Journal

Costa Rica, from the people who drive it every day

Practical guides written by our own team: what to see, when to go, and how to get from one place to the next.

November 11, 2026What to Pack for Costa Rica: The Complete 2026 Packing ListA practical Costa Rica packing list: clothing in layers, the right shoes, rain gear, sun and insect protection, plugs and electronics, documents and money, what to pack by region and what to leave at home.Read the guide November 8, 2026How to Get Around Costa Rica: Transfers, Shuttles, Buses, Car Rental and Flights (2026)Every way to travel between destinations in Costa Rica, compared honestly: private transfers, shared shuttles, public buses, rental cars, domestic flights and ferries, with real distances and drive times from San José.Read the guide November 4, 2026Costa Rica with Kids: The Complete 2026 Family Travel GuideHow to plan a family trip to Costa Rica: the best destinations for children, activities by age, car seat rules, health and safety, getting around with kids and a sample 9-day itinerary.Read the guide November 1, 2026Why Visit Costa Rica? 12 Reasons It Stands Out in Central America (2026)What really sets Costa Rica apart from its neighbors: wildlife density, a world-class conservation model, no army since 1948, easy logistics, an honest comparison with Mexico, Belize, Panama, Guatemala and Nicaragua, and the trade-offs to know before you book.Read the guide August 3, 2026The Ultimate Costa Rica Itinerary: 7 Days of Volcanoes, Cloud Forest and Pacific Coast (2026)A week that works: Arenal, Monteverde and Manuel Antonio linked in one loop with no backtracking. Real transfer times from the routes we drive, 2026 park fees, what to book weeks ahead, and the mistakes that cost first-timers a day.Read the guide July 30, 2026Is Costa Rica Safe to Visit? Everything Travelers Need to Know (2026)The honest answer from a team based in Costa Rica: which risks are real and which are overblown, what actually happens to tourists, and the simple habits that keep a trip smooth.Read the guide July 23, 2026The Ultimate Monteverde, Costa Rica Travel Guide (2026)Everything you need for Monteverde: how to get there (including the Jeep-Boat-Jeep from La Fortuna), when to come, the reserve’s new circuit system, what to do, where to sleep and eat, and the mistakes first-timers make.Read the guide July 16, 2026Best Time to Visit Costa Rica: The Complete 2026 Guide (Month by Month)When to visit Costa Rica, the way we explain it to our own clients: dry vs. green season, a month-by-month calendar, each region's weather, the wildlife timing, and when prices spike.Read the guide July 15, 2026La Fortuna, Costa Rica: The Complete 2026 Travel GuideEverything you need to plan La Fortuna: how to get there, when to go, the best things to do with honest difficulty ratings, where to stay and eat, and the mistakes first-timers make.Read the guide