Explore the North/West Coast-

Includes Liberia, La Fortuna, San Miguel, Playa Grande, + Lake Arenal

So you’re planning a trip to Costa Rica! That’s so exciting, I loved my time there and hope you enjoy yours as well. I went with my family so most of our activities focused on accommodating a group of 6 people, but you can easily do any/all of these activities with a smaller group of friends. Before your trip I have a few recommendations for you to check out. 

What to Expect

Language: Spanish, in most tourist places they also speak English.

Currency: The Colón (1 Costa Rican Colón equals 0.0019 United States Dollar). Essentially, $1 USD = 525 Colónes so think of Colónes in increments of 500. Keep in mind, currency changes often so double check the rates before you go.

Credit Cards/ATM: Most places will accept credit cards, but just in case it’s always good to have some cash on hand, especially in the more local/remote areas. You can easily withdraw cash from an ATM, which tend to be easy to find in a grocery store, mall, or outside of a bank. Avoid getting currency at the airport as they uncharge a lot. *Special note- when using a credit card DO NOT convert to USD or they will charge a conversion fee. Instead, choose whatever currency is local to the country. **Be aware to put cash immediately away after you withdraw. Children or other people may approach asking for money, just say no and walk away.

Outlets: Costa Rica uses the same plugs as the US (Type A and B) so you do not need a converter.

Safety: Costa Rica is generally a safe country (especially in the touristy areas), but in general- be cautious and don’t stay out too late.

When to Visit + Weather

When to Visit: January and February are peak tourist season because of the great weather (hot & sunny with little rain), tropical birds and migrating humpback whales passing through, and the nightlife is at its peak. This also makes it the most expensive time to visit, so make sure to make advanced reservations if traveling during this time. My recommendation is to plan your visit for either May or October when the rainy season is either beginning or ending and the crowds are lower.

Weather: Dry season (and tourist peak season) begins in late November and runs until end of April. Rainy season lasts about seven months, but you can always expect a little bit of rainfall throughout the year.

Transportation + Getting Around

Arrival: There are 2 main cities to fly into- San Jose (the country’s capital) and Liberia. For this trip I’d recommend flying into the Liberia Guanacaste Airport. The airport is pretty small compared to some of the major US airports, but you should be able to navigate it just fine. Since this trip focuses on the west side of Costa Rica, Liberia will be closer to everything you will want to see.

Getting Around: If you’re heading to Costa Rica, renting a car is the move—it’s the easiest way to explore all the stunning spots on your own terms (this is what I did). Want to chase waterfalls one minute and hit the beach the next? No problem. But if you’re rolling on a budget and don’t mind syncing up with bus schedules, the public buses are a solid, affordable option to get to the major hotspots. It’s all about how much freedom you want (and how much you’re vibing with that road trip life).

Where to Stay

We ended up staying in the La Fortuna area for a few days at the coolest bed & breakfast (La Carolina Lodge- listed below). From there we stayed in an airbnb in Tamarindo on the west coast. Each place had a different vibe- the first being a “jungle” cabin with delicious home-cooked Costa Rican food, while the second was a more chill beach stay. I loved being able to experience two sub-cultures of Costa Rica.