Quick Reads
October 9, 2025 / November 6, 2025 by Zachary Ellison
Caribbean Coast Accommodations, Costa Rica: What’s Covered Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast offers budget options from $8-800, with solid picks at $40-100 and mid-range Caribbean coast hotels at $100-250. Puerto Viejo town is walkable; beaches like Punta Uva need transport. Tortuguero requires boat access. A 4WD rental unlocks inland jungle properties and coastal exploration freedom. Quick […]
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Caribbean Coast Food Guide: What’s Covered Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast serves completely different food than the rest of the country—rice and beans cooked in coconut milk with scotch bonnet peppers instead of mild gallo pinto, plus spicy rondon stew and meat patties you won’t find elsewhere. When Jamaican workers arrived in the late 1800s to […]
October 3, 2025 / October 31, 2025 by Zachary Ellison
Playa Conchal: Quick Guide Playa Conchal’s unique white shell beach sits about an hour from Liberia Airport, but you can’t drive directly to this stunning shoreline made entirely of crushed shells. Park in Brasilito ($5-7) and walk 15-20 minutes along the beach to reach the famous shells that sparkle like diamonds. The crystal-clear turquoise water […]
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 10, 2025 / October 31, 2025 by Zachary Ellison
Costa Rica Currency Guide: What’s Covered Costa Rica uses both colones (₡) and US dollars, with exchange rates fluctuating daily around 510-550 CRC to $1 USD as of 2024-2025, making it essential to know when to use each currency for the best value during your trip. While tourist services like hotels, tours, and car rentals […]
When planning a trip to Costa Rica, selecting the appropriate international airport is a crucial first step. This guide will provide valuable insights into the country's two primary international airports, helping you determine which one best suits your travel needs.
July 2, 2025 / November 1, 2025 by Zachary Ellison
How to Rent a Car at Liberia Airport Costa Rica? If you’re planning to rent a car at Guanacaste Airport in Costa Rica, this comprehensive guide will provide you with all the essential information you need to know. Renting a car can be a convenient way to explore the beauty of Costa Rica, and Guanacaste […]
July 2, 2025 / November 3, 2025 by Zachary Ellison
Guanacaste Airport Guide: What’s Covered Guanacaste Airport (LIR) sits 7 miles from Liberia city, putting you within 30 minutes of Gulf of Papagayo beaches and 1.5-2 hours from popular destinations like Tamarindo and Nosara. The compact 10-gate terminal moves faster than San Jose Airport, with car rental counters in baggage claim offering shuttle service to […]
July 1, 2025 / October 31, 2025 by Zachary Ellison
Choosing the Right International Airport in Costa Rica: Quick Guide Costa Rica has two international airports to choose from: Juan Santamaría (SJO) near San Jose and Daniel Oduber Quirós (LIR) in Guanacaste. SJO works best for Caribbean, Central Valley, and South Pacific destinations, while LIR gets you closer to Northern Pacific beaches like Tamarindo and […]
February 13, 2025 / November 8, 2025 by Zachary Ellison
Tortuguero National Park: What’s Covered Tortuguero National Park sits on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast accessible only by boat or small plane—no roads reach this “Little Amazon” of winding canals and rainforest. The 30-minute flight from San Jose Airport (SJO) costs more but saves time versus the bus-and-boat journey through La Pavona. Entry is $15 per […]
February 13, 2025 / October 31, 2025 by Zachary Ellison | Leave a Comment
Quick Guide to Carara National Park Carara National Park delivers Costa Rica’s largest scarlet macaw population and best wheelchair-accessible rainforest trails just 15 minutes north of Jaco. This unique transition zone where dry forest meets rainforest creates exceptional biodiversity with over 400 bird species recorded. Located 46 miles from San Jose on Highway 34, Carara […]
February 13, 2025 / November 3, 2025 by Zachary Ellison | Leave a Comment
Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge: What’s Covered Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge is a RAMSAR-designated international wetland in northern Costa Rica, 1 hour 45 minutes from La Fortuna near the Nicaraguan border. Day trip tours from La Fortuna ($50-80) include transportation, guided boat safari on Rio Frio River, and lunch, departing around 7:30am. Best wildlife viewing December-April […]
Manuel Antonio National Park: What’s Covered Manuel Antonio National Park sits on Costa Rica’s Central Pacific coast, 3 hours (105 miles) from San Jose Airport (SJO) or 4.5 hours from Liberia Airport (LIR). Entry is $16 adults (open Wed-Mon 7am-4pm, closed Tuesdays) and requires advance online booking—tickets no longer sold at entrance. The smallest national […]
February 13, 2025 / November 10, 2025 by Zachary Ellison | Leave a Comment
Caño Island Snorkeling: What’s Covered Caño Island Biological Reserve sits 32 miles (52km) off Costa Rica’s southern Pacific coast near Uvita, offering exceptional snorkeling with crystal-clear visibility, sea turtles, massive schools of jacks, and colorful reef fish. Tours from Uvita cost $145 adults, $100 kids 3-11 (includes equipment, guide, lunch) departing 7am for 6-hour excursions […]
February 13, 2025 / November 8, 2025 by Zachary Ellison | Leave a Comment
Barra Honda National Park: What’s Covered Barra Honda National Park sits in Guanacaste’s interior near Nicoya, 1.5 hours (50 miles) from Liberia Airport (LIR) or 3 hours (115 miles) from San Jose Airport (SJO). Entry costs $10 USD with mandatory advance reservations; cave tours run $25 per person requiring arrival before 1pm. The 3-4 hour […]
July 30, 2024 / November 10, 2025 by Zachary Ellison | Leave a Comment
Playa Hermosa (Jaco): Costa Rica’s Surfing Hub Playa Hermosa sits 5 miles south of Jaco on Costa Rica’s Central Pacific coast, 66 miles (1.5-2 hours) from San Jose Airport (SJO). Designated as Central America’s first World Surfing Reserve in 2020, this uncrowded beach offers powerful barreling waves for experienced surfers—not suitable for swimming due to […]
July 30, 2024 / November 8, 2025 by Zachary Ellison | Leave a Comment
Samara Beach: Family-Friendly Hidden Gem Samara sits on Guanacaste’s Nicoya Peninsula, 2 hours from Liberia Airport (LIR) or 4 hours from San Jose Airport (SJO). This compact beach town offers calm waves perfect for beginner surfers and families, fully paved streets with hotels, restaurants, banks, and services within walking distance. Average temps 90s°F (32-35°C) daytime, […]
Nosara Costa Rica: What’s Covered Nosara sits on the Nicoya Peninsula in Guanacaste, known for world-class surf breaks, yoga retreats, and wellness escapes along jungle-backed beaches. You’ll find luxury surf camps, boutique hotels starting around $250 per night, and protected Playa Guiones as the main hub. Having a 4×4 or high-clearance vehicle opens up the […]
Liberia Costa Rica: What’s Covered Liberia, Guanacaste’s capital known as the “White City,” sits just 15 minutes from Liberia International Airport and works as the perfect hub for exploring northwest Costa Rica. Most travelers use it as an overnight stop near the airport, but the city offers authentic culture, reasonable hotel prices starting around $50-150 […]
Witch’s Rock Costa Rica: What’s Covered Witch’s Rock sits in Santa Rosa National Park and delivers world-class surf breaks accessible only by boat from Playas del Coco (45 minutes) or Tamarindo (1.5 hours). Park entry costs $15 per adult with required reservations, and boat captains typically handle tickets. Whether you’re longboarding 1-3 foot waves or […]
Tamarindo Costa Rica: What’s Covered Tamarindo sits in Guanacaste as one of Costa Rica’s most popular beach towns, offering world-class surfing, vibrant nightlife, and 1.5 miles of tan sand beach. You’ll find beginner-friendly surf lessons for around $55, beachfront hotels and hostels across all price ranges, and walkable access to restaurants and shops downtown. Having […]
La Leona Waterfall Costa Rica: What’s Covered La Leona Waterfall sits in Curubande, Guanacaste, just 30 minutes from Liberia International Airport, offering an adventurous multi-hour hike through blue volcanic rivers, caves, and canyons to reach a hidden waterfall inside a cave. You’ll need good fitness, swimming skills, and comfort with deep water, plus closed-toed water […]
July 29, 2024 / November 8, 2025 by Zachary Ellison | Leave a Comment
Flamingo Beach Costa Rica: What’s Covered Flamingo Beach sits in Guanacaste as one of Costa Rica’s premium white-sand destinations, featuring a crescent-shaped beach, calm swimming waters, and the country’s largest marina opened in 2023. You’ll find luxury condos, fine dining, and world-class fishing just 1 hour from Guanacaste Airport. Having a rental car unlocks nearby […]
July 26, 2024 / November 9, 2025 by Zachary Ellison | Leave a Comment
Gulf of Papagayo Costa Rica: What’s Covered Gulf of Papagayo in Guanacaste offers Costa Rica’s most luxurious coastal experience with all-inclusive resorts scattered across the Papagayo Peninsula, secluded white-sand beaches accessible by boat, and world-class water sports. You’ll find premium accommodations like Four Seasons and Andaz just 25 minutes from Guanacaste Airport, with temperatures hitting […]
