Costa Rica Travel Agent – Destination Specialist

Pura Vida baby! If you are looking for an experienced Costa Rica travel agent, you have come to the right place. In addition to completing my Costa Rica Destination Expert certification by Essential Costa Rica, I have personally sent many clients to Costa Rica on vacation. There’s no place on earth quite like this country located in Central America.

Costa Rica continues to be one of the hottest vacation and adventure-travel destinations in Latin America, and for good reason. It is rich in natural wonders and abundant biodiversity. Costa Rica boasts a wealth of unsullied beaches for sunbathing and surfing, lush jungle rivers for rafting and kayaking, and spectacular cloud forests and rainforests with ample opportunities for bird-watching, wildlife viewing, and hiking. In addition to the emblematic eco- and adventure-tourism offerings, you will also find luxury resorts and golf courses, plush spas, and some spectacular boutique hotels and eco-friendly lodges. In this section, you’ll find the very best of what this unique country has to offer.

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Costa Rica Travel Agent – Destination Specialist

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In this blog, you’ll see an overview of the different regions of Costa Rica, popular things to do, sample vacation package pricing, and more. The first thing you need to do in planning your Costa Rica vacation: Decide which area(s) you want to visit. Typically, most clients prefer to fly into Liberia International Airport (LIR) as opposed to San Jose (SJO). Guests feel safer flying into the Guanacaste/Liberia area, and that is also where you will find the majority of the touristy accommodations.

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Costa Rica Overview

Guanacaste and the Northwest

As a Costa Rica travel agent, who has booked countless people to this destination, I can say without a doubt that Guanacaste is the most popular region.

Guanacaste is Costa Rica’s “Gold Coast”—and not because this is where the Spanish Conquistadors found vast quantities of the brilliant metal ore. Instead, it’s because more and more visitors to Costa Rica are choosing Guanacaste as their first—and often only—stop. Beautiful beaches abound along this coastline. Several are packed with a mix of hotels and resorts, some are still pristine and deserted, and others are backed by small fishing villages. Choices range from long, broad sections of sand stretching on for miles, to tiny pocket coves bordered by rocky headlands. There are several famous surf breaks and beaches, and protected spots perfect for a mellow swim or snorkel.

Perfect for Nature Lovers

Guanacaste is home to several active volcanoes and some beautiful national parks, including Santa Rosa National Park, the site of massive sea turtle nestings and of a major battle to maintain independence; Rincón de la Vieja National Park, which features hot springs and bubbling mud pots, pristine waterfalls, and an active volcanic crater; and Palo Verde National Park, a beautiful expanse of mangroves, wetlands, and savanna. The beaches of the Nicoya Peninsula don’t get nearly as much attention or traffic as those to the north in Guanacaste. However, they are just as stunning, varied, and rewarding. Montezuma, with its jungle waterfalls and gentle surf, was the first beach destination out this way to capture any attention. It’s since been eclipsed by increasingly trendy Malpaís and Santa Teresa.

The Guanacaste area is the perfect starting point for tour pick up. From here, you can take a day trip to Nicaragua, go on an ATV tour of Tamarindo, or even go on a blue dolphin sailing adventure.

Alajuela

As the second largest province in Costa Rica, Alajuela is home to a vast variety of both man-made and natural attractions. The province is the site of one of the most pristine mountain ranges, the Cordillera Central Mountain Range, in addition to several volcanic national parks.

As one of the most beautiful parts of the Costa Rica landscape, the Arenal Volcano is an ideal spot for travelers. Its symmetrical shape make it a true sight to see. While the storied history of the volcano has kept it at the top of travelers’ lists for decades. Horseback riding, hiking and wildlife viewing are all available here. Less adventurous travelers can get a sprawling view along a sky tram canopy tour or go for a horseback ride to the stunning La Fortuna waterfall. Near the Arenal Volcano, you’ll find the Baldi Hot Springs. Jump in – the water’s warm!

Poás Volcano may not be as sought-after of a traveler destination as the Arenal, but this towering volcano is just as magnificent. Stretching up 8,885 feet tall, Poás Volcano is one of the most active volcanoes in the country. The raid-fed main crater is nearly a mile in diameter and descends nearly 1,000 feet. Besides the area around the main crater, the park features dense vegetation and is a great place for travelers to catch a glimpse of native wildlife. There are also several different life zones, including a cloud and mountain rain forest.

Puntarenas

Puntarenas has never taken off as a major tourism destination, though some Ticos in the Central Valley swear by it as a great weekend getaway. Despite serious investment and the steady influx of cruise ship passengers, Puntarenas retains its image as a rough-and-tumble, perennially run-down port town. Although the seafront Paseo de los Turistas (Tourist Walk) has a string of restaurants and souvenir stands, this town has little to interest visitors, and the beach here pales in comparison to most others. Today, Puntarenas is primarily popular as a weekend holiday spot for Ticos from San José (not to mention all the tourists lining up for the ferry) and is liveliest on weekends.

One of the biggest treasures in this area is the Monteverde Cloud Forest. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is a Costa Rican reserve located along the Cordillera de Tilarán within the Puntarenas and Alajuela provinces. Named after the nearby town of Monteverde and founded in 1972, the Reserve consists of over 10,500 hectares of cloud forest. It draws roughly 70,000 visitors a year.

San Jose

Costa Rica’s bustling capital and population center is not a bad place to hang out for a few days, or to get things done that can’t be done elsewhere, but it isn’t a major tourist destination. Still, that lack of tourism makes the city feel uniquely Tico. And because San José is the country’s biggest urban center, it has varied and active restaurant and nightlife scenes, museums and galleries worth visiting, and a steady stream of theater, concerts, and other cultural events that you won’t find elsewhere in the country. To really immerse yourself in the culture, take a cooking class!

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Sample Costa Rica Vacation Package Pricing

Check out my sample Costa Rica vacation packages below. Whether you’re on a budget, or looking to splurge on a special occasion, I have a package option for you.

Minimum deposit: $265 per person | Remaining balance due: 45 days before departure

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