Overwhelmed with all the details? Our favorite in-country travel planner can design a custom trip for you. From private transportation to curated hotels and hidden gems, they’ve got your covered!
Step Four: Book Your Activities & Tours
Check out our guide to activities in Costa Rica for more ideas →
Over the years, we’ve tried almost every way to book tours (direct, through hotels, walk-ups, etc.) and we’ve found that booking local tours through Viator is the most reliable.
They have:
- Good cancellation policies. Just check each listing because they vary.
- Traveler reviews. Which make a big difference when choosing between similar tours.
- Support if anything goes wrong. Much better than booking with a random website.
Top Day Tours by Town
Take all the stress of vacation planning with these fun day trips
Don’t Miss Anything!
Download our free Costa Rica Trip Planning Pack, including:
- Final pre-departure reminders
- Complete booking checklist
- Printable packing list
- Space to track hotels, flights, tours, and dates
Step Four: Book Your Travel Insurance
Costa Rica is safe, but travel insurance is important because it covers the things you can’t predict, not just medical emergencies.
You need protection from:
- Trip delays (missed connections, weather disruptions)
- Trip cancellations (family emergencies, illness, unexpected events)
- Lost, delayed, or damaged luggage
- Stolen items (phones, cameras, passports)
- Medical care if you get sick or injured
Our top Costa Rica travel insurance pick is Heymondo.
Step Five: Get Connected
You need reliable data for driving, WhatsApp, and tour communication.
Options:
- An eSIM
- Your home carrier plan
- Local SIM at the airport (Kolbi or Claro)
The easiest option is an Airalo eSIM, which you can install before your trip and activate as soon as you land. It’s affordable, works everywhere, and saves you from swapping SIM cards or dealing with airport kiosks.
Use code NEWTOAIRALO15 at checkout for 15% discount
Step Six: Buy Any Gear You Still Need
Before your trip, make sure you have the basics for Costa Rica’s weather and terrain. You don’t need much, just a few essentials that make travel easier and more comfortable.
Some useful items include:
You can see everything we personally use and recommend here:
→ Costa Rica Packing Lists
Final Pre-Trip Checklist
In the week leading up to your trip, double-check these essentials:
Feeling a Bit Overwhelmed? These Posts Will Also Help…
Also, join Our Facebook Group: You can ask hotel opinions, get packing advice, and see what travelers recommend right now, etc. Join the Group→
Next Step
Save the next page for once you are in Costa Rica
I’m In Costa Rica & Need Tips →