​Hi everyone!

​My girlfriend and I are taking a two-week trip to Costa Rica in December. Our itinerary includes San José, a few days in Puerto Viejo, La Fortuna, Rio Celeste Waterfall, and Manuel Antonio.

​We’ve been together for several years and I'm bringing with me an engagement ring. My goal is to propose to her during our trip to Costa Rica. I’d love to get your tips on the best spot to do this.

​In countries with iconic global landmarks, couples usually go for places like Machu Picchu or the Eiffel Tower. While Costa Rica doesn't have that exact type of landmarks, we really identify ourselves with the country’s philosophy and I really want to propose her there.

​I'm looking for something relatively simple and low-key: no hired photographer, but also not a "flash mob" or anywhere with a huge crowd watching.

​Has anyone here been proposed to (or proposed) in Costa Rica? Do you have any recommendations or spots you'd suggest avoiding?

​Thanks in advance!

Travelling with 2 toddlers and renting a car, which one seems the better option?

-Fly into Liberia and drive straight to La Fortuna
-3 nights in La Fortuna (Los Lagos)
-1 night in Monteverde (open to suggestions)
-3 nights in Tamarindo (Diria Resort)
-Fly out of Liberia

OR

-Fly into Liberia and drive straight to La Fortuna
-2 nights in La Fortuna (Los Lagos)
-2 nights in Guanacaste (JW Marriott)
-3 nights in Tamarindo (Diria Resort)
-Fly out of Liberia

Looking for an airport transfer from SJO to La Fortuna and back. Also need car service options while I'm at La Fortuna. Are Ubers easily available if I'm not staying in town? Better to have a driver?

Hello All,

We are visiting Costa Rica for the first time in December, flying in and out of Liberia and have booked 4x4 car rental through Adobe. Its 4 of us, wifey and I are mid 40s with 16 and 13 year old boys. We are staying at "The Springs Resort" for first 3 nights for the Arenal part of the trip, followed by "W Costa Rica - Reserva Conchal" for 4 nights for the beach part of the trip. We are looking for activities, while The Springs has their "Club Rio" for activities, we are planning to do some external ones and would love some help from this group. Our current plan is:

Arrival Day 0 at 6:30 pm: Rest up.

Day 1:

Morning - 8:30am Mistico Hanging Bridges, guided tour, about 2.5 hours.
Noon - Lunch at the resort.
Afternoon - 1:45pm River Tubing at Club Rio, done by 3:30 pm
Evening - Thermal Pools and dinner.

Day 2:

Morning - Breakfast, thermal pools all morning, early lunch.
Late Morning - Pure Trek rappelling at 11:45 am, back around 4:15 pm.
Evening - "Night Walk" in Club Rio at 6:00pm, back by 7:30. Late dinner.

Day 3:

Relaxed morning, final soak in thermal pools, check out at 11:30 am, drive to Conchal with a stop over at Llanos de Cortés waterfall.

We have done volcano hike and seen active volcano in Big Island so we are ok to miss the Volcano walk, although my guess is this is a different experience. We may try it next time. Anything you all would suggest we change for this part of the trip??

On the Conchal side our plan is:

Day 4:

Morning - Superman zipline at 09:00 am, about 1.5 hours.
Afternoon - at Resort, pool.
Evening - Dinner at Las Catalinas

Day 5:

Morning - Catamaran from Marina Flamingo, Snorkeling.
Afternoon - Pool time at resort.
Evening - Christmas Eve dinner at the W

Day 6:

This is Christmas day, we may just stay at resort all day as we anticipate most things would be closed.

Day 7:

Fly back.

Would appreciate any suggestions, changes, tips. Thank you all in advance!

Hello all, I know this is not a fishing subreddit but my wife and I will be going to Costa Rica in January and I was wondering if anyone did any fly fishing around La Fortuna while they were there? We will be at Lake Arenal the day after La Fortuna, but I was wondering if there was any good fishing in the rivers and streams around La Fortuna. I would appreciate any information you have! Thank you.

Costa Rica is at the top of my travel list, and I’ve never been out of the country before, so I’m planning my first trip! I apologize in advance if this question is stupid. I’m so overwhelmed planning for this trip, so I thought I’d ask for advice from people who have been there!

I’m in my 20s and would be going with a large group of friends and family. This would be a 10-day trip to Liberia and La Fortuna during the rainy season (Late May or early June because of school). I want to know if this itinerary is feasible (since travel time is apparently crazy long) and if I’m missing any key attractions that you would recommend adding. General advice is also welcome! My group has diverse interests, hence the beaches, parks, nature tours, and food stops.

Quick side note: Unfortunately I won’t have time to go to Miguel Antonio or Uvita— I’m trying to stick just to the Liberia and La Fortuna areas.

Hi! Visiting Costa Rica for the first time in November for 10 days and looking to rent a car. I am totally overwhelmed, as most people are and was curious if anyone had any experience with Ash Leigh/The Wet Nose Project? Vamos is sold out for the days I need. Trying to avoid a scammy situation, but her reviews seem to be good. Any help and guidance would be appreciated!

Are there taxi or Uber-like transportation services at SJO airport? I'd like to make sure there are ways to goto the hotel or BnB if the hotel/BnB does not have service.

Thanks in advance.

If you hired a guide for hikes/parks/etc in any of those areas (or for nearby points of interests) and had an amazing experience please recommend them and send their contact information!

Looking for morning activities and excursions. Repelling, zip lining, hiking or anything similar. If you have suggestions and have links or could refer who you went to that would be much appreciated. We will be traveling in early November

A week ago I attempted to withdraw ¢95000 from the ATMs at the Banco Popular branch in Grecia, but repeatedly received an error message on the ATM screen. Finally giving up, I went to a different bank and made a successful withdrawal of ¢98000. However, when I checked my transaction history a few days later, the funds had been deducted from my account by Banco Popular anyway. I visited the Banco Popular branch in La Fortuna, but the doorman wouldn't even let me speak to anybody, he just told me to dispute the charge with my bank.

This is the first time in several years of overseas travel that I have gotten scammed by an ATM. Lesson learned: always check your transaction history after every ATM withdrawal!

I’ll be arriving at SJO on December 30th 10:35 am through American Airlines, the only available domestic flight to get to Limón is at 12:10 pm. Would this be enough time? I don’t have many options but I’d only have about 1.5 hours after the plane arrives to get to the next. It’ll also be before New year’s Eve so I’m not sure how packed it’ll be. Is there a way to check in early online or communicate with the AirPort? Anything to make it Smoother?

Best way to go in the evening time. I see day passes available is it cheaper if you come later?

We are heading to Drake Bay mid January. We'll stay a few days then head off to another destination for about 4 days before departing from San Jose. I'm curious what would be your next ideal location with 2 younger kids. Looking for relaxing resort style stay after roughing it lol. We won't have a car in Drake Bay, but will likely rent something after to take to the airport if that's possible.

Flying into Liberia and staying at Andaz. Then driving to La Fortuna staying for 3 nights. On the last day was going to wake up early and drive to San Jose for flight home. After reading all these posts people said to skip SJ altogether. There also doesnt seem like must see stops in that drive either.

Should I add a day to stay in SJ so dont have to rush to airport?

Should I remove or add an extra night to stay on one of the coasts? Which coast is better?

Should we just leave from Liberia again and stop any place we didnt get to? Leaning towards this option

I recently stayed at the Westin Reserva conchal hotel and had a wonderful time. Everyone was so hospitable and the hotel amenities are great. My family wanted to try one excursion while we were there, but since we are older, wanted something close by (less than an hour away) and not too strenuous. We contacted Erik Garcia after reading some reviews on Reddit, and he was very knowledgeable and had lots of options for us to choose from. We chose to do the ATV tour which was lots of fun!

His staff also took photos and videos of us during our excursion so we were able to enjoy our time without trying to take photos. Ultimately the memories we have from the experience are priceless. I highly recommend Erik Garcia if you want to explore Costa Rica during your stay at the Westin Reserva. Transport was also planned for us which made everything less stressful! I am confident that he’ll be able to find an excursion perfect for you.

https://erikgarciaconchalbeach.biz/

anyone stay in the adults only section of tamarindo diria? booked a premium jacuzzi room but find it odd i cannot find 1 video/youtube/photo that captures the room type beyond the hotel website images. anyone been? kind of wishing i booked their sister hotel instead

Hello everyone, I live in USA but with pending Green card and have AP(I-512-travel document) that I use for entering the country. I'm Indian national and planning to visit Costa Rica for a week in Nov. As per requirements I need tourist visa because I don't have valid US, Canada or any other visa. please can someone brief me the process of obtaining the visa, requirements and how to get embassy appointment in Miami, FL. I called the embassy number and no one is picking the phone. PLEASE HELP!!!

trying to book this ferry in advance for december but i am not seeing a schedule available for december to book it. am I missing something? Why isn't there a schedule yet? as far as i can tell this is the website https://quickpaycr.com/ but i am not able to make a booking for december.

I am looking to plan a long weekend 30th bday trip with 8-10 girls. I love Santa Teresa Costa Rica, but the logistics getting there from nyc are a bit much ( 5 hr flight and then another mini flight or 5 hour ferry/drive). does anyone know of other parts of costa rica that match santa teresas vibe (beach, hilly jungle, culture, strong food scene and nightlife options, with being too overdone) that maybe are a bit easier to get to from main airports (i’m asking a lot i know). or any places that you’ve been outside of costa rica that remind you of this would be awesome!

thank you!!

I am looking to plan a long weekend 30th bday trip with 8-10 girls. I love Santa Teresa Costa Rica, but the logistics getting there from nyc are a bit much ( 5 hr flight and then another mini flight or 5 hour ferry/drive). does anyone know of other parts of costa rica that match santa teresas vibe (beach, hilly jungle, culture, strong food scene and nightlife options, with being too overdone) that maybe are a bit easier to get to from main airports (i’m asking a lot i know). or any places that you’ve been outside of costa rica that remind you of this would be awesome!

thank you!!

My partner & I are in Costa Rica from 10th December - 23rd on holiday from the UK.

Being close to London we expect similar prices in Costa Rica but we are quite shocked at the cost of a rental car.

Two of our Airbnbs require a 4WD but vamos & Adobe are quoting us £1,000 for a car for 13 days.

This seems extortionate. Very aware we are going during a peak season but this seems crazy!

Does anyone have any suggestions please on who they used that was reasonable?

Would also appreciate any other general tips you may have that we should know about ahead of our trip.

Thank you in advance!