Start here · Step 3 of 4
Ready to book your Costa Rica trip? Here’s exactly what to do
You’ve planned your route. Now it’s time to make it real.
This page is your booking dashboard, with everything to confirm before you go. Check off each step and you’ll be 100% ready for pura vida vibes in no time.
Your booking dashboard
Check off each step
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Step 6
Step 7
Then run through the final pre-trip checklist.
Start here: your Costa Rica planning path
Step 3 · You are here
Ready to book
Your booking checklist
Booking quick links
Everything we use, in one place
Step 1
Book your flights
Pick the airport that fits your route:
Not sure which airport or when to fly? Read what to know before booking flights and our airports guide.
💬 Sarah & Thomas tip
Book everything as early as you can. Last-minute deals do happen, but especially in high season (December to April and holidays), the good flights, hotels, and rental cars go fast.
Step 2
Book your accommodations
To keep booking easy, here’s what we recommend:
Hotels
Booking.com
Our top pick for hotels across all budgets, with great cancellation policies, filters that actually help, and tons of recent reviews.
Need help choosing?
Our hotel picks
We’ve curated hotels across Costa Rica by location.
💬 Sarah & Thomas tip
We like Booking.com because so many places have free cancellation. That means you can lock in a good option now, keep looking, and cancel if you find something better. Just double-check each property’s cancellation policy before you book.
Confirm before you reserve
Step 3
Book your transportation
We always suggest renting a car in Costa Rica for the most flexibility. Here’s our top pick, plus the other options if driving isn’t for you.
⭐ Our number one pick
Rent a car with Adobe: 10% off through us
Renting a car gives you the most freedom to explore at your own pace and find off-the-beaten-path gems. We use Adobe ourselves, a local company with transparent pricing, great service, and reliable SUVs.
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10% off your rental
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Free extra driver
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Transparent insurance
Not driving?
Not comfortable driving abroad?
Shuttles
Air-conditioned, door-to-door rides with professional drivers. Use code SARAHMC5.
Want to get there quickly?
Domestic flights
Cross mountain ranges or jump coasts in under an hour.
Luxury trip or honeymoon?
Travel planner
Our favorite in-country planner handles private transportation, curated hotels, and hidden gems.
Step 4
Book your tours and activities
We’ve tried almost every way to book tours (direct, through hotels, walk-ups), and booking local tours through Viator has been the most reliable for us.
💬 Sarah & Thomas tip
Most Viator tours have free cancellation up to 24 hours before, so you can book early and still stay flexible. Definitely check each listing, though, because some are different. Popular tours in high season sell out.
Top day tours by town
Pick a town to see popular day trips.
Free planning checklist
Feeling overwhelmed? We’ll break it down
Sign up for free, step-by-step planning emails and get our printable Costa Rica checklist right away.
Step 5
Get travel insurance
Costa Rica is safe, but insurance covers the things you can’t predict, not just medical emergencies. You want protection from:
Our top Costa Rica travel insurance pick is Heymondo.
Step 6
Get connected
You need reliable data for driving, WhatsApp, and tour communication. Options:
The easiest is an Airalo eSIM: install it before your trip and it activates when you land. It’s affordable and saves you from swapping SIM cards or airport kiosks.
Use code NEWTOAIRALO15 for 15% off.
Step 7
Buy any gear you still need
You don’t need much for Costa Rica’s weather and terrain, just a few essentials that make travel easier and more comfortable.
The week before
Final pre-trip checklist
In the week leading up to your trip, double-check these essentials.
Still feeling overwhelmed?
These guides will help
Also, join our Facebook group to ask for hotel opinions, get packing advice, and see what travelers recommend right now.
FAQ
Booking a Costa Rica trip FAQ: your questions
What should I book first for a Costa Rica trip?
Start with flights, since your airport (San José for central and southern routes, Liberia for Guanacaste beaches) shapes the rest of your route. Then book stays, transportation, tours, travel insurance, and an eSIM.
What should I check before booking a hotel in Costa Rica?
Confirm air conditioning (not all hotels have it), road access (some need a 4×4), location (many jungle lodges aren’t walkable to town), and the cancellation policy. We recommend flexible bookings.
Should I rent a car or take shuttles in Costa Rica?
Rent a car if you want flexibility and adventure. Take shuttles if you’re not comfortable driving abroad, or domestic flights if you want to get somewhere quickly.
Do I need travel insurance for Costa Rica?
We recommend it. It covers trip delays and cancellations, lost or damaged luggage, stolen items, and medical care if you get sick or injured.
How do I get phone data in Costa Rica?
Use an eSIM, your home carrier plan, or a local Kolbi or Claro SIM from the airport. An Airalo eSIM is the easiest. Install it before you go and use code NEWTOAIRALO15 for 15% off.
Next step
All booked? Save this for later
Bookmark our on-the-ground guide for once you’re in Costa Rica.
