Costa Rica Travel Mistakes to Avoid (From a Local Who Grew Up There)
- Kajaari Adventures
- Apr 15
- 3 min read
If you’ve been dreaming about Costa Rica, you’re probably picturing lush rainforest, beautiful beaches, and that effortless pura vida feeling.
And while all of that is real… the truth is, I’ve seen many trips fall short — not because Costa Rica isn’t incredible, but because of a few very avoidable planning mistakes.
Having grown up in Costa Rica and now returning often while helping travelers plan their trips, I can almost always spot the same patterns.
Before we get into it…
If you’re in the early stages of planning, I put together a guide with some of my favorite places and areas most travelers don’t come across on their own.
1. Trying to see too much in one trip
Costa Rica looks small on the map — but it doesn’t travel that way in reality.
Distances are short, but:
roads can be winding
conditions vary
and travel takes longer than expected
This is a real example of an itinerary I often see:
La Fortuna
Monteverde
Manuel Antonio
Caribbean
…all in one week.
What happens? The trip becomes rushed, with hours spent in transit and very little time to actually enjoy each place.
If this were my own trip, I would immediately simplify this into two well-matched areas.
Stick to 2–3 locations max, and give yourself time to actually enjoy them.
2. Choosing places without understanding the feel
Not all areas in Costa Rica feel the same — and this is something most travelers don’t realize until they’re already there.
For example:
Tamarindo→ more developed and busy
La Fortuna → lush, active, adventure-focused
South Pacific → quieter, more remote, deeply connected to nature
Manuel Antonio → direct beach access only from some hotels
If the location doesn’t match your travel style, the whole trip can feel slightly off.
And it’s not always obvious from photos alone.
3. Underestimating logistics
Costa Rica is not a destination where everything just “flows” without planning.
Small details matter:
when to move between locations
whether to drive or arrange transfers
how far your hotel is from activities
For example:
I almost always recommend avoiding night driving
Some areas require a 4x4 vehicle
Transfers can take longer than expected
These aren’t big issues individually — but together, they can impact your experience a lot.
4. Booking accommodations based only on price
Costa Rica has a wide range of accommodations, and online listings don’t always tell the full story.
I’ve seen travelers book places that:
are too far from everything
require difficult access
or don’t match the experience they were hoping for
And once you’re there, it’s not easy to adjust.
The right property in the right location makes everything smoother.
If you want to go a bit deeper…
Some of the places that truly make a trip special aren’t always the ones you see everywhere online.
I included a few of those in my guide:
5. Missing the quieter side of Costa Rica
Costa Rica is popular — but that doesn’t mean your trip has to feel crowded or overdone.
There are still places that feel:
slower
more personal
and more connected to nature
You just have to know where to look.
Final thoughts
A great Costa Rica trip isn’t about doing more.
It’s about:
choosing the right places
pacing it well
and understanding how everything fits together
That’s what creates a trip that actually feels effortless.
Want help planning your trip?
If you’d like help putting together a trip that flows well and fits your travel style, I’d be happy to help.
A note from me, as someone who grew up in Costa Rica:
About the Author
I’m Ariana, a Costa Rican–born travel advisor and founder of Kajaari Adventures. Having grown up in Costa Rica and continuing to travel there often, I bring both local insight and current, on-the-ground perspective to every trip I plan.
I care deeply about helping travelers experience Costa Rica in a way that feels thoughtful, well-paced, and genuinely connected to the destination — not rushed or overly curated.
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