February 2022
Transportation to Costa Rica-Flights:
There are two major airports in Costa Rica: Liberia and San José. I recommend flying into Liberia if you’re planning to explore the northern regions, and San José for destinations in the south. For us, traveling from the Midwest, the flight took 5.5 hours to get there and 5 hours for the return trip.
Transportation while there:
We decided to rent a car to enjoy the freedom of exploring multiple locations at our own pace. We booked through Expedia with Enterprise, and it was a great experience—we found an excellent deal. The company offers a free shuttle from the airport to their rental locations, which was easy to use and convenient.
If you prefer to stay in one area, there are plenty of transportation options available for popular daytime tours, so renting a car is not a necessity. However, if you do choose to rent a car, make sure to download offline maps of the area on Google Maps. Wi-Fi tends to be unreliable in many places, and you’ll often lose service while driving. Alternatively, you can print out maps of your planned routes if needed.
Driving was generally smooth for us, although the roads could feel a bit chaotic at times—but we managed just fine. Keep an eye out for roaming dogs and potholes on the road.
One thing to note: rental companies place a hold of over $1,000 on your credit card, but this is refunded as long as the car is returned in good condition.
Lodging:
Where you stay will depend on what you want to explore. Here’s where we stayed during our trip:
La Fortuna/Arenal Volcano area: (about 2.5-3 hours from both airports)
Baldi Hot Springs Resort:
Great location, very reasonably priced, and offering amazing hot spring options. There are good restaurant and food choices available—though not all meals are included in the booking price, breakfast is! We stayed for two nights, which felt like the perfect amount of time.
This place is on the pricier side, but absolutely worth it for a night or two! It offers stunning hot springs and recreational activities right on-site. The food is excellent, though none of it is included in the booking cost. The customer service here was exceptional, and it ended up being our favorite lodging experience of the trip. While we enjoyed Baldi Hot Springs just as much, the accommodations at The Springs were far nicer—but you definitely pay for it. Fun fact: they filmed a season of The Bachelor here, which speaks to its breathtaking views and location (though I’ve never seen the show myself!).
A quick Google search will reveal several other great options in the area. With kids, we tend to prioritize quality, which sometimes means spending a bit more. Both of these places were more than just places to stay—they were experiences in themselves.
North-West Coast area:
I have friends who absolutely loved the Tamarindo and Playa Conchal areas. We stayed a bit farther north near Playa Hermosa, though it wasn’t our favorite part of the trip. For a more authentic local vibe, check out the beaches and towns around Del Coco or Matapalo.
If you’re looking for an all-inclusive resort, this one is about an hour from the airport. A cousin of mine stayed here and had fantastic reviews.
Riu (Matapalo Area):
I recommend paying a bit extra for the rooms at the Palace rather than the Guanacaste. The rooms at the Palace are much nicer, and the upgrade is definitely worth the cost. The Riu is all-inclusive, with decent drinks and food (though the food wasn’t the best we’ve had).
Our must-see and do’s:
Hot Springs in the Arenal Volcano Area:
Our favorite hot springs were at Baldi Hot Springs and The Springs Resort. Both of these resorts include access to the hot springs as part of the stay, making them even more enjoyable.
Hanging Bridges in the Rainforest Area:
We visited the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges, where we did a self-guided tour. It took us about an hour or more to walk through the entire park, allowing us to fully take in the lush rainforest and stunning views.
Zip Lining:
Sky Trek company in Arenal
This was one of our favorite activities, and we had an incredible experience with the Sky Trek company in Arenal. The staff was fantastic, and the equipment felt very safe. They were also great with helping the kids. Sky Trek offers a GoPro camera for your helmet, and they take photos that you can purchase afterward. We were lucky enough to have clear skies, which made for stunning views. If you can book early, it’s usually less expensive. I booked in advance but was able to easily change our day once we arrived and could see the weather forecast. It does rain in the rainforest, but the showers are usually brief.
La Fortuna Waterfall:
This waterfall is definitely worth the hike down the stairs! There’s a small fee to visit, and you can book tickets online before going. Be sure to take a screenshot of your reservation, as you might not have reliable Wi-Fi access upon arrival to retrieve your email.
Rio Celeste Waterfall:
This waterfall is stunning with its vibrant blue color! It’s a great stop about halfway when driving back from the Arenal area to the west coast.
Other Activities We Looked Into:
Though we didn’t get to them, we were interested in hiking around the Arenal Volcano and taking a chocolate or coffee tour.
Additional Resources:
There are so many activities to explore in Costa Rica! I highly recommend checking out mytanfeet.com The website lists activities for all regions of the country and was incredibly helpful during our trip planning process.