Costa Rica trip planning can feel incredibly overwhelming. Although you can find tons of Costa Rica travel tips on this blog, it’s helpful to have a timeline to organize yourself. So in this article, our Costa Rica trip planning timeline will help you decide how far in advance you need to book tickets, activities, hotels and all the details.
**Please check our Costa Rica COVID-19 Travel posts for latest information.**
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Helpful Costa Rica Trip Planning Timeline
This is for those who are planning their own trip, not going on an organized group tour.
1 year+
If you have a year in advance to plan, take this time to decide when to visit Costa Rica if you have the flexibility. You can read this post on the best time to visit Costa Rica for ideas and start getting to know Costa Rica in our Costa Rica for first timers guide.
6-12 Months
You can start peeking at flights at this time. According to Skyscanner, the best time to book international flights from the US is 5-6 months out. An additional survey from CheapAir also says the best time to purchase tickets to Central America are 70 days out and the prime booking window is 2 weeks to 6 months out.
It will depend on what month you are planning to visit Costa Rica however. If you are planning to spend your Christmas in Costa Rica, it is best to purchase them as soon as possible as December is the most expensive month and it will only get more expensive the closer the date is!
You will also need to decide which airport to fly into. There are two: San Jose International Airport and Guanacaste Airport. Read more about Costa Rica airports to see which one you should fly into.
Expert tip: Make sure to check prices for both international airports in Costa Rica and set flight alerts for both because it is normally a little more expensive to fly into Liberia than San Jose. I’ll talk more about the airports in a bit.
Tips for booking cheap flights to Costa Rica
I am no flight expert but here are my tips.
- Set up flight alerts with Google Flights. This is my favorite flight search engine.
- Fly out on a weekday, not a weekend.
- Add a stopover (long layover). For example, when my friends from Seattle came to visit, they chose an itinerary with a extra long layover in LA (14 hours). That flight was cheaper and they got to visit their friends in LA.
- If you’re flying from Europe, make sure to check the airlines since some airlines (like KLM) only fly on certain days of the week to Costa Rica. Try to be flexible and book a stopover or flight with a long layover.
- Book basic economy seats which are the cheapest option. We booked a roundtrip Seattle – Liberia flight beginning of December for $500 USD per person on basic economy with Alaska Airlines.
Our Favorite Flight Hacking Tips
Sign up to flight hacking websites. Dollar Flight Club and Going are two I personally use to find cheap flights. They post error fares and last minute cheap tickets. You can designate your departure region/airport and places you want to go and they’ll email you with cheap flights when they find one. I used them to buy cheap tickets to Iceland, Madrid, Hawaii and from Costa Rica to Seattle!
My next best tip? Get a travel credit card to rack up points to use for flights and hotels. I have the Chase Sapphire credit card which I absolutely love! You get ~60,000 points when you spend $4000 USD from initial account opening, 3x points on travel and dining. They also offer travel insurance for rental cars and trip delays for the Preferred. You can redeem the points to pay for flights, hotels, etc. If you travel often, a travel credit card is an absolute must.
What else you should be doing for your Costa Rica trip planning
You can start looking on the Internet for ideas and articles. I personally love using Pinterest and Instagram to get inspiration.
Make sure to look through our blog! We have a dedicated Costa Rica travel tips section and a destination map. Our Instagram also has a lot of ideas for things to do and places.
Airports
Fly into Guanacaste airport in the Guanacaste province for Playas del Coco, La Cruz, Liberia, Nuevo Arenal, Rincon de la Vieja, Tamarindo, Conchal, Gulf of Papagayo, Flamingo, Brasilito, Potrero, Grande, Avellanas, Junquillal, Negra, Nosara, Samara, Ostional, Nicoya, Las Catalinas and Bijagua.
Fly into San Jose Airport in the Alajuela province for the Caribbean coast (Tortuguero and Puerto Viejo), Puntarenas, Jaco, Manuel Antonio, Dominical, San Isidro del General (Perez Zeledon), Uvita, Ojochal, Puerto Jimenez, Drake Bay, Golfito, Turrialba, San Jose, Heredia, Alajuela, Cartago, San Ramon, Grecia, Atenas, San Vito, Sarapiqui, Bajos del Toro.
You can fly into either San Jose or Guanacaste Airport if your first destination is La Fortuna, Monteverde, Montezuma or Santa Teresa. They are about the same travel time from both airports. You can also fly into one airport and fly out the other.
What else to know: Guanacaste Airport can be a bit more expensive than San Jose so compare prices. It is also much easier to drive from there than San Jose.
Read more about Costa Rica airports.
4-6 Months
At this point, you should have your flights, especially if you are visiting in the Christmas season or the spring break/Holy Week time. If you are visiting during the low tourism months like May, June, September – November, you can wait a bit and keep checking prices if you want to get a last minute deal or just aren’t really sure of your time off yet.
If you are visiting during peak season, I also recommend to start looking for accommodation. Hotels during Christmas and New Years go fast and they are much more expensive. Some boutique hotels get booked out a year in advance during Christmas!
Secondly, you should start booking your car rentals if you are visiting end of June, July, August and December -through April. These are high tourism months. If you book last minute, usually all that is left are expensive premium cars. If you are visiting during Christmas/New Years, you need to book at least 3-4 months in advance.
Furthermore, we don’t recommend booking upon arrival as that usually is more expensive.
Here are articles on renting a car that will help
- Tips for renting a car in Costa Rica
- Driving in Costa Rica tips
- Costa Rica car rental insurance
- Costa Rica car rental discount
2-3 Months
Narrow down your places of interests to start outlining a rough itinerary. Can’t decide where to go yet? Check out our best places in Costa Rica post for ideas. You can check our Costa Rica itineraries for sample itineraries.
If you’re not sure how you’re going to get around…
If you don’t know if you want to rent a car yet, then you’ll want to decide soon for the reasons I mentioned above. Shared shuttles only have a certain number of spots available and it’s always first come first serve.
Here are our transportation articles:
You don’t need to be in too big of a rush if you’re visiting in the off season. These are months like May, beginning of June, September, October and November. Those are slow travel seasons so you don’t need to book everything asap. I would book those at least a few weeks ago.
1-2 Months
You should have your itinerary somewhat solid at this point. You know where you’re going, how many days you’re staying and how you’re getting around. Additionally, you should also have booked your hotels, cars and shuttles or at least start booking them.
Now you can start planning your daily itinerary if you want. I know some people like to play things by ear, which you can perfectly do in low season but if you have any MUST DOs or MUST SEEs and are visiting in the high season, then book those asap to save your spaces.
For example, popular activities like private snorkeling tours, whale watching and fishing charters book up quickly during high season. Don’t lose your chance to go on a specific tour or do a specific activity by waiting until last minute an finding out they don’t have any more availability.
When it comes down to it, it’s better to pre-book your “must do” activities rather than scrambling last minute to find a company who still has space. That company may not be the best company or offer the best price and you may miss out on checking off your Costa Rica bucketlist.
Furthermore, there are some places in Costa Rica that require pre-purchased tickets such as Corcovado National Park, Chirripo National Park, Manuel Antonio National Park and Poas Volcano National Park. They can sell out in high season so you want to book those well in advance.
Rainy Season
If you are visiting in rainy season, you can wait until you get to Costa Rica to see how the weather is before booking your tour. Since it’s not as busy as high season, you don’t really need to worry about places getting completely booked up.
However, if you visit during the end of June, July and beginning of August, we do recommend to pre-book. That is a busy time for when Americans, Canadians and Europeans come down for summer vacation. May, beginning of June and September through November are much less crowded.
PS. We have several discounts on tours you can check here! Costa Rica tours promos.
1-2 Weeks
Your itinerary should be solid with activities and hotels booked, schedules (how long a drive is, what time to leave, etc.) and all transportation ready.
You should start figuring out what to pack and picking up necessary items like sunscreen and mosquito repellent. If you’re visiting in rainy season, we highly recommend to bring a waterproof backpack and rain jacket. You can read our Costa Rica packing list for tips. Make sure you buy your mosquito repellent and sunscreen (reef safe preferably) – two MUST HAVES for Costa Rica!
Also print or screenshot all your reservations, make color copies of your passport, leave your itinerary with a family member and reconfirm your bookings with your hotel, tour operators and transportation companies.
For communication, make arrangements to get an international data plan on your phone with your home carrier or find out how to buy a prepaid SIM card in Costa Rica.
Check routes and road conditions to your hotels, especially if you are visiting in rainy season.
If you want to check weather, we recommend to check geotags on Facebook and Instagram so you can see recent photos of current visitors.
Costa Rica Trip Planning Summary
To sum up, if you are visiting during Christmas and New Years, book hotels, tours and car rentals as soon as you can. Do not wait until last minute! This is one of the mistakes you want to avoid when traveling in Costa Rica.
If you’re visiting February, March, April, July or August, book car rentals, hotels and tours at least one month out. Those are very busy times as well.
You don’t need to book everything asap if you’re visiting in the off season (rainy season). You can start looking around a couple weeks to a month out.
Don’t try to book too many activities during your trip. For big groups, families with small children or seniors or short trips, don’t try to go to too many destinations. Places in Costa Rica are fairly spread out so travel times are long. You may need to dedicate one entire day to travel! It’ll be too tiring and you can spend that time enjoying rather than driving or sitting on a bus/shuttle.
Costa Rica Vacation Checklist
- First time to Costa Rica? Read our First Time in Costa Rica guide.
- Not sure how to move around Costa Rica? Read our How to Get Around Costa Rica guide to find the best transportation method for you.
- Click the link to get our detailed Costa Rica Packing List so you know what essential items to bring.
- Do not forget to purchase Travel Insurance for your trip to Costa Rica.
- Stay connected by purchasing a prepaid SIM Card in Costa Rica.
- Save money with Mytanfeet Deals for tours and hotels. Save more money with our Costa Rica Car Rental Discount.
Get More Travel Tips!
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Rob Monacelli says
We’re looking at visiting Costa Rica for the first time next summer with our family of 5 (kids 21, 18, 15) and considering staying near Jaco, Tamarindo or Playas del Coco. We’re looking to relax, snorkel, visit a national park and maybe take a boat ride. How would you rank those 3 destinations? We’ll probably rent a car so we’ll be able to take day trips as well. Appreciate your help and all of your very valuable content.
Sammi says
All three are good except in Jaco, you can’t take a boat ride from Jaco beach (or snorkel) – you’ll have to go to Playa Herradura to take a boat tour. I would also check which airport you’re flying into because Jaco is only 1.5 hrs from SJO but around 4 to LIR, Tamarindo/Coco are around 4.5 hours to SJO Airport, but only 1 hour/25 minutes to LIR.
Jay says
Can we get a weekly pass for entry to all /most national parks at a discounted rate rather than buying it individually? It will helpful to know if such convenience is available?
(I have already booked rental car through your website) your site is proving to be a super helpful in CR trip planning so far thanks ️️
Sammi says
Unfortunately no, Costa Rica doesn’t offer national park packages, you have to purchase them individually
Jay says
Sad 🙁 but we’ll have to take it.. it would have been little convenient if they could offer the package
Sammi says
I agree, but seems like the government doesn’t seem to want to put together anything like that unfortunately
Anne says
We are planning our first trio to Costa Rica, hopefully for early June. Family of 4, kids 15 & 18. They want beach, we want a little adventure. Can we accomplish all of this in Quepos/Manuel Antonio, or should we spend a few days in LaFortuna? We are planning 7 days and found what looks to be lovely villas in Quepos that offer concierge etc. Just trying to minimize driving,but want to see everything!
I’m trying to plan by myself and it’s very overwhelming!
Sammi says
You definitely have adventure and beach in Manuel Antonio (ziplining, white water rafting, horseback riding, fishing, surfing, etc.)
You can check our guide to Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica and our Things to do in Manuel Antonio
Marcia Lee says
Hi Sammi, My husband and I and our 2 adult sons are leaving for Costa rica this Saturday April 15th. We have our accomodations book for 4 days in arenal and 4 days in domenical but none of our activities yet. we also need 3 additional night lodging in between. May I email you directly to set up some things?
Sammi says
Hello Marcia, our team has emailed you with more information
Beth Berlin says
Thank you for your informative blog. We are a Canadian family planning to come for spring break 2024 with our teenage boys 13 and 16. We will be there the week before and week after Easter. We love beaches, boogie boarding, snorkeling, surfing, zip lining and good food (I’m veggie). My son wants to go to a volcano. I am thinking of flying in to San Jose and going right to Manuel Antonio for 5 nights- then with Easter being what it is there, thinking of going inland before the weekend and checking out Monte Verde, and Arenal Volcano- how much time would you recommend spending in that area? I’m then thinking after the weekend we would finish our trip in Samara for a nice quiet surfing/ beaching/ snorkeling end to our adventure around 14-16 nights. Any tips or thoughts on what I’ve looked at so far? Is it worth the extra money to fly out of Liberia or should we just take the bus back to San Jose? Flights look really costly so will try to save where we can ie take bus skip rental car. The Berlin family
Sammi says
Hi Beth, you can check out our Costa Rica itinerary ideas and we also have blog posts for your destinations: Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica, Monteverde Costa Rica, La Fortuna, Samara, Costa Rica that you can read for more information
Linda says
Our family of 12 has reserved a house in Jaco for the week of Dec. 24, 2023 – Jan. 1, 2024. We will also need to rent a van or two cars. Should we fly into Liberia or San Jose, and how soon do we need to book flights? (Coming from New York and Maryland)
I know that the Christmas holiday is the most expensive time to fly, and the fares have already gone up just since a few days ago! Is there a possibility that they will go down at a later date?? Thanks so much for your input.
Sammi says
Hello Linda we have sent you an email
Joe says
Hi–thank you so much for the detailed information! I was curious if you had any pointers for longer term itineraries. Most of what I read online (here included) are itineraries for 5 days-1 month or so.
My wife, my 3 kids ages 1-4, and I are planning a 4-5 month trip. It’s a tricky amount of time because we have the ability to spend 2-4 weeks in a single location and the flexibility to go just about anywhere. But we’re crippled with the sheer amount of choices available, and we’re worried about committing 2-4 weeks to a location that could prove to be better spent elsewhere. Sprinkle in a number of shorter jaunts, and there is so much possibility!
You both know so much and are such valuable resources to us–I guess we’re just hoping for some direction! Thanks for considering!
Sammi says
Hi Joe, as you’re going to be in CR for 4-5 months, spending 2 weeks at a time is not a bad idea to really get to know a place rather than hopping around from place to place just to smush as many destinations in, especially if you’re with kids. Lots of places in Costa Rica can be enjoyed superficially for just a few days but there are tons of local hidden beaches and spots to discover that can only be done when you have more time
Jonathan S Dunn says
Wow, I miss CR solo much! Grew up there and later produced TV about the rivers and rainforest, but now find myself stuck in the US after a broken hip. Ouch, but I just have to get back to Pura Vida!
Tracy says
I will be traveling to Costa Rica this September. With things starting to open up around the world and people anxious to start traveling again, and maybe less accommodation available, do you think it would be necessary to book all my accommodations in advance?
Sammi says
I would start looking at least 1 month before for the reasons you said for sure!
Shannon Beard says
We are traveling to CR this h
June. In regards to the travel insurance. So do we start the insurance the day we arrive? And for how long? We will be there from June 19 leaving the 26 th.
Sammi says
You must purchase insurance for the duration of your trip, you can read more about it on our Costa Rica COVID travel post
Riyah says
Hi there, I’m considering coming to CR in late November to mid December. I know it gets busy around Christmas and New Year but will I have to start booking all my tours and trips in advance?
Sammi says
Usually late Nov to Mid Dec is not too bad! There is usually a lull after US Thanksgiving and before mid Dec. This year may be different though due to COVID but generally that’s how it is.
Sue and Randall & 3 teens says
Over the Christmas/New Years break, our family of 5 looks forward to 2-3 days of PADI diving from Playa Flamingo and 2-3 days of surfing from Tamarindo. However, we’re not getting responses from our efforts to pre-book equipment. The Scuba provider indicated reservations are not necessary and the surfing provider did not respond, despite 2 inquiries.. Advise? Thx. Sue .
Sammi says
Hi Sue, I would recommend to try to message the companies on Facebook or call, usually companies in CR answer FB pretty fast! For christmas, I would definitely get reservations because it’s super busy!
Sammi says
Hello Arteen, you can do a day trip to Arenal from San Jose with a tour company or you can spend a few nights there. Depending on how long you have in the country, I would recommend to stay a couple nights in Arenal if you can.
You can read about our getting around Costa Rica guide to read more about transportation.
Arteen says
Hi
My wife and I are visiting Costa Rica from The UK. Right now I wonder if I can have Arenal Volcano tours from San Jose or I have to go to La Fortuna? I mean I’ve heard that roads are busy and bumpy so I am afraid if traveling from San Jose to Arenal Volcanos becomes a hardship because of long-distance. which one do you recommend to stay in stay in La Fortuna or to travel back and forth from San Jose?
Regarding traveling between cities, since we are not renting a car, are buses safe and reliable or should we think of taxis?
I would appreciate your kind advice.
Lisa French says
My husband and I had our first Costa Rica vacation in January. We found your blog to be one of our favorite and most helpful travel guides, from the car rental to deciding where to visit.
We still follow your posts and look forward to planning our 2nd trip next year.
Sammi says
Hi Lisa! That is so great and we are so happy the blog was helpful! Thank you for your feedback and kind words 🙂