When trying to plan a trip to Central America, specifically Costa Rica, you will have the arduous task of narrowing down where you want to go, what you want to do, and what you have to see. With so many amazing destinations, activities, and restaurants to try, you absolutely must make a list, so that you don’t lose track of what is most important on your agenda.   Here are some helpful tips and ideas that may come in handy when you are looking for your trip activities.

Food:  Costa Rica has some amazing local food at great prices that you need to try.  A typical plate, called a casado, generally comes with rice, beans, veggies, a small salad, sweet or fried plantains, and your choice of beef, chicken, or fish.  It can of course vary, but the price is generally between $2 and $5 for the generous portion.  A casado makes for a great mid day meal when you are feeling hungry.  You can usually find a local “soda,” or a store that sells casados on the side of the road with a sign advertising.  Amazing delicious foods can be found here.   Another great perk of some of the foreign expats that have come to settle in some of the tourist, beach towns in Costa Rica, is that they have opened up some amazing restaurants featuring fares from their own countries.  You can find amazing authentic Italian, Greek, Japanese, American, French, and more.  “Trip Advisor” is also an online site where people rate local restaurants, hotels, and businesses that they visit while travelling.  While not always completely legitimate, it is a good starting point when checking out a new area.

Activities:  The types of activities that are available heavily depend on the locations you are visiting.  Don’t be fooled by advertisements of “real hot springs” unless you are near the Arenal Volcano.  Don’t bother with a zip lining tour unless you are near a pretty lush jungle. Hold off on snorkeling and diving until you get to the Caribbean Coast.  If you are interested in finding out what is good in an area you can do your research online, or ask a local.  While a concierge or server may be helpful, often times they may have a hidden agenda, or may receive commissions, so maybe ask a few people to make sure you are getting the same activities each time you ask.

HorizonPacificVacations, on Flickr

Beaches:  The different beaches you want to check out again will depend on the type of activities that you are looking for.  If you are looking for a good surf beach you may hear that you need to check out Tamarindo, Jaco, Mal Pais, or even pavones.  With surf breaks all over the country it could really depend on which area has a swell at the moment and where the winds are flowing.  If you are looking for a little wildlife while visiting the beach, Manuel Antonio is a great place to start since it is located in the middle of a National Forest.  If you are looking for some snorkeling you should check out some of the white sand beaches of the Caribbean Coast like Puerto Viejo, Uvita, or Cahuita, to enjoy the crystal blue waters and mesmerizing corals below.

HorizonPacificVacations, on Flickr

Places to stay:  For this again, you will need to check out some online reviews.  Don’t just trust that you are “right on the beach” as many hotels claim this in small beach towns, when really the beach may be a cab ride away, or you might be on the beach, but way out of the actual town. Costa Rican Vacation rentals can be a great option for groups or families, as you will all be able to stay under one roof. There are also more options in vacation rentals for those looking for extended vacations longer then a week or so.  Check out prices in the off seasons if your travel dates are a bit flexible to save a lot of money during your vacation.

HorizonPacificVacations, on Flickr