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Where We've Been

 

Visit our Blog Posts to learn about the great destinations, natural attractions and towns in Costa Rica.

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Best Places To Stay In Costa Rica (2026)

Playas del Coco for first-timers, Jaco for nightlife, La Fortuna for volcano access. Where to stay in Costa Rica based on real experience.

Best Spring Break Destinations in Costa Rica: Complete 2026 Guide

Discover the best spring break destinations in Costa Rica for 2026, split between college party scenes and family adventures. Learn critical timing around Holy Week when beaches get packed, plus booking tips and budget expectations. College students find top party atmospheres in Tamarindo and Jacó with surf and nightlife. Families discover La Fortuna’s hot springs and adventure activities plus Manuel Antonio’s guaranteed wildlife sightings. Includes driving times, crowd patterns, and how to maximize perfect dry season weather in March-April.

Best Places to Visit in Costa Rica with Kids: 2026 Guide

Discover the 4 best family vacation spots in Costa Rica for 2026, chosen for different family styles and age groups. San José offers interactive museums perfect for breaking up travel days. La Fortuna ranks #1 for adventure families with hot springs, ziplining, and volcano views. Manuel Antonio guarantees wildlife sightings on easy trails combined with calm beaches. Tamarindo provides the best beginner surf lessons for kids. Learn which destinations work for young children versus teens, how to split your time between locations, and what activities suit different ages. Includes driving times from both airports, accommodation guidance, and realistic budgets for Costa Rica family vacations.

Top 5 Beach Towns in Costa Rica: Complete Guide for 2026

Discover the top 5 beach towns in Costa Rica for 2026, each perfect for different travel styles. This guide covers Jacó’s nightlife and easy access, Tamarindo’s beginner-friendly surf lessons, Playas del Coco’s budget prices and calm swimming, Uvita’s whale watching and nature focus, and Santa Teresa’s advanced surf breaks. Learn which town matches your priorities with details on driving times, accommodation costs, beach conditions, and activities. Compare all five destinations to choose the right Pacific coast beach for your Costa Rica vacation.

3 Best Shopping Malls in San José, Costa Rica: A Guide with Videos

Discover the 3 best shopping malls in San José, Costa Rica with our complete guide. From luxury brands at Multiplaza Escazú to affordable shopping at Mall San Pedro and unique rooftop experiences at Oxígeno Mall, find the perfect shopping destination for your visit. Includes parking costs, food court prices, and practical tips from actual visits.

Top Hiking Trails In Costa Rica

My top 3 favorite hiking locations in Costa Rica.

Top Beaches In Costa Rica: From Surfing To Relaxing

Which are the best beaches in Costa Rica? Check out our list of the top 3 beaches along the Pacific Coast for your vacation.

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Is Costa Rica Expensive To Vacation?

Vacationing in Costa Rica doesn’t have to be expensive if you plan your trip well. Where you stay, how you travel and what you eat can have a big impact on your budget. In this post we’ll cover how to save money in the most popular tourism destinations.

Costa Rica Entry Requirements: Visa, Return Ticket & Immigration Guide (2026)

Costa Rica requires proof of onward travel to enter. Learn visa requirements, return ticket rules, and how Onward Ticket solves the problem.

Porter Airlines Costa Rica to Toronto: Complete Flight Review & Guide (2026)

Porter Airlines just launched direct flights to Costa Rica. My review covers the flight, Liberia airport, and nearby beaches.

Should I Get a Rental Car in Costa Rica? Complete Guide for 2026

Deciding whether to rent a car in Costa Rica depends on your itinerary and travel style. This complete guide breaks down when you actually need a rental car versus when alternatives work better. Learn about Costa Rica’s road conditions, whether you need 4×4 for popular destinations, and which rental companies offer the best service. Discover how having a car opens up microclimate exploration from mountains to beaches, plus when public buses, shuttles, or private drivers make more sense. Includes real driving examples from routes like Perez Zeledon to Dominical and beach-hopping in Guanacaste. Make an informed decision with practical advice on costs, insurance requirements, and vehicle options for your Costa Rica trip.

Costa Rica’s Hidden Gem Farmers Markets: Local Treasures Beyond the Tourist Trail

Discover Costa Rica’s vibrant farmers markets (ferias) from beach towns to mountain villages. This local’s guide covers what to expect, how to get there, and insider tips for finding the freshest tropical fruits, artisanal products, and authentic Costa Rican experiences at prices far below tourist areas. Explore five distinct markets across the country, from Uvita’s beachside feria to the massive Pérez Zeledón market in the Central Valley.

Coco Beach Guide: Beaches, Markets & Areas to Stay (2025)

Playas del Coco is just 30 minutes from Liberia International Airport, making it the closest beach town to Costa Rica’s northern airport. This guide covers everything from different beach areas to accommodation options, the Sunday Market, and day trips to nearby beaches, with practical information to help plan your visit to this lively Guanacaste beach town.

Airports in Costa Rica: Your Complete Travel Guide

Costa Rica has two main international airports that put you close to different parts of the country. You'll find Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in Alajuela near the capital city, while Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) in Liberia gets you...

Explore Dominical: From Forest Pools to Secret Beaches

Comprehensive guide to the area of Dominical. Includes information about town, the beach, animals and nearby attractions.

Colonial Costa Rica: Three City Walking Guide

Explore Costa Rica’s colonial heritage through self-guided walking tours of the Central Valley’s historic cities. Follow routes through Cartago’s religious landmarks, San Jose’s theater district, and Heredia’s university quarter – each telling different stories of the nation’s development. These walkable city centers showcase traditional architecture, active markets, and local culture continuing among preserved colonial buildings.

Top 5 Swimmable Beaches In Costa Rica

These are my top 5 favorite beaches in Costa Rica. They’re all in Guanacaste Province and near the Liberia International Airport.

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Driving Guanacaste to Caribbean Coast: Complete Road Trip Guide

Driving Guanacaste to Caribbean Coast: Complete Road Trip Guide

In this post we'll talk about the trip from Guanacaste's Pacific beaches to the Caribbean coast. The drive takes about 7 hours on well-maintained highways. This route avoids San José traffic completely by using Highway 4 north of the capital. You'll pass through...

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Playa Hermosa Guanacaste: Complete Beach Guide for 2026

Playa Hermosa Guanacaste: Complete Beach Guide for 2026

Playa Hermosa ranks as one of the best beaches near Liberia Airport in Costa Rica. Located just 30-45 minutes from the airport, this protected bay delivers calm swimming conditions, clean sand, and clear water. The beach stretches wide with plenty of space even during...

Map Of Costa Rica


Check the map to show locations we’ve visited in during our travels. This map shows the two main airports – Liberia and San Jose.

You will also find links to blog posts for popular towns like Tamarindo & Jaco. Check the posts for great activities like waterfalls, beaches and markets as well.

Once you’ve figured out your travel itinerary, visit our Packing List for gear you can use while you travel.

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