Why Costa Rica?
Making a Costa Rica solo travel itinerary was definitely a step out of my comfort zone. I haven’t taken an international trip just for fun since December 2023. I’ve been smart with my money since then, saving where I could, and I figured it was finally time to go somewhere new. When traveling solo, there are definitely different levels of difficulty depending on the country, especially when you don’t know anyone there and you’re handling everything yourself.
Most of my solo trips have been in Europe, where things feel pretty familiar. Public transportation is easy to navigate, cities are walkable, and overall, it’s not too far removed from life in the U.S. I’ve also been to Turkey and Egypt more recently. While I explored a lot on my own in both countries, having family there helped tremendously.
That’s part of what made Costa Rica stand out. I wanted to step out of my comfort zone a bit more without making things unnecessarily difficult. Costa Rica has a strong tourism industry, so I know I won’t be totally on my own, but it’ll still be more challenging compared to past trips. I’ve also never visited any other country in North America besides the U.S., so this feels like a good place to start. South America, more of Asia, and different parts of Africa are still on the list, but I’ll save that planning for after this trip.
What’s the Plan?
I only recently made the decision to book this trip, so I’ve been deep in research mode ever since. What keeps coming up is how much natural beauty the country has to offer, from lush jungles and volcanoes to coastal sunsets. It’s a big contrast to the kind of places I usually go, and honestly, I’m looking forward to that.
I wouldn’t call myself a full-on nature person yet, but I’m actively trying to get there. This trip feels like the right opportunity to make that shift. I’ll be in Costa Rica for seven days total. The plan is simple:
- 2 days on the Pacific Coast (Tamarindo)
- 4 days exploring the Arenal Volcano region
- 1 day in San José before flying out
I’ve saved enough to rent a car for the entire trip, which gives me more flexibility. I won’t have to rely on buses or shuttles, and I’ll be able to structure the trip exactly how I want.
Housing, Meals, and Activities
Costa Rica isn’t exactly cheap compared to other parts of Central America, but it’s still much more affordable than a lot of places in the U.S. I’m still narrowing down where to stay, either hotels or an Airbnb. Hostels are generally a great way to save money and meet people, but I personally prefer my privacy and to have my own space when I travel. As I continue to do more solo trips if it gets too difficult to meet new people I may reconsider my attitude towards hostels though.
I’m also really looking forward to the food. I’ve heard Costa Rica has some of the freshest tropical fruit around – pineapples, papayas, mangos, guavas – and I plan to try as much as I can. I’m especially excited for local casados, the traditional meals with rice, beans, salad, plantains, and meat or fish. Also with being near the coast, I’ll definitely be trying the seafood. I don’t have a strict food plan yet, but I’m a huge fan of trying whatever locals recommend.
When it comes to activities, hiking is at the top of my list. The Arenal region has a bunch of trails and natural hot springs, and I plan to experience both. On the coast, I’m hoping to try kayaking or maybe even surfing if I can find a good beginner-friendly beach. I’m still deciding on a few details, but those are the highlights I’m working toward.
Logistics
Planning the logistics is never the most exciting part of travel, but it’s the part that makes everything else possible.
I’ll be packing everything in my travel backpack, and I plan to make the most of every inch of space. Some essentials I always bring include a reliable power bank, a camera, a refillable water bottle, and downloaded offline maps in case of bad signal. I’ll also be doing some gear shopping before I go since I don’t really own anything designed for serious hiking or tropical weather.
To be clear, this trip isn’t about going ultra-cheap. It’s also not about luxury. I like to call it strategic spending. I’m willing to pay for comfort and control when it matters, especially when it comes to where I sleep or how I get around. I’m not throwing money around, but I also don’t want to deal with preventable stress while I’m traveling.
Budget Breakdown
I didn’t go into this trip with a strict budget in mind, but here’s how it’s shaping up so far. My round-trip flight cost $402, which felt like a solid deal considering I booked it not too far in advance. The biggest splurge was the car rental. It came out to $268 for the week. I’ve never rented a car in another country before, but I really wanted the freedom to move around without relying on tours or public transportation.
For housing, I’m estimating around $400 in total. I’m still finalizing my stays, but I’ve been able to find decent options that fit that price range while still giving me the privacy I want.
All in, the core trip costs should come out to about $1,070. That doesn’t include food or activities, but I’ve been saving for a while so I’m comfortable with where things are landing.
Final Thoughts
There are still a few things I need to lock in before I leave. I’ve got some housing options to confirm and gear to buy, and I want to double-check my driving routes and backup plans just in case. But overall, I’m feeling ready.
I’ll share more updates as the trip gets closer, and once I’m back, I’ll be posting a full recap of what worked, what didn’t, and what I’d do differently.
Keep tabs on my trip by checking back on my blog! Let’s see what Costa Rica has in store.