Posts
August 29, 2025 / November 6, 2025 by Zachary Ellison
SJO Airport Guide: What’s Covered Juan Santamaría Airport (SJO) sits in Alajuela—20km from San José, not downtown. This single-terminal airport handles immigration, baggage claim, and customs using a traffic light system. Arrive 3 hours early for international flights—airlines close check-in 60 minutes before departure. Rental car companies line the arrivals hall; vehicle pickup and insurance […]
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Arenal Hot Springs Without Crowds: What’s Covered Arenal’s hot springs range from luxury resorts ($45-85) like Tabacón and Eco Termales to mid-range options ($22-40) and free natural river pools beneath the Río Tabacón bridge. Located 3 hours from San José near La Fortuna, this region combines volcanic hot springs with adventure activities like waterfalls, ziplining, […]
Costa Rica Domestic Flights: What’s Covered Costa Rica’s domestic flights save 3-8 hours on remote routes where mountain roads turn 100km into 4-hour drives. Sansa and Green Airways operate 20-50 minute flights from San José to 10+ destinations—costing $80-160 one-way with strict 30-pound baggage limits. Combining flights with rental cars works best: fly to your […]
August 21, 2025 / November 10, 2025 by Zachary Ellison
Costa Rica Dry Season: What’s Covered Costa Rica’s dry season (December-April) delivers consistent sunshine for Manuel Antonio, Arenal, and Tamarindo. Wildlife congregates around water sources, making spotting easier, while Guanacaste turns golden brown. Expect 20-40% accommodation increases and crowds. Book cars and lodging 3-6 months ahead—4x4s sell out completely. Quick Facts: Regional weather varies—Caribbean wetter, […]
August 18, 2025 / November 10, 2025 by Zachary Ellison
Caribbean Coast, Costa Rica: What’s Covered Costa Rica’s Caribbean from Puerto Viejo to Tortuguero delivers Afro-Caribbean culture with reggae and coconut cuisine, unlike Pacific destinations. Punta Uva offers turquoise water; Cahuita National Park features Costa Rica’s largest coral reef. Tortuguero requires boat access with no roads—green turtles nest July-October. Rental cars explore beaches between Puerto […]
Central Valley, Costa Rica: What’s Covered Costa Rica’s highland heartland sits 800-1,500m elevation offering a spring-like climate between San José and three volcanic parks. Poás features a 1.5km-wide active crater requiring advance reservations; Irazú shows both oceans on clear days. Coffee plantations demonstrate seedling-to-cup processing across volcanic slopes. Rental cars access colonial towns Sarchí, Cartago, […]
August 15, 2025 / November 6, 2025 by Zachary Ellison
First Time in Costa Rica: What’s Covered Costa Rica packs cloud forests, volcanoes, and beaches into West Virginia. Dry season (Dec-Apr) brings sunshine and 20-40% higher prices; green season offers morning sun with afternoon showers. First visits work best at 10-14 days, covering Arenal, Monteverde, and the beaches. Choose SJO airport for central destinations or […]
August 15, 2025 / November 10, 2025 by Zachary Ellison
San José, Costa Rica: What’s Covered Costa Rica packs cloud forests, volcanoes, and beaches into West Virginia. Dry season (Dec-Apr) brings sunshine and 20-40% higher prices; green season offers morning sun with afternoon showers. First visits work best at 10-14 days, covering Arenal, Monteverde, and the beaches. Choose SJO airport for central destinations or Liberia […]
Posts Quick Reads
July 10, 2025 / October 31, 2025 by Zachary Ellison | Leave a Comment
Where is Costa Rica: What’s Covered Costa Rica is located in Central America, positioned between Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south, forming a land bridge between North and South America with coastlines on both the Pacific Ocean (west) and Caribbean Sea (east). Despite common misconceptions that it’s in South America or the […]
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July 9, 2025 / November 10, 2025 by Zachary Ellison
Costa Rica’s Green Season: What’s Covered Costa Rica’s green season runs May through November, bringing 20-40% lower accommodation rates and dramatically fewer crowds than the dry months. The “rainy season” label misleads—most areas see sunny mornings followed by predictable afternoon showers lasting 1-3 hours. Having your own vehicle lets you chase good weather between regions […]
July 9, 2025 / November 8, 2025 by Zachary Ellison | Leave a Comment
Arenal Volcano Travel Tips: Quick Guide When visiting Arenal Volcano, start early to beat crowds and experience the national park at its best – trails open at 8 am and the last entry is 2:30 pm. Most travelers base themselves in La Fortuna, just 15 minutes from the volcano, where you’ll find restaurants, tour operators, […]
July 7, 2025 / November 8, 2025 by Zachary Ellison | Leave a Comment
Venado Caves: Quick Guide Venado Caves offers a thrilling 90-minute underground adventure through limestone passages formed 15-20 million years ago, located about an hour from La Fortuna in Costa Rica’s Arenal region. You’ll navigate narrow passages, witness a 160-foot underground waterfall in the Cathedral chamber, and encounter blind cave creatures that have evolved in complete […]
July 6, 2025 / November 8, 2025 by Zachary Ellison | Leave a Comment
Monteverde Geography: What’s Covered Monteverde’s geography features towering mountains rising 1,200-1,800 meters above sea level along Costa Rica’s continental divide, creating the misty cloud forests that define this northwestern region. The Cordillera de Tilarán mountain range produces unique microclimates where Pacific trade winds meet mountain peaks, supporting over 700 tree species and 500 orchids. Cool […]
Local Cuisine in Monteverde: Quick Guide Monteverde’s local cuisine blends traditional Costa Rican flavors with international influences, featuring farm-fresh ingredients from cloud forest farms and nearby organic producers. Classic dishes like gallo pinto, casado, and arroz con leche showcase generations-old recipes, while modern fusion restaurants incorporate global spices and techniques. From cozy sodas in Santa […]
Lake Arenal Activities: Quick Guide Lake Arenal, Costa Rica’s largest lake at 33 square miles, offers world-class windsurfing, kayaking, and paddleboarding with stunning Arenal Volcano views as your backdrop. The man-made reservoir created in the 1970s provides both hydroelectric power and endless water sports opportunities, with consistent winds making it one of the world’s top […]
Arenal Hot Springs: Quick Guide Arenal’s hot springs are naturally heated thermal pools near Arenal Volcano, ranging from budget-friendly to luxury options with temperatures between 93°F and 152°F. Most resorts offer day passes ($30-$100+) alongside overnight stays, with pools, waterfalls, and spa services. Having a rental car gives you flexibility to visit multiple hot springs […]
Arenal Volcano National Park: What’s Covered Arenal Volcano National Park protects 30,000 acres of rainforest and lava fields around Costa Rica’s iconic stratovolcano. Entry costs $16.95 for adults (open 8am-4pm, last entry 2:30pm), with hiking trails ranging from easy half-mile loops to challenging lava field treks. Driving yourself from La Fortuna takes 20 minutes on […]
July 2, 2025 / November 8, 2025 by Zachary Ellison | Leave a Comment
Arenal Volcano Safety: What’s Covered Arenal Volcano has been dormant since 2010, making visits safe when you follow basic precautions like staying on designated trails and packing rain gear. Emergency services are reachable at 911, with clinics in La Fortuna and a hospital 30 minutes away in Ciudad Quesada. Having your own vehicle means you […]
Planning Your Monteverde Visit: What’s Covered Monteverde sits high in Costa Rica’s Tilarán Mountain Range (1,400-1,800m elevation), famous for its cloud forest ecosystem that stays misty year-round. Santa Elena serves as the base town with accommodations and tour services, positioned 3-4 hours from San Jose Airport. A 4×4 rental is highly recommended since roads can […]
Monteverde Travel Tips: Quick Guide Monteverde’s 26,000-acre cloud forest sits at 4,662 feet elevation with year-round temperatures averaging 64°F, creating ideal conditions for diverse wildlife including over 400 bird species. The dry season (December-April) brings sunny hiking weather, while September-October offers fewer crowds and lower accommodation prices. Renting a car handles the mountainous, winding roads […]
July 1, 2025 / November 8, 2025 by Zachary Ellison | Leave a Comment
Monteverde Wildlife Guide: What’s Covered Monteverde’s cloud forest hosts over 400 bird species, 100 mammal species, and 161 reptiles and amphibians across seven distinct life zones. The 26,000-acre Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve sits at 4,662 feet elevation where constant cloud cover creates unique conditions for rare species like resplendent quetzals, sloths, and howler monkeys. Driving […]
Monteverde Attractions: What’s Covered Monteverde’s cloud forest sits high in the mountains near Santa Elena town, home to the 26,000-acre Cloud Forest Reserve, zipline adventures, hanging bridges, and diverse wildlife including resplendent quetzals. Most attractions spread across the region require 10-30 minute drives between locations on steep, winding roads. Renting a car lets you visit […]
La Fortuna Waterfall Guide: What’s Covered La Fortuna Waterfall cascades 246 feet within a 210-acre ecological reserve just 10 minutes from La Fortuna town, part of Arenal Volcano National Park. Entry costs $20 per adult (free under 9), open 7am-5pm with last entrance at 4pm. The 500-step descent takes 20-30 minutes through rainforest to reach […]
