Dry Season: Dec–Apr (sunny, popular)
Green Season: May–Nov (lush, fewer crowds)
Costa Rica is a dream destination for travelers who crave adventure and natural beauty. With two coastlines (Pacific and Caribbean), lush rainforests, active volcanoes, and some of the world’s best eco-tourism, it’s no wonder this country ranks among the top travel spots in Latin America.
Wildlife: Spot sloths, howler monkeys, toucans, and sea turtles.
Volcanoes: Explore Arenal, Poás, and Rincon de la Vieja.
Beaches: Relax or surf on stunning beaches like Playa Manuel Antonio, Santa Teresa, and Puerto Viejo.
Rainforests: Hike in Monteverde Cloud Forest or Corcovado National Park.
Wellness: Unwind with yoga retreats and hot springs in natural settings.
Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO): Located near the capital city of San José, this is the busiest airport in Costa Rica. It’s a great gateway to central and southern destinations like Arenal, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio, and the Caribbean coast.
Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR): Located in Liberia in the Guanacaste province, this airport is ideal if you’re heading to the northern Pacific coast (Tamarindo, Playa Hermosa, Papagayo Peninsula). Fewer crowds and shorter drives to beach resorts.
Puerto Limón (Caribbean Coast): This is the primary Caribbean port.
Cruise Lines Typically Visiting: Carnival Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Viking, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL).
Puntarenas / Puerto Caldera (Pacific Coast): These two nearby ports serve as the main entry points on the Pacific side, often used for Panama Canal transits or Pacific coastal routes. Puerto Caldera is the more modern facility used by many larger ships.
Cruise Lines Typically Visiting: Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), Royal Caribbean, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Windstar Cruises, Azamara, Oceania, Regent Seven Seas, Silversea, Crystal Cruises, Star Clippers.
Quepos (Pacific Coast): A smaller port primarily for smaller or expedition-style ships, often requiring tender boats. Gateway to Manuel Antonio National Park.
Cruise Lines Typically Visiting: Windstar Cruises, Star Clippers, Ponant, Seabourn, Atlas Ocean Voyages (Mystic Cruises), Hurtigruten Expeditions (HX), Lindblad Expeditions. (Some larger lines like Royal Caribbean may list it as a destination accessible via tours from other ports, but smaller ships are more likely to dock/tender here).
Golfito (Southern Pacific Coast): Another smaller port visited mainly by smaller luxury, expedition, or sailing ships. Gateway to the Osa Peninsula.
Cruise Lines Typically Visiting: Windstar Cruises, Star Clippers, Seabourn, Ponant, Regent Seven Seas.
Visa
Visa-Free (Up to 180 Days): Citizens of the US, Canada, UK, EU, and many other countries generally do not need a visa for tourism.
Duration: Immigration may grant up to 180 days upon arrival, but the exact length is at the officer’s discretion (check your passport stamp!).
Others: Check with the official Costa Rican immigration website or your local embassy/consulate if you are not from these regions, as you may need a visa.
Passport
Validity: Must be valid for your entire intended stay. Having at least 6 months’ validity beyond your trip is highly recommended to avoid issues.
Condition: Must be in good condition (not damaged) with blank pages for stamps.
Costa Rica is small, but travel times can be longer than expected due to winding mountain roads and varying conditions. Your transport options include:
Rent a Car: Great for flexibility, especially in remote areas. A 4WD is recommended for rural roads and during the rainy season. Be prepared for tolls and limited signage.
Shared Shuttles: Convenient and budget-friendly, these operate between popular destinations on fixed schedules.
Domestic Flights: Carriers like Sansa and Green Airways offer quick flights between major hubs, saving time.
Private Transfers: More expensive, but ideal for families or groups seeking comfort.
Pack Smart: Bring water shoes, lightweight quick-dry clothing, a rain jacket, insect repellent, and sunscreen (reef-safe is best).
Currency: U.S. dollars are accepted in most tourist areas, but having some Costa Rican colones is helpful for local markets, buses, and small towns.
Language: English is spoken in many tourist spots, but learning a few Spanish phrases will make your trip smoother and more rewarding.
Eco Etiquette: Stay on marked trails, never feed wildlife, and opt for eco-certified tours or hotels when possible.
Let’s talk about when to actually book that Dubai trip you’ve been pinning for two years. I get asked this constantly, so here’s the honest breakdown: October through April is your window. Anything outside that and you’re basically touring in a sauna!
October and November give you warm days and cooler nights, which is basically the sweet spot for wandering around without melting. December through February is peak season: gorgeous weather. March and April are the quiet insider pick, right before summer heat shows up and ruins everyone’s plans.
Saving this for later? That’s what it’s here for. Full breakdown linked in bio.
If you’re chasing energy, beaches, nightlife, and nonstop luxury, Dubai takes the crown. If you’re craving culture, iconic architecture, and meaningful landmarks at a slower pace, Abu Dhabi shines.🤍
My advice? Base yourself in Dubai and do Abu Dhabi as a day trip! The perfect balance of excitement and culture in the UAE.
Want the full breakdown? Check out my Dubai and Abu Dhabi guide for tips, itineraries, and must-sees!
I do not like seafood. 🐟 So when I booked a tasting menu at a restaurant built around aquarium walls at Atlantis The Palm, I was nervous.
Ossiano sits underwater fish gliding past the whole meal, moody lighting, the kind of room that makes you lower your voice without meaning to. It’s not cheap, and it’s not trying to be. You’re paying for the entire experience.
Here’s the honest part: they have a vegetarian tasting menu, and I assumed it would be an afterthought. It ended up in my top five meals of all time. Course after course, the same care and precision as the seafood-forward menu everyone comes for. They even swapped in a steak for the main and it still felt cohesive with everything around it.
By course four you’re full. They bring out three more breads anyway. I ate all of it. No regrets.
Small detail that stuck with me my dress was black, so they swapped my napkin from white to black without me asking. That’s the kind of thing that tells you everything about a place.
Full breakdown of the menu, the vegetarian option, and what to expect linked in bio.
Dubai is all skyline until you drive an hour into the dunes and it goes completely silent. Bab Al Shams was that shift for us: slower, quieter, more intentional than anything we did in the city.
If you want nightlife or walkable everything, this isn’t your stop. But if you want a night that feels like a reset, it delivers, polished service, food I’m still thinking about, and a setting that never tries too hard.
Full review (and whether it’s worth adding to your Dubai itinerary) is linked in bio. 🏜️
I flew @emirates economy to Dubai fully expecting to just survive the flight. We booked seats by the exit row — @bradplummer1 got the legroom (he’s 6’7”), I got a normal seat right next to him, and it saved us money over booking two extra-legroom seats. Smart trick if you’re traveling with someone who needs the extra space and you don’t.
The food alone earned this post. Warm chicken, a Waldorf salad that actually tasted fresh, real butter on the roll, and a breakfast spread that put most airport brunches to shame. Add in the twinkling-star cabin lighting once dinner wrapped, and it felt less like a flight and more like the trip had already started.
Not everything was perfect — the wifi didn’t work for me at all, so if you’re planning to get work done in the air, download what you need beforehand. But that was the only miss in an otherwise excellent long haul.
If you’ve got Emirates lounge access in Dubai, use it. Showers, buffets, quiet corners to nap it makes the layover feel like a reset instead of a slog.
Full review seats, food, lounge, and the wifi situation is on the blog. Link in bio. ✈️
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
